What does a child have to do to compose a visual transformation sequence in the 11+?

Apply three stated rotations or reflections in order. It is one of 22 named non-verbal reasoning skills in the 11+, in the transform strand, and this page carries 1 interactive exercise that practises it.

What is the trap in an 11+ compose a visual transformation sequence question?

Stopping part-way through the sequence gives a figure that looks reasonable but is missing a step. The wrong answers on this skill are built out of that, not out of random numbers, so it is worth naming out loud before your child meets it under time pressure.

What is not part of compose a visual transformation sequence in the 11+?

The skill map draws the line here: Exactly three transformations are composed. One-step and two-step transformations have separate skills. A question past that line is testing a different named non-verbal reasoning skill, which is worth knowing before you spend a week practising the wrong one.

Which other 11+ skills should we practise alongside compose a visual transformation sequence?

The transform strand holds 4 skills that are placed together on the skill map, and the pages next to compose a visual transformation sequence are compose two visual transformations, reflect a visual figure and rotate a visual figure. Each has its own exercise and its own link, and none of them needs an account.

How can my child practise compose a visual transformation sequence for free?

Use Pattern Builder, embedded on this page. It is the exercise the skill map attaches to compose a visual transformation sequence, it runs in the browser with no account to make, these exercises are not scored and do not save learner records. The separate quiz sends answers for marking and shows a score, without saving an assessment record. It also has its own link, so you can send it to a child without sending them anywhere else first.

Non-verbal Reasoning · Transform

Compose a visual transformation sequence

Apply three stated rotations or reflections in order.

Watch the worked example

Three Moves, One Final Shape

This video shows how to apply three rotations or reflections in order and track the final figure. Watch an 11+ non-verbal reasoning question solved step by step.

Open video page and transcript

Keep practising with Smart Cub Learning. Find topics to practise next

Quick quiz: Compose a visual transformation sequence

10 questions, with feedback after each one. No sign-up needed.

Read the questions in this quiz

Question 1
Which option shows the figure after you rotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line?
TransformRotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D
Question 2
Which option shows the figure after you rotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line?
TransformRotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D
Question 3
Which option shows the figure after you reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 180 degrees clockwise?
TransformReflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 180 degrees clockwise
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D
Question 4
Which option shows the figure after you reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise?
TransformReflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D
Question 5
Which option shows the figure after you rotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line?
TransformRotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D
Question 6
Which option shows the figure after you reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise?
TransformReflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D
Question 7
Which option shows the figure after you rotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line?
TransformRotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D
Question 8
Which option shows the figure after you rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line?
TransformRotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D
Question 9
Which option shows the figure after you rotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line?
TransformRotate 180 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the horizontal mirror line
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D
Question 10
Which option shows the figure after you reflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 180 degrees clockwise?
TransformReflect in the horizontal mirror line, then rotate 270 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 180 degrees clockwise
- A.Option A
- B.Option B
- C.Option C
- D.Option D

Practise it now

Place the layers on top of each other. Paint every square covered by either layer.

This exercise practises compose a visual transformation sequence alongside its own main skill, Overlays & ordered transformations.

It covers most of this skill rather than all of it.

Loading the interactive exercise. Nothing you do here is saved or scored.

A worked example

One question of the kind this skill is tested with, worked all the way through: the reasoning, and what the wrong answers are there to catch.

Working through a sequence of transformations

Take the figure through the sequence one step at a time: rotate 90 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise.

Each of the 3 steps acts on the picture the step before it produced, which means the sequence has to be walked in order rather than judged from the first instruction.

TransformRotate 90 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise

Option Aflipped along the diagonal from top left to bottom right
Option Bflipped along the diagonal from bottom left to top right
Option Cturned 90° clockwise
Option Dflipped left to right

Answer: flipped left to right

How you get there

After step 1, rotate 90 degrees clockwise, the figure is turned 90 degrees clockwise. After step 2, reflect in the vertical mirror line, the figure is flipped, then turned 270 degrees clockwise. After step 3, rotate 90 degrees clockwise, the figure is flipped, with no turn. So the final figure is flipped, with no turn. Each step acts on the result immediately before it; the other options are intermediate pictures or results from changing the order.

Why the other answers tempt

Stopping part-way through the sequence gives a figure that looks reasonable but is missing a step.

If they are stuck, say this

Redraw the figure in your head after each of the 3 steps rather than jumping to the end, because one option is exactly where the sequence sits part-way through.

Now do it live in Pattern Builder

Kitchen-table script for parents

Try this together

A friendly mini script for the breakfast table, school run or a quiet two minutes. Read it aloud as written, or make it your own.

Ready? Let's try Compose a visual transformation sequence together. Take a look at the picture. Here is what matters: Shape picture with transform Rotate 90 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise made from 0 parts. Here comes the question: Take the figure through the sequence one step at a time: rotate 90 degrees clockwise, then reflect in the vertical mirror line, then rotate 90 degrees clockwise. A handy clue is: Redraw the figure in your head after each of the 3 steps rather than jumping to the end, because one option is exactly where the sequence sits part-way through. Nice work. Here is the thinking: Each step acts on the result immediately before it; the other options are intermediate pictures or results from changing the order. So our answer is: flipped left to right. One sneaky trap is: Stopping part-way through the sequence gives a figure that looks reasonable but is missing a step. Can you show me the first move in your own words? No rush; one calm step is enough.

What this exercise is doing

Pattern Builder

Place the layers on top of each other. Paint every square covered by either layer.

This engine’s own main skill is Overlays & ordered transformations. It practises compose a visual transformation sequence alongside it, and covers most of it rather than all.

An overlay combines the covered squares from every layer. Shared squares stay covered once.

What to say if they get stuck

Compare the same square in both layers.
Paint it if either layer covers it. A shared square is painted once.

Open Pattern Builder on its own page to share it

How compose a visual transformation sequence differs from the skills beside it

The same exercise practises several skills, and telling them apart is often the difficulty rather than the exercise itself. On this page the skill is: apply three stated rotations or reflections in order, and it stops where exactly three transformations are composed. One-step and two-step transformations have separate skills.

Combine visual layers
Predict the visible result of superimposing two simple layers. Occlusion rule must be inferable or stated.
Compose two visual transformations
Apply two stated rotations or reflections in order. Exactly two transformations; order matters.

Related non-verbal reasoning skills

Reflect a visual figureTrack all marked parts through one reflection.
Rotate a visual figureTrack all marked parts through one rotation.

All non-verbal reasoning 11+ skills

Questions parents ask about compose a visual transformation sequence

What this skill involves, common mistakes and ways to practise it at home.

: Apply three stated rotations or reflections in order. It is one of 22 named non-verbal reasoning skills in the 11+, in the transform strand, and this page carries 1 interactive exercise that practises it.
: Stopping part-way through the sequence gives a figure that looks reasonable but is missing a step. The wrong answers on this skill are built out of that, not out of random numbers, so it is worth naming out loud before your child meets it under time pressure.
: Point at the next move rather than explaining the whole rule. Redraw the figure in your head after each of the 3 steps rather than jumping to the end, because one option is exactly where the sequence sits part-way through.
: The skill map draws the line here: Exactly three transformations are composed. One-step and two-step transformations have separate skills. A question past that line is testing a different named non-verbal reasoning skill, which is worth knowing before you spend a week practising the wrong one.
: The transform strand holds 4 skills that are placed together on the skill map, and the pages next to compose a visual transformation sequence are compose two visual transformations, reflect a visual figure and rotate a visual figure. Each has its own exercise and its own link, and none of them needs an account.
: Use Pattern Builder, embedded on this page. It is the exercise the skill map attaches to compose a visual transformation sequence, it runs in the browser with no account to make, these exercises are not scored and do not save learner records. The separate quiz sends answers for marking and shows a score, without saving an assessment record. It also has its own link, so you can send it to a child without sending them anywhere else first.

Non-verbal reasoning is the paper families most often leave until last

A free diagnostic covers matrices, series, odd one out, rotation, reflection and the 3D questions, and shows where the time is worth spending.