Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice: Shape Patterns: Non-Verbal Reasoning
Shape Patterns is a free non-verbal reasoning game. There are no words to read in the puzzles, just shapes: spot the pattern, find the odd one out, complete the grid and choose the mirror image.
Shape Patterns: Non-Verbal Reasoning
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- Ages
- 6–12
- School years
- Year 1–Year 6
- Skills
- Finding the rule in a sequence of shapes, Following turns of 45° and 90°, clockwise and anticlockwise, Spotting the odd one out, including mirror images
- Time
- 2–5 minutes a round
- Cost
- Free, no sign-up
- Updated
How to play Shape Patterns: Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Choose a level: Easy, Medium or Hard.
- Look carefully at the pictures. Check how the shapes turn, how many dots there are, how they are shaded and where they sit.
- Tap the picture that answers the question. You can also press 1 to 5 on a keyboard.
- If you get one wrong, read the explanation to see the rule.
What your child learns
- Finding the rule in a sequence of shapes
- Following turns of 45° and 90°, clockwise and anticlockwise
- Spotting the odd one out, including mirror images
- Completing 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 grid (matrix) puzzles
- Picturing reflections in a mirror line
- Noticing shading, number and position
About Shape Patterns: Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning puzzles use shapes and patterns instead of words, so they test how well a child can spot rules, picture shapes turning and flipping, and think logically. They appear in 11+ tests, scholarship tests and many school reasoning assessments, and they build the visual thinking used in maths and science.
Every picture is drawn by the computer, and the game checks that the wrong options never look the same as the right one. Easy puzzles suit Years 1–2, with one rule at a time. Medium, for Years 3–4, adds 3 × 3 grids and two rules at once. Hard, for Years 5–6, uses 45° turns, three rules together and mirror images in either direction.
Which level should my child play?
| School year | Suggested level |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Easy |
| Year 2 | Easy |
| Year 3 | Medium |
| Year 4 | Medium |
| Year 5 | Hard |
| Year 6 | Hard |
Move up a level after getting three stars two or three times in a row.
🏆 Leaderboard
Full leaderboard →Play a round to get on the board! Create a free account to save your scores.
📝 Use it for test prep
Shape Patterns: Non-Verbal Reasoning builds skills for these tests. Try the ⏱️ Timed test button for exam-style practice.
Frequently asked questions
What is non-verbal reasoning?
Non-verbal reasoning is solving problems with pictures instead of words: finding patterns in shapes, completing grids, spotting the odd one out and working out reflections and rotations.
How is a mirror image different from a turned shape?
Turning a shape keeps it the same way round, like spinning a card on a table. A mirror image flips it over, so a shape pointing right will point left. No amount of turning can make a mirror image of an L shape match the original.
Can children with screen readers play?
Each picture has a text description of its shapes, shading, dots and direction, so the puzzles can be followed with a screen reader, although they are designed to be seen.
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Help your child shine in school
Practice at home is a great start. Success Tutoring offers personalised tutoring to build skills and confidence.