NVR - Looking at a Shape and Making a Code (1)

What Are Non-Verbal Reasoning Code Questions?

In Non-Verbal Reasoning code questions, certain letters stand for certain features of a shape.

For example, one letter might mean that a triangle points upwards, while another letter might mean that a shape has a line through the middle.

Children are shown examples of coded shapes, then asked to work out the code for a new test shape.

How Are These Questions Shown in the 11 Plus Exam?

Candidates are usually shown several shapes, each with two or sometimes three code letters.

The shapes may differ by direction, internal lines, shading, size, number of sides or rotation.

Children then look at a new shape and choose the code letters that describe it correctly.

Start by Comparing Shapes with the Same Letter

The first step is to compare shapes that share a code letter.

In this example, the first two shapes are both coded with the letter A.

The first and third shapes are both coded with the letter V.

Children should ask what those shapes have in common, and what makes them different from the other example shapes.

Finding the First Code Letter

The first two shapes share the letter A. They are both triangles pointing upwards.

The third triangle points downwards and does not have A.

This suggests that A means the triangle points upwards, while B means the triangle points downwards.

The test shape points downwards, so its first code letter must be B.

Finding the Second Code Letter

Next, children can look at the letter V.

The first and third shapes both have V. They appear to have nothing in the middle.

The second shape has W and has a line through the middle.

This suggests that V means empty, while W means there is a line through the shape.

The test shape has a line through it, so its second code letter must be W.

The complete code is therefore BW, which is answer D.

Technique Tip: Think Like the Question Setter

To solve code questions, children need to think about the visual features that question setters commonly use.

Useful features include:

• Shape type
• Direction or rotation
• Size
• Shading
• Internal lines
• Number of sides or parts
• Position of marks or symbols

If children cannot spot the code immediately, they should compare these features one at a time.

Beware of Repeated Codes

Some answer options may repeat codes that have already been used for earlier shapes.

These can be tempting, but they are often wrong because the test shape usually has its own combination of features.

Children should not choose a repeated code just because it looks familiar. They should check whether both letters genuinely match the test shape.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Children may lose marks on code questions because they guess from the whole shape rather than decoding one letter at a time.

Common mistakes include:

• Not comparing shapes that share the same letter
• Choosing a code that has already appeared without checking it
• Confusing direction, such as up and down
• Missing an internal line
• Not separating the meaning of the first and second code letters
• Looking for one big rule instead of two smaller rules

A calm, letter-by-letter method is usually more useful than guessing. Accuracy should come before speed during early 11 Plus revision.

11 Plus Practice Quizzes for Codes

This free guide introduces Non-Verbal Reasoning code questions, but practice helps children become more familiar with the format.

Education Quizzes has fourteen quizzes that support this skill, including Code Breaker and Shapes and Letters quizzes.

Next Steps for Parents

This guide has introduced the basic method for looking at a shape and making a code.

The next guides in this section explain further coding techniques and show how children can handle more detailed visual clues.

Reading those free guides before quiz practice may help children approach 11 Plus code questions with greater confidence.