Type 2 Questions Explained

Type 2 AR questions are fundamentally different from Type 1. Instead of two sets of shapes governed by a static rule, you are presented with a sequence of shapes and asked: "What comes next?" This requires a shift in thinking — from identifying a consistent property to identifying a progressive change.

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The Format

What You See

A row of four (sometimes five) boxes, each containing one or more shapes. The boxes are presented left to right, forming a sequence. Below the sequence, four answer options (A, B, C, D) each show a possible next box.

What You Must Do

Identify the pattern of change from one box to the next, and select the answer option that correctly continues the sequence.

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How Type 2 Differs from Type 1

Feature	Type 1	Type 2
Structure	Two sets of 6 boxes each	One sequence of 4-5 boxes
Core skill	Identifying a static rule	Identifying a progressive change
What stays the same	The rule across all boxes	The nature of the change between consecutive boxes
What changes	Individual shapes (within the rule)	One or more features change systematically
Answer options	Set A / Set B / Neither	A / B / C / D (four visual options)
"Neither" available?	Yes	No — one of the four options is correct

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The Core Concept: What Changes Between Consecutive Boxes?

The fundamental question for Type 2 is: "What is different between Box 1 and Box 2?" Then: "Does the same change apply from Box 2 to Box 3?" If the same change is consistent across all transitions, you have identified the pattern.

The Three Things to Track

When comparing consecutive boxes, look for changes in:

1. What is there — Are shapes added, removed, or replaced?
2. Where it is — Has anything moved position?
3. How it looks — Has anything changed colour, size, or orientation?

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Types of Sequential Change

Sequential changes fall into predictable categories. Memorising these categories allows you to identify them quickly:

Category	Description	Example
Rotation	A shape turns by a fixed angle each step	Arrow rotates 90° clockwise each box
Translation	A shape moves to a new position each step	Circle moves one space to the right
Addition	A new element appears each step	One more triangle added per box
Subtraction	An element is removed each step	One fewer circle per box
Colour cycling	Shading changes through a sequence	Black → grey → white → black
Size change	A shape grows or shrinks each step	Triangle gets larger each box
Replacement	One shape type is replaced by another	Circles become squares, then squares become pentagons
Complex/multiple	Two or more of the above happen simultaneously	Shape rotates AND changes colour

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Worked Example: Single Change (Rotation)

Sequence:

• Box 1: A right-angled triangle with the right angle at the bottom-left, hypotenuse running from top-left to bottom-right. A small circle in the top-right corner (separate, not touching the triangle).
• Box 2: The same triangle rotated 90° clockwise — right angle now at bottom-right, hypotenuse from bottom-left to top-right. The small circle is still in the top-right corner.
• Box 3: The triangle rotated another 90° clockwise — right angle now at top-right, hypotenuse from top-left to bottom-right (but inverted from Box 1). Circle still top-right.
• Box 4: The triangle rotated another 90° clockwise — right angle at top-left. Circle still top-right.

Analysis:

• The triangle rotates 90° clockwise each step
• The circle does not move — it is a static element (distractor from the rotation pattern)

What comes next? Another 90° clockwise rotation brings the triangle back to its Box 1 orientation (right angle at bottom-left). The circle remains in the top-right.

Answer: The box that shows the triangle in its original orientation with the circle in the top-right corner.

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Worked Example: Single Change (Addition)

Sequence:

• Box 1: One black square in the top-left corner
• Box 2: One black square in the top-left, one black square in the top-right
• Box 3: One black square in the top-left, one black square in the top-right, one black square in the bottom-right
• Box 4: One black square in the top-left, one black square in the top-right, one black square in the bottom-right, one black square in the bottom-left

Analysis: One new black square is added each step, filling corners in clockwise order.

What comes next? All four corners are filled. What happens now? Options might include:

• A fifth square appears in the centre
• The squares change colour (a secondary pattern begins)
• The pattern reverses (a square is removed)

You must select from the four answer options — look for the one that continues the most logical pattern.

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The "Static vs Changing" Distinction

In every Type 2 question, some elements change and some elements stay the same. Identifying which is which is crucial.

Static Elements (Do Not Change)

• A shape that appears in the same position, same size, same colour in every box
• The background or framing of the box
• Elements that serve as reference points

Changing Elements (The Pattern)

• A shape that moves, rotates, or changes colour
• Elements that are added or removed
• Features that cycle through states

Strategy: First identify what stays the same across all boxes (static elements). Then focus exclusively on what changes — this is where the pattern lies.

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Common Mistakes in Type 2

Mistake	Why it happens	Fix
Confusing rotation direction (CW vs ACW)	The change looks similar in both directions at small angles	Check at least 2 transitions to confirm direction
Missing a second change	Focused on the obvious change, missed a subtle one	Always check: is there a second element changing?
Applying the change inconsistently	Getting the change right for Box 1→2 but applying it differently for the prediction	Verify the change is identical across all transitions
Choosing an option that looks like the last box	The answer is the NEXT box, not a repeat of the current one	Apply the change one more time beyond the final given box

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Time Management for Type 2

Phase	Action	Time
Scan the sequence	Look for the obvious change	3-4 sec
Confirm the change	Verify across at least 2 transitions	3-4 sec
Predict the next box	Apply the change one more time	2-3 sec
Match to answer options	Find the option that matches your prediction	2-3 sec
Total		10-14 sec

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Key Takeaways

• Type 2 questions present a sequence and ask "What comes next?"
• The core task is identifying what changes between consecutive boxes
• Changes fall into categories: rotation, translation, addition, subtraction, colour cycling, size change, replacement, and combinations
• Separate static elements (distractors) from changing elements (the pattern)
• Verify your identified change across at least 2 transitions before predicting
• There is always a correct answer among the four options — "Neither" does not apply

The next lesson dives deeper into identifying sequential changes with more complex examples.