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Academy11+

11+ Non-verbal reasoning · Topic explained

How to eliminate wrong answers

Can't see the answer straight away? Cross out the wrong ones!

The big idea

Check one feature at a time and cross out every option that breaks it, until one is left.

Picture it

A guessing game: each question knocks down the faces that don't fit.

Key words

eliminate
cross out an option you know is wrong
feature
one thing to check: shape, shading, number, turn…
trap
an option that's right except for one small detail

Worked examples

  1. 1Warm-up

    The answer must be a black triangle. Cross out the rest.

    • Shading first: cross out the white and grey ones.
    • Then shape: cross out the circle.
    • Left: (c).
  2. 211+ standard

    The answer must be a small black arrow pointing right.

    • Size: cross out (a).
    • Shading: cross out (b).
    • Direction: cross out (c) and (e). Left: (d).
  3. 311+ standard

    The answer must be a square with 5 dots.

    • Shape: cross out the circle.
    • Count the dots: cross out 4 and 6.
    • Left: (c).
  4. 411+ standard

    The answer must be a black flag facing the same way as this one.

    • Shading: cross out the white flag.
    • Turn: cross out the upside-down flag.
    • Two left? Compare them: one is a mirror image.

The common mistake

The mistake

Pick the first option that looks right.

Instead

Check every option against every rule; traps differ by one small detail.

Why: The wrong options are made from common mistakes, like a mirror image or the wrong count.

Where it comes up in the 11+

GL NVR questions have five options, and the wrong ones are built from common mistakes. Crossing out is faster and safer than guessing.

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains how to eliminate wrong answers step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable

How to eliminate wrong answers worksheet

Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.

Download the worksheet (PDF)

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Quick quiz

Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.

  1. 1. The answer must be white. Two options are black. What do you do?

    • Cross them both out
    • Pick one of them
    • Start again
    • Guess
    Show the answer

    Cross them both out

    They break a rule, so they can't be right.

  2. 2. Two options are left and look the same. What next?

    • Compare them for one small difference
    • Pick either one
    • Pick the first
    • Leave it
    Show the answer

    Compare them for one small difference

    Traps differ by one detail, like a mirror image.

  3. 3. How many options does a GL NVR question usually have?

    • 5
    • 2
    • 3
    • 10
    Show the answer

    5

    Options A to E.