Free 11+ verbal reasoning practice test
Twenty-four questions in 20 minutes across the verbal reasoning question types 11+ papers use most: vocabulary, letter and number codes, sequences, word building and logic. You'll see your score for each type at the end and an explanation for every answer.
11+ Verbal Reasoning practice test
- Questions
- 24
- Time
- 20 min
- Calculator
- No
- ✓ 24 questions, 20 minutes: that's under a minute each, so keep moving.
- ✓ Each question has one correct answer. Read the instruction in the question carefully, as the types change.
- ✓ Flag any question you want to come back to, and check the review screen before you submit.
- ✓ Have paper ready for writing out the alphabet: it makes code and sequence questions much quicker.
Free, no account needed. Your answers stay in your browser; we only save your score.
The real test
- Who sets it
- GL Assessment or FSCE (formerly CEM) in most grammar school areas; some schools write their own
- Verbal reasoning
- Part of most 11+ tests, alongside English, maths and non-verbal reasoning; the mix varies by area
- Answer format
- Usually multiple choice
- Independent schools
- The ISEB Common Pre-Test includes verbal reasoning, taken online as an adaptive multiple-choice test
Sources: GL Assessment: free 11+ familiarisation materials · ISEB: Common Pre-Tests information for families. Practice questions written by EagleTeach tutors; not affiliated with any exam board.
The question types in this test
Verbal reasoning checks how well children work with words, letters and numbers under time pressure. This test samples the types that come up most often:
- ✓ Vocabulary: closest meaning, opposites, analogies and odd one out
- ✓ Codes and sequences: letter series, letter and number codes, number series
- ✓ Word building: hidden words, compound words and missing letters
- ✓ Logic: ordering from clues, letters standing for numbers, day and time reasoning
How to get better at verbal reasoning
Vocabulary is the slowest part to build, so reading widely and talking about new words matters more than drilling. Code and sequence questions improve quickly with practice: writing the alphabet out with numbers under each letter turns most of them into counting.
Look at the breakdown after the test. A low vocabulary score calls for weeks of reading; a low codes score can often be fixed in a few sessions.
FAQs
Is this a real 11+ verbal reasoning paper?＋
No. The questions were written by EagleTeach tutors in the style of 11+ verbal reasoning. Exact question types differ between test providers and areas, so check your area's familiarisation booklet too.
How many question types are there in 11+ verbal reasoning?＋
Test providers don't publish a fixed list, and different areas use different mixes. This test covers the families of question that appear most widely: vocabulary, codes and sequences, word building and logic.
Is verbal reasoning in every 11+ test?＋
Most grammar school areas include it, but not all in the same form, and some schools test English instead. Check what your area or school publishes for its test.
My child scored well but ran out of time. What should we do?＋
Practise one question type at a time against the clock, then mix them. Children often lose time re-reading the instruction, so learning to recognise each type at a glance helps.
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