Verbal Reasoning: Letter and Number Codes Set 2
Verbal Reasoning: Letter and Number Codes Set 2 is a deeper practice round on the three GL Assessment code formats found on the 11+ verbal reasoning paper: letter-shift codes, alphabet-position number codes (A=1 to Z=26), and letters-for-numbers codes, where a key assigns a number to each of several letters for a short calculation. This set moves on to two-step and less familiar rules, such as an added constant on top of a shift, an alternating shift, or a calculation needing brackets.
Method
- Identify which code family the question uses first: two whole words (a letter-shift code), a word paired with numbers (an alphabet-position code), or a key of letters with values (a letters-for-numbers code), since each needs a different first move.
- For a letter-shift code, compare the demonstration word with its code letter by letter to find how many places each letter has moved and in which direction; if the shift is not constant, check whether it differs between odd and even positions.
- For an alphabet-position code, convert each letter of the demonstration word to its position (A=1 up to Z=26) and compare it with the number given; if the numbers do not match the raw position exactly, look for a constant added or subtracted.
- For a letters-for-numbers key, apply the normal order of operations, brackets first, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction, rather than working left to right.
- Once the rule is confirmed on the demonstration example, apply it to every letter or every value in the new word or expression, writing each result down as you go rather than working from memory.
- Watch for alphabet wraparound on shift codes, where a shift past Z continues again from A, and for a shift that moves in opposite directions on alternate letters.
- Check the finished code or value against the options given, since a single slipped letter or an operation done out of order is the most common way marks are lost on this question type.
Worked example
If the code for FLAG is HNCI, what is the code for DESK, using the same rule?
- Compare FLAG with its code HNCI letter by letter: F+2=H, L+2=N, A+2=C, G+2=I.
- Every letter has moved exactly 2 places forward in the alphabet, so the rule is add 2 places to each letter.
- Apply the same rule to DESK: D+2=F, E+2=G, S+2=U, K+2=M.
- Write the coded letters in the same order as the original word: F, G, U, M.
- Final answer: FGUM.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1If the code for TRAIN is WUDLQ, what is the code for PLANE, using the same rule? A) RNCPG B) SODQH C) TPERI D) MIXKB E) HQDOSShow answer
Answer: B) SODQH - each letter of TRAIN moves 3 places forward in the alphabet to make WUDLQ, so the same +3 shift applied to PLANE gives SODQH.
Q2If the code for CANDLE is AYLBJC, what is the code for GARDEN, using the same rule? A) ICTFGP B) FZQCDM C) EYPBCL D) DXOABK E) LCBPYEShow answer
Answer: C) EYPBCL - each letter of CANDLE moves 2 places back in the alphabet to make AYLBJC, so the same -2 shift applied to GARDEN gives EYPBCL.
Q3Using A=1, B=2, up to Z=26, the code for CLOUD is 3-12-15-21-4. What is the code for STORM, using the same rule? A) 18-19-14-17-12 B) 19-20-15-18-13 C) 20-21-16-19-14 D) 19-20-18-15-13 E) 13-18-15-20-19Show answer
Answer: B) 19-20-15-18-13 - the rule is simply each letter's position in the alphabet, and S=19, T=20, O=15, R=18, M=13.
Q4Using the same alphabet-position rule (A=1, B=2, up to Z=26), which word has the code 6-9-5-12-4? A) FIELD B) FIELS C) GIELD D) FIELE E) EIDLFShow answer
Answer: A) FIELD - decoding each number to a letter (6=F, 9=I, 5=E, 12=L, 4=D) spells FIELD.
Q5P=3, Q=6, R=5, S=33, T=18. Work out P + Q x R. Which letter has this value?Show answer
Answer: S (value 33) - order of operations means Q x R is worked out first, 6 x 5 = 30, then P + 30 = 3 + 30 = 33, which matches S.
Q6U=8, V=2, W=11, X=6, Y=27. Work out U x V + W. Which letter has this value?Show answer
Answer: Y (value 27) - U x V is worked out first, 8 x 2 = 16, then 16 + W = 16 + 11 = 27, which matches Y.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
In this code, odd-position letters move 2 places forward in the alphabet and even-position letters move 1 place back. If the code for FROST is HQQRV, what is the code for CANDY, using the same rule? A) EZOBZ B) DYPCB C) EZPCA D) FAQDB E) DZPBA
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A=4, B=9, C=2, D=28, E=11. Work out (B - C) x A. Which letter has this value?
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In this code, each letter is converted to its position in the alphabet (A=1 up to Z=26) then 5 is added. If the code for OCEAN is 20-8-10-6-19, what is the code for FOREST, using the same rule?
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the verbal reasoning: letter and number codes set 2 worksheet pack - 16 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 12 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 2, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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