Verbal reasoning is a skill that all children possess, often without realising it. It is a subject that most students will have never specifically studied before reaching the 11+ and as a result, this can be a daunting prospect. For students in England, mastering verbal reasoning is especially important, as it is tested by most grammar and independent schools as part of their admissions process.
This blog post explains how to effectively prepare your child for an 11+ verbal reasoning exam. We’ll dive into what this involves, common question types and how we can help prepare your child.
The Exam Coach delivers the best online learning experience for children studying to sit the 11+ in the UK. If you have a child about to take the 11 Plus, please read on to discover more about how we can work with you to ensure your child’s success.
Contents
What is Verbal Reasoning?
If your child is preparing for the 11+ exams, you’ve probably heard the term ‘verbal reasoning’ before. However, you might not know its exact meaning. Verbal reasoning tests a student's ability to understand, analyse and use the English language in order to problem-solve. It tests a student's understanding of language concepts such as synonyms, antonyms, analogies and word meanings. It is, essentially, just problem-solving using words.
Verbal reasoning skills are tested by most major 11 Plus exam boards as part of their entry exams, including:
GL Assessment
CEM and CEM Select
CAT4
CSSE
ISEB Common Pre-Test
The Kent Test
The Sutton SET
How is Verbal Reasoning Tested in the 11 Plus Exams?
In the 11 Plus exams, verbal reasoning is tested through a series of multiple choice questions. Students are presented with various types of question that ask them to demonstrate their problem-solving skills using words and language. Each exam board uses its own question types, and this can vary year by year. However, the 20 most common question types are:
1. Closest meanings/synonyms
Asks students to pick out a word closest in meaning to a given word.
E.G - Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word DELIGHTED?
Unbothered
Satisfied
Disgusted
Ecstatic
Answer - Ecstatic
Check out the video below, where super-tutor Mason talks students through a synonyms style exam question.
2. Opposite meanings/antonyms
Asks students to pick out a word most opposite in meaning to a given word.
E.G - Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word CURVED?
Bent
Straight
Arched
Twisted
Answer - Straight
3. Multiple meanings
Asks students to pick out a word closest in meaning to two different sets of words.
E.G - Which of the following is closest in meaning to the words in both of the following categories? (Dance, Party) (Sphere, Globe).
Festival
Ball
Orb
Prom
Answer - Ball
4. Odd one out
Asks students to find the word (or words) which do not fit the rest of the set.
E.G - Which of the following is the odd one out?
Blue
Pink
Red
Bright
Answer - Bright
5. Word connections
Asks students to complete a given sentence in the most sensible way.
E.G - Thin is to (wide space think) as dark is to (dim alight light).
Answer - Wide + Light
6. Compound words
Ask students to combine two words to make a new word.
E.G - (Ear, Shoulder, Foot) (Bat, Ring, Bracelet)
Answer - EARRING
7. Forming new words
Asks students to find a word which, when put at the start or end of three given words, makes three new words.
E.G - PORT, CRAFT, BAG
Answer - AIR (AIRport, AIRcraft, AIRbag)
8. Complete a word pair
Asks students to find the word that completes the final pair of words so that it follows the same pattern as the first two pairs.
E.G - site sit cute cut pipe ???
Answer - PIP (takes the first 3 letters of the word to make a new one)
9. Anagram in a sentence
Asks students to rearrange the letters to spell out a new word that completes the sentence in a sensible way.
E.G - He seemed annoyed for no good NERSOA.
Answer - REASON
In the clip below, super-tutor James explains a simple method for solving an anagram in a sentence.
10. Word ladders
Asks students to change one letter at a time to make the first word into the final word.
The two answers must be real words.
E.G - (BURN) (????) (????) (TORE)
Answer - TURN TORN OR BORN TORN
11. Insert a letter
Asks students to find the letter that will finish the first word and start the second word of each pair, making two real words.
There are two pairs per question.
The same letter must be used for both pairs.
E.G - GE (?) IE and TA (?) IME
Answer - T (GET, TIE, TAT, TIME)
12. Move a letter
Asks students to remove one letter from the first word and add it to the second word to make two new words.
The order of the other letters must not be changed.
E.G - TRAP DONE
Answer - R (TAP DRONE)
13. Hidden word
In a sentence, a four-letter word is hidden at the end of one word and the start of the next. Asks students to find the hidden word.
E.G - One day later, my purse was found.
Answer - TERM (One day later, my purse was found.)
14. Missing word
Asks students to find the three-letter word that completes the incomplete word and finishes the sentence in a sensible way.
E.G - He WED his car every week.
Answer - ASH (washed)
15. Using rules to make a word
The words in the second set follow the same pattern as the words in the first set.
Asks students to find the missing word to complete the second set.
E.G - pour (pod) bud leaf (???) sit
Answer - LET (First 2 letters of the 1st word, followed by the 3rd letter of the 2nd word.)
16. Explore the facts
Asks students to use the information they are given to answer the given problem.
Questions are usually wordy and purposefully complicated.
E.G - Jennie has the least books in her bag. Lucy has twice as many as Guy, who has three fewer than Ahmed. Ahmed has one more than Carrie, who has seven books in her bag. How many books does Guy have?
Answer - 5 (Carrie has 7, Ahmed has 8, Guy has 5, Lucy has 10, Jennie has less than 6)
17. Solve the riddle
Asks students to use the information given, to solve the riddle that follows. Again questions are usually wordy and purposefully complicated.
E.G - Tasha, Richard, Saskia, Josh and Cameron are competing in a running race. Richard didn’t finish last. Cameron finished before Tasha. Saskia finished just after Josh. Tasha came second. If these statements are true, only one of the sentences below can be true. Which one?
Tasha came third.
Richard came fourth.
Cameron came second.
Saskia finished last.
Answer - Saskia finished last (Cameron came 1st, Tasha came 2nd, Richard came 3rd, Josh finished 4th, Saskia finished 5th)
18. Reordering words in a sentence
Asks students to find the two words that should be swapped in order for the sentence to make sense.
E.G - At 10am, I noticed I was school for late.
Answer School + late (At 10am, I noticed I was late for school.)
19. Letter word codes
Asks students to use the alphabet to help you work out the answer to each question.
Each question uses a different code.
You will usually be given an alphabet line to help you.
E.G - If the code for BAT is CBU, what is the code for TOW?
Answer - UPX (Moves right +1 along the alphabet each time.)
20. Number word codes
Each question gives students four words and three number codes in a random order.
Students then need to work out the code.
E.G - SOUR ROOT SURE TORE
5332 2356 4156
Find the code for the word SORT.
Answer - 4352 (S=4 O=3 R=5 T=2)
Super-tutor Mason explains how to fully solve this question in the video below.
While it is possible other types of question could come up in an 11+ verbal reasoning exam, these are the most common.
Some 11+ verbal reasoning exams are taken on paper, others online. Make sure you know the format your child’s test will be in before exam day, as well as whether they’ll be given some extra paper to make notes. Some VR questions are a lot easier if you can use paper for your workings out!
What Does Your Child Need to Succeed in 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning?
To succeed at an 11 Plus verbal reasoning exam, students need a range of skills, including:
1. Reading fluency
The ability to read questions quickly and accurately is essential for completing any verbal reasoning, exam. While reading quickly is key, students also must be able to process and understand what they are reading. Sometimes, the questions are purposefully worded in a tricky way.
2. Vocabulary knowledge
A wide vocabulary allows students to understand the meaning of any words and phrases in their exam in context. This is critical for verbal reasoning, as it specifically tests vocabulary knowledge and word meanings. The more words your child knows and understands, the more chances they’ll know the words they are presented with in their exam.
3. Logic and problem-solving
Verbal reasoning questions often require students to use logical thinking and problem-solving skills. They should be able to identify patterns, sequences, and relationships between different words and concepts.
4. Memory
Students need to have a good memory to remember the various rules, formulas, and definitions that they might need in their exam.
5. Speed
All 11+ verbal reasoning exams are timed, and your child will need to work quickly and efficiently to answer as many questions as possible within the time limit. They will need to know how to pace themselves and work through both the easier and more difficult questions in a timed and well-thought-out way.
6. Attention to detail
Verbal reasoning questions often use subtle differences and definitions to try and trick students out. They could be presented with similar answer choices or a complicated and wordy question. Either way, your child needs to know how to stay focused and pay close attention to detail when answering any VR question.
7. Process of elimination
Students should use the process of elimination to help them answer each question, keeping an eye out for red herrings and double-checking their answers. Sometimes working out which answers are definitely not the answer can help you solve tricky VR question.
8. Following instructions
All types of verbal reasoning question require students to follow the specific instructions given in the question. These instructions will lead them to the answer. Many verbal reasoning questions have specific instructions that must be followed, and if your child does not read and understand these instructions correctly, they may end up answering the wrong question or making mistakes. Close reading of the question is key.
By developing all of these skills, students can approach the 11+ verbal reasoning test with confidence and increase their chances of success. Not sure how to improve your child’s skills in these areas? Read on…
How Can You Prepare Your Child?
Preparing for an 11+ verbal reasoning exam can be a challenge for both you and your child. Parents can play a crucial role in supporting their child's education and helping them develop the skills they need to succeed, but sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start…
Firstly, parents should encourage their child to use as many practice papers as they can to develop their verbal reasoning skills. Practice papers can help students familiarize themselves with the format and style of the exam, as well as the many possible question types. Practice papers give students experience working through exam style questions, meaning they won’t be surprised by anything on exam day.
Working through practice papers with your child can also be beneficial, as this allows you to identify areas of weakness and provide targeted feedback and guidance. Practice, after all, does make perfect!
Parents can also help their child develop their reasoning skills by encouraging them to read. Reading widely and regularly exposes children to a variety of words and scenarios, helping them build their vocabulary and critical thinking skills. Parents can support their child's reading by providing them with a range of age-appropriate books, magazines, and newspapers, and encouraging them to read for pleasure as well as education. Make sure your child is reading daily in order to develop these skills.
Finally, parents can help their child expand their vocabulary by exposing them to a range of words in daily life. Try to encourage your child to be inquisitive (meaning having or showing an interest in learning things) and to always ask you or other adults if they ever use words your child does not understand. Hearing and learning new words will allow your child to eventually use them in their speech and writing.
Playing word games, using flashcards, and creative a vocabulary list/book can all be effective strategies for developing a child’s vocabulary. By creating a language-rich environment at home, parents can help their child develop the linguistic skills they need to succeed in an 11+ verbal reasoning exam and beyond.
How Can We Prepare Your Child?
At The Exam Coach, we are 11 Plus exam experts, focusing on our specialisms:
11+ Verbal Reasoning
11+ Comprehension
11+ Creative Writing
11+ Persuasive Writing
To help students master these subjects, we offer the following services:
👨💻 5-Day courses 👩💻
Our full 5-day 11+ courses focus on teaching the key concepts and exam techniques for each of the 11+ disciplines we specialise in:
11+ Verbal Reasoning
11+ Comprehension
11+ Creative Writing
11+ Persuasive Writing
These courses help students develop the critical foundation needed for each of their 11 Plus exams — for example, understanding effective exam techniques and how to successfully approach each question type. We provide clear explanations, give students easy-to-remember exam techniques and show worked examples. Our courses are designed to ensure that students master the skills they need in order to achieve their full potential in their 11 Plus.
Types of courses currently offered:
🤔 Verbal Reasoning
Suitable for the following exam boards: GL Assessment, CEM, CAT4, ISEB Common Pre-Test, Kent Test and Sutton SET.
📚 English Comprehension (Multiple Choice Style)
Suitable for the following exam boards: GL Assessment, CEM, ISEB Common Pre-Test, Kent Test and Sutton SET.
📚 English Comprehension (Written Answer Style)
Suitable for the following exam boards: Independent or school written exams.
📝 Creative Writing
Suitable for the following exam boards: Kent Test, Sutton Stage 2 and independent/school written exams.
📝 Persuasive Writing
Suitable for the following exam boards: Kent Test, Sutton Stage 2 and independent/school written exams.
Details:
5x 90-minutes of expert 11+ tuition by an experienced tutor/teacher over 5 days.
Interactive video and microphone access via Zoom.
Detailed class notes, worksheets and other resources for each session.
Key concept explanations and demonstrations.
Exam style question practice and walkthrough.
Competitive class tests.
Self-assessed and marked testing.
Full walkthroughs of answers.
Fun examples and stories.
Detailed and effective exam preparation in chosen 11+ area.
Exam and memory technique explanations.
Model answer explanations (where applicable).
Homework set after each session.
Detailed essay/homework marking and feedback after each session.
When they take place:
Weekends during school term time.
School holidays.
How to register:
📚 Weekly Workshops 📚
In our 11 Plus weekly workshops, your tutor will share some background information about themselves and our workshops with new students. This is followed by 40 minutes of teaching time. Weekly workshops usually run twice a week, usually on weekday evenings. The dates and times of these workshops change each week to ensure everyone can benefit from them.
The content within each workshop varies between 11+ creative writing, comprehension, verbal reasoning or English vocabulary. These classes are a great way to experience our tuition and let your child learn something new before booking one of our courses. Weekly tuition allows us to regularly top up your child’s knowledge during the year prior to their exams.
Each weekly tuition workshop is standalone, meaning your child does not need to have attended any previous sessions to join one. Class notes are sent out 24 hours after each workshop to help students recap what they have learnt.
Types of taster workshop:
Tricky Vocabulary Workout
Verbal Reasoning Synonyms/Antonyms
Comprehension
Creative Writing
Details:
45 minutes.
Introduction to The Exam Coach.
Competitive class testing.
Self-assessed testing.
Walkthrough answers.
Class notes.
When they take place:
At least once a week (date and time announced on Mondays via our email newsletter).
How to register:
📝 11 Plus Practice Papers 📝
We have plenty of practice papers available for various 11+ exam boards to help your child prepare. We provide papers for CEM, GL, ISEB, Kent, Sutton, and Independent School exams.
We send out one free English or maths paper every Friday via our email newsletter. These papers are free in order to help support your child’s 11 Plus preparation consistently throughout the year.
🎙️ Our Vocabulary Podcast 🎙️
Our 11+ Daily Vocab Show podcast is available on our website and all major streaming platforms. In each episode, we teach children a new word, expanding their vocabulary one word at a time.
Every podcast episode focuses on one tricky piece of vocabulary, ensuring that your child’s vocabulary is built up slowly and that they fully understand each word they learn.
All podcast episodes can be found using the links below:
Listen to the first episode, featuring the word ‘siege’, by clicking the image below.
Verbal Reasoning Courses - What We Cover?
In our verbal reasoning course, we will review all the common verbal reasoning question types, providing students with our exam techniques and recommended approaches to complete any verbal reasoning exercise quickly and accurately. With verbal reasoning, knowing and understanding the technique required to find each answer is key. Students will also broaden and deepen their vocabulary throughout this course. They will have plenty of opportunities to practise implementing the techniques we recommend on practice exam questions.
In the five sessions, we focus on the 20 most common verbal reasoning question types. We explain to students how to best approach and work through each question type, recommending techniques that have worked well for our students in the past. Our tutors explain how students can complete all questions in a methodical way, which gives them the best chance possible of arriving at the correct answer in the shortest amount of time. Not only this, they’ll also explain why other possible methods can lead to mistakes.
Tutors
All our courses are delivered by The Exam Coach’s team of tutors. All of our tutors have:
Passed competitive exams such as the 11 Plus.
Attended a Russell Group University within the last 5-10 years.
Received training to deliver expertly within our online workshop format.
Taught our 11 Plus exam preparation curriculum on a regular basis within the last two years.
Verbal Reasoning Question Types COVERED
Closest meanings/synonyms
Opposite meanings/antonyms
Multiple meanings
Odd one out
Word connections
Compound words
Forming new words
Complete a word pair
Anagram in a sentence
Word ladders
Insert a letter
Move a letter
Hidden word
Missing word
Using rules to make a word
Explore the facts
Solve the riddle
Reordering words in a sentence
Letter word codes
Number word codes
COURSE RESOURCES
Worksheets, homework and class notes are sent out before the start of the course. These can either be printed or viewed digitally. For all workshops, students receive:
A worksheet to complete in the workshop.
Class notes to help consolidate learning and give students an opportunity to recap some of what was covered in the workshop.
A homework task.
HOMEWORK AND MARKING
Ten verbal reasoning questions are set as a homework task after each workshop. These are marked by our tutors and then returned, with personalised verbal feedback on each assignment, focusing on specific corrections and general areas for improvement. Importantly, the tutor will not just say what the correct answer is, but they will explain to the student how they could have found the answer.
For each submission, your child will receive:
An annotated copy of the homework, marking correct and incorrect answers.
A 5-minute-long voice note from the tutor to your child, celebrating good answers, correcting any mistakes and highlighting areas for improvement. Importantly, our tutors will show your child the process required to arrive at correct answers, as opposed to simply telling them what the correct answer is.
Got any questions about our courses? Fill in the form below and we’ll be in touch!
Bonus Resources
Thanks for reading this far! Click the links below to access some of our free 11+ resources. We hope you find them useful.