If PIN is 123 and NAP is 341, what is the code for NIP?

321. P = 1, I = 2, N = 3, so NIP is 3 2 1.

If RATE is 5132, what is the code for TEAR?

3215. R = 5, A = 1, T = 3, E = 2, so TEAR is 3 2 1 5.

11+ Verbal reasoning · Topic explained

Number codes and word codes

Three words, three codes, all mixed up. Which is which?

The big idea

Each letter always has the same number. Match the most unusual word first.

Picture it

Like matching coats to pegs: start with the coat you can't mistake. A double letter means a double number.

Key words

code: numbers that stand for letters
giveaway: something unusual: a double letter, or the same first and last letter
decode: turn the numbers back into a word

Worked examples

1Warm-up
If CAT is 312, what is ACT?
- C = 3, A = 1, T = 2
- ACT → A C T → 132
211+ standard
DOOR ROAD READ have the codes 6725 5336 6325 (mixed up). What is the code for DARE?
- Only 5336 has a double, so DOOR = 5336: D = 5, O = 3, R = 6.
- ROAD starts with 6: 6325, so A = 2. READ is 6725, so E = 7.
- DARE = 5267
311+ standard
If STOP is 3421, what word is 1243?
- S = 3, T = 4, O = 2, P = 1
- 1 2 4 3 → P O T S
- The word is POTS.
411+ standard
If A = 1, B = 2, C = 3 and so on, what does 8 9 4 5 spell?
- Each number is a letter's place in the alphabet.
- 8 = H, 9 = I, 4 = D, 5 = E
- It spells HIDE.

The common mistake

The mistake

The codes are in the same order as the words.

Instead

The codes are jumbled. Find the giveaway word first, like one with a double letter.

Why: GL mixes the codes up on purpose, and there's often one code missing.

Where it comes up in the 11+

GL papers often give four words but only three codes, in a jumbled order, then ask for another code or word.

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains number codes and word codes step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable