Non-Verbal Reasoning mistakes that cost marks

A common mistake is to rush and pick an answer the moment something looks slightly different, without checking all four figures.

For example, you might notice figure A looks big and quickly choose A — but you have not checked whether B, C and D are all small. Maybe A is big AND has different shading too. The real odd one out might be a different figure for a different reason.

How to avoid this: always check the feature across all four figures before writing your answer. Ask yourself, "Do the other three all share this feature?" Only move on when you are sure.

A common mistake is to look only at the third box and guess what might come after it, without checking whether the same change happened from box 1 to box 2. You might spot the wrong rule and choose the wrong answer.

Always check that your rule works for every step in the row — from box 1 to box 2, and from box 2 to box 3. If it works every time, you can be confident.

A very common mistake is to flip the shape in the wrong direction. For example, with a vertical mirror line, some children accidentally flip the shape up and down instead of left and right.

This happens because it can feel confusing which way to go.

To avoid it, always ask yourself: which way does my mirror line run? If the line is vertical (up-down), the flip goes left-right. If the line is horizontal (across), the flip goes up-down. Say it to yourself before you start each question.

The most common mistake is choosing a reflected shape by accident, thinking it has just been turned.

This happens because after a half turn (180°), some shapes look very similar to their reflection, so it is easy to mix them up.

How to avoid it: always track one detail that is clearly on one side — like a dot, a shaded part, or a pointed tip. After a rotation, that detail stays on the same side of the shape relative to the shape's body. After a reflection, it swaps to the opposite side. If you track your chosen detail carefully, you will not be fooled.

Many children confuse a reflection with a rotation. They see that a shape looks different and guess it has been rotated, when really it has been flipped — or the other way round.

Here is how to tell them apart. A rotation keeps the shape the same way round — imagine turning a book on a table. A reflection flips the shape — imagine holding the book up to a mirror.

With an L-shape or arrow, look at which corner or point is at the top after the change. If the shape looks like it has been turned, it is probably a rotation. If it looks like a mirror image — where left and right have swapped — it is a reflection. Take your time and compare corner by corner.

A very common mistake is to choose an answer that looks just like Shape C, without making any change to it. This happens when you look at the answer choices before you have worked out the rule.

Always work out the rule first. Then check that your answer really does apply the rule to Shape C. If your chosen answer looks identical to Shape C, something has gone wrong — go back and look at A and B again.

A very common mistake is to check only across the row and forget to check down the column. For example, if you see 'circle, circle' in a row you might write 'circle' for the missing square — but checking the column might show that the shape should actually be a square. Always use both checks before you decide. It only takes a few extra seconds and it saves you from losing marks.

A very common mistake is to spot one change, find an answer option that matches it, and choose that option straight away — without checking the second change.

For example, you notice the shape turns clockwise. You find an option with the correct turn and pick it. But that option has the wrong shading, so it is actually wrong.

Always check both features before you choose. A quick two-second check saves you from losing a mark.

Many children confuse a rotation with a reflection, especially when a shape has turned 90°. The difference is important.

A rotation keeps the same 'handedness' — the shape turns but is not flipped. A reflection flips the shape so it looks like its mirror image.

Look at the picture. The original L-shape, the rotated version and the reflected version all look different. Notice how the reflected version is like a 'backwards' L.

To avoid mixing them up: pick a corner that sticks out on one side. After a rotation, that corner has moved around but the shape has not been flipped. After a reflection, it appears on the opposite side as if in a mirror.