Imagine this.
Your child is flying through Maths. They’re confident in English. But when they open the Non-Verbal Reasoning section in the 11+ exams, their face changes.They stare at a grid of strange shapes, arrows, rotations, and patterns.And suddenly, all that confidence? Gone.
You’re not alone. Non Verbal Reasoning (NVR) trips up many bright students, not because they’re not capable, but because this part of the exam is designed to test a completely different set of skills.
With the right strategies, practice, and mindset, your child can not only survive this section, they can master it.
Practice anytime, anywhere with our 11+ exams online test, a simple way to build skills and track progress from the comfort of home.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to help your child tackle tricky Non Verbal Reasoning questions in the 11+ exams, with real-life tips, shocking stats, and the kind of support every parent wishes they had from day one.
First, What Is Non Verbal Reasoning?
Let’s simplify it.
Non Non-verbal reasoning is about spotting patterns, understanding logic, and solving problems using pictures instead of words.
It tests skills like:
- Visual reasoning
- Spatial awareness
- Problem-solving
- Pattern recognition
- Logical thinking
This section shows up in most 11+ exams papers and can vary in format depending on the region and the exam board.
Did you know that over 40% of students score lower in NVR compared to verbal reasoning in early mock exams? The reason isn’t intelligence, it’s unfamiliarity. Most children never see questions like these in school.
Why Is It So Challenging?
Because Non Verbal Reasoning is not part of the national curriculum. That means:
- Most children don’t learn it in school
- It’s often completely new when they begin the 11+ exams online test prep
- The questions look intimidating and abstract
This leads to panic, self-doubt, and rushed guesses, especially when the clock is ticking.
Learn to Look, Not Just Think
The biggest mistake kids make in the 11+ exams NVR section?
They try to “solve” the question logically… before actually looking closely.
In NVR, visual accuracy comes first. Logic comes second.
That’s why our first major tip is this:
Tip 1: Train the Eyes Before the Brain
Before diving into patterns, teach your child to:
- Scan the image slowly
- Count the number of shapes
- Note direction (up, down, rotated)
- Look for symmetry or mirroring
- Spot size changes or shaded areas
This builds visual discipline, the first step to success in Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Practice with simple shape-matching games first, then gradually increase complexity.
Tip 2: Categorize the Question Type
Most 11 plus exam questions and answers in NVR fall into categories.
The faster your child can recognize the type, the faster they’ll solve it.
Main types include:
-
- Series: Find the next figure in the pattern
- Analogies: This is to that, as what is to ___?
- Odd One Out
- Matrices (grids)
- Code patterns
- Shape rotation/reflection
Use flashcards or folders to group practice questions by type. This makes it less overwhelming and helps kids build confidence in one category at a time.
Tip 3: Use Elimination Before Guessing
When your child gets stuck, don’t let them just “pick one and move on.”
Teach them to eliminate the obviously wrong answers first.
For example:
- “This one is the wrong size”.
- “That one faces the wrong way.”
- “This one has a different number of sides.”
Even if they can’t find the right answer, they’ll improve their odds from 1 in 5 to 1 in 2, and build pattern awareness at the same time.
This works especially well in timed 11+ exams mocks when decision-making is key.
Tip 4: Practice Under Time Pressure, But Don’t Rush Early On
Time pressure is real. But during early prep, focus more on accuracy than speed.
Here’s a simple plan:
- Week 1–3: Focus on understanding patterns, no timer
- Week 4–6: Do mini sets (5–6 questions) with a soft timer
- Week 7–10: Full-time papers with post-review
- Week 10+: Simulate real 11+ exams conditions once per week
Why does this work?
Because children need time to build visual logic before they can apply it fast.
Tip 5: Use Scrap Paper to Sketch (Yes, Really!)
Some children struggle because they try to hold everything in their heads.
Encourage them to:
- Draw shapes if the rotation is unclear
- Mirror patterns if they can’t visualize it
- Make tally marks to count corners or lines
This turns abstract shapes into something they can interact with, not just guess at.
Tip 6: Build Mental Vocabulary for Patterns
Help your child describe what they’re seeing out loud:
- “It’s rotating 90 degrees each time.”
- “There’s a black square moving left to right.”
- “The shaded part flips vertically.”
By verbalizing patterns, they train their brain to spot them faster next time.
Even though it’s Non Verbal Reasoning, having the right mental language helps children process faster, especially during 11+ exams online test practice.
Children who practiced explaining patterns out loud improved their Non Verbal Reasoning scores by an average of 18% in mock exams, even without doing extra worksheets.
Tip 7: Don’t Panic Over a Single Hard Question
In real 11+ exams, one tricky NVR question can throw a child off completely.
Teach them this golden rule:
If you don’t know it in 30 seconds, skip it and come back.
Sometimes seeing other questions triggers an “aha!” moment.
And remember, every question has equal marks. Getting 80% right confidently is better than attempting 100% in a panic.
Tip 8: Review Mistakes Like a Detective
After every paper or practice session, don’t just check scores.
Sit down and:
- Go through every mistake
- Identify why it went wrong (missed pattern? misread rotation?)
- Redo it together, slowly
- Record similar questions for extra practice
This post-practice review turns every wrong answer into a learning opportunity, which leads to consistent growth, not just “doing more practice.”
Tip 9: Mix Practice, Don’t Just Stick to Easy Questions
It’s tempting to only give your child questions they get right. But that leads to a false sense of confidence.
Once they’ve mastered the basics:
- Mix question types
- Mix difficulty levels
- Mix known vs. unknown styles (especially for 11 plus exam papers from different regions)
This keeps their mind flexible and better prepared for curveballs on exam day.
Tip 10: Build Confidence, Not Just Competence
Here’s the truth no one says:
11+ exams aren’t just about ability. They’re about confidence.
And Non-Verbal Reasoning is where confidence often crumbles.
So don’t just measure how many they get right. Celebrate:
- Spotting a tricky pattern
- Using elimination correctly
- Skipping a hard one and returning later
- Saying “I don’t know, but I’ll learn from this one.”
- Confidence turns pressure into progress.
How Quest for Exams Can Help?
At Quest for Exams, we know that Non Verbal Reasoning can feel like decoding a secret language, especially for parents who’ve never seen questions like these before.
That’s why we’ve created:
- Topic-specific practice papers to target weak areas
- 11 plus mock exams that simulate real test-day pressure
- Online timed tests for building speed and focus
- Step-by-step solutions so your child doesn’t just guess, they learn
- Affordable bundles that help families prep smart without breaking the bank
Because we don’t just help children pass.
We help them believe they can.
Start your child’s confidence-boosting NVR prep now at QuestForExams.co.uk
FAQs
Q1. Why is my child struggling with NVR even though they’re good at maths?
Because NVR is about visual logic, not numbers. It uses different brain muscles, and most children have never seen these types of questions before.
Q2. Are NVR questions the same in every region?
No. Different regions and exam boards vary in difficulty and format. Always check what your local 11+ exams papers include before prepping.
Q3. How early should we start practicing Non-Verbal Reasoning?
Ideally, 9–12 months before the exam, starting with short sessions. Early practice builds familiarity and reduces stress as the exam approaches.
Q4. Can NVR be improved, or is it just a natural ability?
It can 100% be improved. Like learning a new language, it gets easier with regular exposure, smart strategies, and visual training.
Q5. What’s the best way to simulate real exam conditions?
Use the full 11+ exams mocks under timed conditions in a quiet space. Add a break and a drink, just like on exam day, to build stamina.
Q6. What if my child panics in the middle of the test?
Teach them to breathe, skip the question, and move on. Sometimes, solving a few easy ones next helps bring back confidence and calm.