11 plus naming 3d shapes practice
21 October 2026
Naming 3D shapes for 11 plus
Understanding 3D shapes is a key part of the 11+ maths test. Children are often asked to identify and name shapes like cuboids, cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones and pyramids.
What your child needs to know
Most 11+ questions focus on recognising the basic 3D shapes. Your child should know the names and main features of a cuboid, cube, sphere, cylinder, cone and pyramid. It helps to know how many faces, edges and vertices (corners) each shape has.
Worked example
Step 1: Count the faces. Suppose the shape has 6 rectangular faces.
Step 2: Count the vertices. There are 8 vertices.
Step 3: Count the edges. There are 12 edges.
Step 4: Use these features to name the shape. A shape with 6 rectangular faces, 8 vertices and 12 edges is called a cuboid.
The correct answer is cuboid.
Key insight: Learning the features of each 3D shape makes it much easier for children to name them quickly and accurately in the exam.
Tip for home practice
Try gathering everyday objects (like a cereal box, ball or tin can) and ask your child to name the 3D shape. Discuss how many faces, edges and vertices each one has. This hands-on approach builds confidence and helps the names stick.
