One of the patterns to uncover in an abstract reasoning question is superimposition.

This type of pattern is useful when you have exhausted the more common pattern types such as:

• Direction and position
• Rotation
• Colouring
• Size

Superimposition is the placement of an image or video on top of an already-existing image or video, usually to add to the overall image effect, but also sometimes to conceal something.

In abstract reasoning, looks like this:

• A part of the image is drawn out which looks like it's its own image.
• Then the other part of the full image is drawn out.
• Together if you superimpose them (there could be more than one), you'll get a full picture of what the image is supposed to be.

It's one which doesn't have an easily detected pattern and relies on you putting one image on top of another. The process itself is the pattern as it's the pattern of putting:

• One image on top of another.

And also,

• Reduction of an image from an existing image.

There can be variations to the process of superimposition such as:

• Images not placed 1:1 ratio on top of each other
• Images placed which create a whole new image
• Images that may be placed which certain items or colours don't appear.

Let's look at some images to illustrate this concept:

Source: Wassily Kandinsky,_Composition VIII, 1923.

Source: New Media

Because abstract reasoning involves visual pattern detection, let’s apply this to the following question/s.

Example Question/s

Watch video for explanation of the following question/s:

Key Rules to remember:

• Superimposition is when images are separated into their smaller parts
• When put together or placed on top of each other, it'll form the full picture.

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

Click on the button below and start your practice questions. We recommend doing untimed mode first, and then, when you're ready, do timed mode.

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Once you're done with the practice questions, move on to the next checkpoint.

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