What is Letter Pairs?
Letter pair questions give you several pairs of letters that are connected by the same rule. You need to find that rule and apply it to complete a new pair.
Common rules include: letters that are a fixed distance apart in the alphabet, letters that are mirror images in the alphabet (A-Z, B-Y, C-X), or pairs that form the start and end of a word.
Step-by-Step Method
Number each letter
Convert all letters to their alphabet positions (A=1, B=2, etc.) so you can spot numerical relationships.
Find the connection
Look at the gap between each pair. Is it always the same? Do the numbers add up to the same total? Is there a multiplication pattern?
Test the rule
Check your rule works for every given pair, not just the first one.
Apply to the target
Use the rule to find the missing letter in the incomplete pair.
Worked Examples
AB, CD, EF – what comes next?
Working
- A=1,B=2 – consecutive letters
- C=3,D=4 – consecutive letters
- E=5,F=6 – consecutive letters
- Pattern: pairs of consecutive letters, starting 2 positions on each time
- Next pair starts at G: GH
If (A,Z), (B,Y), (C,X), then (D,?)
Working
- A=1, Z=26: 1+26=27
- B=2, Y=25: 2+25=27
- C=3, X=24: 3+24=27
- Rule: both letters add up to 27
- D=4, so partner = 27-4 = 23 = W
Common Mistakes
Spotting a rule from just one pair and assuming it is correct.
Always verify your rule against every pair given before applying it to the target.
Miscounting alphabet positions, especially for letters in the middle of the alphabet.
Write out the full alphabet with numbers. Common landmarks: J=10, M=13, T=20, Z=26.
Top Tips
- Learn your alphabet positions by heart – it saves time on every question.
- Common rules: same gap, adds to 27, mirror image, double the position.
- If the rule is not numerical, think about words – do the pairs spell something?
- Write neatly so you do not confuse similar-looking letters.
Ready to practise?
Put these techniques into action with our free practice papers.
Practise Verbal Reasoning Questions