Embedded figure questions are an important part of non-verbal reasoning, where candidates are asked to identify a hidden shape or diagram inside a complex figure. These embedded figure reasoning questions test observation skills, accuracy, and visual perception. Many exams include embedded figures, reasoning, and embedded image reasoning problems, such as “in which of the following is the given figure embedded?” Practicing different types of embedded figure solutions helps in strengthening logical reasoning and thinking for exams like SSC CHSL, Banking, RRB, MAH MBA CET, UPSC, Defence, and other competitive exams. In this article, we will discuss the meaning, types, tricks, and practice sets of embedded figure reasoning to improve your preparation.
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To solve the questions based on embedded figures, aspirants need to focus on the shape that needs to be identified and should be able to distinguish that particular shape from the background clutter in the main figure.
The following are the patterns based on the embedded figure that we often see in the exams-
A part of the complex figure will be given and the aspirants need to find out the embedded figure which is the part of the main figure. The embedded shape will be in the same orientation with no rotation.
A part of the complex figure will be given and the aspirants need to find out the embedded figure which is the part of the main figure. The embedded shape will not be in the same orientation as it might be rotated to some extent.
More than one part of the figure might be given which needs to be traced.
Four figures in the options would be given and you need to identify the odd one out. The figure which is not embedded in the main figure will be the odd one out.
To solve the questions of embedded figures, aspirants must have the following understanding-
If more than one figure is hidden, start from the easiest one as it will boost confidence.
If the rotation of the embedded figure is allowed then try to mentally rotate the figure and then look for it in the main figure. It will help in identifying the embedded figure with different orientations.
a) A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
b) Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
c) Logical and Analytical Reasoning by A.K. Gupta
d) Test of Reasoning by Edgar Thorpe
The candidate must attempt the embedded figure test available online and must practice an e-book of embedded figure reasoning questions with solutions pdf given below to ace the topic of embedded figure.
Embedded Figure Questions with Solutions PDF
Embedded figure questions are found in reasoning ability tests of most of the competitive exams in India as shown below-
1) In certain Government exams like SSC, Railways, Defence etc., there will be 2 to 3 questions of embedded figures.
2) In CUET and other admission tests 1 to 2 questions are asked.
1. Directions: Select one of the option figures that is embedded in the given figure (rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
The embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. Only the third option figure is embedded in the given figure.
Hence, the third option is correct.
2. Directions: Select the option figure that is embedded in the given figure (rotation is not allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
As rotation is not allowed, we will check which option figure fits in the question figure.
The figure in the second option is embedded in the question figure as shown below –
The figure in the second option resembles the question figure. Hence, the second option is correct.
3. Directions: Select the option figure that is embedded in the given figure (rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation of the figure is not allowed, let's check which option figure can exactly fit itself in the given question figure.
From the above, it is clear that the third option figure is embedded in the given question figure. Hence, the third option is correct.
4. Directions: Select the option figure that is embedded in the given figure (rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation of the figure is not allowed, let's check which option figure can exactly fit itself in the given question figure.
From the above, it is clear that the fourth option figure is embedded in the given question figure. Hence, the fourth option is correct.
5. Directions: Select the option figure that is embedded in the given figure (rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation of the figure is not allowed, let's check which of the option figures can exactly fit in the given question figure.
From the above, it is clear that the first option figure is embedded in the given question figure. Hence, the first option is correct.
The candidates who are preparing for the upcoming entrance and Government exams can also refer to the links given below and master the non-verbal reasoning ability section:
6. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded as its part (rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the third option figure.
Hence, the third option is correct.
7. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed)
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the second option figure.
Hence, the second option is correct.
8. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is not allowed.)
(correct)
Solution-
As there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the second option figure.
Hence, the second option is correct.
9. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded (Rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the third option figure.
Hence, the third option is correct.
10. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is not allowed.)
(correct)
Solution-
As there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the second option figure.
Hence, the second option is correct.
11. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is not allowed.)
(correct)
Solution-
As there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the fourth option figure.
Hence, the fourth option is correct.
12. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the fourth option figure.
Hence, the fourth option is correct.
13. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed)
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the second option figure.
Hence, the second option is correct.
14. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed)
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the first option figure.
Hence, the first option is correct.
15. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (rotation is NOT allowed.)
(correct)
Solution-
Since there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the third option figure.
Hence, the third option is correct.
16. Directions: Select the option in which the following figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed)
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the first option figure.
Hence, the first option is correct.
17. Directions: Select the option in which the following figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed)
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the first option figure.
Hence, the first option is correct.
18. Directions: Select the option in which the following figure is embedded (Rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the fourth option figure.
Hence, the fourth option is correct.
19. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded (Rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the second option figure.
Hence, the second option is correct.
20. Directions: Select the option in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed)
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the second option figure.
Hence, the second option is correct.
21. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded (Rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the second option figure.
Hence, the second option is correct.
22. Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is not allowed.)
(correct)
Solution-
As there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the fourth option figure.
Hence, the fourth option is correct.
23. Directions: Select the option in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is not allowed.)
(correct)
Solution-
As there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the third option figure.
Hence, the third option is correct.
24. Directions: Select the option in which the given figure is embedded (Rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the first option figure.
Hence, the first option is correct.
25. Directions: Select the option in which the given figure is embedded (Rotation is NOT allowed).
(correct)
Solution-
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the second option figure.
Hence, the second option is correct.
1) Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded as its part (rotation is NOT allowed).
1)
2)
3)
4)
Hint: Try fixing the question figure into one of the option figures.
Solution
Since there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the third option figure.
Hence, the third option is correct.
2) Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed.)
1)
2)
3)
4)
Hint: Try fixing the question figure into one of the option figures.
Solution
Since there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the fourth option figure.
Hence, the fourth option is correct.
3) Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed)
1)
2)
3)
4)
Hint: Try fixing the question figure into one of the option figures.
Solution
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the second option figure.
Hence, the second option is correct.
4) Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is not allowed.)
1)
2)
3)
4)
Hint: Try fixing the question figure into one of the option figures.
Solution
As there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the fourth option figure.
Hence, the fourth option is correct.
5) Directions: Select the option figure in which the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is NOT allowed)
1)
2)
3)
4)
Hint: Try fixing the question figure into one of the option figures.
Solution
Since the rotation is restricted. So, the embedded figure will have the same orientation as the main figure. By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the first option figure.
Hence, the first option is correct.
6) Directions: Select the option in which the following figure is embedded (Rotation is NOT allowed).
1)
2)
3)
4)
Hint: Compare the given question figure with all the option figures and identify the option figure in which the given question figure is embedded.
Solution
Since there is a restriction on the rotation of the figure, we will check where the question figure can exactly fit itself in the given option figures.
By comparison of all the option figures, the given question figure is embedded only in the fourth option figure.
Hence, the fourth option is correct.
Many aspirants make simple errors while attempting embedded figure questions in competitive exams. These mistakes usually happen due to rushing through the problem, overlooking rotations, or confusing similar-looking figures. Such errors can affect both accuracy and time management in reasoning tests. Below are some of the most common mistakes candidates must avoid while solving embedded figure reasoning.
Many candidates make the mistake of answering embedded figure questions in a hurry without carefully analyzing the figure.
In embedded figure reasoning, every small line, curve, or angle matters. Missing these details leads to wrong answers.
Always spend a few extra seconds scanning the figure before locking in your choice.
One of the most common errors in embedded figures reasoning is getting trapped between two very similar-looking figures.
Examiners often include embedded image reasoning options that look almost identical to the given figure but differ slightly.
Focus on unique features (such as corners, curves, or shapes inside) instead of the overall look.
In many competitive exams like SSC, Bank, and Railway, embedded figures may appear rotated or mirrored.
Candidates often ignore this possibility and fail to identify the hidden figure.
If rotation is allowed, mentally rotate or flip the figure to check if it matches the option. This step is crucial in solving tough embedded figure questions.
Simple embedded figure reasoning questions may seem easy, but complex figures require consistent practice.
Many aspirants lack speed and accuracy because they avoid practicing difficult embedded image reasoning sets.
Without solving multiple examples, candidates may struggle in exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking, where embedded figures reasoning questions are common.
Solving embedded figure reasoning questions becomes easier when candidates use the right techniques. Simple tricks like breaking down the figure, using the elimination method, and focusing on unique parts of the design can save time and improve accuracy in exams. Below are some useful shortcuts and strategies to solve embedded figure reasoning quickly and effectively.
Break down the main figure into small parts instead of looking at the entire image at once.
To solve the questions of embedded figures reasoning, aspirants must have the following understanding:
If more than one figure is hidden, start from the easiest one as it will boost confidence.
Compare sections of the main figure with the given figure gradually instead of in a glance.
This step-by-step approach improves accuracy in embedded figure questions with answers.
In difficult embedded figure questions, directly finding the answer can be tricky.
Instead, eliminate options that clearly don’t match the given figure.
By using this shortcut, the chances of identifying the correct embedded figure solution increase significantly.
Every embedded figure reasoning question has a unique element that differentiates it.
Instead of checking the entire figure, focus on a distinctive portion such as a corner, angle, or curve.
Spotting this unique part makes it easier to find the correct embedded image reasoning solution.
Competitive exams like SSC, IBPS, and Railway have strict time limits, so managing speed in embedded figure reasoning questions is vital.
Do not waste time on a single tough question—move to the next and return later if time permits.
Practicing mock tests with a timer will enhance both speed and accuracy in solving embedded figures reasoning.
Verbal reasoning topics test a candidate’s ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written information logically. These questions are widely asked in exams like SSC, Banking, CAT, UPSC, and other competitive tests to check problem-solving and comprehension skills. Below are the major verbal reasoning topics that aspirants must cover for effective preparation.
About the Faculty
Tanu Gupta, with over a decade of experience as a reasoning faculty, specializes in preparing students for various entrance examinations and career development. Her extensive work with multiple educational platforms and institutions has honed her expertise in logical and analytical thinking. Her dedication to innovative teaching methods ensures these articles provide practical insights and expert guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are many online resources such as practice sets, and mock tests available where one can practice to gain efficiency in embedded figures topics.
Yes, embedded figures are frequently asked under the reasoning aptitude section of competitive exams.
In government job exams, aspirants can expect 2 to 5 questions.
To ace the embedded figures topic practice the maximum number of questions possible to gain a visual perception of the questions and develop problem-solving skills. Try to solve those questions first that are easier to determine and then revisit the challenging ones to manage time as well.
Aspirants need to focus on the shapes that need to be identified from the background clutter. They need to mentally rotate the target shape to identify it in the background clutter. Practise as many questions as possible to develop visual perceptual skills.
Embedded figure is a figure with the complex design would be given and in that complex figure, aspirants need to find the embedded figure being asked for.
To solve the questions based on Embedded figures, aspirants need to focus on the shape that needs to be identified and should be able to distinguish that particular shape from the background clutter in the main figure.
Embedded figures are those figures that are hidden inside another figure.