Figure Analogy for the Assam Police Constable (AB & UB) Exam
Figure Analogy is a non-verbal reasoning topic of the SLPRB Assam Police Constable (AB & UB) examination in which two figures are shown that stand in a definite relation, and the candidate must apply the same relation to a third figure and choose the fourth from the given options. The topic tests the ability to observe a relation and to transfer it to a new figure, which is a useful skill in many reasoning topics. No general knowledge and no language skill are needed; the whole question is solved by finding the rule that changes the first figure into the second and then applying that rule to the third. A candidate who states the relation in words before looking at the options almost never makes a mistake. This page explains the types of relations, the worked examples, the shortcuts and the traps that cost marks. The material follows the standard reasoning reference books used for Assam recruitment examinations and is reviewed before it is published.
What the Topic Means
An analogy is a comparison of the form A is to B as C is to D. In figure analogy the first pair of figures shows a relation, such as rotation, change of the number of sides, change of shading, or mirroring, and the candidate must find a figure that relates to the third figure in exactly the same way. The second pair must follow the same rule as the first pair and not merely a similar-looking rule. The relation may act on the whole figure or on a part of it, and it may involve more than one change at the same time. The key is to keep the relation fixed and to change only the figures.
The Common Relations in Figure Analogy
- Rotation of the figure by a fixed angle, clockwise or anticlockwise.
- Increase or decrease in the number of sides or of a repeated element.
- Change of shading, filling or colour, or interchange of black and white.
- Mirror image or water image of the figure.
- Change in the position of a small element inside the figure.
- Change of size, the figure growing larger or smaller.
- Inversion or turning the figure upside down.
- A combination of two relations, such as rotation together with a change of shading.
A Step by Step Method
- Look at the first pair and ask what has been done to the first figure to get the second.
- State the relation in one short sentence, such as the figure turns ninety degrees to the right.
- Look at the third figure and apply the same relation to it.
- Predict the answer before reading the options.
- Match the predicted figure with the options and reject any option that uses a different relation.
- If more than one change is present, apply all the changes in the same order as in the first pair.
Worked Examples
Example one: the first figure is a triangle pointing up and the second is the same triangle pointing right, so the relation is a quarter turn clockwise; applying the same turn to a square gives a square turned a quarter clockwise. Example two: the first figure is a white circle and the second is a black circle, so the relation is a change of shading; a white square therefore pairs with a black square. Example three: the first figure is a square with a dot at the top left and the second has the dot at the top right, so the relation is a move of the dot by one position; a triangle with a dot at the bottom pairs with a triangle with the dot at the next position. Example four: the first figure is a rectangle and the second is its mirror image, so the third figure pairs with its mirror image. Example five: the first figure is a pentagon and the second is a hexagon, so the relation is an increase by one side, and a triangle therefore pairs with a square.
How This Topic Appears in the Examination
The topic usually appears as two to four objective questions of one mark each. The common forms are to complete the analogy of two pairs of figures, to find the figure that relates to a given figure in the same way as two other figures relate to each other, and to find the odd pair that does not share the common relation. Since the options are close to one another, the candidate must be sure of the relation before choosing.
Shortcuts and Speed Methods
- State the relation in words before looking at the options.
- Check the simplest relations first, namely rotation, counting and shading.
- Apply the relation only to the third figure and not to the whole row.
- Beware of options that use a mirror relation when the first pair used a rotation relation.
- If two changes are present, keep the same order as in the first pair.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a similar-looking option that uses a different relation.
- Applying the relation in the reverse direction, that is from the second to the first.
- Forgetting a second change that acts together with the main change.
- Confusing a mirror image with a rotation.
- Changing the order of two changes and so getting a figure that is turned the wrong way.
Preparation Plan
- Learn the list of common relations by heart.
- Practise twenty analogy questions a day, writing the relation for each in one line.
- Separate the practice of rotation, shading, mirror and counting analogies.
- Predict the answer before reading the options and then check it.
- Revise the common relations once a week until they are recognised at a glance.
More Practice Questions
- If a small circle becomes a big circle, then a small square becomes a big square.
- If a figure turns half a circle, then the same turn applied again brings it back to the first position.
- If a white triangle becomes a black triangle, then a white pentagon becomes a black pentagon.
- If the first figure gains two sides, then a triangle becomes a pentagon.
- If a letter is shown in its mirror image, then the same letter pairs with the same mirror image.
Quick Revision Checklist
- Find the relation in the first pair first.
- State the relation in one short sentence.
- Apply the same relation to the third figure.
- Predict the answer before reading the options.
- Apply all changes in the same order as in the first pair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is figure analogy?
It is a non-verbal reasoning topic in which the relation between the first two figures must be found and then applied to a third figure so as to choose the fourth figure from the options.
What relations are common here?
Rotation, change in the number of sides, change of shading, mirror or water image, movement of a small element, change of size, inversion, and a combination of these are the common relations.
How do I avoid close options?
First state the relation in words and predict the answer, and then compare the options with the prediction so that a look-alike option does not mislead you.
What if two changes happen together?
Identify both changes and apply them to the third figure in the same order as they occur in the first pair; changing the order usually gives a wrong figure.
Is figure analogy scoring in Assam Police?
Yes. Each question uses a single observable relation and can be solved quickly, so it is a good place to gain sure marks in the reasoning paper.