Rotation
A rotation question in 11+ non-verbal reasoning shows a single figure and asks the pupil to identify how it looks after being turned by a stated angle, such as 90, 180 or 270 degrees, about its own centre, either clockwise or anticlockwise, then pick the matching result from five options without confusing rotation with reflection.
Method
- Pick one clear reference point on the figure, such as a marked corner, a dot, or the direction an arrow points, and track only that point.
- Work out where that reference point moves under the stated rotation: a 90-degree clockwise turn sends North to East, East to South, South to West, and West to North.
- Redraw or describe the rest of the figure relative to the new position of the reference point, keeping every other relationship the same.
- Remember that a genuine rotation never mirrors the figure - if left and right seem swapped in a way rotation cannot explain, that option has been reflected instead.
- Break the total angle into 45-degree steps and count how many steps are needed for rotations that are not simple multiples of 90 degrees.
- Compare your worked-out figure to the options and select the exact match, distinguishing a correct rotation from a similar-looking reflection.
Worked example
An arrow starts pointing East. It is rotated 270 degrees clockwise about its centre. Which direction does it now point?
- A 270-degree clockwise rotation is the same as three 90-degree clockwise steps.
- Step 1: East becomes South.
- Step 2: South becomes West.
- Step 3: West becomes North.
- Final answer: After a 270-degree clockwise rotation, the arrow points North.
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.
A square tile has a grey triangle in its top-left corner. It is rotated 90 degrees clockwise about its centre. Describe where the grey triangle is now, and explain your reasoning.
A three-panel sequence shows the same pentagon rotating by a fixed step each time: Panel 1 is rotated 0 degrees, Panel 2 is rotated 72 degrees clockwise, Panel 3 is rotated 144 degrees clockwise. What rotation, measured from Panel 1, would Panel 5 show, following the same pattern?
Shape 1 is a flag with its notch on the bottom edge. Rotating it 90 degrees anticlockwise gives Shape 2, a flag with its notch on the right edge. Using the same rotation rule, Shape 3 is a flag with its notch on the top edge. Where is the notch after the same rotation is applied to Shape 3?
Free printable worksheet
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