Better Tuition can help your child understand Non-verbal Reasoning.
On this page, you will find information about the Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) questions that form part of entrance exams (formerly called 11 plus) for Urmston Grammar, Stretford Grammar, Sale Grammar, Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls and Sale Grammar.
Try our interactive NVR Mini-Test. Simply download the Powerpoint file and click away to answer the questions. Make sure you are in slideshow mode before beginning the test. To do this:
1. Click on the full screen icon at the bottom right:
2. Click on ‘Start Slide Show’ at the top right:
Ready for the test? Here it is!
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) Question Types
NVR generally involves visual puzzles, rather than words (although sometimes number sequences are used). There are eight main NVR question types; the following examples are intended as an introduction and it should be noted that the questions in the exam will be more difficult.
NVR can be challenging, not least because no more than 30 seconds will be allocated per question. NVR skills are not normally taught in schools, so it can seem unfamiliar and a little bit scary for a ten-year-old. Better Tuition can help your child make sense of non-verbal reasoning and explain the simple rules they can follow to approach each question type. Call Paul or Christine on 0161 748 3912 if you would like to visit our Urmston tuition centre with a view to organising some entrance exam tuition.
1. Find the odd one out
Which of the following images is most different to the rest?
Which image is most unlike the others?
The answer is D (the three central shapes should all be different colours).
The best way to approach these questions is to simply say what you see.
2. Find the most similar
Which is most different?
Better Tuition can help you understand NVR question types.
The answer is E: each picture has a black line crossed at right angles by an arrow, which is pointing at a circle.
These questions are really just odd ones out in reverse.
3. Rotations
The image on the left has been rotated to make which image on the right of the line?
NVR at Better Tuition, Urmston’s independent tuition centre.
The answer is B.
There are very simple, logical rules to follow to help your child solve rotation puzzles.
4. Reflections
Which of the shapes on the right is a reflection of the shape on the left?
The answer is B.
Reflections are simply 180 degree rotations.
5. Sequences
Look at the four sequential pictures and decide which picture from A – D would best complete the sequence.
The answer is D.
6. Cubes
Which of the nets could be folded to make the cube on the left?
Nets and 3D NVR questions are simple with Better Tuition’s help.
The answer is B.
There are lots of types of 3D NVR questions and many children struggle with these initially. However, there are simple rules to follow which we can explain.
7. Codes
NVR codes are easy to solve when you know how.
The answer is B (BZ): the code for a purple star is B and the code for a black background is Z.
Codes needn’t be complicated: with practice and support from our expert teachers, your child will easily decipher this question type.
8. Analogies
Work out how the first two shapes are related, then find the shape (A-D) that relates to the third shape in the same way.
Better Tuition can help your child understand NVR analogies.
The answer is A (the colours are inverted and the image is rotated by 180 degrees.
This type of question helps your child develop better thinking skills, enabling him/ her to make connections and gain a greater understanding of a range of question types.
You can download a FREE Better Tuition NVR paper here.
More information about entrance examinations for Trafford’s grammar schools can be found here. You can also call Better Tuition on 0161 748 3912 to book tuition, a FREE assessment or a practice entrance examination. Find out how to book our popular summer school and ensure your child remains focused throughout the long summer break. Check out our useful links page for plenty of online activities to help your child prepare for these important exams.
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