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IQ test preparation

Free IQ Test Sample Questions (With Answers and Explanations)

Twenty real IQ test sample questions across all five categories: number series, verbal analogies, logical deduction, pattern recognition, and spatial reasoning. Each one comes with the correct answer and a full explanation. Nothing is scored here. It is purely for practice.

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  1. 01Number Series

    What comes next? 2, 4, 8, 16, ___

    A. 24
    B. 32
    C. 30
    D. 28
    ExplanationEach number is multiplied by 2. 16 × 2 = 32. This is a geometric sequence with ratio 2.
  2. 02Number Series

    What comes next? 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ___

    A. 10
    B. 11
    C. 12
    D. 13
    ExplanationThis is the Fibonacci sequence. Each term is the sum of the two before it. 5 + 8 = 13.
  3. 03Number Series

    What comes next? 100, 91, 82, 73, ___

    A. 60
    B. 62
    C. 64
    D. 66
    ExplanationEach number decreases by 9. 73 - 9 = 64.
  4. 04Number Series

    What number replaces the ?: 4, 9, 16, 25, ?

    A. 30
    B. 34
    C. 36
    D. 38
    ExplanationThese are perfect squares: 2², 3², 4², 5², 6² = 36.
  5. 05Verbal Analogy

    Dog is to Puppy as Cat is to ___

    A. Kitten
    B. Cub
    C. Foal
    D. Lamb
    ExplanationThe relationship is adult animal to its young. A puppy is a young dog; a kitten is a young cat.
  6. 06Verbal Analogy

    Pen is to Write as Knife is to ___

    A. Sharpen
    B. Stab
    C. Cut
    D. Cook
    ExplanationA pen is used to write; a knife is used to cut. The relationship is tool to its primary function.
  7. 07Verbal Analogy

    Hot is to Cold as Light is to ___

    A. Bright
    B. Dim
    C. Dark
    D. Shadow
    ExplanationHot and Cold are antonyms (opposites). Light and Dark are antonyms.
  8. 08Verbal Analogy

    Library is to Books as Bank is to ___

    A. Cash
    B. Loans
    C. Money
    D. Investments
    ExplanationA library stores books; a bank stores money. The relationship is institution to what it holds.
  9. 09Logical Deduction

    All mammals breathe air. Dolphins are mammals. Therefore, dolphins ___

    A. live in water only
    B. breathe air
    C. are not mammals
    D. cannot survive on land
    ExplanationClassic syllogism: All A are B. X is an A. Therefore X is B. If all mammals breathe air and dolphins are mammals, they must breathe air.
  10. 10Logical Deduction

    Sarah is taller than Tom. Tom is taller than Mike. Which statement is true?

    A. Mike is tallest
    B. Tom is tallest
    C. Sarah is tallest
    D. All are the same height
    ExplanationTransitive ordering: Sarah > Tom > Mike. Sarah is the tallest.
  11. 11Logical Deduction

    Some doctors are women. Dr Kim is a doctor. Which is correct?

    A. Dr Kim is definitely a woman
    B. Dr Kim is definitely a man
    C. Dr Kim may or may not be a woman
    D. No doctors are women
    Explanation"Some doctors are women" means not all are. Without more information, Dr Kim could be of any gender.
  12. 12Logical Deduction

    If all A are B, and all B are C, which must be true?

    A. All C are A
    B. All A are C
    C. Some C are A
    D. None of the above
    ExplanationTransitivity: A → B → C. Everything that is an A is also a B, and everything that is a B is also a C. So all A must be C.
  13. 13Pattern Recognition

    Which number does NOT belong? 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13

    A. 3
    B. 9
    C. 11
    D. 13
    ExplanationAll other numbers are prime (divisible only by 1 and themselves). 9 = 3 × 3, so it is not prime.
  14. 14Pattern Recognition

    Which letter continues the pattern? A, C, E, G, ___

    A. H
    B. I
    C. J
    D. K
    ExplanationThe pattern skips every other letter of the alphabet. A, C, E, G, I follows this rule.
  15. 15Pattern Recognition

    Which does NOT belong? Triangle, Square, Pentagon, Circle, Hexagon

    A. Triangle
    B. Circle
    C. Pentagon
    D. Hexagon
    ExplanationTriangle, Square, Pentagon, and Hexagon are all polygons with straight sides. A circle has no straight sides or corners.
  16. 16Pattern Recognition

    Which word is the odd one out? Apple, Banana, Carrot, Orange, Grape

    A. Apple
    B. Banana
    C. Carrot
    D. Orange
    ExplanationApple, Banana, Orange, and Grape are all fruits. Carrot is a vegetable.
  17. 17Spatial Reasoning

    You are facing North. You turn 90° right, then turn 180°. Which direction are you now facing?

    A. North
    B. South
    C. East
    D. West
    ExplanationNorth turned 90° right gives East. Turning 180° from East gives West.
  18. 18Spatial Reasoning

    You drive 3 km North, then 4 km East. How far are you from the start in a straight line?

    A. 5 km
    B. 6 km
    C. 7 km
    D. 12 km
    ExplanationThe path forms a right triangle. The straight-line distance is the square root of (3² + 4²), which is the square root of 25, so 5 km.
  19. 19Spatial Reasoning

    A cube is painted on all six faces, then cut into 27 equal small cubes. How many small cubes have exactly 2 painted faces?

    A. 8
    B. 12
    C. 6
    D. 1
    ExplanationOnly the cubes along an edge (not corners, not face centres) show two painted faces. A cube has 12 edges, each giving one such small cube.
  20. 20Spatial Reasoning

    How many squares are in a 3×3 grid? Count all sizes: 1×1, 2×2, and 3×3.

    A. 9
    B. 12
    C. 14
    D. 16
    ExplanationNine 1×1 squares, four 2×2 squares, and one 3×3 square. 9 + 4 + 1 = 14.

About IQ test questions

What types of questions are on an IQ test?+

IQ tests usually include five types: number series, verbal analogies, logical deduction, pattern recognition, and spatial reasoning. All 20 sample questions above cover these categories.

How do I prepare for an IQ test?+

Work through samples in every category until you recognise the recurring patterns. Familiarity with the formats reliably lifts scores by 5 to 15 points. Sleep well the night before and take the test when you are alert.

Are these like Mensa test questions?+

Mensa tests such as the Cattell Culture Fair III and Wonderlic draw on the same categories: pattern recognition, spatial, logical, and numerical reasoning. The exact items differ, but this practice prepares you for similar formats.

Practice with the full tests