Matrices

A matrix question gives you a grid of shapes (usually 3 rows and 3 columns) with one square missing. You need to find the shape that completes the grid. The key idea is that every row and every column follows a rule — and sometimes the diagonals do too.

Matrices are often considered one of the harder NVR question types, but once you learn the strategy, they become much more manageable.

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What Does a Matrix Look Like?

Imagine a 3×3 grid like a noughts-and-crosses board:

+---------+---------+---------+
| Shape 1 | Shape 2 | Shape 3 |
+---------+---------+---------+
| Shape 4 | Shape 5 | Shape 6 |
+---------+---------+---------+
| Shape 7 | Shape 8 |    ?    |
+---------+---------+---------+

The missing shape is usually in the bottom-right corner (but not always). You need to find the answer that correctly completes the pattern.

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The Golden Rule of Matrices

Each row follows the same rule(s), AND each column follows the same rule(s).

This means the answer must work when you read across the bottom row AND when you read down the right column. If your answer does not work for both, it is wrong.