SSC CGL Reasoning · Non-Verbal Series and Analogy

Symbol Grids

Figure series where a box holds many letters, numbers and symbols, and each step rearranges them by a fixed move, or by two moves used in turn.

All Non-Verbal Series and Analogy notes

Why this matters

Fifty-nine questions in the bank, 36 from the 2023 shifts and 23 from the 2024 shifts: 39 HARD and 20 MODERATE. This page holds 39 of the chapter's 45 HARD questions. They take time, so the skill is a method that finds the answer by tracking two or three symbols instead of all of them.

Concept 1 of 2: One move repeated at every step

In the simpler grids every step uses the same move: each symbol goes from its place to a fixed new place. Find where two or three symbols go from figure 1 to figure 2, check it on the next pair, and use it again.

Definition

1. Number the places in the box (cells 1 to 9 row by row in a 3 by 3 grid, or positions along a row). 2. For one symbol, write the place it leaves and the place it reaches: cell 1 to cell 3. 3. Do the same for two more symbols. Together they show the move. 4. Check the move from figure 2 to figure 3. If it holds, apply it to the last figure.

Common moves: the whole row shifts one place (the end symbol goes to the front); every symbol moves one place round the border; each column or place runs its own short series.
Fast route: you need the final places of only two or three symbols. Strike every option that misplaces one of them.

Worked example

A box has four cells numbered 1 to 4. At each step the symbol in cell 1 moves to cell 3, cell 3 to cell 4, cell 4 to cell 2 and cell 2 to cell 1. Figure 1 has A, B, C, D in cells 1 to 4. What does figure 3 show in cells 1 to 4?

Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps

The same idea in a real exam question:

SSC CGL · 2023 · Tier I, 25 Jul 2023, Shift 3 · Q18Moderate

Example 1 · Non-Verbal Series and Analogy · Symbol Grids

Select the figure from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

Tracking a symbol by its look, not its place

In a grid of nine symbols the eye jumps to whatever stands out. Number the cells and write each symbol's cell number; the move is about places, not shapes.

Drill 13 more on one move repeated at every step

Concept 2 of 2: Two moves used in turn

Most HARD grids use two different moves that take turns: one from figure 1 to 2, another from 2 to 3, then the first again. So the step from figure 4 to the answer repeats the step from figure 2 to figure 3, not the step just before it.

Definition

1. Write move X from figure 1 to figure 2, and move Y from figure 2 to figure 3. 2. Check that figure 3 to figure 4 repeats move X. If it does, the moves alternate. 3. The answer is figure 4 after move Y.

Another form: figures 1, 3 and 5 make one series and figures 2 and 4 another. Then the answer continues the odd series from figure 3.
If figure 3 to 4 does not repeat move X, the series uses one move each time or a longer cycle; go back to the first concept.
Fast route: apply move Y to just two symbols of figure 4 and strike the options that disagree. Apply it in full only if two options are left.

Worked example

A row of five letters starts as A B C D E. Move 1 reverses the row; move 2 swaps the middle letter with the first. The moves take turns, starting with move 1. What is the row after four moves (the fifth figure)?

Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps

The same idea in a real exam question:

SSC CGL · 2023 · Tier I, 26 Jul 2023, Shift 1 · Q1Moderate

Example 2 · Non-Verbal Series and Analogy · Symbol Grids

Select the figure from the options that can replace the question mark (?) and complete the given pattern.

Repeating the last move instead of the one before

When two moves take turns, figure 4 to 5 repeats figure 2 to 3. Using the figure 3 to 4 move again gives a figure the setter prints among the options.

Deciding the moves alternate from one pair

Two different moves from figure 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 could also be a longer cycle. Check that figure 3 to 4 really repeats the first move before you rely on it.

Drill 44 more on two moves used in turn

Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance

A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.

Watch out for (3)

Tracking a symbol by its look, not its place
→ One move repeated at every step
Repeating the last move instead of the one before
→ Two moves used in turn
Deciding the moves alternate from one pair
→ Two moves used in turn

Test yourself on Non-Verbal Series and Analogy

20 past SSC CGL questions from this chapter, timed at 12 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.

Take the Non-Verbal Series and Analogy chapter test Drill all 59 questions