For any parent new to the 11+ journey, the term ‘NVR’ may be completely unfamiliar. NVR stands for non verbal reasoning. In simple terms, NVR is about recognising patterns based on shapes.
For many 11 plus exams, NVR is a critical component. In fact, there are some schools that only test a pupil’s ability in NVR and VR (verbal reasoning). For grammar schools using the GL exam board, both NVR and VR are mandatory components and all grammar schools in the Bexley and Kent area test NVR and VR skills.
What sort of pattern does my child need to recognise?
When it comes to NVR, there are some ideas pupils need to be familiar with:
- Odd one out
- Analogies
- Codes
- Reflections and rotations
- Matrices and Like figures
- Merge shapes
- Series
- Nets
- 3D shapes
With NVR, there is only one way to get good at it: exposure.
Children need to see a vast amount of shapes and attempt NVR problems to become really fast at spotting patterns. Sometimes, children will ‘know’ the answer but won’t be able to explain it. If this happens, it’s likely because they have seen a similar pattern many times before and their brain recognises it from the past.
Let’s take a look at an example visually. Consider the image below, which is a ‘series’-based question.
The image has two rows consisting of different shapes.
In the first row, there is a question mark in the fourth space. So this question mark is asking what shape should go into this gap based on the pattern.
The second row is showing different shapes, which are all options that could potentially go into the gap in the top row where the question mark is.
At first glance, it may seem that the top row has random shapes, but is there anything more to it than that?
Consider the first shape in the top row. The shape itself isn’t the most important thing- the number of sides are. So the first shape has three sides. The second shape has four sides. The third shape has five sides. Then there is a gap. The shape after the gap has seven sides. So, the correct logic is clearly that the number of sides must increase by one each time. Therefore, in the gap, a six sided shape (hexagon) must go in.
In this example, the logic is based on the number of sides, but this isn’t always the case. As an example, the logic might be based on an angle/ rotation, or it could be based on a type of shading or pattern or it can be based on a number of things. But the key thing to understand is that there is a logic, and all boxes need to follow that logic. As soon as the logic is figured out, the answer becomes very obvious.
From our experience with parents, this is the part they find the most difficult. Many parents are able to help their children with the English and Maths element of the 11 plus course, but when it comes to NVR, it can be tricky so parents may wish to consider using a tuition centre or tutors.
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