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OACP: Inductive reasoning and patterns

Finding the rule in number and letter series, analogies and odd-one-out sets, then applying it to the next case.

  • 15 questions
  • Topic drill
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Inductive reasoning and patterns · Question 1Score 0/0

Tiles are laid in square patterns of 1, 4, 9, 16 and 25 tiles. How many tiles does the next pattern use?

Study reference: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Inductive reasoning — patterns and rules

All 15 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. Tiles are laid in square patterns of 1, 4, 9, 16 and 25 tiles. How many tiles does the next pattern use?

    1. 35
    2. 36
    3. 49
    4. 30

  2. Which word does not belong with the others: arrest, detain, apprehend, release?

    1. detain
    2. release
    3. apprehend
    4. arrest

  3. Which number does not belong: 16, 25, 36, 42?

    1. 42
    2. 36
    3. 25
    4. 16

  4. Find the next term in the series 5, 6, 8, 11, 15.

    1. 20
    2. 21
    3. 19
    4. 18

  5. Working backwards, a code list reads Z, X, V, T. What letter follows T?

    1. P
    2. S
    3. R
    4. Q

  6. File boxes are labelled B, E, H and K. Which letter belongs on the next box?

    1. L
    2. N
    3. O
    4. M

  7. Judge is to courtroom as surgeon is to ____.

    1. patient chart
    2. waiting room
    3. hospital bill
    4. operating room

  8. A fuel gauge reading drops by a smaller amount each hour: 40, 36, 33, 31. What is the next reading?

    1. 27
    2. 29
    3. 30
    4. 28

  9. A doubling rule with one change produces 3, 5, 9, 17. Which number follows 17?

    1. 33
    2. 25
    3. 31
    4. 34

  10. In the sequence 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, each term depends on earlier terms. What comes after 13?

    1. 20
    2. 26
    3. 21
    4. 18

  11. A rumour spreads so that the count of people who know it goes 2, 6, 18, 54. What is the next count?

    1. 216
    2. 72
    3. 108
    4. 162

  12. Thermometer is to temperature as odometer is to ____.

    1. distance
    2. speed
    3. weight
    4. fuel

  13. Two counters alternate in this list: 10, 2, 12, 4, 14, 6. What is the seventh entry?

    1. 8
    2. 16
    3. 15
    4. 18

  14. Cruisers are parked in bays lettered A, C, E and G. Following the same pattern, which bay is next?

    1. I
    2. H
    3. J
    4. K

  15. Locker numbers on one wall follow a pattern: 3, 7, 11, 15. Which number comes next?

    1. 18
    2. 21
    3. 19
    4. 20

Inductive reasoning and patterns: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Why practise patterns (our study notes)

  • General reasoning practice: finding the rule in a set of examples and applying it builds the same careful reading that scenario questions need.

Inductive reasoning (our study notes)

  • Induction finds a general rule from examples, then applies it to the next case.
  • For number series, check the differences between terms first, then ratios, then alternating patterns.
  • For letter series, convert letters to their alphabet positions (A = 1, B = 2 ... Z = 26).
  • Patterns can combine two rules, such as +2 then ×2, or two interleaved series.
  • In odd-one-out items, find the shared property of three items; the fourth breaks it.
  • In analogy items, state the relationship in a sentence ("a judge works in a court") and apply the same sentence.

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