The 11+ Verbal Reasoning Exam
Guidance, practice, and free resources to support your 11+ verbal reasoning preparation
The 11+ verbal reasoning (also known as spatial awareness) exam is designed to assess a child’s ability to solve word problems when working at speed and test how effectively they can process information.
As verbal reasoning does not rely on prior knowledge, it is often used as a neutral way to assess children's aptitude and academic potential. It is not taught as part of the National Curriculum, so many children may find this style of assessment quite strange at first.
For over 60 years, Bond 11+ has provided trusted, exam‑style verbal reasoning practice, helping children become confident with unfamiliar question types so they feel calm, prepared, and ready on test day.
Whether your child is encountering verbal reasoning for the first time or refining their skills closer to the exam, Bond offers structured, progressive practice you can trust. Our resources are:
- Trusted by parents and teachers
- Suitable for GL, CEM & ISEB-style exams
- Ideal for home study and independent learning
Find out more about the 11+ verbal reasoning exam and how Bond 11+ verbal reasoning practice papers and resources can support your child or pupil on their path to exam success:
About the 11+ verbal reasoning exam
The scope and content of the 11+ verbal reasoning exam differs between regions and there are a wide range of question types that can be included. It is important to check with the Local Authority that you are applying to so that you can establish if verbal reasoning is part of the 11+ exam in your area.
What skills are required to pass the 11+ verbal reasoning exam?
To be successful in the 11+ verbal reasoning exam children must be able to:
- Sort words into groups
- Make words by rearranging letters, find hidden words within words, or create new words using rules
- Have a wide vocabulary and understand word meanings to answer a broad range of questions types
- Select words to complete sentences, combine words to make new words, and solve word analogies
- Work out and number sequences and solve codes involving words or letters
What is tested in the 11+ verbal reasoning exam?
11+ verbal reasoning papers are designed to test a children's ability to:
- Process verbal information
- Apply logical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Find and follow patterns and rules
- Determine word meaning
- Spell accurately
- Apply basic maths skills
- Work systematically
What is the format of 11+ verbal reasoning exam?
11+ verbal reasoning papers can be written in two formats: multiple-choice or standard. For multiple-choice, children need to choose their answer from a set of options and mark it on a separate answer sheet. For standard format tests, children must write their answers directly onto the question paper.
How long is the 11+ verbal reasoning exam?
The 11+ verbal reasoning exam is timed, typically lasting between 45 minutes and one hour. It is important for children to work through practice materials in both timed non-timed environments to support both learning and exam-day preparation.
What your child will learn with Bond 11+ verbal reasoning
Each Bond 11+ verbal reasoning resource is designed to develop both subject-specific skills, understanding, and exam technique, helping children to:
- Work out letter and number sequences, and code and decode words using numbers, letters or symbols
- Identify words that are most similar or opposite
- Use a broad vocabulary to solve questions with missing words or words with multiple meanings, as well as understand antonyms, synonyms, cloze exercises
- Spell accurately
- Understand how words are made by moving, changing, adding or removing letters, and use rules to create new words
- Find hidden words within words and missing letters
- Sort words into groups by placing them in categories, alphabetical order, or by recognising words with letters in common
- Improve speed, accuracy, and confidence when working under timed conditions
Clear explanations and worked examples in Bond's resources help children learn independently, reducing pressure on parents.
Bond 11+ verbal reasoning books and resources
11+ Assessment Practice
Ages 5-11+. Essential learning and exam-style practice for the 11+ exam. Ideal for beginners or for levelling-up skills.
Buy Bond 11+ Assessment Practice 11+ Handbooks
Ages 8-11+. Step-by-step guidance and techniques for answering 11+ verbal reasoning questions.
Buy Bond 11+ Handbooks 11+ 10 Minute Tests
Ages 7-12+. Bite-sized verbal reasoning tests for quick practice and revision.
Buy Bond 11+ 10 Minute Tests 11+ Test Papers
Ages 7-11+. Realistic exam-style practice papers for the 11+ verbal reasoning exam.
Buy Bond 11+ Test PapersBond CEM Practice
Ages 8-11+. Assessment Practice, 10 Minute Tests, and Test Papers, specifically created for the CEM (now Cambridge Select Insight) exam.
Buy Bond CEM Practice books11+ Vocabulary Flashcards
Ages 9-11+. Master vocabulary with 200 11+ words and definitions per pack.
Buy Bond Vocabulary FlashcardsBond Online
Bond Online Premium and Premium Plus
Ages 9+. Personalised online 11+ and independent school entrance exam prep, with questions from Bond and, powered by CENTURY's award-winning AI.
Try Bond Online PremiumFree 11+ verbal reasoning resources
Looking for more support and resources? Bond has lots of free resources to help support you and your child or pupil with their 11+ verbal reasoning preparation. You can browse our free verbal reasoning resources below.
Note that in order to access some of our free resources, you will need to register for a free Bond account.
11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Paper
Try a free 11+ verbal reasoning practice test paper from Bond, suitable for children aged 9-11. Note that to access this resource you will need to log in and visit the Free Resources section of our website.
Download 11+ Verbal Reasoning Test Paper11+ Verbal Reasoning 10 Minute Test
Try a free 11+ verbal reasoning 10 Minute Test from Bond, suitable for children aged 9-11. Note that to access the answers you will need to login and visit the Free Resources section of our website.
Download 11+ Verbal Reasoning 10 Minute TestDownload answersVocabulary Flashcard Games
Boost 11+ word knowledge with Bond's free downloadable Vocabulary Flashcard games.
Free Vocabulary Flashcard games100 Words for the 11+
Boost your child's 11+ vocabulary with this list of 100 recommended words. Note that to access this resource you will need to log in and visit the Free Resources section of our website.
Download 100 Words for the 11+ Exam11+ Nonsense Words
Practice identifying incorrectly spelt words with this free worksheet. Note that to access this resource you will need to log in and visit the Free Resources section of our website.
Download Nonsense Words WorksheetHow to Videos
Master changing words into codes and codes into words with Bond How to Videos, featuring expert tutor Alvon Stewart.
Word-Code-Word VideoFree Online Practice
Try some interactive quizzes in the Bond Free Practice area. Note that you will need to log in to your free Bond account to access the practice area.
Free online practiceBond Placement Tests
Use the Bond Placement Tests to assess your child's strengths and weaknesses across the four main 11+ subjects. Note that to access the answers you will need to login and visit the Free Resources section of our website.
Download the Bond Placement Tests Download answers