If your child is getting ready for 11+ exams, you’ve probably heard about verbal and non-verbal reasoning. These two areas are a core part of 11+ preparation and are designed to test skills beyond what’s covered in the classroom. But these types of reasoning questions aren’t limited to grammar school 11 Plus exams. They also appear in exams like SATs, Year 7 CATs and independent school entrance tests.
So, what’s the difference between verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning?
At first glance, the names seem to explain it—one is based on words, and the other isn’t—but there’s much more to it than that. Understanding how these skills are tested, the various question types and why they matter is key to helping your child prepare effectively.
What’s the difference between verbal and non-verbal reasoning?
The difference between verbal and non-verbal reasoning lies in what these tests measure. Verbal reasoning is about words, language and logical thinking with language. On the other hand, non-verbal reasoning focuses on shapes, patterns and visual logic. Both test students’ reasoning skills, but they’re designed to assess different parts of the brain.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Verbal Reasoning: Tests your child’s ability to work with language. This might include vocabulary, grammar and problem-solving with words and numbers. Verbal reasoning often draws on skills your child is already developing through reading and writing in KS2 English lessons.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Measures problem-solving skills using visual clues like shapes, patterns, sequences and spatial awareness. Non-verbal reasoning can feel trickier for many students, as it involves abstract visual and spatial thinking. These types of questions aren’t typically covered during KS2 school learning.
Let’s explore verbal reasoning first.
What’s an example of verbal reasoning?
Verbal reasoning involves solving problems or answering questions using logic and language skills.
Here’s an example:
- Find the odd one out: apple, orange, banana, carrot.
- The answer is carrot because it’s not a fruit. This type of question tests your child’s ability to categorise and spot relationships between words.
Some of the most common verbal reasoning question types include:
1. Synonyms and antonyms
Example: Which word is a synonym for “happy”?
- Angry
- Cheerful
- Sad
- Tired
Answer: B, “Cheerful.”
2. Coded sequences
- Example: If A = 1, B = 2, and C = 3, what is the code for the word “CAB”?
- Answer: 3, 1, 2.
3. Word analogies
- Example: Cat is to kitten as dog is to…
- Answer: Puppy.
4. Logic and deduction
- Example: If all apples are fruits and all fruits grow on trees, are apples grown on trees?
- Answer: Yes, because apples are fruits and all fruits grow on trees.
5. Missing letters or words (sentence completion)
- Example: Complete the word: _ l _ p h a _ t
- Answer: Elephant.
Questions like this test spelling, vocabulary and contextual thinking, as well as the ability to deduce the correct word from partial information.
What’s the most common verbal reasoning question?
Analogies and synonyms/antonyms are some of the most common verbal reasoning question types. These questions test a student’s vocabulary, logical thinking and ability to identify relationships between words—crucial skills for success at GCSE and A Level.
They’re critical for interpreting texts, forming arguments and writing effectively—particularly helpful in subjects like English Literature, History and Law.
For example, analogy questions ask students to identify how two words are related and apply the same relationship to a new pair of words.
- Example: Find the missing word: “Big is to small as tall is to…”
- Answer: Short.
Another common question type is sentence completion, where your child must choose the best word to complete a sentence based on its context.
Example: He felt so tired that he could not ______ stay awake.
- Always
- Easily
- Barely
- Never
Answer: C, barely.
This type of question tests more than just vocabulary—it assesses a child’s ability to understand the context of the sentence and apply logical reasoning. Here, the word “so tired” provides a clue that the missing word must imply difficulty staying awake. A strong grasp of grammar and sentence structure helps children select the correct answer.
What’s an example of non-verbal reasoning?
Non-verbal reasoning is all about solving visual problems and understanding patterns, sequences and spatial relationships. While verbal reasoning measures how well children understand language, non-verbal reasoning evaluates their ability to process visual information, think abstractly and spot connections.
It’s a fundamental skill tested in grammar school 11+ exams and Year 7 CATs. You may also find some non-verbal reasoning elements in the Maths section of Year 6 SATs. These skills are essential for tackling unfamiliar challenges—useful in subjects like Maths, Chemistry and Economics (to name just a few!) at both GCSE and A Level.
Here’s an example:
- Question: Which shape comes next in the sequence?
- 🔺➡️⬛➡️🔺➡️⬛➡️
- Answer:🔺, because the sequence alternates between a triangle and a square.
Here are some common types of non-verbal reasoning questions.
1. Odd one out
- Example: Find the shape that doesn’t belong in the group.
- ⚫️ ⬛ 🔺 ⚪️ 🔺
- Answer: ⚪️, because it’s the only white shape.
2. Matrices
The task is to fill in the missing shape in the grid by identifying the pattern or rule that applies across the rows and columns. Take a look at the example below:
| 🔵 | 🔵🔵 | 🔵🔵🔵 |
| 🔺 | 🔺🔺 | 🔺🔺🔺 |
| 🟨 | 🟨🟨 | ? |
- Question: What should replace the question mark (?) to complete the pattern in the grid?
- Answer: 🟨🟨🟨 (three yellow squares).
3. 3D spatial awareness
These questions test your child’s ability to visualise shapes in their mind. For example, they might see the flat “net” of a cube and be asked which folded version matches it.
To solve this, your child needs to:
- Imagine how the flat shape folds into a cube.
- Check which faces align, such as which ones are opposite or next to each other.
This helps develop spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
4. Sequence completion
Your child might be shown a sequence of shapes and asked to pick the one that comes next.
For example:🔺 → 🔳 → ⬠ → ⬢ → ?
Each step adds one side to the shape:
- 🔺 Triangle (3 sides)
- 🔳 Square (4 sides)
- ⬠ Pentagon (5 sides)
- ⬢ Hexagon (6 sides)
Answer: The next shape is a heptagon (7 sides).
5. Shape analogies
Your child might need to work out the relationship between pairs of shapes.
For example:
- 🔺 → 🔻
- ⬆️ → ?
In the first pair, the triangle is flipped upside down. Following the same logic, the upwards arrow would be flipped to point downwards.
Answer: ⬆️ → ⬇️
What’s the difference between non-verbal reasoning and logical reasoning?
Logical reasoning is a broader term that includes problem-solving in both verbal and non-verbal formats. Non-verbal reasoning focuses specifically on visual logic, like identifying patterns, sequences and spatial relationships.
So (at least as part of the secondary curriculum) you won’t find a “logical reasoning” test. But 11+ exams, SATs, Maths and English Language all rely on logical reasoning to some extent.
A logical reasoning question might ask:
- Question: If Sally is taller than Jack, and Jack is taller than Tom, who is the shortest? (Answer: Tom.)
- Answer: Tom – this question relies on wider problem-solving skills.
A non-verbal reasoning question might ask:
- Question: Which 3D shape is created by folding this net?
- Answer: The answer depends on the image presented, but it could be a cube (for example). – this question focuses specifically on visual logic.
What are the types of non-verbal reasoning?
Non-verbal reasoning questions fall into several main types, including pattern recognition, sequence completion, spatial awareness, “odd one out,” mirror images and matrices. These can broadly be grouped into two categories: patterns and sequences (focusing on identifying changes or trends) and spatial reasoning (visualising shapes and how they relate to each other).
How do you do non-verbal reasoning? Preparing for question types
Here’s how to prepare for each question type and help your child develop their skills.
1. Pattern recognition
Involves spotting repeating patterns, such as shapes getting larger, smaller or rotating.
- Start small and build confidence: Teach your child to identify simple patterns, such as changes in size, colour or direction. Begin with straightforward examples before moving on to more complex ones.
- Break it down into steps: Encourage your child to focus on one element at a time. For instance, ask questions like, “Is the shape flipping, rotating, or shrinking?” This step-by-step approach can help avoid overwhelm.
2. Sequence completion
Requires selecting the shape that completes a series of changes.
- Look for logical trends: Guide your child to examine how shapes change from one step to the next. Are new elements being added? Are the shapes moving in a predictable order?
- Encourage smart time management: Teach your child it’s okay to skip tricky questions and come back to them later. This helps them make the most of their time in an exam.
3. Mirrors and reflections
Focuses on identifying how a shape would look if flipped or reflected.
- Practice with symmetry: Use hands-on activities like folding paper to show how reflections work. Drawing mirrored shapes or using symmetry games can also help reinforce this skill.
- Practice little and often: Short, regular sessions are more effective (and less overwhelming) than long, infrequent ones.
4. Spatial awareness
Involves visualising how shapes fit together, rotate or combine.
- Draw it out: For particularly challenging questions, encourage your child to sketch possible solutions on scrap paper. Seeing the shapes on paper can make the problem feel less abstract.
- Build mental models: Fun activities like assembling 3D puzzles, playing with LEGO or experimenting with building blocks can develop spatial reasoning in a hands-on way.
5. Matching pairs
Finding two shapes that are identical, even if they’re rotated or presented in different colours.
- Practice regularly: The more exposure your child has, the better they’ll become at recognising similarities and differences. Use workbooks, online resources and educational apps to keep practice varied and engaging.
- Time practice sessions: Since non-verbal reasoning exams are often timed, practising under exam conditions can help your child improve their speed and accuracy.
As part of your preparations, celebrate small wins. Acknowledge your child’s efforts and progress, as confidence is key to tackling these problems. Establish a growth mindset by reminding your child it’s okay to make mistakes and that practice will help them improve.
Incorporating games, puzzles, and drawing exercises makes practice feel less like a chore. For example, mazes, Tangrams or strategy games naturally develop reasoning skills. By combining focused practice with playful activities, your child can approach non-verbal reasoning questions with a clear mind and growing confidence.
Why is non-verbal reasoning so hard?
Compared to verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning can feel difficult because it’s less familiar. While children encounter words and logic regularly in school, they’re less likely to practice spotting patterns, interpreting abstract sequences or mentally rotating shapes. Some children also find it challenging to work without the context and structure that language provides.
Challenging areas include:
- Spatial awareness: Many children struggle with mentally rotating shapes or understanding how objects relate to each other in space. To help, encourage activities like jigsaw puzzles, LEGO building, or games that involve shape-matching and construction.
- Pattern recognition: Identifying patterns in sequences of shapes or symbols can be tricky. Try playing games like “Spot the Difference” or creating sequences with toys for your child to continue.
- Abstract reasoning: Understanding connections between unrelated shapes or concepts is a skill that develops with practice. Brain-teasing games like Tangrams, Sudoku or simple strategy games build this skill in a fun way.
The key to improving non-verbal reasoning skills is regular practice and exposure. Start with easier tasks to build confidence, then gradually introduce more challenging problems. Incorporate fun activities that naturally encourage non-verbal reasoning, such as drawing, playing with mazes or solving puzzles.
And remember, progress takes time, so celebrate small wins and keep the atmosphere positive!
Ready to boost your child’s confidence and skills?
Understanding the difference between verbal and non-verbal reasoning is the first step to helping your child prepare for exams like the 11+. With regular practice, the right techniques and plenty of encouragement, your child can master both types of reasoning.
We know that preparing for reasoning tests can feel like a challenge. But that’s where we come in! Whether you need expert guidance, personalised 11+ tuition or practice with mock exams, our team of expert tutors is here to help every step of the way. Contact us today to help your child master verbal and non-verbal reasoning with ease.
