Non Verbal Reasoning (NVR)

What is NVR designed to test?

NVR seeks to test a child's problem solving ability. Questions are based on pictures, diagrams and shapes,rather than words and so do not rely on strong literacy skills. These tests are designed to assess if a childcan use critical thinking and logic to solve problems. They can be an indication of mathematical capabilitiesand powers of deduction. Additionally, these assessments are thought to indicate a child's potential, ratherthan learned capabilities.

Questions appear in diagrammatical and pictorial form and require the ability to understand and analysevisual information and then go on to solve problems using visual reasoning. There is a wide range of NVRquestion types that can be classified into the following eight groupings:

• Similarities and differences• Analogies• Sequences• Hidden shapes• Matrices (missing shapes)• Reflected shapes• Nets and cubes• Codes

Similarities and differences questions require observation skills and an understanding of how shapes andpatterns are connected. The key is to identify the common features connecting shapes, which could be related to size, position, number, shading, angles and/or direction.

Analogies questions require an ability to spot the connection between two shapes or diagrams and applythe connection to identify the missing shape in the following pair of shapes.

Sequences questions test the ability to spot the rule underlying the given sequence. Apply this rule to identify the missing image or diagram in the sequence.

Hidden shapes questions test the ability to recognise shapes or patterns when they appear as part of alarger symbol or diagram. Some may look easy but some can be more complicated to solve if several components, such as shading and complex shapes, are included.

Matrices questions present a combined shape. The rule connecting the shapes must be worked out and applied in order to identify the missing shape.

Reflected shapes questions test spatial awareness and understanding of symmetry. Complex shapes mustbe broken down in order to see how each part would be reflected. The direction of the reflection line andany details such as shading or any curved lines must be checked. The parts of the symbol that are closestand furthest away from the reflection line must be identified. Helpful hint: draw a quick sketch!

Nets and cubes also test spatial awareness. They require an ability to relate a net (a two dimensionalshape) to a cube (a three dimensional shape). Different nets are used and can include a vertical, horizontalor T shaped net. The final shape will follow identical patterns to the T-shape.

Helpful hint: Make some nets out of card and number the squares in order to practice. Fold along the linesto form a cube and make a note of which numbered squares are opposite each other when folded. Drawsome symbols on each of the squares and observe what happens to the symbols when folded into a cube,especially take note of any changes in direction of straight lines.

Codes questions require the rules behind the code in the examples to be identified and then applied to theun-coded diagram. In these types of questions, each symbol or element will have its own code. Be systematic and look for two or more symbols that share the same letter in the code and then repeat theprocess.

NVR skills can be improved with practice but a good understanding of mathematical concepts such as sym-metry, rotation, mirroring shapes, angles and direction is essential.

When practising NVR questions, they should be approached in a systematic and orderly way. Each elementof the question should be looked at and options eliminated which do not follow the rule that has been iden-tified.

Additionally activities such as 'spot the difference', jigsaws, tangrams and drawing mirror images can supportdevelopment of the skills needed for students to be confident with NVR questions.

S6 Tutoring LtdDecember 2014