Non verbal reasoning - it’s impossible😖

[Blinkingbatshit]

Please note that this situation is NOT similar to an earlier (recently zapped) thread where the op was struggling to get her child into top performing London schools!!
My dd2 is taking the 11plus to the school we hope she’ll go to in the next couple of weeks….they are not top tier and the exam is more of an assessment that they can meet her needs rather than anything else. I don’t expect her in any way to ace the exams - just hopefully do well enough that they feel she’s the right fit. I’m just looking at the non verbal reasoning - it’s impossible for me, let alone her😩…..anyone got any advice? Any you tube tutorial recommendations? Not looking for her to fly through it, just be in a position to have a go…if she gets it all wrong that’s ok…I just want her to have a little confidence walking in and not be too downhearted after!! Thanks to anyone who can offer tactical help🤯😆

Have you looked into the Bond 11+ non verbal reasoning books
Ok, it’s more practice tests, but I found the explanations on the answers quite straightforward
So when I’m doubt I had a look at the back, on the answers and knew what they were looking for…and then explained it to my DD..

Thanks - will have a look at those - have some practice papers but no answers which is a bit useless😵‍💫🙈

I am an 11+ tutor.

NVR needs breaking down. Forget Bond books etc, you need a book which teaches rather than just practise.
The one I like is the CGP book. Each page looks at one thing and then practises it.
this book

I like it because it teaches what to look for, and most importantly, the answer sheet explains WHY things are right/wrong.

You need to learn to look at different things
How many sides does the shape have?
Which direction is the arrow pointing? (up, down, clockwise anticlockwise?)
which layer is on top/bottom?
how many spots/lines/shapes?
what about colour/shading?
what is the pattern/how does the pattern change?
what do they have in common?
What do they have that is different?

Are you taking the CEM or GL test? The book I have linked to is for CEM. There is a different book for GL but same format. Also check it is exactly the same book as they have ones for different ages.

if there are any you want help with, post a picture and I'll try and explain.
Or pm me.
x

Like many things once you know what is going on you can have a decent stab particularly if have a logic focussed brain but you’re cutting this REALLY fine here.

Would also suggest the CGP books for understanding what is going on. They also do 10 minute tests book which I would also get for age 10-11 for more practice.

To add I wouldn’t use the 10 min tests until gone through the general book. But if you can get to it then it will give you small chunks she can practice in an evening or before school that are over quickly.
Just marking will give you an idea how she is doing But their explanations are good - rather than just saying the answer to question 10 is B, it explains why which is really helpful when it isn’t obvious to you why that is right.

Thank you so very much @steppemum and also @AtLeastPretendToCare - I’ll get the CGP book, Amazon should hopefully het it to me tomorrow. I’m pleased to say that whilst we are cutting it fine we’re not in such a competitive environment as many others in the country. The school is selective but very embracing of those who need extra - it has both Oxbridge candidates and those who take fewer GCSEs to concentrate on getting the ‘main ones’. They actually state no tuition or extra practice should be done before sitting the exams -they set their own (& I don’t know anyone who has) but obvs I don’t want her to get in there and have a total panic - if she has a couple of rules to follow to at least make an educated guess that’ll help. They cream off the top scorers for a separate scholarship exam so the bar is not horrifically high for those sitting their normal test. I have some others who’ve already been through it but they did verbal not non verbal. Again, thank you so much😊

given what you have said about the exam, I would get the CGP book, work through it, and do a couple of the practice tests at the end.

That will give her some idea of how they work and what to look for.

There are about 10 pages of teaching, so not huge amounts and the rest is practice.

But I would also say, don't worry. If they genuinely don't have people doing any prep, then they probably have much more straightforward NVR, much easier to see the odd one out etc.

Loads of schools say no prep is necessary or desired. And most parents may claim they aren’t doing any prep. But you can bet many of them are prepping or tutoring quietly at home even if the school is not overly selective.

Hi @steppemum , @AtLeastPretendToCare and @skgnome - just wanted to come back and say thank you!😊…… and I now know why(!) they do nutty things like nonVR - dd did ok ish in the maths, struggled in the more complex qs on the comprehension BUT actually ACED the non vr, having only had an evening with me pointing out vaguely what to look for…..it seems it can be quite a useful tool in ascertaining intelligence even if the brain doesn’t work as quickly in other ways as everyone else!…. Thank you again for the advice💐

Practice with Bond/CGP but, tbh, I would say that if someone is struggling to that extent, maybe 11+ isn't right for them?

Read the update @BlueSlate😁

@Blinkingbatshit

Hi *@steppemum , @AtLeastPretendToCare and @skgnome* - just wanted to come back and say thank you!😊…… and I now know why(!) they do nutty things like nonVR - dd did ok ish in the maths, struggled in the more complex qs on the comprehension BUT actually ACED the non vr, having only had an evening with me pointing out vaguely what to look for…..it seems it can be quite a useful tool in ascertaining intelligence even if the brain doesn’t work as quickly in other ways as everyone else!…. Thank you again for the advice💐

well done your dd! Glad it all worked for you OP x x

Yay!

FWIW I did the 11+ non verbal and verbal reasoning are completely learnt, some kids have an aptitude as yours clearly does op, but many dont and it's why they are coached so heavily through the process.

Lessonade on YouTube is amazing for tutorials- helped me learn strategies so I could support my daughter.

Glad to hear! x

@wowsaidtheowl

Lessonade on YouTube is amazing for tutorials- helped me learn strategies so I could support my daughter.

Maybe read the whole thread before replying.

Hi if a school doesn't say which type of nvr test they are using for entrance banding test, which type should we work on for preparation? Thank you.