EPSOHQ
FR IT ES BG DE EL RO PL PT

Shape Cycling

Shapes progress through a defined sequence: triangle → square → pentagon → circle, then repeat.

Understanding this pattern

Shape cycling substitutes one geometric shape for the next in a predefined sequence. A triangle becomes a square, then a pentagon, then resets to a triangle. The cycle length (3, 4, or 5 shapes) determines the periodicity. Often combined with a movement or colour rule, making the shape change easy to miss.

Example Question 1

Shape Cycling q09_shape_cycle_diagonal
Options A B C D E
Correct answer: C

Pattern Rule

The two positions stay fixed while both symbols advance through the same five-form cycle: outline circle, filled circle, four-point star, outline diamond, filled square, then outline circle again.

Explanation

Option C 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

Shape Cycling q09_shape_cycle_diagonal
Options A B C D E
Correct answer: E

Pattern Rule

The two positions stay fixed while both symbols advance through the same five-form cycle: outline circle, filled circle, four-point star, outline diamond, filled square, then outline circle again.

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.

Example Question 3

Shape Cycling q09_shape_cycle_diagonal
Options A B C D E
Correct answer: D

Pattern Rule

The two positions stay fixed while both symbols advance through the same five-form cycle: outline circle, filled circle, four-point star, outline diamond, filled square, then outline circle again.

Explanation

Option D 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 4

Shape Cycling q09_shape_cycle_diagonal
Options A B C D E
Correct answer: D

Pattern Rule

The two positions stay fixed while both symbols advance through the same five-form cycle: outline circle, filled circle, four-point star, outline diamond, filled square, then outline circle again.

Explanation

Option D 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 changes form but stays in roughly the same position
  • The number of sides increases (or decreases) systematically
  • After N frames, the same shape reappears (cycle detection)

Common traps

  • Missing the cycle reset — predicting the next shape instead of the first
  • Confusing shape cycle with size change (shapes morph vs grow)
  • Not noticing that the cycle combines with a separate position rule

Related tags

shape_cycle morph polygon

Question patterns using this concept (13)

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

Shape Cycle Diagonal Polygon Morphing Diagonal Band Distinct Mixed Shapes Grid Black Cutout Rotation Striped Block Decorations Quartered Disc Quartered Triangles Rotation Polygon Dot Growth Wedge Dot Mix Mirrored Split Rhombus Circle Pos Triangles Rotating H Diamonds
Practice Now Abstract Reasoning Patterns

Other pattern concepts

Rotation Accumulation Dual Speed Permutation & Swap Path & Movement Interaction & Fusion Quadrants & Sectors Alternation & Fill Symmetry & Reflection