Verbal Reasoning: Letter and Number Codes Set 3
Verbal Reasoning: Letter and Number Codes Set 3 is a third practice round on the three code families found in GL Assessment-style 11+ papers: letter-shift codes, alphabet-position codes (A=1 to Z=26), and letters-for-numbers keys. This set moves beyond the single added or subtracted shift of the introductory topics into rules built from a letter's own position in the word, alphabet-position codes that double or halve a letter's value, and letters-for-numbers calculations that mix three operations in one line.
Method
- Identify which code family the question uses first: two whole words means a letter-shift code, a word paired with numbers means an alphabet-position code, and a list of letters with values means a letters-for-numbers key.
- For a letter-shift code, convert both the demonstration word and its code to alphabet positions and compare position by position, checking for a shift that could depend on a letter's own position rather than a plain add or subtract.
- For an alphabet-position code, test whether the given number equals the letter's raw position; if not, check whether the position has been doubled, halved, or has had a constant added, and confirm the same rule on every letter shown.
- For a letters-for-numbers key, apply the order of operations exactly: brackets first, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction, writing down each intermediate result.
- Once the rule is confirmed on the demonstration example, apply it in exactly the same order to the new word, letter or calculation, recording every step so a slip can be traced.
- Check the finished code or value against the given options, and if none match, re-check for a rule that treats odd and even positions in the word differently.
Worked example
If the code for MILK is JFIH, what is the code for CORN, using the same rule?
- Compare MILK with its code JFIH letter by letter: M-3=J, I-3=F, L-3=I, K-3=H.
- Every letter has moved exactly 3 places back in the alphabet, so the rule is subtract 3 places from each letter.
- Apply the same rule to CORN: C-3 wraps past A back to Z, O-3=L, R-3=O, N-3=K.
- Write the coded letters in order: Z, L, O, K.
- Final answer: ZLOK.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1If the code for SPARK is URCTM, what is the code for FLAME, using the same rule? A) HNCOG B) DJYKC C) EKZLD D) GMBNF E) HNCPGShow answer
Answer: A) HNCOG - each letter of SPARK moves 2 places forward in the alphabet to make URCTM, so the same +2 shift applied to FLAME gives HNCOG.
Q2If the code for YXZW is BACZ, what is the code for VUTS, using the same rule? A) YXWV B) XWVU C) ZYXW D) YWXV E) XYWVShow answer
Answer: A) YXWV - each letter of YXZW moves 3 places forward, wrapping past Z, to make BACZ, so the same +3 shift applied to VUTS gives YXWV.
Q3Using the rule that each letter's alphabet position (A=1 to Z=26) is doubled, the code for CAB is 6-2-4. What is the code for FED, using the same rule? A) 12-10-8 B) 6-5-4 C) 10-8-6 D) 12-8-10 E) 6-10-4Show answer
Answer: A) 12-10-8 - F, E and D have positions 6, 5 and 4, and doubling each gives 12, 10 and 8.
Q4Using the rule that each letter's alphabet position is doubled then 1 is subtracted, the code for BAD is 3-1-7. Which word has the code 5-9-13? A) CEG B) CDF C) DEG D) CEF E) BDGShow answer
Answer: A) CEG - reversing the rule (add 1, then halve) gives positions 3, 5 and 7, which are C, E and G.
Q5P=2, Q=5, R=3, S=21, T=16. Work out (P + Q) x R - Q. Which letter has this value?Show answer
Answer: T (value 16) - the bracket gives P+Q=7, then 7x3=21, then 21-5=16, which matches T; S is the value you get if you forget to subtract Q at the end.
Q6A=6, B=4, C=2, D=12, E=22. Work out A x (B - C). Which letter has this value?Show answer
Answer: D (value 12) - the bracket gives B-C=2, then 6x2=12, which matches D.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
In this code, the 1st and 4th letters of a four-letter word move 2 places forward in the alphabet, and the 2nd and 3rd letters move 1 place back. If the code for SILK is UHKM, what is the code for MOON, using the same rule? A) ONNP B) PMNO C) OMNP D) NPNO E) PNNO
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F=3, G=6, H=4, J=42, K=33. Work out (F + G) x H + G. Which letter has this value?
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Using the rule that each letter's alphabet position moves forward 4 places, wrapping past Z back to A, the code for RAIN is VEMR. What is the code for GOLD, 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 3 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 14 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 2, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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