11 Plus CEM Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests

This CEM paper will probably be a mixture of standard maths taught to your child in school and Non-Verbal Reasoning questions. The paper will be constructed in a similar way to the CEM 11plus Verbal Reasoning paper with the paper split into different sections. Non-Verbal Reasoning is usually not taught in many schools so you will probably need to help and teach your child this aspect of the paper.

CEM 11plus Maths content.

(Sometimes called Numerical Reasoning)

The maths questions will be based on the KS2 maths syllabus and everything should have been covered in school, however additional preparation at home will always be beneficial for your child.

You need to ensure that your child is comfortable with everything on the school’s maths program of study. Revision of all Key Stage 2 maths is essential.

In the CEM 11plus maths paper the questions can range from a simple mathematical “sum” that requires straight forward calculation to more complex problem solving that may require a number of stages of calculation.

Schools often teach maths in a different way to how you were taught so be careful when your child says that he/she does it differently so that you don’t confuse your child.

The important thing is to guarantee that your child is confident with the basics and able to apply these basics to more complex problems quickly and accurately.

Your child needs to be well up to speed in all aspects of maths including but not limited to the following:

Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing numbers quickly and accurately (knowing their “tables” and number bonds inside out is essential to allow them to apply these facts quickly to any question asked.)

Place value, Square and cube numbers and their roots, Prime numbers and multiplication factors. All aspects related to fractions. Time: Both analogue and digital on both 12 hour and 24 hour clock. Decimals and how they relate to fractions and percentages. Problems involving money. Measurement using our metric units in length, mass and capacity. Area and perimeter of 2-d and 3-d shapes and their properties. Ratio and probability. Using scale in eg maps Angles and their names, degrees in shapes.

CEM 11plus Non-Verbal Reasoning Content:

The CEM 11plus uses Non-Verbal Reasoning questions in most areas where they set the exam.

Non-Verbal Reasoning is usually not taught in schools and there is relatively little quality, practice material available. The core of this part of the exam is to test a child’s visual judgment regarding different shapes or patterns and having them distinguish, for example, the odd one out or the next in the series.

There can be an inclination to leave Non-Verbal Reasoning to the end and regard it as not so important, however there are marks to be gained in this section so preparation is essential.

Children who find jigsaws, putting models together or similar activities easy are often better at Non-Verbal Reasoning and historically boys tend to be better than girls. Non-Verbal Reasoning makes little demand on English skills as the questions are asked in a simple straight forward way.

Practicing Non-Verbal Reasoning questions will raise your child’s self-confidence and skill levels.

There are many versions of CEM 11plus Non-Verbal Reasoning questions and they will include:-

Analogies Series Pictures involving 9 squares Images involving 3D shapes Rotation of shapes Lines of symmetry Spotting differences Spotting similarities

Plus, many other versions of Non-Verbal Reasoning questions – practice is essential.

As with their English/Verbal Reasoning papers CEM promote this paper as being “tutor-proof” so they could decide to change the content without warning therefore it is important that your child has practiced as many different question types as possible.

You can follow this link to read our Top Tips for success in doing Non-Verbal Reasoning Questions.