In an alphabet series reasoning question, the terms UMP, SKN, QIL and OGJ are given. Which group of three letters should come next in the same pattern?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the alphabet series category of logical reasoning. In such problems, the candidate must examine the sequence of letters, convert them into their positions in the English alphabet, and identify a consistent pattern. Here, each term consists of three letters, and the pattern must hold across the first, second, and third positions in order to predict the missing group correctly. Understanding how each letter moves from one term to the next is the key skill being tested.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Given terms: UMP, SKN, QIL, OGJ.• We need to find the next three-letter term that continues the same pattern.• The English alphabet positions are used: A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26.• The pattern is assumed to be regular and consistent for each letter position.

Concept / Approach:
The usual approach is to separately track the first letters of all terms, then the second letters, and finally the third letters. If a constant increment or decrement appears in each of these three sub-series, we can apply the same movement to obtain the next group. By analysing the pattern in a structured way, we avoid guessing and can justify why one option is logically correct and the others are not.

Step-by-Step Solution:
First letters: U, S, Q, O. Convert to numbers: U=21, S=19, Q=17, O=15.Notice that 21, 19, 17, 15 form a series with a constant change of −2 each time.So the next first letter should be 15 − 2 = 13, which is M.Second letters: M=13, K=11, I=9, G=7. Again the change is −2 each time, so the next second letter is 7 − 2 = 5, which is E.Third letters: P=16, N=14, L=12, J=10. Once more, the pattern is −2, so the next third letter is 10 − 2 = 8, which is H.Combining these three results, the next term in the series must be MEH.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can quickly re-check the pattern by moving forward as well. Starting from MEH (13,5,8), adding 2 repeatedly produces O, G, J (15,7,10), then Q, I, L (17,9,12), and so on in reverse order, which confirms that the underlying difference is indeed two steps each time. The symmetry between forward and backward checking gives confidence that MEH fits consistently.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
RHF, MFG and NEH do not preserve the constant −2 difference in all three positions when compared with OGJ. At least one letter in each of these options fails to follow the same two-step backward movement from the previous term. Only MEH maintains the required −2 pattern for the first, second and third letters simultaneously, which makes it the only logically acceptable continuation of the series.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes look only at the first letters or check only one pair of terms, which can lead to a partially matched but overall incorrect answer. Another common mistake is to rely purely on visual similarity instead of calculating the exact letter positions. Careful attention to each individual position in the triplets prevents these errors and ensures a systematic solution.

Final Answer:
MEH