About Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning (NVR) involves analysing visual information and solving problems using shapes, diagrams and pictures. This is a different kind of reasoning to verbal reasoning, which involves analysing written information.
Non-verbal reasoning tests several skills, including logic and problem-solving, spatial awareness, and the ability to identify patterns and rules.
Non-verbal reasoning questions can be confusing to those who have never come across them before. Getting familiar with basic problem-solving and question types will help your child tackle non-verbal reasoning successfully.
Exams that test Non-Verbal Reasoning
CAT4
TestLife 11+ practice quizzes and tests cover most of the non-verbal reasoning questions. However, if you need help with any specific type of questions, please feel free to email us at help@testlife.co.uk – we will be happy to help.
Tips for solving NVR questions
Examine the Shapes: Focus on the shapes presented. Identify the most noticeable features such as their form, color, or patterns.
Spot Similarities and Differences: Compare the shapes for similarities or differences. This includes analyzing patterns or frequency changes, especially in a sequence of shapes.
Identify a Rule: Based on the noticeable features, establish a rule that governs the relationship between the shapes.
Eliminate Irrelevant Options: Remove any options that don’t conform to the identified rule.
Practice More! Practice makes perfect, especially with Non-Verbal Reasoning questions. There are plenty of questions for Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice on the TestLife 11plus platform, use it as much as you can.
Example 1 - Series and sequence
Image Sequence – In these non-verbal reasoning 11plus questions, students are asked to find the missing image from the given options. 
Observe images in the question, it appears that the image is being rotated clockwise by 90 degrees. The correct answer is B.
See below for more explanation:
Example 2 - Image Pairs
Image Pairs: In these non-verbal reasoning 11plus questions, students are given a pair of images, that are related to each other in a certain way. Find the image from given options that forms the same relationship as the first pair. 
In the first pair, the image on the left is made up of two images vertically aligned. In the next image, these two images are combined in such a way that the bottom image is tilted clockwise by 90 degrees inside the top/bigger image. The correct answer is A as it has exactly the same relationship.
Example 3 - Similar Shapes
Similar Shapes: In these non-verbal reasoning 11plus questions, There are two figures on the left that are alike in a certain way. Students are expected to find which one from the answer options is alike the first two in the same way.
The two images one the left are both quadrilaterals. There’s onely one quadrilateral in the answer choices. Option C is the correct answer.
Example 4 - Codes and Shapes
Codes/Shapes: In these non-verbal reasoning 11plus questions, students have to figure out a code. In the boxes on the left are shapes and the code letters that are associated with them. The top letters mean something different to the bottom ones. You must decide which letter goes with which shape and then find the correct code for the shape in question.
Looking at the images with codes, we can see that the top codes go with the shapes and bottom codes go with the content of the shapes ie. blank OR lined.
Top letter Y is associated with square and S is associated with blank content inside the shapes. Therefore X goes with a hexagon and T for lined content. Hence, Y and T must be the code for a Hexagon with lined content. A is the answer.