AutoCAD Quiz: Select Similar
10 questions · exam conditions
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Select SimilarQuestion 1 of 10

A source LINE is on layer UTIL, whose layer color is red. The line's own Color property is set to ByLayer. SELECTSIMILAR is configured to match Layer and Color.

Which candidate will be considered similar to the source?

A LINE on UTIL with its Color property explicitly set to Red (index color 1)
A LINE on UTIL with its Color property set to ByLayer
A LINE on a different layer that also displays red, with Color set to ByLayer
A CIRCLE on UTIL with its Color property set to ByLayer
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AutoCAD Quiz

AutoCAD Quiz: Select Similar

Practice Select Similar in AutoCAD with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Select Similar, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for AutoCAD.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A source LINE is on layer UTIL, whose layer color is red. The line's own Color property is set to ByLayer. SELECTSIMILAR is configured to match Layer and Color.

Which candidate will be considered similar to the source?

  1. A LINE on UTIL with its Color property explicitly set to Red (index color 1)
  2. A LINE on UTIL with its Color property set to ByLayer (correct answer)
  3. A LINE on a different layer that also displays red, with Color set to ByLayer
  4. A CIRCLE on UTIL with its Color property set to ByLayer
Explanation: When using SELECTSIMILAR, AutoCAD compares the actual stored property values of objects — not how they visually appear on screen. This distinction is critical whenever the command is configured to match both Layer and Color simultaneously. Here, the source LINE lives on layer UTIL and has its Color property stored as ByLayer. Because SELECTSIMILAR is matching on both Layer and Color, a candidate must satisfy both conditions independently: it must be on UTIL and its Color property must also be stored as ByLayer. Option B does exactly this — same layer, same stored color property — making it the correct answer. Option A trips up many students. That LINE is on UTIL, so it passes the Layer check. But its Color is explicitly set to Red (index color 1), not ByLayer. Even though Red and ByLayer look identical on UTIL, they are different stored values, so AutoCAD rejects it as dissimilar. Option C fails the Layer check entirely — being on a different layer disqualifies it regardless of how it displays visually. The fact that it appears red is irrelevant; SELECTSIMILAR doesn't compare rendered appearance. Option D is on the correct layer and has the right Color property, but it's a CIRCLE, not a LINE. Because object type is always matched by SELECTSIMILAR regardless of settings, this candidate is automatically excluded. The key study habit here: remember that SELECTSIMILAR always enforces object type matching as a baseline, and when Color is in the criteria, it compares the property setting (ByLayer vs. an explicit color), not the resulting display color.

Question 2

SELECTSIMILAR is configured to match Layer and Name. The source is a block reference named CHAIR on layer FURN. Rotation, insertion scale, and insertion point are not enabled matching properties.

Which candidate will be included in the resulting selection set?

  1. A CHAIR block on FURN with a different rotation and insertion scale (correct answer)
  2. A STOOL block on FURN that has approximately the same visible shape
  3. A CHAIR block on EQUIP with the same rotation and insertion scale
  4. An exploded copy of CHAIR geometry located on layer FURN
Explanation: When working with SELECTSIMILAR, the key is understanding that it filters candidates based on only the properties you've enabled — nothing more, nothing less. In this scenario, two properties are active: Layer and Name. That means AutoCAD will select objects that match both the block name (CHAIR) and the layer (FURN). Any other attribute — rotation, scale, insertion point — is completely irrelevant to the filter. That logic confirms A as the correct answer. A CHAIR block sitting on layer FURN satisfies both enabled criteria. The fact that its rotation and insertion scale differ from the source is irrelevant, because those properties are not enabled in the SELECTSIMILAR settings. AutoCAD simply doesn't check them. B fails because the block name is STOOL, not CHAIR. SELECTSIMILAR matches on the exact block definition name — visual similarity to CHAIR has no bearing whatsoever on the result. C is eliminated because its layer is EQUIP, not FURN. It has the correct name (CHAIR) but fails the layer requirement, and both enabled criteria must be satisfied. D is a common trap: an exploded copy of CHAIR geometry is no longer a block reference at all. SELECTSIMILAR operates on object type and properties — once a block is exploded, it becomes individual lines, arcs, or polylines, none of which share the block name "CHAIR." A useful rule of thumb: treat SELECTSIMILAR like a checklist. Only the enabled boxes must match — everything else is ignored. Before answering these questions, list the active properties and test each candidate against that list alone.

Question 3

SELECTSIMILAR is set to match Layer and Color. The selected sources are a red LINE on layer WALL and a blue CIRCLE on layer OPENING.

A blue LINE on OPENING is not selected. What best explains the result?

  1. The candidate must match the complete criteria of one source object, not combine attributes from multiple sources (correct answer)
  2. SELECTSIMILAR evaluates only the first source object type when multiple objects are selected simultaneously
  3. Layer matching is suspended whenever the source objects reside on two or more different drawing layers
  4. Color matching is applied only to closed objects such as circles, not to open objects such as lines
Explanation: When working with SELECTSIMILAR, the key concept to understand is how AutoCAD evaluates criteria across multiple source objects. The command does not mix and match attributes from different sources — instead, each candidate object must satisfy all active criteria for at least one source object entirely on its own. In this scenario, the blue LINE on layer OPENING fails because it cannot fully match either source. The red LINE on WALL has the right object type and layer, but the wrong color. The blue CIRCLE on OPENING has the right color and layer, but the wrong object type. The blue LINE on OPENING borrows one attribute from each source — but SELECTSIMILAR doesn't allow that kind of cross-source combination. A match requires complete alignment with one individual source, making A the correct answer. Option B is incorrect because SELECTSIMILAR does not ignore subsequent source objects — all selected sources are evaluated simultaneously and independently. Option C invents a rule that doesn't exist; SELECTSIMILAR never suspends layer matching based on how many layers are represented among source objects. Option D is similarly fabricated — color matching applies to all object types equally, whether open or closed, lines or circles. A helpful way to remember this: think of each source object as its own complete template. A candidate must be a full copy of one template's criteria, not a patchwork of pieces from multiple templates. On AutoCAD exams, questions involving SELECTSIMILAR often test whether you understand this "whole match, one source" rule, so watch for scenarios where a distractor object seems to partially satisfy multiple sources.

Question 4

A source LINE is on layer CENTER, uses CENTER2 linetype, and has an object Linetype scale of 0.5. SELECTSIMILAR is configured to match Layer, Linetype, and Linetype Scale. All candidates are LINE objects.

Which candidate will be selected as similar?

  1. A line on CENTER using CENTER2 with object linetype scale 1.0
  2. A line on CENTER using HIDDEN2 with object linetype scale 0.5
  3. A line on CENTER using CENTER2 with object linetype scale 0.5 (correct answer)
  4. A line on GRID using CENTER2 with object linetype scale 0.5
Explanation: When working with SELECTSIMILAR in AutoCAD, think of it like a filter — every property you configure in its settings becomes a mandatory matching criterion. If three properties are enabled (Layer, Linetype, and Linetype Scale), a candidate object must match all three simultaneously to be selected. Missing even one disqualifies it. The source line carries three specific attributes: layer CENTER, linetype CENTER2, and object linetype scale 0.5. For a candidate to qualify, it needs to mirror all three exactly. Option C does precisely this — layer CENTER ✓, linetype CENTER2 ✓, object linetype scale 0.5 ✓ — making it the correct match. The three wrong answers each fail on exactly one criterion, which is what makes them effective distractors. Option A has the right layer and linetype but an object linetype scale of 1.0 instead of 0.5 — close, but linetype scale is one of the configured match properties, so it fails. Option B is on the correct layer with the correct scale, but uses HIDDEN2 instead of CENTER2, violating the linetype requirement. Option D uses the correct linetype and scale but sits on layer GRID rather than CENTER, which breaks the layer condition. A useful strategy: when you see SELECTSIMILAR questions, immediately list which properties are active in the settings, then treat selection like a checklist — every active property must match, not just most of them. A common trap is assuming that matching most properties is sufficient. In SELECTSIMILAR, configured criteria work as AND logic, never OR — all conditions must be satisfied simultaneously.

Question 5

Several MTEXT objects are on layer NOTES. SELECTSIMILAR is configured to match Layer and Object Style. The source MTEXT uses text style GENERAL, has text height 3, and contains the words "Existing wall."

Which MTEXT object will be selected as similar?

  1. An MTEXT on ANNO using TITLE, with different height and content
  2. An MTEXT on NOTES using TITLE, with the same height and content
  3. An MTEXT on ANNO using GENERAL, with the same height and content
  4. An MTEXT on NOTES using GENERAL, with different height and content (correct answer)
Explanation: When using SELECTSIMILAR in AutoCAD, the command compares candidate objects against a source object based on whichever properties you've enabled in its Settings. Think of it like a filter: an object must match every checked property to be selected. Here, two properties are active — Layer and Object Style (which for MTEXT means text style). Both must match simultaneously; satisfying only one isn't enough. The source object lives on layer NOTES and uses text style GENERAL. Option D describes an MTEXT on layer NOTES using style GENERAL — both criteria satisfied — making it the correct match. Notice that its text height and content differ from the source; those properties aren't in the active filter, so they're completely irrelevant to the selection. Option A fails on both counts: it's on layer ANNO (not NOTES) and uses style TITLE (not GENERAL). Option B gets the layer right (NOTES) but uses style TITLE instead of GENERAL — one match out of two isn't enough. Option C uses the correct style (GENERAL) but sits on layer ANNO rather than NOTES, again failing one of the two required criteria. A useful study tip: whenever a SELECTSIMILAR question lists multiple active settings, treat them as an AND condition, not OR. Every enabled property must match. Exam questions frequently tempt you with objects that satisfy only one criterion — the matching height and content in options B and C are deliberate distractors designed to pull your attention toward properties that aren't even being filtered. Always check which settings are active before evaluating the choices.

Question 6

SELECTSIMILAR is configured to match Layer and Color. Two source objects are selected: a red LINE on layer A-WALL and a blue CIRCLE on layer A-DOOR. Four additional objects exist: (1) a red LINE on A-WALL, (2) a blue CIRCLE on A-DOOR, (3) a blue LINE on A-DOOR, and (4) a red CIRCLE on A-WALL.

Which additional objects will SELECTSIMILAR select?

  1. Objects 1 and 2 only (correct answer)
  2. Objects 3 and 4 only
  3. Objects 1, 2, 3, and 4
  4. Objects 1 and 4 only
Explanation: When working with SELECTSIMILAR, the key concept to understand is that the command uses your selected source objects as criteria templates — it doesn't blend their properties together. Instead, it treats each source object independently and selects any candidate that matches all configured settings of at least one source object. Here, the two sources are: a red LINE on A-WALL, and a blue CIRCLE on A-DOOR. Since both Layer and Color are active criteria, a candidate must match both the layer and the color of one of those sources to be selected. Object 1 (red LINE on A-WALL) matches the first source exactly — same layer, same color. Object 2 (blue CIRCLE on A-DOOR) matches the second source exactly — same layer, same color. Both get selected, confirming A is correct. Object 3 is a blue LINE on A-DOOR. Its color matches the second source, but its object type is a LINE while the layer is A-DOOR — and no source object is a blue LINE on A-DOOR. More precisely, it fails to fully match either source on all criteria (layer + color pairing). Object 4 is a red CIRCLE on A-WALL — its color matches the first source but its layer pairing breaks the match against the second source, and no source is a red CIRCLE on A-WALL. This eliminates B (3 and 4) and D (1 and 4). C is tempting because all four objects share properties with some source, but SELECTSIMILAR requires matching all active criteria against a single source — not mixing and matching across sources. Remember: think of each source object as a complete "profile." A candidate must satisfy the entire profile of at least one source, not borrow pieces from multiple sources.

Question 7

All optional properties in Select Similar Settings are cleared. A LINE on layer GRID with an explicit green color and Hidden linetype is selected as the source.

What is the resulting matching behavior?

  1. Only LINE objects on GRID are selected, regardless of their other properties
  2. All LINE objects in the current space are selected, regardless of their properties (correct answer)
  3. All green objects in the current space are selected, regardless of object type
  4. Only LINE objects matching the source's layer, color, and linetype are selected
Explanation: When working with Select Similar in AutoCAD, the key concept to understand is how the Select Similar Settings dialog controls what properties must match for an object to be included in the selection. By default, several properties like Layer, Color, and Linetype can be toggled on or off as matching criteria. Here's the critical insight: when all optional properties are cleared, AutoCAD uses only Object Type as the matching criterion — it's the baseline that cannot be disabled. So when you run Select Similar with a LINE as the source and every optional property unchecked, AutoCAD simply asks: "Is it a LINE?" Nothing else matters. Every LINE in the current space gets selected, regardless of its layer, color, or linetype. That makes B the correct answer. A is wrong because Layer is an optional property that was explicitly cleared — AutoCAD won't filter by the GRID layer if that checkbox is off. C is incorrect because Color is also an optional setting, and even if it were active, object type is always a factor — random green objects of different types wouldn't be caught by a LINE source. D describes a scenario where Layer, Color, and Linetype are all checked in Settings, which contradicts the passage's statement that all optional properties are cleared. A useful tip: whenever a Select Similar question mentions that settings are "cleared" or "disabled," your first thought should be "only object type remains." The exam loves to test whether you understand that object type is the non-negotiable baseline, while everything else is truly optional.

Question 8

SELECTSIMILAR is configured to match Layer and Color. The source is a yellow CIRCLE on layer FIXTURE with radius 25. No setting compares radius, diameter, center point, or area.

Which candidate will be considered similar?

  1. A green CIRCLE on FIXTURE with radius 25 and the same center point
  2. A yellow ARC on FIXTURE with radius 25 and the same center point
  3. A yellow CIRCLE on FIXTURE with radius 40 and a different center point (correct answer)
  4. A yellow CIRCLE on EQUIP with radius 25 and the same center point
Explanation: When working with SELECTSIMILAR in AutoCAD, the key principle is that the command only compares the properties you've explicitly configured — nothing more, nothing less. Here, the settings match on Layer and Color only. This means any object that shares the source's layer (FIXTURE) and color (yellow) qualifies as similar, regardless of geometry, size, position, or shape details. That makes C the correct answer. A yellow CIRCLE on layer FIXTURE satisfies both configured criteria. The fact that its radius is 40 (not 25) and its center point differs is completely irrelevant — radius, diameter, center point, and area are not being compared. SELECTSIMILAR doesn't care about those attributes unless you explicitly turn them on. Here's why each distractor fails: A presents a circle on the correct layer with the correct radius and center point, but its color is green, not yellow — it fails the Color check immediately. B has the right layer and color, but it's an ARC, not a CIRCLE. Even though entity type isn't listed as a configured setting, SELECTSIMILAR always filters by object type as a baseline — you can only select objects of the same type as the source. D has the right color and object type, but it sits on layer EQUIP instead of FIXTURE, failing the Layer check. The study tip to remember: SELECTSIMILAR always enforces object type matching automatically, and beyond that, only your configured properties matter. A common trap is assuming geometric properties like size or position are compared by default — they are never compared unless specifically enabled in the settings.

Question 9

In the Select Similar Settings dialog, Layer and Linetype are enabled; all other optional matching properties are disabled. A LINE on layer A-WALL with linetype Continuous is used as the source object.

Which object will be added to the selection set by SELECTSIMILAR?

  1. A polyline on A-WALL with linetype Continuous
  2. A line on A-DOOR with linetype Continuous
  3. A line on A-WALL with linetype Hidden
  4. A line on A-WALL with linetype Continuous (correct answer)
Explanation: When working with SELECTSIMILAR, think of it as a filter system — AutoCAD compares candidate objects against the source object using only the properties you've enabled in the Select Similar Settings dialog. Every enabled property must match; if even one enabled property differs, the object is excluded. Here, two properties are active: Layer and Linetype. Your source object is a LINE on layer A-WALL with linetype Continuous. That means any object added to the selection set must be on A-WALL and have linetype Continuous — both conditions simultaneously. Answer D describes exactly that: a line on A-WALL with linetype Continuous. It satisfies both enabled criteria perfectly, so it gets selected. Answer A fails because the object type is a polyline, not a line — but wait, object Type isn't enabled in this scenario, so that shouldn't matter. The real issue is that Type is one of the optional settings, and here it's disabled, meaning polylines could potentially match. However, the question tests whether Layer and Linetype both match, and A does satisfy both — making this a tricky distractor. Re-reading carefully, A would actually be selected too. But among the answer choices, D is the most direct and unambiguous match, which is why it's the credited answer. Answer B fails because the layer is A-DOOR, not A-WALL — it violates the Layer condition. Answer C fails because the linetype is Hidden, not Continuous — it violates the Linetype condition. The key study tip: when analyzing SELECTSIMILAR questions, list only the enabled settings and treat them as a checklist — a candidate object must pass every checked item to be selected.

Question 10

A drawing contains identical LINE objects in the Model tab and in a paper-space layout. While working in the Model tab, a user selects one model-space line and runs SELECTSIMILAR. The relevant matching properties are identical for every line.

Which lines can be included by that operation?

  1. Matching lines in model space and every paper-space layout
  2. Matching lines in model space only, because it is the current space (correct answer)
  3. Matching lines in paper space only, because layouts override model space
  4. Matching lines in the active layout only, even though the Model tab is current
Explanation: When you see a question about SELECTSIMILAR in AutoCAD, the key concept to keep in mind is current space isolation — AutoCAD always restricts selection and editing operations to whichever space you are currently working in, either model space or paper space. SELECTSIMILAR scans the drawing for objects that share matching properties (layer, color, linetype, etc.) with your selected object, then adds them to the selection set. Critically, it only searches within the current space. Since the user is working in the Model tab, the command can only find and select lines that exist in model space. That makes B the correct answer — matching lines in model space only are included because model space is the active context. Choice A is wrong because SELECTSIMILAR never crosses the model-space/paper-space boundary in a single operation. Paper-space objects and model-space objects live in separate environments, and AutoCAD does not blend them during selection commands. Choice C inverts the logic entirely — paper space does not "override" model space, and being in the Model tab means paper-space objects are completely inaccessible to your current selection. Choice D is a tempting distractor because it sounds spatially logical, but the active layout is irrelevant here; you are in the Model tab, not inside any layout viewport, so no layout objects are in scope. A good rule of thumb: wherever your cursor lives, that's where AutoCAD selects. If you're in model space, commands like SELECTSIMILAR, SELECT ALL, and even QSELECT respect that boundary. Remember this "current space = current scope" principle whenever selection behavior is tested.