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+; recognising visual sequences and relationships between objects. In these questions pupils need to be able to identify a pattern in a series of images, and then identify which image would continue this pattern.
We will be looking at two main question types, which are very similar;
1. Complete the series
2. Complete the grid
Complete the series
In these questions pupils are given a series of images contained within five boxes, however one of the boxes is left empty. Pupils need to identify which of the five answer options could go into this empty box to continue a series or pattern in the best way.
In this example, each box from left to right has an additional circle added to it. This means that we would be looking for a shape which has four circles in it. The only answer option we have which has four circles and a black dot in the middle is B.
Your turn (answers are at the bottom of the page)
Compete the grid
In these questions pupils are given a set of shapes, contained within boxes, on the left hand side, with one box left empty. Pupils need to decide which images, from the answer options, would go into this empty box to complete the pattern in the grids in the best way.
In this example the image on the top left changes colour (from white to black) as it moves to the images at the top right. If we follow that pattern with the image on the bottom left into the bottom right we would be looking for the same shape as in the bottom left, but it should change to black. The only image which looks like this is D.
Your turn (answers are at the bottom of the page)
Answers:
Q1. B – As the series moves from left to right, each time the number of points on the shape decreases by one. This means that we will be looking for a shape with six points. At the same time as this, as the shape moves from left to right, the black and white shading alternates (black on left, then black on right, etc.), meaning that our shape should also have the black shading on the left hand side. The shape also alternates from having a point at the bottom, then not, then at the bottom, etc. The only image option that has all of these three points above is B.
Q2. E – In this series we have a jump from big to small shapes, i.e. the first shape is large, the next is small, etc. The shape is also rotating every two images; the first image is upright, the next two are sideways, meaning the next two should be upright. Finally, each large shape is rotating 90o every second image. The only answer option we have which has all of these three elements is E.
Q3. D – In these questions, the shape at the top left has rotated 90o anti-clockwise in order to create the image on the right. If we follow that same pattern for the shape on the bottom (rotate our Hexagon 90o anti-clockwise) we would end up with image D.
Q4. B – as the images move from left to right on the top row and the middle row, the size, number and colour of the images remain the same. The only thing which changes is the shape. If we follow these same principles with the bottom row, the only answer option which follows these principles is B.
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.