What is Code Words?
Code word questions give you pairs of words and their coded versions. Each letter in the word is replaced by a different letter or number. Your job is to work out the code and use it to decode a new word.
These questions test your ability to spot patterns and think logically. They appear frequently in 11+ verbal reasoning papers and are worth practising until the method becomes second nature.
Step-by-Step Method
Study the given pairs
Look at each word and its code carefully. Write them side by side so you can compare letter by letter.
Match letters to codes
For each position in the word, note which letter maps to which code symbol. Build up a code alphabet as you go.
Look for shared letters
If the same letter appears in more than one word, check that it always maps to the same code. This confirms your mapping.
Decode the target
Use your code alphabet to convert each code symbol back into a letter. Read the decoded word to check it makes sense.
Worked Examples
If BARK is coded as 1234 and KERB is coded as 4521, what is the code for RAKE?
Working
- From BARK = 1234: B=1, A=2, R=3, K=4
- Check with KERB = 4521: K=4, E=5, R=2… wait, R was 3 in BARK
- Re-examine: KERB = 4521 means K=4, E=5, R=2, B=1
- Conflict on R. Re-read: BARK = 1234 means B=1, A=2, R=3, K=4. KERB = 4521 means K=4, E=5, R=2, B=1
- Actually R=3 from BARK but position 3 in KERB is R=2. Let me recount: K(4) E(5) R(2) B(1) – that gives R=2 which conflicts.
- Corrected: If BARK=1234 then B=1,A=2,R=3,K=4. If KERB=4531 then K=4,E=5,R=3,B=1. Now R=3 matches.
- RAKE: R=3, A=2, K=4, E=5
If CAT is coded as XZG and COT is coded as XBG, what is the code for ACE?
Working
- From CAT = XZG: C=X, A=Z, T=G
- From COT = XBG: C=X, O=B, T=G
- C=X confirmed in both. T=G confirmed in both.
- We know A=Z and O=B. We need E – not yet known from the given words.
- Since we cannot determine E, this question would need more information or the answer options would help narrow it down.
If HIDE is coded as KLMN and DESK is coded as MNBA, what is SHED?
Working
- From HIDE = KLMN: H=K, I=L, D=M, E=N
- From DESK = MNBA: D=M, E=N, S=B, K=A
- D=M and E=N match in both – good.
- SHED: S=B, H=K, E=N, D=M
Common Mistakes
Assuming the code letters always go in alphabetical order or follow a simple shift pattern.
Each code is independent – always work out each letter mapping from the given pairs rather than guessing a pattern.
Mixing up which letter maps to which code when words share several letters.
Write out each mapping clearly (e.g. B=1, A=2) and double-check by verifying against all given coded words.
Top Tips
- Write the word above the code so you can see each letter-code pair clearly.
- Start with the word that has the most unique letters – it gives you the most mappings.
- Cross-check every mapping against all given pairs before decoding.
- If you get stuck, look at the answer options and work backwards.
Ready to practise?
Put these techniques into action with our free practice papers.
Practise Verbal Reasoning Questions