Free IQ practice question · Number sequences

Free Number Sequence IQ Practice Question

Number sequence questions measure your ability to detect arithmetic rules, alternating patterns, and changes in rate. Try this sample and review the reasoning step by step.

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Sample Question

Explained

Sample question: what number comes next?

What number should replace the question mark? 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ?

A. 34
B. 36
C. 38
D. 40

Answer

C. 38

Look at the differences between terms: +3, +5, +7, +9. The increases are consecutive odd numbers, so the next increase should be +11. Add 11 to 27 to get 38.

How to solve this kind of IQ practice question

The quickest way to solve many number sequence IQ questions is to inspect the gaps, not just the numbers. Here, the original sequence grows by larger amounts each time. The first differences are 3, 5, 7, and 9, which reveals a clean odd-number pattern. That tells you the next gap should be 11, even though the visible numbers themselves do not look like a familiar multiplication table.

If a sequence does not make sense immediately, try three passes. First test simple addition or subtraction. Second, check whether the difference itself changes in a predictable way. Third, look for alternating rules, such as one pattern for odd positions and another for even positions. Most short IQ-style number sequences are designed to reward this structured search rather than advanced math.

IQ Snap uses number reasoning as one part of a broader 15-question test. You will see patterns that require mental flexibility, not memorized formulas. Practicing with explained examples like this helps you build a habit: pause, compare terms, name the rule, then answer. Take the full IQ Snap test when you want instant results and percentile-style context for your overall reasoning performance.

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