IQ test preparation

Free IQ Test Sample Questions (With Answers and Explanations)

Twenty real IQ test sample questions across all five cognitive categories — number series, verbal analogies, logical deduction, pattern recognition, and spatial reasoning. Each question comes with the correct answer and a full explanation of the reasoning. No scoring — purely for preparation and learning.

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1Number Series

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

A. 24

✓B. 32

C. 30

D. 28

Explanation: Each number is multiplied by 2. 16 × 2 = 32. This is a geometric sequence with ratio 2.

2Number Series

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

A. 10

B. 11

C. 12

✓D. 13

Explanation: This is the Fibonacci sequence. Each term is the sum of the two before it. 5 + 8 = 13.

3Number Series

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

A. 60

B. 62

✓C. 64

D. 66

Explanation: Each number decreases by 9. 73 − 9 = 64.

4Number Series

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

A. 30

B. 34

✓C. 36

D. 38

Explanation: These are perfect squares: 2², 3², 4², 5², 6² = 36.

5Verbal Analogy

Dog is to Puppy as Cat is to ___

✓A. Kitten

B. Cub

C. Foal

D. Lamb

Explanation: The relationship is adult animal to its young. A puppy is a young dog; a kitten is a young cat.

6Verbal Analogy

Pen is to Write as Knife is to ___

A. Sharpen

B. Stab

✓C. Cut

D. Cook

Explanation: A pen is used to write; a knife is used to cut. The relationship is tool to its primary function.

7Verbal Analogy

Hot is to Cold as Light is to ___

A. Bright

B. Dim

✓C. Dark

D. Shadow

Explanation: Hot and Cold are antonyms (opposites). Light and Dark are antonyms.

8Verbal Analogy

Library is to Books as Bank is to ___

A. Cash

B. Loans

✓C. Money

D. Investments

Explanation: A library stores books; a bank stores money. The relationship is institution to what it holds.

9Logical 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

Explanation: Classic 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.

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

Explanation: Transitive ordering: Sarah > Tom > Mike. Sarah is the tallest.

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.

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

Explanation: Transitivity: 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.

13Pattern Recognition

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

A. 3

✓B. 9

C. 11

D. 13

Explanation: All other numbers are prime (divisible only by 1 and themselves). 9 = 3 × 3, so it is not prime.

14Pattern Recognition

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

A. H

✓B. I

C. J

D. K

Explanation: The pattern skips every other letter of the alphabet. A, C, E, G, I follows this rule.

15Pattern Recognition

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

A. Triangle

✓B. Circle

C. Pentagon

D. Hexagon

Explanation: Triangle, Square, Pentagon, and Hexagon are all polygons with straight sides. A circle has no straight sides or corners.

16Pattern Recognition

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

A. Apple

B. Banana

✓C. Carrot

D. Orange

Explanation: Apple, Banana, Orange, and Grape are all fruits. Carrot is a vegetable.

17Spatial Reasoning

A clock shows 3:00. If you rotate the clock 90° clockwise, what time does it appear to show?

A. 6:00

✓B. 12:00

C. 9:00

D. 3:00

Explanation: Rotating 90° clockwise moves the 12 o'clock position to where 3 was. The hands now point to 12:00.

18Spatial Reasoning

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

A. North

B. South

C. East

✓D. West

Explanation: North → turn right 90° = East → turn 180° = West.

19Spatial Reasoning

The letter 'd' reflected horizontally becomes which letter?

A. p

✓B. b

C. q

D. d

Explanation: Reflecting 'd' horizontally (left-right flip) produces 'b'.

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

Explanation: 1×1 squares: 9. 2×2 squares: 4. 3×3 squares: 1. Total = 14.

About IQ test questions

What types of questions are on an IQ test?+

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

How do I prepare for an IQ test?+

Review sample questions across all five categories. Practice each type until you recognise the common patterns. Familiarity with question formats reliably improves scores by 5–15 points. Also: get good sleep the night before, and take the test when alert.

Are these the same types of questions as Mensa tests?+

Mensa tests (Catell Culture Fair III, Wonderlic, etc.) use the same cognitive categories — pattern recognition, spatial, logical, and numerical reasoning. The specific questions differ, but practising these sample questions will prepare you for similar formats.

Practice with the full tests

Full IQ Test (25 Questions)

All 5 categories. Scored IQ estimate and percentile.

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Quick IQ Test (10 Questions)

Fast version — 5 minutes, instant result.

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Logical Reasoning Test

Deeper logic and deduction practice.

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Spatial Reasoning Test

Shape rotation and 3D visualisation.

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