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Rotation and orientation patterns focus on the angle or direction of shapes within each box. Unlike position (which concerns where a shape is placed), rotation concerns how a shape is turned. These patterns are particularly important in Type 2 (sequence) questions, where shapes often rotate progressively from one box to the next.
Rotation describes how far a shape has been turned from a reference orientation, measured in degrees.
| Rotation | Description |
|---|---|
| 0° | Original orientation (no rotation) |
| 45° | Eighth of a full turn |
| 90° | Quarter turn |
| 180° | Half turn (upside down) |
| 270° | Three-quarter turn (or 90° in the opposite direction) |
| 360° | Full turn (same as 0°) |
Rotation can be clockwise (CW) or anticlockwise (ACW / counter-clockwise).
Critical distinction: Rotating a shape 90° clockwise produces a different result from rotating it 90° anticlockwise — unless the shape has rotational symmetry that makes them equivalent.
Not all shapes reveal rotation equally:
| Shape | Rotation visibility | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Arrow | Very clear | Points in a specific direction |
| Right-angled triangle | Clear | The right angle creates an obvious orientation |
| L-shape | Very clear | Asymmetric, so every rotation looks different |
| Letter-like shapes (F, P, etc.) | Very clear | Highly asymmetric |
| Equilateral triangle | Moderate | Looks different at 0°, 120°, 240° but identical at those three |
| Square | Poor | Looks identical every 90° |
| Circle | Invisible | Looks the same at every angle |
Key insight: If a rule involves rotation, the test designers will typically include shapes that show rotation clearly (arrows, L-shapes, asymmetric polygons). If all shapes are circles and squares, rotation is unlikely to be the rule.
All instances of a particular shape across the set point in the same direction.
Set A:
Rule: Every box contains an arrow pointing up. The other shapes vary randomly (distractors).
Set B might have arrows pointing down, or arrows pointing in mixed directions with a different defining rule.
Test shape: An arrow pointing right, two circles, one triangle.
The direction or angle of a shape may be determined by another feature in the box.
| Rule | How it manifests |
|---|---|
| "The arrow points towards the largest shape" | Direction depends on the position of another shape |
| "The arrow points towards the black shape" | Direction depends on colour |
| "The triangle points in the direction of the odd shape out" | Direction depends on a distinguishing feature |
| "The number of shapes determines the arrow's angle: 1 shape = up, 2 = right, 3 = down, 4 = left" | Rotation linked to count |
Set A:
Rule: The arrow always points towards the largest shape in the box.
Mirror images are created by reflecting a shape across an axis (horizontal or vertical). This is distinct from rotation.
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