Analogies
An analogy question in 11+ non-verbal reasoning gives a pair of figures where the second is related to the first by a single rule, written as Figure 1 is to Figure 2, then asks the pupil to apply that same rule to a third figure and choose the matching result from five options. It tests isolating exactly one rule and transferring it correctly.
Method
- Compare Figure 1 with Figure 2 and describe, in words, every way the second figure differs from the first.
- Decide which of those differences is the single rule being tested, and ignore anything that stays the same.
- Apply that same rule, and only that rule, to Figure 3.
- Build a full description of the expected answer before looking at the options.
- Compare your description against each option and watch for options that apply the wrong rule or apply the right rule twice.
Worked example
Figure 1 is a small white triangle. Figure 2 is a small black triangle. Figure 3 is a small white square. What should the answer figure look like?
- Compare Figure 1 to Figure 2: the shading changes from white to black, while size and shape stay the same.
- That single rule is change the shading to black.
- Apply the same rule to Figure 3, a small white square, by changing its shading to black and keeping its size and shape the same.
- Final answer: The answer figure is a small black square.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Figure 1: white square. Figure 2: black square. Figure 3: white hexagon. What should the answer figure look like, and what rule did you use?
Figure 1: circle with 1 dot, unshaded. Figure 2: circle with 3 dots, unshaded. Figure 3: circle with 2 dots, shaded grey. What should the answer figure look like?
Figure 1: small hexagon rotated 0 degrees, unshaded. Figure 2: small hexagon rotated 60 degrees clockwise, shaded black. Figure 3: large octagon rotated 30 degrees clockwise, unshaded. What should the answer figure look like?
Free printable worksheet
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