Complex Sequences

In the most challenging Type 2 questions, multiple features change simultaneously from one box to the next. One shape might rotate while another changes colour. An element might be added while an existing element moves position. These complex sequences require you to track two or three independent "channels" of change at once — a skill that separates high scorers from the rest.

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The Multi-Channel Approach

The key to solving complex sequences is to decompose the sequence into independent channels of change, analyse each channel separately, and then recombine them for the prediction.

Step 1: Identify All Elements

List every distinct element in the sequence. For example:

• A black arrow
• Two white circles
• One grey triangle

Step 2: Track Each Element Across All Boxes

For each element, note what changes:

• Arrow: rotates 90° CW each step
• Circles: one additional circle added each step
• Triangle: changes colour (grey → black → white → grey)

Step 3: Predict Each Element Independently

• Arrow: next rotation → points in the predicted direction
• Circles: next addition → one more circle
• Triangle: next colour → predicted colour

Step 4: Recombine

Assemble all the predicted elements into one box. Match to the answer options.

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Worked Example 1: Rotation + Addition

Sequence:

• Box 1: One arrow pointing up. One small circle at the top.
• Box 2: One arrow pointing right (90° CW). Two small circles at the top.
• Box 3: One arrow pointing down (90° CW). Three small circles at the top.
• Box 4: One arrow pointing left (90° CW). Four small circles at the top.

Channel 1 — Arrow: Rotates 90° CW each step. Next: points up (completes cycle). Channel 2 — Circles: One added each step. Next: five circles.

Prediction for Box 5: Arrow pointing up, five small circles.

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Worked Example 2: Movement + Colour Cycling + Size Change

Sequence:

• Box 1: A small black triangle in the top-left corner.
• Box 2: A medium grey triangle in the top-right corner.
• Box 3: A large white triangle in the bottom-right corner.
• Box 4: A small black triangle in the bottom-left corner.

Channel 1 — Position: Top-left → Top-right → Bottom-right → Bottom-left (clockwise corners). Next: top-left. Channel 2 — Colour: Black → Grey → White → Black (3-step cycle). Next: grey. Channel 3 — Size: Small → Medium → Large → Small (3-step cycle). Next: medium.

Prediction for Box 5: A medium grey triangle in the top-left corner.

Note: The position cycle has 4 steps, while the colour and size cycles have 3 steps. After Box 4, the channels are out of sync — position has reset but colour/size have also reset. This alignment at Box 4 makes Box 5 the critical test of whether you have correctly identified all three cycles.

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Worked Example 3: Two Shapes Changing Independently

Sequence:

• Box 1: Black arrow pointing up in the centre. White circle in the top-left corner.
• Box 2: Black arrow pointing right in the centre. White circle in the top-right corner.
• Box 3: Black arrow pointing down in the centre. White circle in the bottom-right corner.
• Box 4: Black arrow pointing left in the centre. White circle in the bottom-left corner.

Element 1 — Arrow: Stays in centre. Rotates 90° CW each step. Next: points up. Element 2 — Circle: Moves clockwise through corners. Next: top-left.

Both elements follow 4-step cycles that are synchronised.

Prediction for Box 5: Arrow pointing up in centre, circle in top-left corner (same as Box 1 — the entire sequence cycles every 4 steps).

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Worked Example 4: Addition + Replacement