11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Mock Tests
Non-verbal reasoning tests how well a child spots patterns in shapes and pictures. There are no words to read and no sums to do — every question is a diagram, and the child has to work out the rule that connects the figures, then find the one answer that follows it.
Because it does not depend on reading or on what has been taught at school, many parents assume it cannot be prepared for. In fact it responds very well to practice. Almost every question changes a figure in one of a handful of ways — shape, size, shading, number of sides, position or direction — and a child who checks those features in turn finds the rule far more reliably than one who just stares at the picture.
An 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning mock test puts the question types together in one timed paper, so your child also practises pace. Each paper here has 48 questions in six sections of eight, to be answered in 30 minutes — well under a minute a question.
The question types covered are:
- Complete the pair — A is to B as C is to ?. Work out what changed between the first two figures and do the same to the third.
- Series — a row of figures that changes step by step; choose the one that comes next or fills the gap.
- Odd one out and belongs to the group — find what a set of figures has in common, then spot the one that breaks the rule or the one that fits it.
- Matrices and complete the square — a grid of figures with one cell missing, where the pattern runs across the rows, down the columns or both.
- Reflection and rotation — picture how a figure looks in a mirror line or after it has been turned, without being fooled by a look-alike.
- Shape codes — each figure is given a pair of code letters; work out which feature each letter stands for, then write the code for a new shape.
Every mock test below is free to download, comes with an answer paper where available, and is designed to be ink-friendly so you can print it at home without using a whole cartridge.
Mock Tests
| Title | Level | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Mock Test Paper 1 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
| Mock Test Paper 2 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
| Mock Test Paper 3 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
| Mock Test Paper 4 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
| Mock Test Paper 5 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
| Mock Test Paper 6 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
| Mock Test Paper 7 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
| Mock Test Paper 8 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
| Mock Test Paper 9 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
| Mock Test Paper 10 | Mixed | Question Paper Answers |
How to get the most from a non-verbal reasoning mock test
- Recreate exam conditions. A quiet room, a clear desk, a pencil and no help from an adult. Print the paper so your child works from the page, just as on the day.
- Time it strictly. Set a timer for 30 minutes before your child starts and stop them when it goes off. Non-verbal papers are among the fastest in the 11+.
- Teach a checklist. When the rule is not obvious, go through the features one at a time — shape, number, size, shading, position, direction — and rule out any answer that gets one of them wrong.
- Teach the skip. One stubborn matrix can eat three minutes and cost several easier marks later on. Move on, mark it, come back at the end.
- Mark it by question type, not just by score. The paper is in sections, so it is easy to see where the marks went. Six lost marks all on reflection means one skill needs work this week.
- Go back over the misses together. For every wrong answer, ask your child to find the feature that gives it away. Seeing why an answer is wrong teaches more than being told which one is right.
- Leave a gap. Space mocks a week or two apart so there is time to fix the weak types in between. Back-to-back papers measure a problem without ever solving it.
Frequently asked questions
Are these 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning mock tests really free?
Yes. Every mock test and answer paper on myFreeSchool is completely free to download, print and share. There is no sign-up, no paywall and no limit on downloads.
What is non-verbal reasoning in the 11+?
Non-verbal reasoning tests how well a child spots patterns and rules in shapes and pictures, with no words or numbers to lean on. Questions ask what comes next in a series, which figure is the odd one out, how a shape looks reflected or rotated, and which rule links a set of figures together.
How long should an 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning mock test take?
Each of these papers has 48 questions to be answered in 30 minutes - well under a minute a question. Time the paper strictly from the start, because working quickly and accurately under pressure is a large part of what non-verbal reasoning measures.
Do the mock tests come with answers?
Yes. Where an answer paper is available you will see an "Answers" button next to the question paper, so you can mark the test at home straight after your child finishes.
Which question types do these mock tests cover?
The papers cover the two-dimensional question types set by GL Assessment: complete the pair, series, odd one out, belongs to the group, matrices, complete the square, reflection, rotation and shape codes. Each paper is split into six timed sections of eight questions.
Can non-verbal reasoning be taught, or is it pure ability?
It can be taught. Almost every question changes a figure in one of a small number of ways - its shape, size, shading, number of sides, position or direction. A child who checks those features one at a time, in the same order every time, finds far more answers than one who simply stares at the picture.
When should my child start sitting non-verbal reasoning mock tests?
Get to know each question type first, then start full mock tests around three to six months before the exam and space them a week or two apart, so there is time to work on the types that came out weakest.