Sheet 10 of 10 · Non-verbal Reasoning

Non-verbal reasoning checklist

What to check in every picture, and how to tackle each question type. 14 rules, each with a worked example.

Check everything

Shape and size
Same shapes? Same sizes? Which ones grow or shrink?
Tip: Go through this list in the same order every time.
Shading and line type
Check the fill (black, white, striped, dotted) and the lines (solid, dashed, thick, thin)
Number
Count the shapes, sides, lines, dots and right angles
ExampleA triangle, then a square, then a pentagon: one more side each time
Position and order
Where is each part, and how does it move from one picture to the next?
ExampleA dot moving one corner clockwise each step
Angles and symmetry
Look for right angles, acute and obtuse angles, and lines of symmetry

Rotation
The whole shape turns; 90° clockwise equals a quarter turn to the right
- 180° = a half turn (upside down) · 90° anticlockwise = 270° clockwise
ExampleAn arrow pointing up, turned 90° clockwise, points right
Reflection
Flip it over the mirror line: each part ends up the same distance away on the other side
ExampleAn arrow pointing left, reflected in an upright mirror line, points right
Tip: Rotating never flips a shape over; a reflection looks like mirror writing.

Odd one out
Find what all the others share; the odd one breaks that rule
Series
Find what changes each step (moves, turns, adds) and carry it on
Analogies
A is to B as C is to ?: make the same change(s) to C
Matrices
Check along the rows, down the columns and across the diagonals
Cube nets
Opposite faces never touch in the net
- In a straight line of three squares, the 1st and 3rd are opposite
- Every cube net has 6 squares (there are 11 different nets)
Codes
Find which feature each code letter stands for, then combine them
ExampleFirst letter = shape, second letter = shading
Hidden shapes
Find the exact shape, same size and same way round, inside the bigger picture

The study guide goes through each rule step by step, with more examples.