NNAT Pattern Completion, Explained
A large design has a piece missing, and your child picks the answer tile that completes it. The designs are built from repetition: checkerboards, stripes, waves, and tile patterns that continue predictably in every direction.
It is usually the first NNAT question type children meet, and the most visual — no counting, no sequence, just seeing how a pattern continues through the gap. On Level A (Kindergarten) it dominates the assessment.
How to reason through it
- 1Look at the whole design first, not the hole — say what the pattern is doing ("dark, light, dark, light").
- 2Follow the rows and columns INTO the missing piece from every side.
- 3Predict what the piece must look like before reading the answer tiles.
- 4Check the chosen tile against both its left-right and up-down neighbors.
Common mistakes
- Matching only one edge of the missing piece — the tile must continue the pattern on every side
- Choosing a tile that looks like the overall design instead of the specific missing region
- Ignoring subtle shifts: patterns can move diagonally, not just across
Try real Pattern Completion questions
Actual Archer Anthem practice questions — tap an answer for instant feedback and the visual explanation.
Try it: Pattern Completion (Level C practice question — tap an answer)
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C
The pattern is divided into four quadrants with different fill colors. The missing piece should match the quadrant color and central shape.
Try it: Pattern Completion (Level C practice question — tap an answer)
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: E
The pattern is symmetric left to right - the left half mirrors the right half. The missing piece should mirror what's on the opposite side.
The other NNAT question types
Start from the beginning: the NNAT parent's guide · free interactive practice
NNAT practice books
NNAT Level B Practice Tests for 1st Grade
NNAT Level B Practice Tests for 1st Grade
NNAT Level A Practice Tests for Kindergarten
NNAT Level A Practice Tests for Kindergarten
Practice Pattern Completion free
The free sample sets include this question type with instant feedback and visual explanations.
Free NNAT practiceNNAT® (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test®) is a registered trademark of Pearson Education, Inc. CogAT® (Cognitive Abilities Test™) is a registered trademark of Riverside Assessments, LLC. Neither Pearson nor Riverside is affiliated with, nor do they endorse, Archer Anthem. Archer Anthem materials are independent practice resources in the style of these assessments.