Sequences & Patterns
6 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 6 free 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning practice questions on Sequences & Patterns, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Sequences & Patterns: example questions & answers
6 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback on every answer.
In the sequence ●, ●●, ●●●, …, how many dots are in the next term?
- A3
- B4✓
- C5
- D6
Answer: The number of dots increases by one each time: 1, 2, 3, then 4.
In the sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, …, what comes next?
- A9
- B10✓
- C11
- D12
Answer: The pattern goes up by 2 each time, so after 8 comes 10.
A pattern shows a shape with 1 side shaded, then 2 sides shaded, then 3. How many shaded next?
- A2
- B3
- C4✓
- D5
Answer: The number of shaded sides increases by one each time: 1, 2, 3, then 4.
In the sequence 1, 4, 9, 16, …, what comes next?
- A20
- B25✓
- C24
- D36
Answer: These are square numbers (1², 2², 3², 4²), so the next is 5² = 25.
A pattern alternates: triangle, circle, triangle, circle, … What is the 6th shape?
- ATriangle
- BCircle✓
- CSquare
- DCannot tell
Answer: Odd positions are triangles, even positions are circles, so the 6th (even) is a circle.
A shape sequence shows 1 dot, 3 dots, 5 dots, … How many dots come next?
- A6
- B7✓
- C8
- D9
Answer: The dots go up by 2 (odd numbers): 1, 3, 5, then 7.