Step-by-step 11 plus maths reasoning: mirror questions for parents
1 November 2026
Building reasoning skills for the 11 plus
Reasoning is a key part of the 11 plus maths exam. Many questions require children to think carefully, spot patterns, and explain their answers. Parents can help by breaking down problems into small, manageable steps.
What are mirror questions
A mirror question is a type of problem where children are given a scenario, solve it, and then answer a similar question with the details changed. This helps build flexible thinking and confidence.
Worked example: mirror question
Question 1: Sarah has 15 apples. She gives 7 apples to her friend. How many apples does Sarah have left?
Step 1: Start with the total number of apples. Sarah has 15.
Step 2: Subtract the apples she gives away. 15 - 7 = 8.
Sarah has 8 apples left.
Mirror question: Ben has 18 oranges. He gives 9 oranges to his friend. How many oranges does Ben have left?
Step 1: Start with the total number of oranges. Ben has 18.
Step 2: Subtract the oranges he gives away. 18 - 9 = 9.
Ben has 9 oranges left.
Key insight: Practising with mirror questions helps children see the underlying method, rather than just memorising answers. This builds true reasoning skills for the 11 plus.
Supporting your child at home
Encourage your child to talk through each step aloud. If they get stuck on a mirror question, prompt them to look back at the first example and spot what is the same and what is different. Over time, this approach helps them tackle new problems with more confidence.
