Verbal reasoning - strategies or just practice?

[schooling123]

My DS has been doing VR with me (9+ book, I am not a qualified tutor), and he admitted that it is rather hard. I identified 2 areas of difficulties so far:

1. Some sections he will just jump at an answer and doe snot spend enough time on "reasoning", noticing differences ( especially in a multiple choice).
2. finding similar words close to meaning of the given word in the question. I know that reading can help; he reads a lot, but maybe not enough quality reading?

Please share your thoughts or strategies that might be available.

Thank you.

I've been told that performance is very dependent on vocabulary. Work on that via good quality reading books (read to them if they can't/won't) so they're exposed to good ideas and words. Freerice website is good and free but watch-it on the american spellings. the elevenplusforum has a VR app which includes video tuition on the 21 question types. It's not too pricey - I've not tried it but someone I know was raving about it. Try to learn 2-3 really good "useful" words every week which doubles up for use in English papers. Look up synonyms and antonyms and keep on record cards or notebook. Vocab Vocab Vocab - but try to avoid learning boring word lists. pick up words from reading...

We've just started home tutoring for 11+ and have found the GL '11+ Explained' guidebooks in NVR and verbal invaluable.

I'm a tutor...is he doing a GL test or CEM?

It doesn't make huge difference but there are different techniques and tips for different kinds of questions.

I echo what the PP said, for questions relating to vocabulary there really is no substitute for reading good quality, fairly challenging texts and looking up unfamiliar words on a regular basis. The elevenplusexams site has some good free resources and advice too.