11+ Verbal reasoning · Topic explained
Letter series
What comes next: B, D, F, H…?
The big idea
Find the jump from one letter to the next, then make the same jump again.
Picture it
Hopscotch on the alphabet: count how many squares you hop each time.
Key words
- series
- letters in order, following a rule
- jump
- how many places you move along the alphabet
- pair
- two letters together: each letter has its own pattern
- wrap round
- after Z, start again at A
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
B, D, F, H, ?
- Each jump is +2.
- Two on from H is J.
- 211+ standard
CX, DW, EV, FU, ?
- First letters go forwards: C, D, E, F → G
- Second letters go backwards: X, W, V, U → T
- Answer: GT
- 311+ standard
A, B, D, G, K, ?
- The jumps grow: +1, +2, +3, +4
- Next jump +5: K → P
- 411+ standard
TV, WY, ZB, ?
- Both letters jump 3: T → W → Z and V → Y → B.
- Wrap round after Z: Z → C, B → E
- Answer: CE
The common mistake
The mistake
Follow only the first letter of each pair.
Instead
Treat each letter position as its own series.
Why: In letter pairs the two letters usually follow different rules, often one forwards and one backwards.
Where it comes up in the 11+
Letter series come up in most GL verbal reasoning papers, often as pairs with wrap-around. Use the printed alphabet.
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains letter series step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Letter series 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. C, F, I, L, ?
- M
- N
- O
- P
Show the answerHide the answer
O
Each jump is +3: L → O.
2. AZ, BY, CX, ?
- DW
- DV
- EW
- CW
Show the answerHide the answer
DW
First letters go forwards (D), second letters go backwards (W).
3. Z, X, V, T, ?
- S
- R
- Q
- U
Show the answerHide the answer
R
Each jump is two back: T → R.