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Academy11+

11+ Non-verbal reasoning · Topic explained

What non-verbal reasoning tests

How do you solve a puzzle with no words at all?

The big idea

NVR is spotting what changes and what stays the same, with a checklist so you miss nothing.

Picture it

Be a detective with a checklist: shape, size, shading, number, position, turn.

Key words

shape
which shapes, and how many sides they have
shading
white, black, grey or patterned
number
how many shapes, dots or lines
position
where things are, inside or outside, top or bottom
rotation
which way something is turned or pointing

Worked examples

  1. 1Warm-up

    What comes next?

    • Only the shading changes: white, grey, black, then again.
    • Next: a grey circle.
  2. 211+ standard

    What comes next?

    • Two things change: one more side each time, and the shading swaps.
    • Next: 6 sides, black: a black hexagon.
  3. 311+ standard

    What comes next?

    • Count the dots: 1, 3, 5: two more each time.
    • Next: 7 dots.
  4. 411+ standard

    What comes next?

    • The star moves one corner clockwise each time.
    • Next: top left again.

The common mistake

The mistake

Stop at the first change you spot.

Instead

Run the whole checklist: harder questions change two or three things at once.

Why: The wrong options are built to catch anyone who only spots one change.

Where it comes up in the 11+

GL NVR papers use series, analogies, odd one out, matrices, codes, reflections, nets and more. CEM-style tests mix in similar puzzles.

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains what non-verbal reasoning tests step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable

What non-verbal reasoning tests 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. Which of these is NOT on the checklist?

    • The colour of the page
    • Shading
    • Rotation
    • Number
    Show the answer

    The colour of the page

    Shape, size, shading, number, position and turn.

  2. 2. An arrow makes a quarter turn each time. Which check spots that?

    • Rotation
    • Size
    • Shading
    • Number
    Show the answer

    Rotation

    Turning is rotation.

  3. 3. The pictures have 1 dot, 2 dots, then 3 dots. Which check spots that?

    • Number
    • Shape
    • Shading
    • Size
    Show the answer

    Number

    Counting things is the number check.