# Mensa IQ Check app puzzle - symbols in boxes in a 6x6 square

In the Mensa IQ Check app, the same kind of puzzles keeps coming back. I don't know how to solve it. Can anyone help me?

• @ Jan I am still waiting for your response. Nov 30, 2020 at 20:55
• @ Jan. Are you checking the answers to your question? Dec 1, 2020 at 3:05

X

Because

The pattern needs the X to repeat

There is a pattern of 5 possible symbols: X # O @ !.

The pattern repeats in a spiral pattern around the square (Starting at the left top corner).

• What does "the pattern needs the X to repeat" mean? What does the picture show? Please explain more. Oct 22, 2020 at 17:46
• @bobble, edited for clarity. Oct 22, 2020 at 17:51
• I see it now, thanks!
– Jan
Oct 22, 2020 at 18:17
• Took me about 25 seconds. +1
– Tim
Oct 24, 2020 at 8:32
• @Tim, that's pretty quick. It took me a bit longer than that. lol. Oct 26, 2020 at 15:04

O

Because

When you draw the bottom-left top-right extended diagonals, there are duplicate symbols sitting next to each other on every line

(I think MacGyver88's solution is simpler, so it is probably what the author thought about).

From the six columns only the fourth contains the same symbol 3 times, namely the symbol $$O$$. In addition to that, none of the rows contains the same symbol 3 times. If we replace the question mark which is on fourth row with the symbol $$X$$ then on the fourth row the symbol $$X$$ appears 3 times as well.

Or....

Each row has exactly one symbol duplicated. In the ? row the X is already duplicated, meaning the answer must be #, to have all 5 symbols.

• This fails in the third row, where both O and @ are duplicated, or the 5th with ! and # Oct 23, 2020 at 18:55

It could be @

Because

The outer two columns have patterns that are copies of each other, with symbols changed. The same is true for the inner 2 columns. If we use @ instead of ? this pattern would be true for column 2 and 5 as well.

But

I think the solution from @MacGyver88 is nicer than this solution, although any of them could be valid.

• Copies with symbols changed? That makes them non-copies.
– Tim
Oct 24, 2020 at 8:33
• @Tim you're right. I've edited the answer. Oct 24, 2020 at 8:46