Alphabet Series For Competitive Exam

Alphabet Series: Introduction

It is the string of alphabets, either in a single or combination, that forms a sequence and thus, comprises the alphabet test reasoning section. The alphabetic series come together following a definite rule and the candidate is expected to detect the same rule to solve the questions. Oftentimes an alphabet series or sequence is present in the question and the candidate is just required to find the missing term. Other times the question might ask the candidate to find the wrong term or alphabet not belonging to the sequence.

Mapping the alphabets:

The first step a candidate needs to take when encountering the alphabet series questions for bank exams is to map the alphabet and its position in terms of numbers. The following mentioned chart will help you know the position of alphabets in terms of the numbers:

This particular table will help the candidates crack every reasoning alphabet series question with ease.

Discussing different types of alphabet reasoning:

Following mentioned are different types of alphabet series questions for bank exams:

Missing Alphabet Series

In such types of alphabet test reasoning questions, alphabets are present with one alphabet missing from the sequence. The candidate is required to find the missing letter.

For example,

Question: The missing letter in the alphabet series M, P, S, _, Y is?

Solution: When looking at the table, the candidate can figure out that the letter M, P, S, and Y correspond to the numbers 13, 16, 19, and 25, respectively. Therefore, the missing alphabet must be V corresponding to the number 22 according to the rule of the sequence.

Circular Alphabet Series

In such types of alphabet test reasoning questions, the alphabetic sequence does not stop at Z = 26. Rather all alphabets are put on the surface of a circle having equal distance between each other. A convenient method to solve the alphabet circular order questions is to imagine that all alphabets fall in a straight line and label them with the numbers like start the alphabets from A = 1, then A = 27, A = 53, and so on.

For example,

Question: Find the missing letter in the alphabet series: W, B, J, _.

Solution: First, a candidate is required to find the numbers corresponding to the alphabet as mentioned in the given question. Here, according to the circular alphabet order rule, W = 24, B = 28, and J = 36. It can be seen that the difference between W and B is 4. Similarly, the difference between B and J is 8. Thus, the next alphabet in the given series should have a difference of 12 with J. So, the next alphabet in the given series will be V.

Finding the Odd Series of Alphabets

In such types of alphabet test reasoning questions, a number of series will be mentioned and candidates are required to determine which among them doesn’t make a series.

For example,

Question: In the given question, a sequence of series is mentioned and one of them is wrongly put. Find the wrong alphabet series.

R, U, Y, D

G, Q, A, K

B, M, X, A

Solution: First, candidates need to figure out the rule of the sequence. Using the table makes it easy to guess the rule. For instance, in the first series, R = 18, U = 21, Y = 25, and D = 4 (circular alphabet order). Thus, this particular series follows the rule of circular alphabet order.

Now, let’s solve the second series, G = 7, Q = 17, A = 1, and K = 11. It also forms a circular alphabet order. Let’s solve the third series, B = 2, M = 13, X = 24, and A = 1. This particular series does not form a circular alphabet order. Therefore, it can be said that this is the odd series of alphabets.

Conclusion

The alphabet series questions consist of a string of alphabets, either in a single or in combination forming the sequence. The reasoning section in almost every competitive exam contains alphabet series questions. Consider going through the above-mentioned article to know more about the concept of alphabet test reasoning, along with examples.