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Alternation & Fill

Elements switch between states—filled or outline, visible or hidden, left or right—on repeating rhythms.

Understanding this pattern

Alternation patterns change a property back and forth instead of moving it continuously. One shape may switch between filled and outline in every panel, while another switches every second or third panel. Track each element independently and mark its cycle length and current phase before predicting the next state.

Example Question 1

Alternation & Fill q23_arrow_staircase
Options A B C D E
Correct answer: B

Pattern Rule

The top arrow reverses direction in every panel, the middle arrow every two panels, and the bottom arrow every three. Continue all three rhythms independently from panel 5.

Explanation

Option B is the only choice that applies this rule to the next panel. Every other choice stops, reverses, skips, or misaligns at least one part of the pattern.

Example Question 2

Alternation & Fill q23_arrow_staircase
Options A B C D E
Correct answer: E

Pattern Rule

The top arrow reverses direction in every panel, the middle arrow every two panels, and the bottom arrow every three. Continue all three rhythms independently from panel 5.

Explanation

Option E is the only choice that applies this rule to the next panel. Every other choice stops, reverses, skips, or misaligns at least one part of the pattern.

How to spot it

  • A shape repeatedly switches between filled and outline
  • An element appears and disappears on alternating panels
  • Different elements toggle after one, two, or three steps

Common traps

  • Treating a fill toggle as rotation or movement
  • Assuming every element switches at the same rate
  • Forgetting the current phase when a cycle restarts

Related tags

alternation toggle fill_cycle visibility

Question patterns using this concept (8)

Choose a question pattern below to open the exam configurator and practise only that specific pattern.

Nested Square Arrow Mixed Shapes Grid Arrow Staircase Quartered Triangles Rotation Wedge Dot Mix Circle Pos Triangles 3X3 Moving Black Fill Rotating H Diamonds
Practice Now Abstract Reasoning Patterns

Other pattern concepts

Rotation Accumulation Dual Speed Permutation & Swap Shape Cycling Path & Movement Interaction & Fusion Quadrants & Sectors Symmetry & Reflection