PAF Non-Verbal Intelligence Test
The PAF initial tests at an Information and Selection Centre begin with the intelligence tests, verbal and non-verbal, taken on computer, followed by the academic test for your branch. Results are usually announced the same day.
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 PAF 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.
Clearing them leads to the initial medical and interview, then ISSB; GD Pilot candidates face further aptitude assessment later on.
Sample PAF 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 triangle pointing up-right at top centre; small half-shaded hexagon, shaded up at bottom centre
- B. Solid triangle pointing up-right at top centre; small hexagon at bottom centre
- C. Solid triangle pointing up-right at bottom centre; small half-shaded hexagon, shaded up at top centre
- D. Small solid triangle pointing up-right at top centre; half-shaded hexagon, shaded up at bottom centre
From A to B, the positions turn clockwise, the small and medium sizes exchange, and the fills advance one step. Applying these three changes sends the triangle to the top centre as a medium solid shape and the hexagon to the bottom centre as a small half-shaded shape. 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. Small triangle pointing up at bottom right; small solid hexagon at top right
- B. Small triangle pointing up at centre; small solid hexagon at top right
- C. Small triangle pointing up-right at bottom right; small solid hexagon at top right
- D. Small triangle pointing up at bottom right; small solid hexagon at top centre
The pentagon moves from the top-left cell to the centre, and the star moves from the bottom-right cell to the top-left. This is one diagonal step down and right with wrapping. The triangle and hexagon make the same movement only 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. Small semicircle pointing left at bottom centre; small half-shaded triangle pointing up-left at top right
- B. Small semicircle pointing right at bottom centre; small half-shaded triangle pointing down-right at top right
- C. Small semicircle pointing left at top centre; small half-shaded triangle pointing up-left at top right
- D. Small solid semicircle pointing left at bottom centre; small half-shaded triangle pointing up-left at top right
The arrow changes from top-left to bottom-right and turns 90 degrees anticlockwise. The square changes from middle-right to middle-left and follows the same turn, although its appearance is unchanged. Applying both changes to C produces option A.
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. Small half-shaded circle, shaded up-right at top left; small solid square (tilted) at bottom left; small semicircle pointing down-left at bottom right
- B. Small half-shaded circle, shaded up-left at top left; small solid square (tilted) at bottom left; small semicircle pointing down-right at bottom right
- C. Small half-shaded circle, shaded up-right at top right; small solid square (tilted) at bottom left; small semicircle pointing down-left at bottom right
- D. Small solid circle at top left; small solid square (tilted) at bottom left; small semicircle pointing down-left at bottom right
From A to B, the three positions rotate anticlockwise around the centre. At the same time, each shape turns 45 degrees clockwise and each fill advances one step. The circle, square and semicircle undergo all three changes 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. Solid pentagon at middle right; small arrow pointing up-left at bottom left; small half-shaded hexagon, shaded right at top centre
- B. Solid pentagon at middle right; small arrow pointing up-left at bottom left; small half-shaded hexagon, shaded right at top centre
- C. Solid pentagon at middle right; small arrow pointing up-left at bottom left; small solid hexagon at top centre
- D. Solid pentagon at middle right; small solid arrow pointing up-left at bottom left; small half-shaded hexagon, shaded right at top centre
From A to B, positions rotate clockwise, independently of the shape rotation. At the same time, each shape turns 45 degrees and its fill changes between none and solid, while half remains half. Applying these three changes to C produces option A only.
Discuss this questionHow to prepare for the PAF non verbal intelligence test
- The PAF tests are on computer, so practise on a screen against a timer, the way this test runs, rather than on paper.
- 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: PAF initial test and selection stages
Keep practising
PAF Verbal Intelligence Test
The other half of the PAF intelligence test.
PAF practice and past papers
Every subject on the PAF paper, timed, with answers.
Non-Verbal Intelligence Test for other services
PAF non verbal intelligence test: common questions
What is in the PAF 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 PAF intelligence test taken?
The PAF initial tests at an Information and Selection Centre begin with the intelligence tests, verbal and non-verbal, taken on computer, followed by the academic test for your branch. Results are usually announced the same day.
Is there also a verbal intelligence test for PAF?
Yes. The PAF 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 PAF 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 PAF 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.