How to Prepare for 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning (VR)?
11 Plus Verbal Reasoning (VR) is a significant part of the 11 Plus exam. It may be challenging for candidates to prepare for 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning, especially considering the variations between examination boards. Tests from Moray House, Granada Learning (GL), and the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) differ in structure.
To effectively support your child’s preparation, it’s crucial to determine the administering body in advance and understand the specific type of verbal reasoning test they will face. Therefore, to ensure comprehensive preparation, we have compiled a guide that covers all essential aspects of the 11 Plus verbal reasoning exam.
What is 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning?
The definition of verbal reasoning ‘It is a way of testing a child’s ability to reason and solve problems based on written information.’ In the 11 plus exam, verbal reasoning assesses various skills, including:
- Reading fluency and comprehension
- Vocabulary knowledge
- Phonological awareness
- Logic and problem-solving abilities
- Discovering and applying rules
- Attention to detail
Despite the term “verbal,” the exam encompasses more than just word and letter manipulation. Your child will encounter numbers and symbols as well. However, having a wide vocabulary is essential since many 11 Plus verbal reasoning questions require understanding word meanings and relationships. Verbal reasoning tests comprehensively assess your child’s language and cognitive abilities.
Common Types Of Verbal Reasoning Questions
Vocabulary
- Synonyms
- Homonyms
- Odd ones out
- Antonyms
- Identifying connections
Logic
- Number logic
- Statement logic
- Deductions
- Letter logic
Finding words
- Jumbled words
- Anagrams
- Jumbled sentences
- Finding a missing word
Building words
- Joining words
- Identifying missing letters
- Morphing words
- Transferring letters
Codes and sequences
- Solving sequences (using letters, numbers and/or symbols)
- Solving codes (using letters, numbers and/or symbols)
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Which Skills Are Necessary for 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning Tests?
Verbal reasoning test in 11 Plus evaluates a child’s problem-solving aptitude and proficiency in comprehending written information. The content of 11 Plus verbal reasoning exam papers varies depending on the exam style and region, encompassing a diverse array of questions that typically demand children to:
- Analyse and understand verbal information
- Employ logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities
- Identify and apply patterns and rules
- Determine the meaning of words
- Demonstrate accurate spelling
- Utilise basic mathematical skills
- Approach tasks in a systematic manner
A Few 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning Examples/Questions
Here are a few examples of frequently encountered question types in verbal reasoning.
Code Sequence
Students need to find the letters in the sequence, but first they need to crack the code.
The letters next in the sequence will be TT
Missing Letters
A child must be good at spelling to find the missing letters in the sentence.
The three letters are: AIR
Antonyms
Finding the words with opposite meanings in each group.
Target and illegal are the two words that are most opposite in meaning.
Complete the Sum
A quick arithmetic test for a child to solve the numbers and complete the sum.
The number that completes the sum is 6.
Letter Analogies
The child is required to identify the relationship and choose a group of letters that are related in the same way to complete the phrase.
FD are the correct letters to complete the phrase.
How to Prepare for 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning?
Here are a few most effective and valuable tips to ensure your child feels well-prepared for their 11 Plus verbal reasoning test:
1. Establish a Strong Foundation
While it may seem tempting to dive into 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning practice papers as exam preparation immediately, this ineffective approach can demotivate children. So, your child must have a solid grasp of various verbal reasoning assessment question types before attempting practice papers.
Adopt a “little and often” approach when revisiting content, as our brains better absorb new information when presented in smaller, manageable portions. Meanwhile, experts suggest that study sessions for children aged 10-11 should be at most 30 minutes.
2. Promote Reading for Fun
Regular and diverse reading is the most effective method to enhance verbal reasoning abilities. It enhances word recognition speed, enabling your child to manage their time during the exam better.
Encourage your child to explore various genres and authors, broadening their vocabulary and sharpening their analytical thinking. Classic novels are an excellent starting point as they often introduce unfamiliar vocabulary. Remember, firmly establishing new vocabulary in long-term memory requires ample time.
Additionally, you can find online 11 Plus verbal reasoning books and worksheets to increase your child’s efficiency.
3. Play Games and Puzzles
11 Plus verbal reasoning questions demand that your child identifies patterns and solves problems through logical thinking. So, puzzles like crosswords and sudoku can aid in developing their attention to detail, sustained thinking, and visualisation skills.
Additionally, numerous board games offer significant educational benefits. Consider establishing a regular family game night to help your child with verbal reasoning test practice for 11 Plus.
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4. Develop Exam Skills
After your child has gained confidence with verbal reasoning questions, it’s time to apply their knowledge in a test setting. Practice tests are valuable for boosting their confidence in working under exam conditions. Additionally, they serve as an effective tool to reinforce learning and identify any areas that require further study or improvement.
5. Solve Practice Papers
11 Plus verbal reasoning tests can include questions that assess the meaning of specific words in the passage or require inferences based on implicit information. Some of these questions may challenge children encountering them for the first time. However, practice tests are the most effective way to prepare for such questions.
Engaging in practice verbal reasoning tests helps children become familiar with various question types and cultivate effective strategies for answering them. Try to help your child at home in solving 11+ verbal reasoning tests with answers.
6. Improving Numeracy and Mental Arithmetic
The “Maths” or “quantitative” component of the verbal reasoning test is generally considered one of the easier sections to prepare for. These types of questions are more commonly found in tests administered by GL. Strengthening your child’s numeracy skills and mental arithmetic abilities can significantly enhance their overall performance on the test.
In most cases, children find the numeracy questions relatively easier in the exam due to their prior experience with them during Key Stage 2 coursework. If your child can excel in the test’s numeracy and mental arithmetic sections, they can allocate more time to the more challenging parts of the exam.
7. Prioritising Memory Enhancement
Giving your child the ability to retain information mentally without relying on note-taking can provide a significant advantage during the exam. However, you can support their memory improvement by encouraging practices such as reciting word lists and engaging them in mental arithmetic exercises.
Additionally, engaging in memory-enhancing games and activities can further boost their memory capacity and enhance their processing speed.
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Conclusion
At 11 Plus Tutoring, we offer the best resources to help students prepare for their verbal reasoning exams with the help of qualified tutors. So, contact us today and start preparing for the 11 Plus verbal reasoning topics.