11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning 1.0

To be successful in a non-verbal reasoning test a child will need to: Be able to see how objects relate to each other Apply logical deduction skills Understand maths concepts such as symmetry and rotation Each question will usually have a sequence of 3–5 shapes and the child is required to find the shape that best completes the sequence. There are numerous elements in each non verbal reasoning question such as the outline shape, the fill, the direction of the shape. The shape may rotate, be inverted, have different layers, increase or decrease in size. Some also require basic counting skills. Non-verbal reasoning requires good spatial awareness and it is a skill that some children will have naturally. For those who do not it is still possible to learn good technique by being highly disciplined and systematic, isolating each element of the sequence or pattern in turn in order to rule out the options one-by-one.

11+ Non-verbal reasoning

'Non-verbal reasoning is problem-solving based around pictures, diagrams and shapes, rather than words,'. Unlike verbal reasoning, it's not as reliant on the English language; rather, the questions use drawings, shapes or codes, and your child will need to work out sequences, similarities and differences between these figures or break the code.

Non-verbal reasoning tests are designed to see how your child can use critical thinking and logic to solve problems, and are an indication of their mathematical capabilities and powers of deduction. From this, the theory is that the examining body can get a picture of your child's potential and intelligence, rather than their learned ability.

What sort of questions are involved?

The questions in a non-verbal reasoning test are based around mathematical concepts such symmetry, rotation, mirroring, shape, size and direction, and involve diagrams rather than words. Typical questions include:

Spotting the odd shape out (e.g. a four-sided shape in a group of three-sided shapes)
Working out what a shape would look like when folded
Identifying the mirror image of a given shape
Working out the next diagram in a sequence (for example a series of rectangles divided into squares, where the first has one square shaded, the second has two, the third has three, and so on)
Finding two identical shapes in a series of five shapes
Identifying what a shape would look like when rotated by 90 degrees
Generally, each question has a series of three to five shapes.

Helping your child practise at home

'A good mathematical knowledge is important for non-verbal reasoning tests, so encourage your child to work on learning number bonds and times tables by rote, and practising addition and subtraction,' says Stephen. You can also boost non-verbal reasoning skills by:

Playing games like spot the difference and Sudoku.
Developing spatial awareness and understanding of how shapes interconnect with jigsaws and construction toys like Meccano and Lego.
Using a pack of cards to practise addition and subtraction, for example by dealing out five cards and getting your child to add them all together, subtract the smallest number from the largest, and so on.
Playing maths games when out and about, such as asking your child to add together all the numbers from the registration plate of the car in front.
Drawing shapes on a piece of paper and getting your child to draw their mirror image, using a mirror to check the results, or cutting them out and folding them in half to see how they look.
Using the computer: the ideal platform to practise non-verbal reasoning skills.