The Ultimate 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Guide
Master all 20+ Non-Verbal Reasoning question types for GL & CEM 11+ exams with our comprehensive guide. Learn expert strategies, patterns, and logic to ace your grammar school entrance exam.
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The Complete Guide to 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) is a cornerstone of the 11+ exam, designed to assess a child's raw problem-solving ability without relying on language. It's a test of pure logic, using shapes, patterns, and pictures to gauge spatial awareness and analytical skills. For any student aiming for grammar or independent school entry, achieving mastery in NVR is not just an advantage; it's essential.
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Start Free NVR PracticeAll 20+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Question Types
This definitive guide provides an exhaustive overview of every NVR question type your child might encounter. To turn this knowledge into exam success, practice with our Spiral Learning AI app which features thousands of adaptive NVR questions covering every category listed here.
Category 1: Identifying Patterns & Sequences
1. Series / Sequences
A sequence of 4 or 5 shapes is shown, and the task is to find the next shape in the series. The key is to identify the rule governing the progression.
Look for: Rotation (clockwise/anti-clockwise), changes in size or shading, movement of elements within the shape, or addition/subtraction of features.
Which shape comes next in this sequence? [Insert sequence of shapes]
Strategy: Look for clockwise rotation of the inner shape while the outer shape alternates shading.
2. Matrices
A grid of shapes (typically 3x3) has one missing square. You must analyse the patterns running horizontally and vertically to determine the missing shape that completes the grid.
Strategy: Treat the matrix like a Sudoku puzzle. The shape, shading, and orientation in each row and column must follow a consistent rule.
3. Pattern Completion
A larger design has a piece missing. The candidate must choose the option that correctly fits into the gap, completing the overall pattern perfectly.
Focus on: Line continuity, repeating patterns, and symmetry. This is a pure test of visual precision.
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Get Personalized NVR HelpCategory 2: Identifying Relationships
4. Analogies (A is to B)
This type uses the format 'A is to B, as C is to D'. The student must determine the transformation that changes shape A into shape B and apply the exact same transformation to shape C to find D.
5. Pairs
A pair of shapes is shown that share a specific relationship. From a selection of other shapes, the child must find another pair with the same logical connection.
6. Most Like
Two or three shapes are presented as a group. The task is to find the shape from the options that is most like the initial group, based on a shared characteristic.
7. Odd One Out
A classic NVR type. A set of five shapes is shown, and the student must identify the one that does not fit the rule governing the other four.
Tip: Encourage your child to find the rule that connects four shapes first. The one left over is the odd one out. Don't start by looking for the different one.
Category 3: Codes & Logic
8. Horizontal Codes
A set of shapes is given, each assigned a code (e.g., SY, PX). The child must decipher the system where each letter represents a feature (e.g., S=Square, Y=Striped) and then apply this code to a new shape.
9. Vertical Codes
Similar to horizontal codes, but the shapes and their codes are arranged vertically, which can sometimes make the patterns easier or harder to spot.
Key to cracking codes: Isolate one variable. Find all the shapes that share the letter 'X' in their code and identify the one feature they all have in common.
If shape A has code XY and shape B has code XZ, what code would shape C have?
Strategy: First identify what feature X represents by comparing shapes A and B.
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Join the Free ChallengeCategory 4: Spatial & 3D Reasoning
This is a major focus in modern CEM tests and requires strong visualisation skills. Practice is non-negotiable here, and our app has a dedicated section for these.
10. Cubes & Nets
A 2D 'net' is shown, and the task is to identify which 3D cube can be made by folding it. Pay close attention to the orientation of faces that are opposite each other.
11. Cube Views
Two or three views of the same cube are shown. The child must use these to work out which symbol is on the opposite face to a given symbol.
12. 3D Rotations
A 3D shape is shown from one angle, and the child must identify what it would look like when rotated (e.g., 90 degrees to the right).
13. Folding & Punching
A piece of paper is shown being folded several times, and then one or more holes are punched through it. The child must visualise what the paper will look like when fully unfolded.
14. Hidden Shapes
A simple shape is presented, and the task is to find it hidden within one of five more complex diagrams. The hidden shape will always be the same size and orientation.
15. Layering / Superimposition
The child is shown a sequence of shapes being layered on top of each other. They must determine what the final combined image will look like.
Category 5: Transformations
16. Reflections
A shape is shown alongside a mirror line (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal). The child must select the correct reflection of that shape.
17. Rotations
A shape is rotated by a specific degree (e.g., 45°, 90°, 180°). The student needs to identify the resulting image from a set of options.
Category 6: Other Common Types
18. Figure Analysis
A complex figure is presented, and the question might ask the child to count the number of triangles or squares within it.
19. Assemblies
Component shapes are shown, and the task is to identify which of the final figures can be made using only those components.
20. Dissections
The reverse of Assemblies. A complete shape is shown, and the child must identify which set of smaller pieces can be put together to form it.
Your Path to NVR Mastery
Understanding these categories is the first step. The second, and most critical, is practice. Consistent exposure to all question types builds the mental library of patterns and rules needed to solve problems quickly and accurately under exam conditions.
Practice All NVR Question TypesFinal NVR Exam Tips
- Time management: Allocate about 30 seconds per question in the exam. If stuck, move on and return later.
- Process of elimination: For multiple-choice questions, eliminate obviously wrong answers first.
- Check for multiple rules: Some questions combine several patterns (e.g., rotation plus shading change).
- Practice under timed conditions: Build speed and accuracy with our timed practice tests.
- Stay calm: If a question seems impossible, take a deep breath and look for the simplest pattern first.
Success Stories from Real Families
Discover how our NVR practice platform has helped students achieve grammar school success
My daughter was struggling with NVR until we found Spiral Learning. The systematic approach to each question type transformed her confidence. She passed her Kent Test with flying colors!
The 3D rotation questions were impossible for my son until he used the visual explanations in the app. The way they break down each step made all the difference for his Birmingham 11+ exam.
We tried expensive tutoring first, but the app was far more effective. The adaptive practice identified exactly which NVR types needed work and provided perfect practice.
Non-Verbal Reasoning FAQs
Get answers to common questions about 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning
NVR is crucial for most 11+ exams, typically accounting for 25-50% of the reasoning section. For CEM exams especially, strong NVR skills are essential as they place heavy emphasis on spatial reasoning questions.
Absolutely! While some children have natural spatial ability, NVR is highly trainable. Systematic practice with all question types builds pattern recognition skills. Our students typically improve their NVR scores by 30-50% with regular practice.
Recent exams show increased focus on 3D/spatial questions (cubes, rotations), matrices, and odd one out. However, all types can appear, so comprehensive preparation is essential.
We recommend 3-4 focused 20-minute sessions per week, covering different question types. Quality matters more than quantity - our AI ensures each practice session targets weak areas efficiently.
Yes! Our platform covers all NVR question types for both exam boards, with specific practice papers for GL and CEM formats. The AI adapts to your target exam format.
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