Cube nets is one of the standard non-verbal reasoning patterns in GL-style 11+ papers. Which net folds into the shown cube? NVR rewards method over talent more than any other 11+ subject — children who learn to interrogate shapes systematically routinely overtake 'naturally spatial' peers who guess.
What the question looks like
Which net folds into the shown cube? Expect several per paper; in reasoning-only regions such as Lincolnshire, NVR carries half the total marks.
The method
Pick the cube's front face on the net and mentally fold the neighbours. Opposite faces on a cross-shaped net are separated by one square — faces that touch on the cube can never be opposite on the net.
The traps
Forgetting orientation of face designs after folding; testing all options instead of eliminating by the opposite-faces rule.
How to practise this type
Do this type in short, focused bursts — ten questions, mark, review every error out loud ('what property did I miss?'). Our free NVR worksheet sets isolate each pattern, the full NVR types list maps the territory, and timed mock papers knit the types back together at exam pace.