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Number series: 11 Plus verbal reasoning practice

Interleaved and alternating number patterns.

CoreIn almost every paper that tests this subjectAbout 35 seconds a question in the test

The big idea

Verbal reasoning number series often hide two sequences in one, taking turns. Look at every other term.

Tips that save marks

  • Write the differences underneath.
  • If differences look random, split into odd and even positions.

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 35 seconds

Find the next number in this series.

4, 48, 11, 44, 18, 40, ?

Show the worked answer

Answer: A, 25

How to work it out

  1. Two series take turns: 4, 11, 18 (add 7) and 48, 44, 40 (take away 4).
  2. The next number continues the first: 25.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds

Find the next number in this series.

13, 47, 21, 44, 29, 41, ?

Show the worked answer

Answer: D, 37

How to work it out

  1. Two series take turns: 13, 21, 29 (add 8) and 47, 44, 41 (take away 3).
  2. The next number continues the first: 37.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds

Find the next number in this series.

15, 52, 21, 49, 27, 46, ?

Show the worked answer

Answer: A, 33

How to work it out

  1. Two series take turns: 15, 21, 27 (add 6) and 52, 49, 46 (take away 3).
  2. The next number continues the first: 33.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds

Find the next number in this series.

17, 30, 21, 26, 25, 22, ?

Show the worked answer

Answer: D, 29

How to work it out

  1. Two series take turns: 17, 21, 25 (add 4) and 30, 26, 22 (take away 4).
  2. The next number continues the first: 29.
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds

Find the next number in this series.

16, 50, 21, 48, 26, 46, ?

Show the worked answer

Answer: E, 31

How to work it out

  1. Two series take turns: 16, 21, 26 (add 5) and 50, 48, 46 (take away 2).
  2. The next number continues the first: 31.

More verbal reasoning topics

Core

SynonymsAntonymsWord analogiesWord classificationLetter codesLetter seriesNumber seriesCompound wordsHidden words and letter moves

Often

Number analogiesLogic problemsLetter sums

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