Matrix reasoning

How to play Logical Patterns (matrix) on DailyQuest.ai

Logical Patterns is the matrix drill on DailyQuest.ai, a free brain-training site. Study a 3×3 grid, work out how its symbols change across rows and columns, then choose the tile that belongs in the bottom-right corner.

Each tile has three features to check: shape, colour and the number of dots underneath. You have four answer options and 25 seconds per grid. The standard session has five rounds; correct answers score more when you have more time remaining.

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What this drill practises

This drill practises spotting visual rules, comparing rows and columns, and keeping separate features in mind while choosing an answer. The generated patterns use fixed or cycling shapes and colours, with some grids also increasing the bottom-dot count from one to three. It is practice, not a validated assessment of ability.

How to play

Find the missing tile: it is always the bottom-right cell of the 3×3 grid.
Check the shapes across the first two rows and down the columns. The four possible designs are a circle containing a plus, a diamond with a centre dot, a plus with two small squares, and a circle containing a diagonal cross.
Check colour separately. Look for colours that stay constant within a row, repeat down a column, or cycle across both directions.
Count only the separate dots underneath each shape. These indicate a count of one, two or three; the diamond’s centre dot is part of its design.
Predict the missing tile’s shape, colour and bottom-dot count, then click or tap the matching option.
If your choice is wrong, the grid stays available and you can try again, but you lose time. A correct answer or an expired timer moves you on.

Rules, timing and scoring

A standard session contains five rounds, each starting with 25 seconds.
For a correct answer, used time is calculated as 25 minus the remaining timer value. Points are max(80, round(300 − 9 × used time)).
For example, a correct answer with 20 seconds remaining earns 255 points: 25 − 20 = 5, then 300 − 9 × 5 = 255.
Each wrong selection records one mistake and subtracts four seconds, but the immediate deduction cannot take the timer below one second. It does not directly subtract points already earned; it reduces the score available for that grid.
A timeout records one mistake and awards zero points for that grid.
Endless mode continues beyond five rounds. It checks whether you have reached three mistakes when advancing after a correct answer or timeout, rather than ending immediately on the third wrong selection. Wrong selections and timeouts both count towards that total.

Worked examples

1. 1. Shape by row, colour by column

For this example, A, B and C label the three distinct game colours, not answer buttons. Every tile has one bottom dot. Top row: circle-plus A | circle-plus B | circle-plus C. Middle row: diamond A | diamond B | diamond C. Bottom row: plus-with-squares A | plus-with-squares B | ?. Options: (1) plus-with-squares C, one dot; (2) diamond C, one dot; (3) plus-with-squares B, one dot; (4) plus-with-squares C, two dots.

Answer: Option 1: plus-with-squares in colour C, with one bottom dot.

Step by step: First, shape stays the same across each row, so the missing tile must be a plus-with-squares. Second, each column keeps its colour: A on the left, B in the middle and C on the right. Third, all visible tiles have one bottom dot. Only option 1 matches all three features.

2. 2. Three shapes cycling through the grid

A, B and C label the three game colours. Every tile has one bottom dot. Top row, all colour A: circle-plus | diamond | plus-with-squares. Middle row, all colour B: diamond | plus-with-squares | circle-plus. Bottom row, all colour C: plus-with-squares | circle-plus | ?. Options: (1) diamond A, one dot; (2) circle-plus C, one dot; (3) diamond C, two dots; (4) diamond C, one dot.

Answer: Option 4: diamond in colour C, with one bottom dot.

Step by step: Each row and column contains each of the three shapes once. The bottom row already has plus-with-squares and circle-plus, leaving diamond. The rightmost column also has plus-with-squares and circle-plus, confirming diamond. Colour stays constant within each row, so the answer uses C. The bottom-dot count remains one.

3. 3. The bottom dots increase

A, B and C label the three game colours. Numbers below refer to the separate bottom dots. Top row: plus-with-squares A, 1 dot | plus-with-squares A, 2 dots | plus-with-squares A, 3 dots. Middle row: circle-cross B, 1 dot | circle-cross B, 2 dots | circle-cross B, 3 dots. Bottom row: circle-plus C, 1 dot | circle-plus C, 2 dots | ?. Options: (1) circle-plus C, one dot; (2) circle-plus C, three dots; (3) circle-cross C, three dots; (4) circle-plus B, three dots.

Answer: Option 2: circle-plus in colour C, with three bottom dots.

Step by step: Within each row, shape and colour stay unchanged. The missing tile therefore keeps the bottom row’s circle-plus shape and colour C. The bottom-dot count increases from one to two to three across every row. The missing rightmost tile needs three dots, making option 2 the complete match.

4. 4. Shape by column, cycling colours

A, B and C label the three game colours. Every tile has one bottom dot. Top row: diamond A | plus-with-squares B | circle-cross C. Middle row: diamond B | plus-with-squares C | circle-cross A. Bottom row: diamond C | plus-with-squares A | ?. Options: (1) circle-cross C, one dot; (2) circle-plus B, one dot; (3) circle-cross B, one dot; (4) circle-cross B, two dots.

Answer: Option 3: circle-cross in colour B, with one bottom dot.

Step by step: The shapes stay fixed down each column, so the rightmost tile must be circle-cross. Colours cycle A–B–C, with each row starting one place later: A–B–C, then B–C–A, then C–A–B. The missing colour is B. All counts remain one, so option 3 fits.

Common mistakes

Choosing by shape alone: An option can have the right shape but the wrong colour or dot count. Check all three features before selecting it.
Counting the diamond’s centre dot: The count is shown by the separate dots underneath the symbol. Ignore marks inside the shape when checking the count.
Assuming every feature follows the same rule: Shape may stay constant across a row while colour changes across columns. Track each feature separately.
Checking only one row: Use another completed row and the relevant column to confirm your prediction before choosing.
Rapidly trying several options: Each wrong selection adds a mistake and takes time away. Re-examine the mismatching feature instead of treating a wrong answer as a free elimination.

Tips

Use a consistent scan: shape first, colour second, bottom dots third.
Ask two questions for each feature: what stays the same, and what changes?
Predict the missing tile before inspecting the options closely. Then use the options to verify your prediction.
Check the dots early if they vary: the count-changing pattern runs one, two, three from left to right.
Learn the four pattern structures rather than memorising particular symbols or colours. The generator shifts which shapes and colours appear.
After a wrong choice, check whether you overlooked colour or count before changing your shape prediction.

Practice by level

Beginners

Start by describing the missing tile in three short parts, such as “diamond, same colour as this row, one bottom dot”. Confirm each part against the visible grid. Aim for a reliable checking routine before chasing faster answers; wrong selections reduce the time available for another attempt.

Advanced

Classify the grid quickly: shape fixed by row with colour by column; cycling shapes with colour fixed by row; shape and colour fixed by row with increasing dots; or shape fixed by column with cycling colours. Once you recognise a structure, confirm it against a second row or column, then match all three features. Treat these as templates, because the particular shapes and colours can shift between questions.

Questions about this drill

How long is a standard session?: There are five rounds, each with a fresh 25-second timer. Correct answers can end a round early, while wrong choices remove time, so this is not one fixed-duration session.
Can I try again after a wrong answer?: Yes. The same grid remains available. Each wrong selection adds one mistake and removes four seconds, with the immediate deduction stopping at one second remaining.
Does the missing tile move around?: No. The code always hides the ninth cell: the bottom-right corner. You choose its replacement from four options.
How does endless mode finish?: It continues generating rounds beyond the normal five. Once at least three mistakes have been recorded, it finishes at the next round advance after a correct answer or timeout. A timeout counts as a mistake as well as a wrong selection.

What your score does and doesn’t mean

Logical Patterns uses four generated rule structures, so familiarity with those structures can influence your results. Scores also depend on the remaining timer and wrong-answer deductions, not just whether you eventually solve a grid. Use it as a focused practice game, not a validated test or a basis for conclusions about general intelligence, health or suitability for a job.