NCEE Quantitative & Verbal Reasoning — Practice and Strategy Guide
Behind every top NCEE score lies one powerful skill: reasoning.
The exam isn’t only about memorising maths facts or grammar rules; it measures how pupils think, analyse, and connect ideas.
That’s why Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning together account for a significant portion of the NCEE’s marks. They test logic, pattern recognition, comprehension, and the ability to apply knowledge quickly.
In this complete guide, The Exam Coach explains what reasoning questions look like, provides free examples, and shares expert strategies to help your child strengthen these vital skills before the 2025 exam.
Reasoning Overview
The reasoning sections appear in both NCEE Paper 1 and Paper 2. They form the bridge between English and Maths, assessing how well a child can reason through language or numbers.
Verbal Reasoning involves words:
Synonyms & antonyms
Odd-word-out questions
Word codes and analogies
Sentence completion
Logical comprehension
Quantitative Reasoning focuses on numbers and shape:
Arithmetic patterns
Number series
Spatial logic and data arrangements
Simplified word problems
💡 Exam Coach Top Tip: Reasoning questions reward clarity of thought more than memorisation. Teach your child to slow down, spot patterns, and double-check answers.
Quantitative Skills
Quantitative Reasoning (QR) develops mathematical thinking beyond basic arithmetic. Pupils must combine numerical facts with logical deduction.
Key Topics to Master
Number Patterns & Sequences – Identify relationships between numbers (e.g. +2, ×3, −4).
Arithmetic Relationships – Work with ratios, fractions, and percentages in puzzle form.
Direction & Position – Interpret simple grids or movement logic.
Data Interpretation – Use tables or charts to draw conclusions.
Word Problems with Reasoning – Multi-step problems that combine concepts.
Common Question Types
Find the missing number: 2, 4, 8, 16, ?
Symbol substitution: If ▲ = 5 and ★ = 3, what is ▲ + 2 ★?
Logic puzzles: If Monday = 1, Wednesday = 3, then Friday = ?
Comparison questions: Which number is the odd one out – 27, 36, 45, 50?
Strategy Checklist
✅ Underline numbers and operations.
✅ Work step-by-step (avoid mental jumps).
✅ Double-check unit conversions and ratios.
✅ Use scratch paper for sequences and patterns.
✅ Always estimate first; does the answer make sense?
Verbal Skills
Verbal Reasoning (VR) tests language-based thinking: understanding relationships between words and concepts rather than grammar rules.
Key Areas Covered
Synonyms & Antonyms – Select words closest in meaning or opposite in meaning.
Analogies – Identify relationships: “Hot is to Cold as Day is to ____.”
Odd-Word-Out – Detect the word that doesn’t fit the group.
Letter & Word Codes – Decode patterns like A = 1, B = 2 to solve clues.
Word Pairs and Sequences – Complete chains of related words.
Typical Question Examples
Find the synonym of “brave” → (A) timid (B) strong (C) fearless (D) polite
Opposite of “increase” → (A) reduce (B) grow (C) expand (D) rise
Odd one out: sun, moon, star, train
If CAT = 24 and DOG = 26, what is BAT ?
Complete analogy: “Teacher is to school as Doctor is to ____.”
Verbal Reasoning Strategy Checklist
✅ Read all options before choosing.
✅ Use context to find word meaning.
✅ Learn common prefixes and suffixes to guess unknown words.
✅ Practise daily vocabulary games.
✅ Re-read to catch trick questions.
Sample Questions
Below are 10 sample questions split between Quantitative and Verbal sections, modelled on real NCEE formats.
Quantitative Reasoning Samples
1️⃣ Find the next number: 3, 6, 12, 24, ___
Answer: 48 (multiply by 2 each time)
2️⃣ If a rectangle has a length of 8 cm and width of 3 cm, find its area.
Answer: 8 × 3 = 24 cm²
3️⃣ Ali buys 3 oranges at ₦60 each and 2 bananas at ₦40 each. How much change from ₦300?
Answer: (3×60)+(2×40)=260 → Change = ₦40
4️⃣ Which number is odd one out: 15, 25, 35, 40?
Answer: 40 (it is even)
5️⃣ If ▲ = 4, ★ = 2, and ■ = 3, find ▲ × ★ + ■.
Answer: 4×2+3 = 11
Verbal Reasoning Samples
6️⃣ Choose the synonym for “happy”: (A) sad (B) joyful (C) angry (D) tired
Answer: B
7️⃣ Find the opposite of “ancient”: (A) old (B) modern (C) antique (D) early
Answer: B
8️⃣ Odd-word-out: chair, table, bed, banana
Answer: banana
9️⃣ Analogy: Eye is to see as Ear is to _______
Answer: hear
🔟 Code: If CAT = 24 and DOG = 26, BAT = ? (B=2, A=1, T=20 → 23)
Answer: 23
Practice Tips
1️⃣ Start Early and Little by Little
Begin with 10–15 reasoning questions a day. Gradual practice improves retention and accuracy.
2️⃣ Mix Verbal and Quantitative Tasks
Reasoning sections often alternate between word logic and number logic. Practise both to build mental flexibility.
3️⃣ Use Timed Practice
Set a timer for 20 minutes per set. Teach children to budget time per question (~1 minute).
4️⃣ Review Mistakes
Discuss each wrong answer. Ask why the answer was wrong and what rule was missed.
5️⃣ Focus on Vocabulary and Mental Maths
A strong English vocabulary helps decode question phrasing, while mental arithmetic boosts speed in quantitative reasoning.
6️⃣ Gamify Learning
Play word and number puzzles together — crosswords, Sudoku, and logic apps like Quizlet can build pattern recognition naturally.
7️⃣ Use Past Questions
Practising with real papers from previous years is essential. You can download free official-style sets from our NCEE Past Questions Library.
8️⃣ Stay Positive and Encourage Confidence
Reasoning can be tricky at first. Praise effort and progress, not just scores. Confidence is key to success under exam pressure.
How to Assess Progress
Target Score: Aim for 70–80% accuracy in mock reasoning papers.
Track Mistakes: Note recurring errors (e.g. sequence or synonym types).
Improve Speed: Measure questions answered correctly per minute.
Seek Feedback: Submit practice papers for tutor review to identify specific gaps.
Bringing It All Together
Strong reasoning skills turn average performers into top scorers. By practising consistently and understanding how to approach each question type, your child can approach the NCEE with clarity and calm.
Soon you’ll see a marked difference in speed, accuracy, and exam confidence.
