PassCCAT
Rotation & flip

How to solve rotation & flip

Spatial

Decide which option is the prompt figure rotated or flipped, not a different shape.

How to solve these

Mini-lesson

Rotation and flip items ask whether an option is the same figure turned or mirrored, or a genuinely different shape. The trick is to tell a rotation apart from a mirror image.

  1. 1

    Pick a landmark on the figure

    Choose one distinctive feature, like the long arm of the shape, and track where it points. Following one landmark is easier than watching the whole figure.

  2. 2

    Turn it in your head by the asked amount

    For 90 degrees clockwise, the part pointing up now points right. Rotate your landmark, not the page, and note its new direction.

  3. 3

    Rule out the mirror images

    A flip reverses the figure like a reflection; a rotation never does. This figure is mirrored, not turned: it looks back-to-front. Spotting that lets you delete the trap options fast.

Hacks

  • Rotations preserve which side things are on; flips swap left and right. That single test removes the mirror traps.
  • 90 degrees clockwise four times returns the start, so use that to check your mental turn.
  • If you get stuck, imagine rotating the original until it matches an option, rather than rotating each option.

Avoid these

  • Choosing a mirror image that happens to look turned.
  • Rotating the wrong way (clockwise vs counter-clockwise).

Worked examples

Answers shown

Follow the steps on real items before you practise.

Example 1Difficulty 1

Which option shows the figure above rotated 90 degrees clockwise?

Answer: E. Here is why:

  1. Apply the transform to the figure shown: rotated 90 degrees clockwise.
  2. The other options are the same shape in a different orientation.
Example 2Difficulty 1

Which option shows the figure above flipped horizontally (its mirror image)?

Answer: E. Here is why:

  1. Apply the transform to the figure shown: flipped horizontally (its mirror image).
  2. The other options are the same shape in a different orientation.
Example 3Difficulty 1

Which option shows the figure above rotated 270 degrees clockwise?

Answer: C. Here is why:

  1. Apply the transform to the figure shown: rotated 270 degrees clockwise.
  2. The other options are the same shape in a different orientation.