Hidden shapes: 11 Plus non-verbal reasoning practice
Find a shape hidden inside a busy design, the same size and the same way up.
OftenIn many papers, especially GL AssessmentAbout 45 seconds a question in the test
The big idea
The shape is drawn inside the design among other lines, exactly the same size and turned the same way. Pick one corner of the shape and look for it in each design, then follow every side.
Tips that save marks
Start from the most unusual corner or angle of the shape.
The shape is never turned, flipped or resized.
One missing side means it is not there.
Now try five
Try each one before you look at the answer: answering from memory is what makes it stick. Tap an option to check it. Most children get three or four right at first; five out of five means move on to the next topic.
Question 1Aim for about 45 seconds
Which design has the shape on the left hidden in it? It must be the same size and the same way up.
Show the worked answer
Answer: B
How to work it out
Trace the pentagon: find one of its corners in each design and follow its sides.
Only one design contains every side, the same size and the same way round.
Why the other options are wrong
A: The shape is here, but turned. It must be the same way up.
C: The shape is here, but upside down. It must be the same way up.
D: Close, but one side of the shape is missing from this design.
E: This design hides the shape flipped upside down. It must match exactly.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which design has the shape on the left hidden in it? It must be the same size and the same way up.
Show the worked answer
Answer: D
How to work it out
Trace the triangle: find one of its corners in each design and follow its sides.
Only one design contains every side, the same size and the same way round.
Why the other options are wrong
A: The shape is here, but turned. It must be the same way up.
B: This design hides the shape flipped upside down. It must match exactly.
C: The shape is here, but twice as big. It must be exactly the same size.
E: This design hides a mirror image of the shape. It must match exactly, the same way round.
Question 3Aim for about 45 seconds
Which design has the shape on the left hidden in it? It must be the same size and the same way up.
Show the worked answer
Answer: C
How to work it out
Trace the pentagon: find one of its corners in each design and follow its sides.
Only one design contains every side, the same size and the same way round.
Why the other options are wrong
A: The shape is here, but turned. It must be the same way up.
B: Close, but one side of the shape is missing from this design.
D: This design hides a mirror image of the shape. It must match exactly, the same way round.
E: The shape is here, but upside down. It must be the same way up.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which design has the shape on the left hidden in it? It must be the same size and the same way up.
Show the worked answer
Answer: B
How to work it out
Trace the pentagon: find one of its corners in each design and follow its sides.
Only one design contains every side, the same size and the same way round.
Why the other options are wrong
A: Close, but one side of the shape is missing from this design.
C: The shape is here, but upside down. It must be the same way up.
D: This design hides the shape flipped upside down. It must match exactly.
E: The shape is here, but turned. It must be the same way up.
Question 5Aim for about 45 seconds
Which design has the shape on the left hidden in it? It must be the same size and the same way up.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A
How to work it out
Trace the trapezium: find one of its corners in each design and follow its sides.
Only one design contains every side, the same size and the same way round.
Why the other options are wrong
B: This design hides the shape flipped upside down. It must match exactly.
C: The shape is here, but turned. It must be the same way up.
D: This design hides a mirror image of the shape. It must match exactly, the same way round.
E: The shape is here, but upside down. It must be the same way up.
Want a plan built around the topics your child finds hardest?
Prism starts with a free assessment across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.