What is NVR?
For some of our Year 5 pupils this term might be their first experience of tackling NVR questions. And indeed for you as parents this form of testing might be something you have not come across in the past. We thought we would take the opportunity to say a little about NVR and how you can support at home.
Non-verbal reasoning (NVR) can be defined as the ability to analyse visual information and solve problems using visual reasoning.
NVR tests form part of the testing process by the majority of senior schools. There are different providers of NVR tests: ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board) Quest Assessments, CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) and GL (Granada Learning) Assessment.
NVR can be seen as a useful way of assessing children because it does not rely heavily on language acquisition or mathematical ability. Instead, it tests children's ability to analyse, identify patterns in, and manipulate 2D and 3D shapes.
Although visual reasoning skills cannot be taught in quite the same way as traditional subjects, familiarity with the different question types and regular practice can significantly improve confidence and success.
How to tackle non-verbal reasoning questions.
Type: What type of question is it?
Analyse: Look at the shapes in the question. What are the most obvious qualities (e.g. shape, colour, pattern) of the shapes and patterns?
Similarities/differences: Find similarities and differences between the shapes and patterns. Remember this also includes patterns and changes in frequency when looking at a series of shapes!
Rule: Find a rule from these obvious qualities.
Eliminate: Eliminate those that don’t fall into this rule.
Drawing can simplify everything. Most computer exams allow scrap paper.
NVR at Tutorsquared.
Every week we teach a different question type such as Codes or Matrices. Pupils then practise the question type for homework on Century. We revise the question type the following week and then introduce a new one.
We use the anagram S.N.A.P.S.S. to remind us of the different features to look for. Shape, number, angle, position, size and shading.
What can be done at home to help with NVR?
Everyday activities such as construction toys such as Lego and Meccano, jigsaws, spot the difference pictures, completing a symmetry picture, tangrams, Sudoku, Mastermind, Jenga and chess can all develop necessary skills.
Year 6 pupils and NVR advice
Read the question carefully - anti/clockwise, does/does not belong, reflect/rotate?
Practise against the clock.
Target the question types you find most difficult when revising.
Focus on one element of the image.
Never leave a question out.
Keep moving - don’t get stuck on a question for too long.
Dates for your Diary
Open Events
Tuesday 29th September
Alexandra Park School
Queens College London
Wednesday 30th September
Fortismere
Parliament Hill
Alexandra Park School
William Ellis
Friday 2nd October
Westminster Boys
Saturday 3rd October
Highgate
Aldenham
Wetherby Senior
Saturday 26 September
Here is a brief outline of today’s lessons.
Year 5
English - Vocabulary quiz. Comprehension.
Maths - Squares, Cubes and Roots.
Verbal Reasoning - Hidden Words.
Non-Verbal Reasoning - Analogies.
Interview Practice - Describe your role model.
Year 6
English - Dulwich A
Maths - Dulwich A
Verbal Reasoning - Timed test on a variety of question types.
Non-Verbal Reasoning - Timed test on a variety of question types.
Interview Practice - Discussing Art.
