Verbal reasoning is one of the four core subjects in the 11 plus exam and is tested by both GL Assessment and CEM exam boards. Yet for many children, and parents, it's also the most unfamiliar. Unlike maths or English, verbal reasoning question types rarely appear in standard primary school lessons. This means children need dedicated verbal reasoning practice to become familiar with the format.
The good news? Verbal reasoning is one of the most learnable 11 plus skills. With consistent verbal reasoning practice papers and the right strategies, most children improve significantly in a relatively short time. This guide explains exactly how.
💡 Key insight: Children who practise verbal reasoning for just 20 minutes per day over 3 months typically show very significant improvement. The key is regularity and reviewing answers carefully after each practice session.
What is 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning?
11 plus verbal reasoning tests a child's ability to understand and reason using words. It assesses verbal logic, linguistic intelligence and the ability to identify patterns and relationships in language, skills that are closely linked to academic success across all subjects.
Verbal reasoning is tested in both GL Assessment and CEM exam formats, though the exact question types differ slightly between exam boards.
Types of Verbal Reasoning Questions
There are many types of verbal reasoning questions found in 11 plus practice papers. Here are the most common:
1. Word Codes
A word is encoded using a simple cipher (e.g., each letter moved forward by one position in the alphabet). Children must decode the pattern and apply it. Example: if CAT = DBU, what does DOG equal? This tests logical thinking alongside vocabulary.
2. Synonyms and Antonyms
Children are asked to identify words with the same meaning (synonyms) or opposite meaning (antonyms) from a list of options. A wide reading vocabulary and daily word practice greatly helps here. Reading inference skills developed through wide reading are particularly useful.
3. Analogies
Analogies test word relationships: "Dog is to Puppy as Cat is to ___?" Children must identify the relationship (adult animal to its young) and apply it. Analogies appear frequently in both GL papers and CEM verbal reasoning sections.
4. Odd One Out
A list of words is presented and children must identify the word that doesn't belong. This might be based on category (e.g., birds vs fish), meaning, or some other linguistic property.
5. Word Connections
Finding a word that connects to multiple other words, e.g., a word that can follow FOOT, HEAD and HAND (STAND = FOOTSTAND, HEADSTAND, HANDSTAND). These require creative thinking and a broad vocabulary.
6. Missing Letters / Word Completion
Words with missing letters that must be filled in to create a valid word, often using context from surrounding words in a sentence or pattern.
7. Reading and Comprehension (CEM)
CEM verbal reasoning often includes more substantial reading inference sections where children read a passage and answer questions about it. This rewards children who read widely and deeply.
GL Assessment vs CEM: Verbal Reasoning Differences
The two main 11 plus exam boards differ in how they test verbal reasoning:
GL Assessment verbal reasoning papers tend to have a wider variety of specific question types (21 types in total) with a consistent, predictable format. This makes GL verbal reasoning more "trainable" through systematic practice paper work.
CEM verbal reasoning is less predictable in format and places greater emphasis on reading comprehension, vocabulary and reasoning under time pressure. The adaptive assessment approach in CEM means children who read widely and have strong inference skills tend to do better.
Our free 11 plus verbal reasoning practice test covers question types common to both GL and CEM formats.
How to Practise Verbal Reasoning Effectively
Use Dedicated Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
General 11 plus practice papers cover all subjects, but for verbal reasoning improvement, use dedicated verbal reasoning practice papers that focus solely on this section. Bond and CGP both publish excellent verbal reasoning practice papers. Use our free practice test as a quick, regular check-in.
Build Vocabulary Daily
A broad vocabulary is the foundation of verbal reasoning success. Encourage daily reading of varied material, fiction, non-fiction, newspapers. Make a habit of looking up and discussing unfamiliar words. Reading inference improves naturally through wide, engaged reading.
Learn the 21 GL Question Types
For children taking GL assessment papers, it pays to systematically learn all 21 standard verbal reasoning question types. Work through each type until it's fully understood, then practise under timed conditions. Verbal reasoning practice papers from GL-specific publishers cover these systematically.
Time Your Practice
Verbal reasoning requires speed as well as accuracy. Once your child understands the question types, move to timed practice. Aim to build speed while maintaining accuracy. Children often lose marks not because they can't answer questions but because they run out of time.
Use the Process of Elimination
For multiple-choice answer sheets, teach children to use elimination. Cross off clearly wrong options first, then work with the remaining choices. In timed practice, if stuck, move on and come back. Never leave a question completely unanswered.
Practise Verbal Reasoning Free Right Now
Our free 11 plus practice test includes 8 verbal reasoning questions alongside maths, non-verbal reasoning and English. Try it now, no sign-up needed.
Start Free Practice Test →Verbal Reasoning Practice Schedule
Here's a sample regular practice schedule for verbal reasoning:
- Monday: 20 minutes of verbal reasoning practice papers (codes and synonyms)
- Wednesday: 20 minutes of verbal reasoning (analogies and odd-one-out)
- Friday: 15 minutes of reading + discuss vocabulary
- Weekend: Take a full free 11 plus practice test, timed, covering all subjects
Adjust based on your child's schedule, but aim for at least 3 dedicated verbal reasoning sessions per week during the main preparation period.
What Makes a Good Verbal Reasoning Score?
In the 11 plus verbal reasoning section, scores are typically reported as part of an overall Standard Age Score (SAS). A score of 100 represents the average for a child's age group using age-standardised scoring. Most grammar schools require a combined SAS of 110–121 or above.
Through subject-specific assessment with dedicated verbal reasoning practice papers, most children can improve their verbal reasoning scores significantly, often by 10–15 SAS points, with consistent practice over 6–12 months.
Verbal Reasoning Tips for Exam Day
- Read each question carefully, verbal reasoning questions are often precisely worded
- Don't overthink, your first instinct on analogy and synonym questions is often right
- For codes: write out the alphabet with numbers if it helps (many exam papers allow this)
- Manage your time, don't spend more than 1 minute on any single question
- Use elimination on multiple-choice answer sheets to narrow options
- If genuinely stuck, make your best guess, there are no negative marks in most 11 plus papers
Remember: Regular, focused verbal reasoning practice is far more effective than occasional long sessions. Even 15–20 minutes of daily practice makes a meaningful difference over time.
Free Verbal Reasoning Practice Resources
Here are some excellent free resources for 11 plus verbal reasoning practice:
- 11PlusQuiz free online practice test, covers verbal reasoning alongside all 11 plus subjects
- GL Assessment official website, download free familiarisation materials
- CEM official website, sample papers and guidance
- Your local library, Bond 11 Plus books are often available to borrow
- BBC Bitesize, useful for vocabulary and reading comprehension
Whatever resources you use, the most important thing is consistent, regular practice. Start early, practise often, review carefully, and your child will make excellent progress in 11 plus verbal reasoning.
Read our complete 11 plus preparation guide for broader advice covering all four subjects.