Non-Verbal Reasoning involves the ability to analyse and interpret images and identify patterns and sequences. These Spatial Reasoning skills form a vital part of the secondary transfer test (11 plus). NVR is not taught in schools, and puts pupils who do not practice these questions at a disadvantage.
Our blog series on how to answer the Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) questions in the 11+ continues with the next types of questions pupils may be asked for the NVR section of the 11+; Identifying similarities and differences between shapes and patterns. These require pupils to notice things that are the same / different about images, and then answer questions using this knowledge.
We will be looking at two main question types, which are very similar;
1. Diagram like first two
2. Diagram like first three
Diagram like first two
In these questions pupils are given two images on the left hand side of a line. They are then given five answer options to the right. Pupils need to identify which of the five images is most similar to the two images on the left.
In this example, the two images on the left hand side are four sided, and the only shape on the right hand side which was four sides is C.
Your turn (answers are at the bottom of the page)
Diagram like first three
In these questions pupils are given three images on the left hand side of a line. They are then given five answer options to the right. Pupils need to identify which of the five images is most similar to the three images on the left.
In this example all three of the images on the left have a black dot in them. The only shape that has a black dot in the middle of the five options is E.
Your turn (answers are at the bottom of the page)
Answers:
Q1. B – the answer is B because the only similarity between the two images on the left is that they have three squares in both images. The only answer option which also has three squares in is B.
Q2. D – the answer is D because the two images on the left have; an arrow in the middle of the image, have a lined end to the arrow, and have the arrow pointing towards the ball on the outside. The only answer option which has all of these three similarities is D.
Q3. D – in these questions, the colour of the balls is irrelevant; they are different coloured just to try to confuse the pupils. The answer is related to the number of balls and the number of lines in the outer shapes. All three of the images on the left have the same number of balls as they do lines. The only shape on the right hand side which has the same number of balls to lines is D, hence why this is the answer.
Q4. D – the only similarity between all three of the images on the left is that they have two halves of a circle, on either side of the line. The only answer option which also only has two halves of a circle on either side of the line is D.
Please note that these are really simplified examples of the questions pupils will receive on the 11+. We have a wealth of experience of assisting pupils prepare for all aspects of the secondary transfer test (11+), including NVR.
For more information about how we can help your child as they prepare to take the 11+ in Buckinghamshire please contact us at headstart11plus@yahoo.com, or call us on 01296 931078.
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