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Academy11+

11+ Non-verbal reasoning · Topic explained

NVR similarities

Which picture belongs with the group?

The big idea

Find what every picture in the group shares, then pick the option that shares it too.

Picture it

A club with a secret rule: work out the rule, and you know who can join.

Key words

group
the example pictures on the left
rule
what all the examples share
free to change
things that differ between the examples don't matter

Worked examples

  1. 1Warm-up

    Which option belongs with the two on the left?

    • The size and shading change, so they don't matter.
    • Both are triangles: pick the triangle.
  2. 211+ standard

    Which option belongs with the two on the left?

    • In both, one small black shape sits inside a big white shape.
    • Only (c) has that.
  3. 311+ standard

    Which option belongs with the two on the left?

    • A triangle (3 sides) and a seven-sided shape: both odd numbers of sides.
    • The only odd one in the options: the pentagon.
  4. 411+ standard

    Which option belongs with the two on the left?

    • Both are the same black arrow, just turned.
    • Turning is free, but shape and shading must match: the black arrow.

The common mistake

The mistake

Choose the option that looks most like one of the examples.

Instead

Choose the option that follows the rule all the examples share.

Why: Size, shading and turning often change freely; the options are built to look alike but break the rule.

Where it comes up in the 11+

GL papers ask which figure is most like the group; CEM-style tests use the same idea in their non-verbal sections.

The video

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We're making a short video that explains nvr similarities step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable

NVR similarities worksheet

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

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Quick quiz

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

  1. 1. The group is a big square and a small square. Which belongs?

    • a middle-sized square
    • a circle
    • a triangle
    • a star
    Show the answer

    a middle-sized square

    Size is free to change; the rule is squares.

  2. 2. The group: a black circle, a black star, a black square. Which belongs?

    • a black triangle
    • a white circle
    • a grey star
    • a white square
    Show the answer

    a black triangle

    Shape is free; the rule is black shading.

  3. 3. If the examples are all different sizes, what does that tell you?

    • Size doesn't matter
    • Size is the rule
    • Bigger is better
    • Pick the smallest
    Show the answer

    Size doesn't matter

    Anything that changes between examples isn't the rule.