The Secret to 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning & Non-verbal Reasoning Success: Start Early, Make It Fun!
- Maxine @11 Plus Prep School
- Sep 29
- 3 min read
If your child is in Year 5 and preparing for the 11+, you may have flicked through a Verbal Reasoning (VR) or Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) workbook and thought:
“These look like puzzles — surely my child can pick this up closer to the exam?”
Ah, if only it were that simple!
Here’s the truth: VR and NVR are sneaky little subjects. They look like fun games, but they test logical thinking, pattern recognition, spatial awareness, vocabulary, speed, and accuracy — all at once. Most of these skills aren’t taught in school or at home, and trying to teach them yourself is tricky, even for the cleverest parent.
Plus, many shop-bought workbooks don’t include the latest question formats, leaving gaps in preparation.
Why Starting Early in Year 5 Makes All the Difference
Reasoning skills don’t magically appear overnight — just like a child won’t suddenly ace the piano or football after a few lessons.
By starting early with 11 Plus Reasoning Tuition, your child gets to:
Learn every question type, step by step (no panic cramming!)
Practise strategies repeatedly to build speed and confidence
Unlock skills that go beyond the 11+, helping with schoolwork and problem-solving
Master latest reasoning question formats, including ones missing from shop workbooks
Our experience shows: students who start early consistently score higher and feel calmer than late starters.
Fun, Interactive, and Totally Engaging
And here’s the best part: lessons with 11 Plus Prep School are actually fun. Led by 11+ expert James, who has years of experience helping students succeed in grammar schools and independent schools, our Reasoning Excellence Programme is:
Interactive – students work alone and in teams
Social – make friends while learning in online classrooms
Exciting – new VR & NVR skills unlocked every week
Witty and fun – because 11+ prep shouldn’t be a snooze-fest
Think of it as reasoning with a sparkle — your child learns, plays, laughs, and makes progress all at once.
Suitable for All Exam Boards
Whether your child is tackling:
GL Assessment
CEM
ISEB
Independent school entrance exams
…we cover all question types and the latest reasoning formats, so they’re ready for anything. No surprises, no gaps, no panic.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait
Some parents delay VR & NVR prep, thinking their child can “pick it up later.”
The reality? Late starters often:
Rush through dozens of tricky questions
Feel stressed and anxious
Miss key strategies that make a real difference
Starting early gives your child time, structure, and expert guidance — and lets them enjoy the journey, not just the results.
Your Year 5 Action Plan
📅 Weekly sessions running now
🎮 Interactive, fun, and engaging lessons
👥 Small groups for teamwork and social learning
👨🏫 Led by 11+ expert James, with a proven high success rate
📝 Systematic curriculum with latest reasoning formats, beyond shop workbooks
Start Early, Succeed Confidently
The 11+ doesn’t have to be stressful — and it doesn’t have to be boring.
With 11 Plus Prep School, your child will gain skills, confidence, and enjoyment — in a structured, expert-led programme that makes learning fun, social, and effective.
Because logic can be serious… but learning doesn’t have to be!
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