Question 1

In the letter pair series NO, QR, UV, ZA, ?, which of the following pairs should come next to continue the pattern?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The pair series NO, QR, UV, ZA, ? looks deceptively simple, but it combines steadily increasing steps in the alphabet with wrap around from Z back to A. You must identify which pair continues the pattern. This question tests your understanding of variable step sizes and modular arithmetic on alphabet positions. Given Data / Assumptions: Pairs: NO, QR, UV, ZA, ? Alphabet positions A 1 to Z 26. We treat the first letters as one sequence and the second letters as another sequence. Concept / Approach: First, separate the first letters N, Q, U, Z, ? and the second letters O, R, V, A, ?. Convert them to numerical positions. Notice that the steps between first letters are not constant but increase by 1 each time. The same pattern occurs for the second letters. Extending this logic gives the next pair. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: First letters are N, Q, U, Z. Step 2: Positions: N 14, Q 17, U 21, Z 26. Step 3: Differences: 17 minus 14 equals 3, 21 minus 17 equals 4, 26 minus 21 equals 5. The step size increases: plus 3, plus 4, plus 5. Step 4: The next step should be plus 6. Step 5: From 26 Z, add 6: 26 plus 6 equals 32, minus 26 equals 6, which is F. So the next first letter is F. Step 6: Second letters are O, R, V, A. Step 7: Positions: O 15, R 18, V 22, A 1. Differences: 18 minus 15 equals 3, 22 minus 18 equals 4, and going from 22 to 1 is plus 5 modulo 26 (22 plus 5 equals 27, minus 26 equals 1). Step 8: This also follows plus 3, plus 4, plus 5, so the next step should be plus 6 from A. Step 9: Add 6: 1 plus 6 equals 7, which is G. Step 10: Therefore the missing pair is FG. Verification / Alternative check: The complete sequence of first letters becomes N, Q, U, Z, F (14,17,21,26,6) with step sizes 3, 4, 5, 6 modulo 26. The second letters O, R, V, A, G (15,18,22,1,7) also follow step sizes 3, 4, 5, 6 modulo 26. This symmetry between the two columns confirms that FG is uniquely correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: EF would give first letter E 5 and second letter F 6, which do not respect the increasing step pattern from Z 26. DE and GH shift both columns incorrectly and destroy the plus 3, plus 4, plus 5, plus 6 pattern. HI is further away and also does not align with the expected steps from ZA. Common Pitfalls: A common oversight is to search for a constant step and give up when it is not found, without considering that step sizes may change in a controlled way. Another mistake is to ignore wrap around from Z to A and treat letters beyond Z as invalid. Always check whether the differences themselves form a pattern, as they do here with 3, 4, 5, 6. Final Answer: The pair that correctly completes the series is FG.

Question 2

In the letter series M_Q_C_M_Q_CM, which set of letters, when placed in the blanks from left to right, will complete the series in a symmetric way?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question gives the partially hidden series M_Q_C_M_Q_CM and asks which five letter set, when inserted into the blanks in order, yields a complete and regular pattern. The visible letters suggest a structure involving M, Q, and C, and the correct completion produces a symmetric series that reads the same forwards and backwards. Given Data / Assumptions: Template segments: M, blank1, Q, blank2, C, blank3, M, blank4, Q, blank5, C, M. There are five blanks to be filled from left to right. Options are five letter strings, for example CQMCQ. The intended finished series should have a clear and simple structure, ideally symmetry. Concept / Approach: We can treat this as a pattern recognition puzzle on the completed string. A very clean and common design is to aim for a palindrome, a string that reads the same forwards and backwards. We therefore try each option, fill the blanks, and check whether the resulting sequence of letters is symmetric around its center. The correct choice will make the entire series mirror itself perfectly. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Represent the pattern with blanks x1 to x5: M x1 Q x2 C x3 M x4 Q x5 C M. Step 2: Consider option B, CQMCQ, where x1 C, x2 Q, x3 M, x4 C, x5 Q. Step 3: Substitute these into the template: M C Q Q C M M C Q Q C M. Step 4: Now compare the string with its reverse. Positions 1 and 12 are M, 2 and 11 are C, 3 and 10 are Q, 4 and 9 are Q, 5 and 8 are C, and 6 and 7 are M. Step 5: Since each pair of positions equidistant from the ends contains the same letter, the string is a palindrome. Verification / Alternative check: Test other options briefly. For example, using QCMCQ gives M Q Q C C M M C Q Q C M, in which position 2 is Q but position 11 is C, so it is not symmetric. Similarly, options C and D produce sequences where at least one pair of symmetric positions does not match. Only CQMCQ produces the perfectly mirrored sequence, which is the most natural and elegant completion of the pattern. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Options A, C, D, and E result in sequences that fail the symmetry test. At least one letter on the left side does not match its counterpart on the right side, so the series loses the regular palindromic structure. Since the visible letters M _ Q _ C _ M _ Q _ C M already hint at potential symmetry around the central MM, any option that breaks this symmetry is less likely to be intended. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to focus on small local repetitions such as MQC or CQM rather than considering the global structure. Another pitfall is to count letter frequencies but ignore their positions, which can hide the possibility of a palindrome. For pattern completion questions, especially with multiple blanks, it is often helpful to check whether the full string can form a mirrored or repeating structure. Final Answer: The set of letters that completes the series in a symmetric way is CQMCQ.

Question 3

In the triplet series FIL, LOR, RUX, ?, which of the following triplets should come next to continue the pattern?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The triplet series FIL, LOR, RUX, ?, asks you to find the next three letter group. Each position in the triplet first, second, and third letters follows a simple arithmetic progression in alphabetical order, with wrap around for letters beyond Z. Recognising these column wise patterns is the key to answering correctly. Given Data / Assumptions: Triplets: FIL, LOR, RUX, ?, Alphabet positions A 1 to Z 26. We examine three sequences: first letters, second letters, third letters. Wrap around from Z to A may be needed for later terms. Concept / Approach: We consider the first letters F, L, R, ?, second letters I, O, U, ?, and third letters L, R, X, ?. Converting them into numbers reveals constant steps. We then apply these steps one more time to find the missing letters of the next triplet. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: First letters are F, L, R. Step 2: Positions: F 6, L 12, R 18. Step 3: Differences: 12 minus 6 equals 6, and 18 minus 12 equals 6. So the first letters increase by 6. Step 4: Next first letter is 18 plus 6 equals 24, which is X. Step 5: Second letters are I, O, U. Step 6: Positions: I 9, O 15, U 21. Differences are 6 and 6, so the second letters also increase by 6. Step 7: Next second letter is 21 plus 6 equals 27, minus 26 equals 1, which is A. Step 8: Third letters are L, R, X. Step 9: Positions: L 12, R 18, X 24. Here again the step is plus 6 each time. Step 10: Next third letter is 24 plus 6 equals 30, minus 26 equals 4, which is D. Step 11: Therefore, the required next triplet is XAD. Verification / Alternative check: Write all triplets including XAD numerically: FIL 6,9,12; LOR 12,15,18; RUX 18,21,24; XAD 24,1,4. In every column the positions increase by 6 modulo 26. No other option in the list matches X for first letter, A for second letter, and D for third letter in line with this rule. Why Other Options Are Wrong: XBE and YAD differ in at least one position from the expected pattern. For example, XBE has second letter B 2 instead of A 1, which breaks the +6 rule from U 21. XYD uses Y 25 for the second letter, which would require a much larger jump. WAC changes the first letter to W 23 instead of the required X 24, so the progression fails in the first column. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to look for a pattern only inside each triplet, such as letter spacing, and miss the uniform column wise step. Another issue is neglecting wrap around arithmetic when positions exceed 26. Well structured column wise calculations help to avoid these errors and make such series straightforward. Final Answer: The triplet that should come next in the series is XAD.

Question 4

In the letter pair series FI, KM, PQ, ?, which pair should replace the question mark to continue the pattern?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The series FI, KM, PQ, ?, consists of pairs of letters where both letters move forward through the alphabet by fixed amounts. This is a classic, straightforward alphabet test question where we simply apply constant steps to both columns of letters to predict the next pair. Given Data / Assumptions: Given pairs: FI, KM, PQ, ? Alphabet positions A 1 to Z 26. We treat first letters and second letters as two separate sequences. Concept / Approach: We analyse the sequence of first letters F, K, P, ? and the sequence of second letters I, M, Q, ?. Converting letters to numbers allows us to compute the differences between terms. Once we see that both sequences follow simple arithmetic progressions, we extend them by one term to find the missing pair. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: First letters are F, K, P. Step 2: Positions: F 6, K 11, P 16. Step 3: Differences are 11 minus 6 equals 5, and 16 minus 11 equals 5. So the first letters increase by 5. Step 4: Next first letter is 16 plus 5 equals 21, which is U. Step 5: Second letters are I, M, Q. Step 6: Positions: I 9, M 13, Q 17. Step 7: Differences are 13 minus 9 equals 4, and 17 minus 13 equals 4. So the second letters increase by 4. Step 8: Next second letter is 17 plus 4 equals 21, which is also U. Step 9: Therefore the missing pair is UU. Verification / Alternative check: Write all pairs numerically: FI 6,9; KM 11,13; PQ 16,17; UU 21,21. First letters: 6, 11, 16, 21 follow a plus 5 pattern, and second letters: 9, 13, 17, 21 follow a plus 4 pattern. Only UU in the options satisfies these progressions for both positions at the same time. Why Other Options Are Wrong: MO gives first letter M 13, which does not follow the plus 5 pattern from P 16. ZA has Z 26 and A 1, which would require wrap around and non constant steps. TO and TV change the first or second letter to positions that do not maintain plus 5 or plus 4 sequences from the previous terms. Thus they cannot be correct. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates search for a single fixed step for the entire pair instead of checking each letter separately. Others forget to compare both sequences and accept an option that only fits one of the columns. The reliable strategy is to convert letters to positions, compute the differences for each sequence, and demand that the chosen pair satisfies both progressions. Final Answer: The pair that correctly continues the series is UU.

Question 5

In the letter pair series BC, JK, RS, ?, which of the following pairs should come next to complete the pattern?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The series BC, JK, RS, ?, uses pairs of consecutive letters that are widely spaced apart in the alphabet. To find the next pair, we need to track how the starting letters of each pair move forward and then apply the same step once more, keeping the internal structure of each pair (two consecutive letters) intact. Given Data / Assumptions: Pairs: BC, JK, RS, ? Alphabet positions A 1 to Z 26. Each pair consists of two consecutive letters: B C, J K, R S. The progression is determined by the first letters of each pair. Concept / Approach: Because each pair is made of consecutive letters, we only need to focus on the sequence of first letters B, J, R, ?. Once we express them as numeric positions, a constant step appears. After we find the next first letter, we obtain the second letter simply by taking the next alphabet letter after the first. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: First letters are B, J, R. Step 2: Positions: B 2, J 10, R 18. Step 3: Differences: 10 minus 2 equals 8, and 18 minus 10 equals 8. So the first letters increase by 8 each step. Step 4: Next first letter position is 18 plus 8 equals 26, which is Z. Step 5: Since within each pair the second letter is immediately after the first (C after B, K after J, S after R), for Z the second letter must be the next alphabet letter. Step 6: In circular alphabet terms, the next letter after Z 26 is A 1, because we wrap around. Step 7: Therefore the missing pair is ZA. Verification / Alternative check: Write the full series with positions: BC 2,3; JK 10,11; RS 18,19; ZA 26,1. The first letters 2, 10, 18, 26 follow a plus 8 pattern, and in every pair the second letter is one step ahead, using wrap around from Z to A if needed. No other option simultaneously has Z as first letter and the correct second letter from this logic. Why Other Options Are Wrong: YA would make Y 25 the first letter, which is 7 steps ahead of R rather than 8. TU would start at T 20 and not match the plus 8 step. BC is the first term, not a continuation. XY does not fit the required starting point of Z and also breaks the consecutive structure at the end of the alphabet. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes count positions roughly in their head and miscalculate the step size, leading them to pick YA or TU. Another mistake is ignoring the wrap around property of the alphabet and expecting the sequence to stop at Z. Converting to numeric positions and doing exact arithmetic helps prevent such errors. Final Answer: The pair that correctly completes the series is ZA.

Question 6

In the letter series TER_TE_S_ER_, which set of letters, when placed sequentially in the blanks, will complete the series as a repeated block?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The question presents a partially filled letter series TER_TE_S_ER_ and asks which four letter set, inserted in the blanks from left to right, creates a regular pattern. The visible fragments suggest that a short word-like block might be repeating, which is a very common construction in alphabet test questions. Given Data / Assumptions: Template with blanks labelled: T E R x1 T E x2 S x3 E R x4. There are four blanks x1 to x4. Options: TERT, STTT, STRS, SRTS. We expect a repeated block of equal length across the entire series. Concept / Approach: We aim to see if the completed string can be broken into identical blocks of four letters. The partial pattern TER_ at the beginning strongly hints at the block TERS. By choosing the correct letters for x1, x2, x3, and x4, we want to obtain exactly TERS repeated three times. That would provide both simplicity and regularity, which is typical of exam style patterns. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Write the template explicitly: T E R x1 T E x2 S x3 E R x4. Step 2: Try option D, SRTS, which gives x1 S, x2 R, x3 T, x4 S. Step 3: Substitute these into the template to get: T E R S T E R S T E R S. Step 4: Group the series into blocks of four letters: TERS | TERS | TERS. Step 5: Each block is identical and equal to the word TERS, so the whole series is a clean repetition of the same block. Verification / Alternative check: Check other options briefly. With TERT you get TERT followed by a different group, which breaks the repeated block idea. STTT and STRS produce mixed groups where the second and third blocks differ from the first. Only SRTS makes the sequence TERS TERS TERS, which is completely regular and clearly intended. Why Other Options Are Wrong: TERT would give the first four letters as TERT, but later letters would not group into identical blocks. STTT leads to blocks that are not the same from left to right. STRS produces inconsistencies in the middle of the sequence and destroys the neat TERS repetition. Since the visible letters TER at the beginning and the ER later in the series strongly hint at TERS, any completion that does not yield exactly TERS repeated is less plausible. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates focus on local fits around a single blank and choose an option that seems to correct only the first gap. Others search for numeric progressions in letter positions even when the structure is obviously word-like. For such series, it is better to look for repeating blocks and check whether the entire string can be partitioned into equal segments. Final Answer: The set of letters that completes the series as TERS repeated three times is SRTS.

Question 7

In the triplet series ZBJ, YCK, XDL, ?, which of the following triplets should come next to continue the pattern?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The triplet series ZBJ, YCK, XDL, ?, uses three letter groups that change in a very systematic way. Each of the first, second, and third letters follows its own step by step pattern, with first letters moving backward, second letters moving forward, and third letters also moving forward. This type of structured pattern is common in alphabet test questions. Given Data / Assumptions: Given triplets: ZBJ, YCK, XDL, ? Alphabet positions A 1 to Z 26. We separate the first letters, second letters, and third letters into three sequences. Concept / Approach: We consider first letters Z, Y, X, ?, second letters B, C, D, ?, and third letters J, K, L, ?. Each of these three sequences shows a constant step progression. Once we determine the step for each column, we can compute the next letter in that column and combine them to get the missing triplet. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: First letters are Z, Y, X. Step 2: Positions: Z 26, Y 25, X 24. Step 3: The step is minus 1 each time. Step 4: The next first letter is 24 minus 1 equals 23, which is W. Step 5: Second letters are B, C, D. Step 6: Positions: B 2, C 3, D 4, which increase by 1 each time. Step 7: The next second letter is 4 plus 1 equals 5, which is E. Step 8: Third letters are J, K, L. Step 9: Positions: J 10, K 11, L 12, again increasing by 1 each step. Step 10: The next third letter is 12 plus 1 equals 13, which is M. Step 11: Combining these results, the next triplet is WEM. Verification / Alternative check: Write the full sequence including WEM: ZBJ 26,2,10; YCK 25,3,11; XDL 24,4,12; WEM 23,5,13. The first column follows 26, 25, 24, 23 with step minus 1, and the second and third columns follow 2,3,4,5 and 10,11,12,13 respectively, with step plus 1. No other choice in the options matches these three independent progressions simultaneously. Why Other Options Are Wrong: VMW has first letter V 22 instead of W 23 and third letter W 23 instead of M 13, so all column patterns are broken. WDM has the correct first letter W but uses D and M instead of E and M, disrupting the second column sequence. WFM and XEM similarly fail to keep both the second and third columns on a consistent plus 1 pattern. Common Pitfalls: Some learners only look at one of the columns, for example noticing the J, K, L pattern in the third letters and picking any option with M as the third letter, without checking the first and second letters. Another pitfall is to think the series naturally stops at Z and ignore that the pattern continues smoothly backward from Z. Always examine all three letter positions before deciding. Final Answer: The triplet that correctly continues the series is WEM.

Question 8

In the letter pair series AT, DR, GP, JN, ?, which of the following pairs should come next to complete the pattern?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The pair series AT, DR, GP, JN, ?, involves two letter pairs where the first and second letters move in opposite directions through the alphabet with constant steps. Identifying these two simple numeric progressions allows us to determine the next pair easily. Given Data / Assumptions: Pairs: AT, DR, GP, JN, ? Alphabet positions A 1 to Z 26. We treat first letters and second letters separately. Concept / Approach: We take the first letters A, D, G, J, ? as one sequence, and the second letters T, R, P, N, ? as another. Converting letters into numeric positions reveals that the first letters move forward by a constant positive step while the second letters move backward by a constant negative step. Extending both sequences by one step gives the required pair. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: First letters are A, D, G, J. Step 2: Positions: A 1, D 4, G 7, J 10. Step 3: Differences: 4 minus 1 equals 3, 7 minus 4 equals 3, and 10 minus 7 equals 3. So the first letters increase by 3. Step 4: Next first letter is 10 plus 3 equals 13, which is M. Step 5: Second letters are T, R, P, N. Step 6: Positions: T 20, R 18, P 16, N 14. Step 7: Differences: 18 minus 20 equals minus 2, 16 minus 18 equals minus 2, and 14 minus 16 equals minus 2. So the second letters decrease by 2. Step 8: Next second letter is 14 minus 2 equals 12, which is L. Step 9: Therefore the missing pair is ML. Verification / Alternative check: Write all pairs in numeric form: AT 1,20; DR 4,18; GP 7,16; JN 10,14; ML 13,12. In the first column, we have 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, which follows a plus 3 pattern. In the second column, we have 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, which follows a minus 2 pattern. No other option in the list matches both of these progressions simultaneously. Why Other Options Are Wrong: MJ has J 10 as the first letter instead of M 13 and J 10 instead of L 12, so it does not respect either pattern. MN has the correct first letter M 13 but second letter N 14, which breaks the minus 2 progression. MK has L replaced by K 11, which would correspond to a step of minus 3 instead of minus 2. NL shifts the first letter to N 14 and no longer fits the plus 3 sequence. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes assume that both letters move with the same step size or in the same direction. Others may only check the first letters and choose a pair starting with M without confirming the behaviour of the second letters. Separating the two sequences and working numerically avoids these pitfalls. Final Answer: The pair that correctly completes the series is ML.

Alphabet Test Questions