ISSB Non-Verbal Intelligence Test
Day one of the four-day ISSB is a screening: verbal and non-verbal intelligence tests, sat by every candidate on reporting. Candidates who do not clear them go home that day; those who do stay on for the psychologist, the Group Testing Officer and the interview.
The non-verbal intelligence test is made of figures instead of words. Shapes turn, move round a box, gain or lose parts and change their shading from one figure to the next, and each question asks which figure follows the rule, completes the pattern or breaks it.
What the ISSB non verbal intelligence test asks
Which figure comes next in the series?
Which figure completes a three by three pattern?
The first figure changes into the second; which figure does the third change into?
Three figures share a rule; find the one that does not.
How the figure looks in a mirror standing beside it.
How the figure looks reflected in water below it.
Which option is the same figure turned through a quarter or half turn.
It is the one part of ISSB that is a pure test, and the one that responds directly to practice.
Sample ISSB non verbal intelligence test questions with answers
1. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Solid pentagon at top left; small half-shaded arrow pointing up at bottom right
- B. Half-shaded pentagon, shaded up at top left; small half-shaded arrow pointing up at bottom right
- C. Solid pentagon at top left; small solid arrow pointing up at bottom right
- D. Solid pentagon at top left; small half-shaded arrow pointing up at middle left
The half shading of the circle becomes solid, while the solid square becomes half shaded. C has the same arrangement, so its half-shaded pentagon becomes solid and its solid arrow becomes half shaded. This is option A.
Discuss this question2. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Star at centre; small solid square at centre
- B. Star at centre; small half-shaded square, shaded down at centre
- C. Square at centre; small solid star at centre
- D. Star at centre; small solid square at centre
In A, the inner triangle becomes the outer shape in B, and the outer circle becomes the inner shape. Their fills and directions stay with the shapes. Applying that exchange to C gives the star outside and the square inside, as in option A.
Discuss this question3. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Solid square at top right; small half-shaded arrow pointing right at bottom left; small pentagon at top centre
- B. Half-shaded square, shaded right at top right; small solid arrow pointing right at bottom left; small pentagon at top centre
- C. Solid square at top left; small half-shaded arrow pointing up at bottom right; small pentagon at middle left
- D. Solid square at top right; small half-shaded arrow pointing right at bottom left; small pentagon at middle right
A first turns clockwise: top left goes to top right, bottom right goes to bottom left, and middle left goes to top middle. At the same time, the circle and triangle exchange shading. Applying both changes to C produces option A; the other options omit one change or move an element incorrectly.
Discuss this question4. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Solid star at bottom centre; hexagon at top right
- B. Solid star at bottom centre; hexagon at bottom right
- C. Solid star at top centre; hexagon at top right
- D. Star at bottom centre; solid hexagon at top right
In A to B, the arrow moves from tc to bc and the pentagon moves from bl to tl. The same vertical exchange moves C's star to bc and hexagon to tr, which is shown only in option A.
Discuss this question5. The first figure changes into the second by a rule. Which figure does the third change into by the same rule?
- A. Half-shaded pentagon, shaded right at top left; solid semicircle pointing right at middle right
- B. Half-shaded pentagon, shaded up at top left; solid semicircle pointing right at middle right
- C. Half-shaded pentagon, shaded right at top centre; solid semicircle pointing right at middle right
- D. Solid pentagon at top left; half-shaded semicircle pointing right at middle right
The arrow moves from tl to tc while turning 90 degrees, and the triangle moves from br to bc with the same turn. C therefore sends the pentagon to tl and the semicircle to mr, with both rotated 90 degrees, as in option A.
Discuss this questionHow to prepare for the ISSB non verbal intelligence test
- The board's screening is the same family of questions as your initial test, under stricter time pressure. Two weeks of timed practice before your reporting date is the cheapest insurance on the whole process.
- Track one change at a time. Ask what each shape does between two figures: does it turn, and by how much; does it move, and which way; does its shading change; does it appear or vanish?
- Rule options out rather than looking for the answer. Once one rule is clear, most options break it, and only one or two are left to check against the next rule.
- For mirror images, left and right swap and top and bottom stay. For water images, top and bottom swap and left and right stay. A quarter turn clockwise moves the top of the figure to its right side.
- Practise against the clock. Figure questions are quick once the common rules are familiar, and familiarity only comes from volume.
Read next: How the ISSB process works, day by day
Keep practising
ISSB Verbal Intelligence Test
The other half of the ISSB intelligence test.
ISSB practice and past papers
Every subject on the ISSB paper, timed, with answers.
Non-Verbal Intelligence Test for other services
ISSB non verbal intelligence test: common questions
What is in the ISSB non verbal intelligence test?
Figure series, pattern completion, figure analogies, odd figure out, mirror images, water images and figure rotation. The non-verbal intelligence test is made of figures instead of words. Shapes turn, move round a box, gain or lose parts and change their shading from one figure to the next, and each question asks which figure follows the rule, completes the pattern or breaks it.
When is the ISSB intelligence test taken?
Day one of the four-day ISSB is a screening: verbal and non-verbal intelligence tests, sat by every candidate on reporting. Candidates who do not clear them go home that day; those who do stay on for the psychologist, the Group Testing Officer and the interview.
Is there also a verbal intelligence test for ISSB?
Yes. The ISSB intelligence test has a verbal part and a non-verbal part, and candidates sit both. Each has its own free practice test on TestUstad.
How long is this ISSB non verbal intelligence practice test?
30 questions in 20 minutes, drawn fresh on every attempt and scored with harder questions counting more. The boards do not publish their papers, so these are original questions of the same types, at the same pace.
Is the ISSB non verbal intelligence practice free?
Yes. There is no fee, no sign-up and no limit on attempts. Every question is explained when you finish.