11+ subject guide

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning

The 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning question types explained, from series and matrices to cube nets, with tips for practising at home and three free picture puzzles to try.

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What 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning covers

Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) uses shapes and diagrams instead of words. Children look at how figures change, in shape, size, shading, number, position or direction, work out the rule, and use it to find the next figure, the missing square or the odd one out.

Because it doesn't depend on reading, NVR is often described as a test of problem solving rather than of what has been taught at school. It still rewards practice: once children know what to look for in each question type, and check one feature at a time, they become much faster and more accurate. Some tests also include spatial reasoning, such as cube nets and 3D shapes.

Non-Verbal Reasoning question types

Series
Spot how the figures change from box to box (turning, shading, counting, moving) and pick the one that comes next.
Odd One Out
Four figures share something in common — find the one that doesn't fit.
Analogies
Work out how the first figure changes into the second, then make the same change to the third figure.
Matrices
Spot the patterns across the rows and down the columns of a grid, and choose the missing square.
Reflections
Find the mirror image of a figure in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal mirror line.
Rotations
Spot which figure is the same as the first one turned round — not flipped over.
Codes
Work out which letter stands for which feature of a figure, then write the code for a new figure.
Cube Nets
Fold a flat net in your head and pick the cube it makes.

Features to check

Look at one feature at a time across the figures:

Shape and number of sides
Size
Shading and line style
Number of elements
Position and movement
Direction and rotation

Transformations

Rotation: turning about a point (90°, 180°, clockwise or anticlockwise)
Reflection: flipping in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal mirror
Translation: sliding without turning
Enlargement and reduction

Matrices and series

2×2 and 3×3 grids
Patterns across rows and down columns
Alternating and repeating patterns
Changes that build step by step
Two or more rules at once

Cube nets and 3D shapes

Find the faces that end up opposite each other
Track which faces share an edge
Fold the net in your head one face at a time
Rule out cubes that show two opposite faces together
Practise with a real paper net

How to practise Non-Verbal Reasoning at home

Learn the question types first
Go through each type with a worked example so your child knows what the question is asking before speed matters.
Check one feature at a time
Teach a routine: shape, size, shading, number, position, direction. It stops children missing a second rule.
Use real objects
Mirrors for reflections, a cut-out shape for rotations, and paper nets folded into cubes make the ideas concrete.
Rule options out
Encourage your child to cross out every option that breaks a rule. Often only one is left.
Play visual puzzles
Tangrams, spot the difference, jigsaws and building blocks all practise the same spatial thinking.
Build up to timed practice
Start untimed for accuracy, then practise mixed sets against the clock as the exam gets closer.

On the day of the exam

Look closely
Small details such as a shaded corner or a line facing a different way often decide the answer.
Find the rule before looking at the options
Predict what the answer should look like, then find it, so similar-looking options don't distract.
Check the rule against every figure
A rule that works for two figures but not the third is the wrong rule.
Don't get stuck
Mark a hard question and come back to it once the rest of the section is done.

More 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning practice

Non-Verbal Reasoning paper packs

Academy11 Non-Verbal Reasoning Papers
Timed Non-Verbal Reasoning practice papers in the style of the GL 11+ exam. Included with Premium.

Sample reports

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Guides for parents

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning: questions parents ask

What is non-verbal reasoning in the 11+?

Non-Verbal Reasoning tests problem solving with shapes and diagrams instead of words. Children spot how figures change and use the rule to find the next figure, the odd one out, the missing square in a grid, a reflection or rotation, a code, or the cube a net folds into.

Can you practise for non-verbal reasoning?

Yes. Children who have never seen the question types can find them confusing at first. Learning what each type asks, and a routine of checking one feature at a time, usually makes a big difference to both speed and accuracy.

What are the main types of non-verbal reasoning questions?

Common types are series, odd one out, analogies, matrices, reflections, rotations, codes and cube nets. Some tests also include other spatial questions, such as 3D shapes seen from different angles.

Why does my child find non-verbal reasoning hard?

Many questions combine two or three rules at once, such as a shape that rotates while its shading changes. Children who spot one rule and stop often choose a wrong answer. Checking each feature in turn, and testing the rule on every figure, helps.

Is non-verbal reasoning in every 11+ exam?

No. Many grammar school tests include it, but the mix of subjects depends on the area and the school. Check which test your target schools use before deciding how much time to give it.

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