11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning

About 11 Plus Non-verbal Reasoning

Non-verbal Reasoning is all about patterns, shapes and logic. Instead of words, students work with diagrams, grids and sequences to spot relationships and rules. These quick quizzes build the visual problem-solving skills tested by many 11 Plus exam boards, while keeping practice fun and focused.

Try visual Analogies, crack symbol codes in Code Breaker, train your eye with Odd One Out, and master grid logic in Matrices. Each quiz gives instant feedback, helping learners spot gaps, revisit tricky items and grow confidence step by step.

Little-and-often practice works best. A couple of short quizzes several times a week helps students become familiar with common layouts, timings and traps. Parents and tutors can track progress and return to specific question types whenever extra practice is needed.

Common 11 Plus Non-verbal Reasoning question types

• Analogies: Identifying relationships between pairs of shapes or patterns and applying the same relationship to a new pair.
• Code Breaker: Deciphering a code or set of symbols to determine the correct answer based on coding rules.
• Complete the Series: Identifying the next shape or pattern in a sequence based on an established pattern or rule.
• Matrices: Determining the relationship between elements in a grid or matrix to find the missing element.
• Odd One Out: Identifying the shape or pattern that does not belong in a set and explaining the reason for the choice.
• Shapes and Letters: Analyzing relationships between shapes and letters to identify missing elements or patterns.
• Similar Shapes: Comparing two sets of shapes to identify which shapes in the second set are similar to those in the first set.

See Our Own: Guide to the 11 Plus Exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Non-verbal Reasoning test?

It tests visual pattern-spotting, spatial awareness and logical thinking using shapes, rotations, reflections and sequences. These skills help students solve problems without relying on words.

How should my child practise?

Short, regular sessions work best – aim for two or three quick quizzes a week. Focus on accuracy first, then build speed. Revisit question types that caused trouble and repeat them after a few days.

Do these quizzes match real exam styles?

Yes. They reflect common 11 Plus formats used by popular exam providers. Regular practice familiarises students with typical layouts, instructions and timing demands.

Author: Ian Miles (Qualified Linguist and Freelance Tutor)