11+ Verbal reasoning · Topic explained
Letter analogies
If AB goes to BC, where does MN go?
The big idea
See how each letter moved in the first pair, then move the new letters the same way.
Picture it
A dance: each letter copies the same steps its partner took.
Key words
- move
- how far each letter steps along the alphabet
- mirror
- A swaps with Z, B with Y, C with X…
- swap
- the two letters change places
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
SU is to TV as CE is to ?
- S → T and U → V: both move on 1.
- C → D, E → F: DF
- 211+ standard
HG is to ST as WX is to ?
- H and S are mirror letters (8th from each end); so are G and T.
- Mirror W → D, X → C
- Answer: DC
- 311+ standard
GI is to IK as RI is to ?
- G → I and I → K: both move on 2.
- R → T, I → K: TK
- 411+ standard
DF is to FD as VU is to ?
- DF → FD: the letters just swap.
- VU → UV
The common mistake
The mistake
Both letters always move the same way.
Instead
Each letter can have its own move, or be a mirror or a swap.
Why: Checking only the first letter misses a different second move.
Where it comes up in the 11+
GL letter analogies use steps along the alphabet, mirror letters and swaps, with the alphabet printed for you.
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains letter analogies step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Letter analogies worksheet
Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.
Download the worksheet (PDF)Free account needed: it takes a minute.
Quick quiz
Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.
1. OA is to PB as RS is to ?
- ST
- TS
- SS
- QR
Show the answerHide the answer
ST
Both letters move on 1.
2. QS is to SU as TS is to ?
- VU
- UV
- UU
- VV
Show the answerHide the answer
VU
Both letters move on 2: T → V, S → U.
3. AB is to ZY as CD is to ?
- XW
- WX
- DE
- YX
Show the answerHide the answer
XW
Mirror letters: C ↔ X, D ↔ W.