D-14Non-Verbal ReasoningThu 27 Aug

Matrices & two-rule grids

When one attribute isn’t enough.

An NVR matrix is a grid where two rules run at once — one across each row, and a different one down each column. The missing cell has to satisfy both. If you only follow one direction, a distractor will look perfect.

Picture it: size across, colour down

Across: small → large. Down: teal → orange. The missing cell is a large orange circle — not a small orange, and not a large teal.

Remember — the method

Step 1

Name the row rule

What changes left to right?

Step 2

Name the column rule

What changes top to bottom?

Step 3

Apply both

The answer must fit the row and the column.

Checklist: shade, colour, size, number of sides, rotation, position. Two of those usually move.

Exam trap

Copying the cell next door (one rule only). A large teal circle fits the “gets bigger” row, but fails the “turns orange” column.

✗ One rule

Right size, wrong colour

✓ Both rules

Large and orange

Question patterns you might see

Find both rules before you look at the options.

1 · Simple — 2×2, two obvious attributes
“Which figure completes the grid?”
1. 1Read the completed row: what is the one change?
2. 2Read the completed column: what is the other change?
3. 3Build the missing cell from both changes.
4. 4Cross out options that match only one of the two.
Answer fits both the row and the column
2 · Simple — Count something
“Dots increase by one across each row. Shape changes down each column.”
Next cell = one extra dot, same shape family
3 · Medium — 3×3 with a middle given
“Across: 1, 2, then 3 dots. Down: circle, then square, then triangle. What sits bottom-right?”
1. 1Top row: circles, dots 1 → 2 → 3. That is the across rule.
2. 2Left column: circle → square → triangle. That is the down rule.
3. 3Bottom-right must be a triangle (down) with 3 dots (across).
4. 4A 3-dot circle or a 2-dot triangle each fail one rule.
Missing cell = three triangles
4 · Medium — Rotation plus a second change
“Across: the arrow turns 90° clockwise. Down: a second arrow is added.”
Missing cell: two arrows pointing down (turned 90° from the left cell, plus the extra arrow from the column). A single downward arrow is the one-rule trap.
5 · Trickier — Which cell does not fit?
1. 1Row rule: small → large.
2. 2Column rule: dark → pale.
3. 3Bottom-right should be large and pale. It is pale but still small — it breaks the row.
The odd cell is the small pale circle
6 · Trickiest — Two rules that look like one
outline square
Across: solid → outline · Down: 3 sides → 4 sides
Don’t merge them into “the shape just looks different”. Name fill and sides as two separate attributes, then build the missing cell from both.

Coach tip: cover the options with a finger, sketch the missing cell, then uncover — it stops a one-rule distractor grabbing your eye.

Tomorrow (D-13): punctuation that changes meaning.

Next step

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