The Leader in 11+ Preparation

CEM and GL Specialists Non-Verbal Reasoning

Methods

The Traditional Subject

Presented
TEACH > GUIDE > LEAD > INSPIRE by

Dr. Yusuf Ali

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
Overview

• The Elevenology team has developed a number of techniques and approaches to solving the various NVR questions
using the Elevenology NVR-Model which is based on 3 components: Element, Category, Method;
• The model focuses on two NVR-Subjects area: Traditional Subject and Modern Subject;
• Each subject area represents a set of NVR-Categories that the pupils will typically experience in an 11+ exam;
• The NVR-Model takes the pupils through the different techniques which are based on the categories.

This Guide should help both pupils and parents learn how to: work out each nvr question type; used it as a revision
tool for the weekly tests and mock exams; as well as a guidance to what to expect in a GL paper.

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Components

An Element is a unique feature of a shape. You need 1 or more elements to create a Rule* to
ELEMENT solve a problem. Some of these features are:
Position, Pattern, Direction, Shape, Rotation, Count, Thickness, Pointing, shade, outlines, size, etc.

A Category is the type of nvr questions given in a section. These types are:
CATEGORY Traditional: Pattern, Similarity, Odd-One-Out, Analogy, Matrice and Code
Modern: 3Ds, Embedded Images and Dot Situation

The Method is the set of techniques and/or approaches used to solve an nvr type. It uses logical-
METHOD steps in a systematic manner to increase a pupil’s chance of finding the correct answers.
There are two steps to the method: Identify a Rule* and apply a Process of Elimination.

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – EASY TYPES

1. PATTERN [Also known as Series and Sequences] It is formed by a sequence of shapes following a logical rule.

.
3 Cases: A. The ? Mark is at the beginning of a given set of shapes. You need to work backwards (Right-to-Left).

? . .

.
B. The ? Mark is at the end of the set of given shapes. You need to work forwards (Left-to-Right).

. . ?

.
C. The ? Mark is anywhere in between. In this case you need to work with 2 Adjacent shapes.

. ? .
Note: In all the above cases, there could be either 1 or 2 ? marks.

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – EASY TYPES
EXAMPLE Elements = Rotation, Position and Pointing
? mark at the end of the sequence. Rule = Rotation clockwise by 90∘ in pairs
PATTERN
Method = Work Forward (Left-to-Right)
. . 1. Split the shape into its objects: Arrow and Dot.

. ? 2. The dot starting from Bottom-left, moves clockwise

one corner at the time. So, next one is Top-left, then
Top-right. Therefore, the last Dot needs to be on
Bottom-Right.
Options 3. The arrow’s tail starts at the Top pointing down and
beginning to rotate clockwise. So, next one the position
. . is right pointing left, then the position is bottom
pointing upwards. Therefore, the last position of the
arrow has to be left pointing right.
. . Process of Elimination = With Step 2, options A, B and
C would be eliminated straightaway leaving the correct

A B C D answer C. With Step 3, options B and D would be

eliminated leaving options A and C increasing the
chances of finding the correct answer.

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – EASY TYPES
The next two types go hand-in-hand. They both work as a group of shapes. The difference between the two is obvious.

2. SIMILARITY It is formed by a group of shapes that share one or more alike features.

• In a Similarity nvr type, the pupil needs to pick the shape from the available options that fits in the group of shapes;
• Compare the group of shapes by picking a pair at a time and look for similar features;
• The elements you identify to build the rule must work for all the shapes in the group;
• If the rule works for the group, then apply the same to each of the options;

It is formed by a group of shapes from which one shape has one or more unlike features
3. ODD-ONE-OUT
compared to the other shapes.
• In an Odd-One-Out nvr type, the pupil needs to pick the shape from the the group of given shapes that is unlike the others;
• Compare the group of shapes by picking a pair at a time and look for different features;
• The elements you identify to build the rule must work for all the shapes in the group;

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – EASY TYPES Options
EXAMPLE
SIMILARITY

Elements = Count
A B C D
Rule = EVEN number of Dots Option D is the ONLY one that has even
Method = Eliminate all ODD options. number of dots (10).

EXAMPLE
Odd-One-Out
A B C D
Elements = Count Option D is the ONLY one that breaks the
Rule = ODD number of Dots versus EVEN. rule. It is the only shape with EVEN number
Method = Which one breaks the rule? of dots (10).

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – MEDIUM-to-HARD TYPES
[Also known as Relationship] It is formed by a pair of shapes that relate through a logical rule. The
4. ANALOGY
rule then is applied to another pair of shapes from which one of them has the ? mark.

• The Analogy nvr type can be easily recognised by the usage of specific Characters (Symbols) or keywords such as:

• ‘:’ and → : → : ?

• ‘is to’ as ‘is to’ is to as is to ?

• The pupils need to identify the relationship between a pair of shapes using Elements and Rules;
• The Analogy type will always compare pairs of shapes.

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – MEDIUM-to-HARD TYPES
Relate the first pair of shapes and solve the
EXAMPLE
second pair of shapes replacing the ? mark
ANALOGY
with the correct option. Elements = Rotation and Shape
Rule = Rotation by 90∘ of the vertical LINE
Method = Process of Elimination
: → : ? 1. Split the first pair of shapes into its objects: Circle and Line.
2. Compare the behaviour of the two objects between the first
pair of shapes. The Circle does not change. The line rotates
90∘.
Options
3. Therefore, the rule to be applied for the second pair of
shapes MUST remain the same.

Process of Elimination = Using the Rule, The Square does not

change and the Squiggly line rotates 90∘.
Therefore, based on the objects (Square and Squiggly line),
options A and B can be eliminated because they are not

A B C D squares. So, C is the only correct option because we need a

squiggly line.

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – MEDIUM-to-HARD TYPES
[Also known as Matrix, Grid and Honeycomb] It is formed by a puzzle-like board of individual cells
5. MATRICE
containing shapes. The shapes will follow a Logical-Path depending on the configuration of the board.

Sample
Configurations:
2x2
3x3

1 2 3
• The most common configuration is the 3x3 Square Grid
A ? • In a given grid, you may find either 1 or 2 cells with a ? mark to solve.
• Pupils need to work by either Row, Column, Diagonals or all in both
B ? directions.
• Pupils should start from the most complete row, column and diagonals in
C order to identify the elements and rules. (e.g. in the example: work on A1,
B1, C1 cells first, then C1, C2 and C3, and so on…)
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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – MEDIUM-to-HARD TYPES
Solve the 3x3 Grid by choosing the picking
EXAMPLE Elements = Reflection of lines
the missing shape (cell) from the available
MATRICE Rule = Each Cell is a reflection of the opposite over the center
options.
1 2 3 one. E.g. A1 is a reflection of C3.
Method = Complete the picture
A ? There are a couple of ways to solve this problem:
1. The pupil could simply draw a horizontal line (like it is shown
Line of on the left) to represent a line of symmetry. Using the ‘mirror’
B Symmetry method, it is clear that a horizontal line must appear in cell A2.
2. Draw a line inside cell A2 with a pencil (like shown on the
C left) to complete the picture. When looking at the picture, the
pupil should realise that the picture makes sense.
Process of Elimination = Using one of the above approaches,
Options the only options that would fit the picture in cell A2 is option B.
Options A and C will fail the mirror method immediately. Then,
comparing option B and D, B is the correct answer because the
line has to be at the bottom of the cell.
A B C D
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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – MEDIUM-to-HARD TYPES
It is formed by a set of shapes within a square with each having a code describing the property of the
6. CODE
shape. The property, like a rule, describes the features of the shape.
HORIZONTAL VERTICAL
X
• In a Code nvr type, each shape will be enclosed in a square with the codes
attached to the outer side of one of its sides; The code can be either setup
Y
Horizontally or Vertically as shown on the right side; X Y
• A code can be either a 2-letter or 3-letter set (A..Z);
• Each letter of the code represents a feature or rule. Therefore:
• The first letter of each shape’s code represents the same rule; The second
letter of each shape’s code represents the same rule; etc. A X A Y
WRONG
• However, codes cannot mix, e.g. First letter of one shape and the second COMPARISON
letter of another shape;
• To solve a code, work with pair of shapes, or more, that have the same letter as
shown on the right side; Look for what is alike;
• If letters are all different, then look for what is different/odd. A X A Y
CORRECT
COMPARISON

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wizTeachTM-NVR Methods: The NVR-ModelTM
The Traditional Subject – MEDIUM-to-HARD TYPES
EXAMPLE
Identify the property of the 2-letter codes and solve the code for the given shape with ? marks.
CODE
Options
… . ...
.. … AZ BX CY ZY
A X B Y A Y C Z ? ? A B C D
Compare the two 1st Letter 2nd Letter
Compare the two
shapes with the first Arrow is Number
shapes with the second
letter code A. The Left-Up of dots 3
letter code Y. The
arrow Position and =C =Y
number of dots is the
Pointing are the same.
same. Therefore, the
Therefore, the 1st letter
2nd letter of the 2-letter
of the 2-letter code
code means:
means the arrow is at:
X = 2 dots Elements = For the 1st Letter: Position and Pointing. 2nd Letter: Count the Dots
A = Top-Right
Y = 3 dots Rule = Look at the shape with the same letters and identify what is alike
B = Bottom-Right
Z = 1 dot Method = Process of elimination using the individual letters of the codes
C = Left-Up

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 DISCLAIMER
The pupil may decide to use a different method from the
6-step approach. As long as he/she attains high scores
(at least 80% and above), then the pupil can continue to
use his/her method. Otherwise, the pupil MUST use our
method.