Understand the rule first
Compare examples that differ in only one feature. Assign separate code parts to shape, side count, shading, orientation or position, then verify the mapping twice.
Shape codes 11+ practice
Decode which symbol represents each visual feature.
Codes use the first digit for side count and B/W for black or white. What is 5B?
- The digit 5 means five sides.
- B means black shading.
- Combine the features: a black pentagon.
A common misconception
Treating the whole code as one label instead of separating the features it describes.
Reusable method: Compare examples that differ in only one feature.Question 1 of 8 Non-Verbal ReasoningcoreIf the first digit records the number of sides, which digit begins the code for a triangle?
- A2
- B4
- C3
- D6
Need a hint?
Count the triangle’s sides.
Show worked answer
Answer C: 3
A triangle has 3 sides, so its code begins with 3.
Quick method: Compare examples that differ in only one feature.
Question 2 of 8 Non-Verbal ReasoningcoreA code uses the side count followed by B for black shading. What is the code for a black pentagon?
- A4B
- B5W
- CB5
- D5B
Need a hint?
A pentagon has five sides and black is B.
Show worked answer
Answer D: 5B
The correct code is 5B.
Quick method: Compare examples that differ in only one feature.
Question 3 of 8 Non-Verbal ReasoningcoreA code uses the first digit for side count and H for hollow. What does 4H represent?
- Aa hollow quadrilateral
- Bfour hollow circles
- Ca black quadrilateral
- Da hollow triangle
Need a hint?
Separate the digit’s meaning from the shading letter.
Show worked answer
Answer A: a hollow quadrilateral
Four sides give a quadrilateral and H makes it hollow.
Quick method: Compare examples that differ in only one feature.
Question 4 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-stylePosition codes use TL, TR, BL and BR; the number gives side count. What does BR-3 mean?
- Athree shapes in a row
- Ba triangle at bottom-right
- Ca triangle at top-right
- Da square at bottom-right
Need a hint?
Decode the position and side count separately.
Show worked answer
Answer B: a triangle at bottom-right
BR is bottom-right and 3 sides means a triangle.
Quick method: Compare examples that differ in only one feature.
Question 5 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-styleThe number gives side count and H means hollow. Which figure is coded 6H?
- Asolid hexagon
- Bhollow pentagon
- Chollow hexagon
- Dsix hollow circles
Need a hint?
Six sides identify a hexagon.
Show worked answer
Answer C: hollow hexagon
6H represents a hollow six-sided shape: a hollow hexagon.
Quick method: Compare examples that differ in only one feature.
Question 6 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-styleA code uses the number of sides followed by S for solid. What is a solid square?
- A3S
- BS4
- C4S
- D4H
Need a hint?
A square has four sides.
Show worked answer
Answer C: 4S
Four sides followed by solid gives 4S.
Quick method: Compare examples that differ in only one feature.
Question 7 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-stylePosition is coded TL, TR, BL or BR and black shading is B. How is a black mark at top-left coded?
- ATR-B
- BBL-B
- CTL-W
- DTL-B
Need a hint?
Decode position and shade separately.
Show worked answer
Answer D: TL-B
Top-left is TL and black is B, so the code is TL-B.
Quick method: Compare examples that differ in only one feature.
Question 8 of 8 Non-Verbal Reasoningexam-styleT means triangle and the number gives quantity. What does T3 mean?
- Athree triangles
- Ba triangle with three shaded corners
- Ca three-sided code
- Dthree turns
Need a hint?
Read the shape symbol, then the quantity.
Show worked answer
Answer A: three triangles
T denotes triangle and 3 denotes three of them.
Quick method: Compare examples that differ in only one feature.