11 Plus Non Verbal Reasoning Papers PDF with Answers
Non-verbal reasoning is one of the most learnable parts of the 11+ — once a child knows what to look for. ExamTutor's non verbal reasoning 11 plus papers (also written 11+ non verbal reasoning, or non verbal reasoning 11+) come as 11 plus non verbal reasoning papers PDF with answers, and every question is paired with an expert video explanation that walks through the figures step by step.
11+ Non Verbal Reasoning Test with Answers PDF
That combination is what makes these 11 non verbal reasoning papers so effective. Each download is an 11+ non verbal reasoning test with answers PDF, so your child can self-mark and then watch the video explanation for anything they got wrong. A printed answer key tells your child which option is correct; our video explanations show them how to read the shapes and spot the rule — which is exactly what NVR is testing. You get the 11 plus non verbal reasoning papers PDF with answers for offline practice, plus on-demand video explanations that work like an expert tutor sitting beside your child.
Try before you buy: Download a free 11+ sample paper (the GL pack includes non-verbal reasoning) and watch the video explanations to see the quality — no signup required.
Key Takeaways
- Non-verbal reasoning is problem-solving with shapes — patterns, sequences, codes and transformations — and isn't taught in most primary schools.
- Common NVR question types include odd one out / most alike, series, matrices, analogies (make a pair), reflections, rotations and codes.
- GL uses around 12 NVR question types; CEM shares many, and some schools add spatial or 3D reasoning.
- It's highly trainable — a systematic checklist of what changes (shape, size, rotation, shading, count, position) turns guesswork into method.
- Video explanations beat answer keys for NVR, because seeing the visual transformation explained is far clearer than a written answer.
What Is Non Verbal Reasoning & How Is It Tested in the 11+
The non verbal reasoning test assesses a child's ability to solve problems using shapes, patterns and diagrams rather than words or numbers. It measures logical thinking, pattern recognition and spatial awareness — how well a child can spot what changes between figures, find the rule, and apply it. Because it relies on pictures rather than language, NVR is often seen as a fairer test of raw reasoning ability.
Just like verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning is not part of the standard primary curriculum. The question types can look strange and even intimidating the first time a child meets them — which is precisely why they cause anxiety, and precisely why practice makes such a difference. A child who has worked through each type recognises it instantly; one who hasn't can panic at an unfamiliar grid of shapes.
How the Non Verbal Reasoning 11+ Test Works
In the 11+, the non verbal reasoning test is almost always multiple-choice, with children selecting from four or five options (A–E). It's usually one of several timed papers alongside Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning.
The Main 11+ Non Verbal Reasoning Question Types
GL Assessment uses around 12 standard non verbal reasoning question types, and CEM shares many of the same styles. Some schools and consortiums also add spatial reasoning (such as nets and 3D shapes). The most common types are:
🔍 Odd one out / most alike
Find the figure that doesn't share a property with the others — or the one that's most like a given group. Tests careful attention to shape, shading, position and orientation.
➡️ Series & sequences
Work out what comes next in a sequence of shapes that change in size, rotation, fill or pattern.
▦ Matrices
Complete a 2×2 or 3×3 grid by finding the rule governing each row and column, then choosing the missing cell.
🔗 Analogies (make a pair)
Apply the transformation from one pair of shapes (rotation, reflection, size or shading change) to a new shape to find its pair.
🔁 Reflections & rotations
Identify the correct mirror image of a shape, or how it looks after being turned by a set angle.
🔡 Codes
Work out which letter represents each visual feature of a shape, then give the correct code for a test shape.
11 Non Verbal Reasoning Question Types in an ExamTutor Paper
To show exactly what your child will practise, here are the three sections in one of our GL-style non-verbal reasoning papers (50 questions, all multiple-choice) — each described with its real method:
| Section / type | What your child does | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Most Alike (odd one out family) | Decide which of five figures is most like a given group of shapes that are alike in some way | Spotting the shared rule — shading, line position, sub-shapes, count, orientation |
| Vertical Code | Work out which feature each code letter represents, then find the correct code for a test shape | Logical deduction — matching letters to shape type, inner design, number of elements |
| Make a Pair (analogies) | Apply the same transformation that links the first pair of shapes to a third shape to find its match | Recognising rotation, reflection, size change, shading change and added inner shapes |
Notice how visual each one is: there's no vocabulary to learn, just a small set of things that change between figures. Once a child has a reliable checklist and has practised each type, NVR becomes one of the most predictable — and improvable — parts of the exam.
Worked Non-Verbal Reasoning Examples (with Video Explanations)
NVR is best learned visually. Here are two simplified examples in the style of our papers — have a go, then reveal the method. In the full papers, every question comes with a video explanation walking through exactly this kind of reasoning.
The first shape changes into the second in a certain way. Apply the same change to the third shape and pick the matching option:
Reveal the answer & method →
Answer: a filled (shaded) triangle with a vertical line down the middle.
Method: compare shape 1 → shape 2. Two things changed: the shape became shaded, and a vertical line was added down the middle. Apply both changes to shape 3 (the triangle): shade it and add a vertical line. The option showing a shaded triangle with a central vertical line is correct.
Four of these five figures share a hidden rule. Which is the odd one out?
Reveal the answer & method →
Answer: D.
Method: work through what each figure has in common. A, B, C and E all contain a solid black dot inside the outer shape. Figure D's inner dot is white (unfilled) — so D breaks the shared rule and is the odd one out. The trap is focusing on the outer shape (circle, square, triangle, diamond), which varies and is not the rule.
Non Verbal Reasoning Test 11 Plus Practice for Grammar School Entry
Non Verbal Reasoning Test 11 Plus Free Online
Looking for a non verbal reasoning test 11 plus free online? You can try our free sample online and download the full papers; each non verbal reasoning test 11 children sit is timed and comes with a video explanation for every question.
How non verbal reasoning is tested depends on your child's exam board — so it's important to match your practice to the right one.
| Board | How NVR is tested | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Structured NVR paper using around 12 recognisable question types | Systematic practice across all question types is essential |
| CEM | Non-verbal reasoning woven into mixed-format papers, sharing many GL-style types | Familiarity with the visual question types under time pressure |
| Independent (ISEB) | A non-verbal reasoning section within the adaptive online Common Pre-Test | Practising NVR question types online and against the clock |
ExamTutor's non-verbal reasoning practice is built into the packs that test it:
- GL Assessment practice papers — non-verbal reasoning is a core paper, with full coverage of all question types and a video explanation for each.
- CEM practice papers — covers the non-verbal reasoning styles that appear in CEM's mixed papers.
- Independent 11+ practice papers — covers the non-verbal reasoning element of ISEB and independent school assessments.
Not sure which board? Confirm with your target school first. For a full overview of the boards and formats, read what is the 11 plus exam? You may also want our companion verbal reasoning papers.
How to Master Non Verbal Reasoning 11 Plus for the 11+ Exam
Non verbal reasoning rewards a calm, systematic approach more than almost any other subject, and non verbal reasoning 11 plus success comes from method as much as ability. Here's how our tutors recommend mastering it:
- Learn the question types one at a time. Use worked examples until your child recognises each type instantly and knows its method.
- Teach a "what changes?" checklist. For every question, scan for changes in shape, size, rotation, reflection, shading, number of elements and position. Most NVR rules are one of these.
- Practise little and often. Short, regular NVR sessions build pattern recognition far better than occasional long ones.
- Review every mistake visually. Identify which question type and which rule was missed — this is where video explanations are invaluable, because the reasoning is visual.
- Build up to timed papers. In the final months, sit full NVR papers under timed conditions and track which question types are weakest, then focus practice there.
- Stay calm with unfamiliar questions. NVR can throw up a type your child hasn't seen — a methodical checklist means they can still work it out rather than panic.
For a complete week-by-week plan that brings all four subjects together, see our 11 plus preparation guide. With steady, methodical practice, most children turn non verbal reasoning from the scariest-looking paper into one of their most reliable scorers.