Chapter 1 of 14

SSC CGL General Intelligence & Reasoning★ Tier 1: 3–4 Q · Tier 2: 3–5 Q — the highest-frequency reasoning pattern

Analogy — Semantic, Number & Figural

The highest-frequency reasoning pattern in SSC CGL — 3–4 questions in Tier 1, 3–5 in Tier 2, across word, letter, number and figure analogies. Every question is "find the relationship, apply it once" — this chapter catalogues the relationship families SSC draws from, so recognition becomes reflex.

⏱ 20 min readEasy difficulty✓ Free · exam-pattern aligned

Timed practiceMCQs from this chapter with instant scoring

FlashcardsFormulas & traps on spaced repetition

SSC CGL PYQsSolved previous-year questions

By the end of this chapter you'll be able to…

1Name semantic relationships precisely (worker:tool vs worker:product, study:subject, animal:young/home) and test options against a full sentence
2Solve letter analogies with positional arithmetic: uniform/mixed shifts, skip patterns and the 27-mirror rule
3Run the number-analogy operations menu in order: difference, multiple, powers/near-powers, digit operations, combined
4Disambiguate competing rules using the second given pair and the option set
5Handle number-triad analogies as a single machine (middle-from-first, last-from-middle)
6Bank analogy questions in 25–30 seconds each to fund the section's harder questions

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Why this chapter matters in SSC CGL

Analogy is the single most frequent reasoning pattern in SSC CGL — 3–4 questions in Tier 1 and 3–5 in Tier 2 across word, letter, number and figure formats. Because each question takes under 30 seconds once the relationship catalogue is internalised, analogy is where toppers 'bank' time for the harder non-verbal and puzzle questions later in the section.

Before you start — revise these

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Series — Number, Alphabet & Figural

Shares the positional-arithmetic toolkit (EJOTY, shifts); learn either first, the other becomes easy.

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Static GK — Awards, Books, Days, Art & Culture, Sports

Country:capital/currency and state:dance analogies are static-GK questions in reasoning clothing.

Analogy — SSC CGL Reasoning

An analogy question hands you one completed relationship (A : B) and asks you to reproduce it (C : ?). The entire skill is naming the relationship precisely — "related to" is never enough. SSC's relationships come from a stable catalogue: this chapter is that catalogue, with the traps marked.

1. What SSC actually asks

Tier 1: 3–4 questions · Tier 2: 3–5 questions. Four formats:

Semantic (word) analogy — Doctor : Stethoscope :: Carpenter : ? (worker : tool)
Letter analogy — CAT : FDW :: DOG : ? (each letter +3)
Number analogy — 8 : 72 :: 9 : ? (n : n(n+1) → 90)
Figural analogy — figure transforms (rotation, mirroring, element count) — see the Non-Verbal chapter for the transform kit.

2. The semantic relationship catalogue

Family	Example	Watch for
Worker : tool	Sculptor : Chisel	tool, not product
Worker : product	Cobbler : Shoes	product, not tool
Product : raw material	Cloth : Yarn · Butter : Milk	direction matters
Instrument : measures	Barometer : Pressure · Odometer : Distance	Hygrometer=humidity, Sphygmomanometer=BP
Animal : young	Cow : Calf · Horse : Foal	Lion : Cub, Sheep : Lamb, Frog : Tadpole
Animal : home	Horse : Stable · Bee : Apiary	Rabbit : Burrow, Eagle : Eyrie
Male : female	Drone : Bee (queen/worker) · Stag : Doe
Study : subject	Ornithology : Birds · Seismology : Earthquakes	Entomology=insects, Etymology=word origins
Part : whole	Chapter : Book · Petal : Flower
Degree/intensity	Warm : Hot :: Smile : Laugh	keep the direction of intensification
Cause : effect	Germ : Disease · Drought : Famine
Synonym / antonym pairs	Abundant : Scarce	first decide WHICH one it is
Country : capital/currency	Japan : Yen · Bhutan : Ngultrum	GA overlap — free marks if your static GK is solid
State : dance/festival	Kerala : Kathakali	ditto

The precision rule: state the relation as a full sentence — "a sculptor uses a chisel". Then test each option against that exact sentence. Options that are merely "associated" fail the sentence test — and those are precisely SSC's distractors.

3. Letter analogies — the arithmetic of the alphabet

Assign positions A=1 … Z=26 and find the per-letter shift or pattern:

Uniform shift: CAT → FDW is +3, +3, +3.
Mixed shifts: LEG → NGI is +2 each; but SSC also uses +1, +2, +3 (increasing) or +2, −2, +2 (alternating).
Reversal pairs (the EJOTY-killer): A↔Z, B↔Y, C↔X … the pair positions sum to 27. Test: if letter pairs sum to 27, it's the mirror-alphabet relation.
Skip patterns: BDF : GIK (consecutive alternates, block shifted +5).

Speed anchors — memorise: E=5, J=10, O=15, T=20, Y=25 ("EJOTY"), and the mirror rule ( $x \leftrightarrow 27 - x$ ).

Write positions under the letters as you read; never track shifts mentally in the exam hall.

Given $a : b$ , test in this order (cheapest first):

$b = a \pm k$ (constant difference)
$b = k a$ (multiple — 7 : 35 is ×5)
$b = a^{2}, a^{3}, a^{2} \pm a, a^{2} \pm 1$ (powers and near-powers: 8 : 72 is $n^{2} + n$ … also $n (n + 1)$ — same thing)
$b =$ digit operation (sum, product, reversal: 42 : 8 via 4+2… or 4×2 — disambiguate with the second pair!)
Combined: $b = k a \pm m$ (6 : 35 as $6 \times 6 - 1$ )

The disambiguation rule: one pair rarely pins the rule (42 : 8 could be digit-product or difference-of-34). The second given pair or the option set decides. Always verify your rule on both given pairs before applying it.

Number-triad analogies (Tier 2 flavour): (4, 20, 25) :: (6, 42, 49) — here $b = a (a + 1)$ , $c = (a + 1)^{2}$ . Treat the triad as one machine; test middle-from-first, last-from-middle.

5. Solved PYQ-style examples

Q1. Ornithologist : Birds :: Entomologist : ? Solution. Studies-subject relation → Insects. (Etymologist = word origins is the planted trap.)

Q2. ACEG : ZXVT :: BDFH : ? Solution. Each letter mirrored (sum 27): A↔Z, C↔X, E↔V, G↔T. So B↔Y, D↔W, F↔U, H↔S → YWUS.

Q3. 11 : 132 :: 15 : ? Solution. $11 \times 12 = 132$ , i.e. $n (n + 1)$ → $15 \times 16 =$ 240.

Q4. 7 : 50 :: 11 : ? Solution. $7^{2} + 1 = 50$ → $1 1^{2} + 1 =$ 122.

Q5. Moderate : Extreme :: Whisper : ? Solution. Intensity escalation → Shout. (Not "speak" — the degree must escalate, not just relate.)

Q6. 3 : 27 :: 4 : ? Solution. Could be $n^{3}$ (→ 64) or $n \times 9$ (→ 36). If both appear in the options, look again: SSC convention prefers the power relation when the base pair is $n : n^{3}$ exactly — but check the options: only one of 64/36 will be present in a fair question. If both are present, prefer the relation that also survives any third given pair.

6. Exam protocol

Say the relation as a sentence (semantic) or an equation (letter/number) before looking at options.
Verify on every given pair — a rule that fits one pair is a hypothesis, not an answer.
Letter questions: write positions under letters; use EJOTY + the 27-mirror.
Number questions: run the operations menu in order; stop at the first rule that fits all given data.
Budget 25–30 seconds. Analogy is a speed bank for the section — bank it.

Key formulas & results

Everything to memorise for the exam hall, in one card. Screenshot this for revision.

Alphabet positions

A=1 … Z=26; EJOTY: E=5, J=10, O=15, T=20, Y=25

Compute any position within ±2 of an anchor.

Mirror alphabet

pair positions sum to 27 (A↔Z, B↔Y, …)

Test: letters summing to 27 ⇒ reversal relation.

Number menu

b = a±k → ka → a², a³, a(a+1), a²±1 → digit ops → ka±m

Test cheapest first; verify on ALL given pairs.

Triad machine

(a, b, c): test b = f(a) and c = g(b) or g(a)

e.g., (4, 20, 25): b = a(a+1), c = (a+1)².

Precision rule

State the relation as a full sentence/equation, then test options

'Associated with' is how distractors win.

SSC CGL test series

Ready to be tested on this?

Analogy — Semantic, Number & Figural shows up in every SSC CGL paper — sit a timed one and find out where you actually stand.

3–4Qs in Tier 1

Very highpriority

Full SSC CGL mocks, real clock
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Traps SSC CGL sets — and how to dodge them

These are the exact option-traps and misreads that cost marks under negative marking.

WATCH OUT

✗ Accepting a loosely 'associated' option (Doctor : Hospital for a worker:tool question)

✓ Force the sentence test: 'a doctor USES a stethoscope' → 'a carpenter USES a saw', not 'works in a workshop'. The relation must be the same sentence with nouns swapped.

WATCH OUT

✗ Reversing the direction of the relation (Butter : Milk vs Milk : Butter)

✓ Mark the direction with an arrow (product ← raw material) and keep the same arrow for the answer pair. Half the semantic distractors are the correct pair reversed.

WATCH OUT

✗ Tracking letter shifts mentally and slipping by one

✓ Write positions under the letters, always. C(3)A(1)T(20) → F(6)D(4)W(23) makes '+3' visible and error-proof.

WATCH OUT

✗ Locking the first number rule that fits one pair (42 : 8 as digit product) without verifying

✓ A rule must fit EVERY given pair. When two rules survive, the option set breaks the tie — a fair question lists only one of the competing answers.

WATCH OUT

✗ Missing the mirror relation and hunting for complex shifts

✓ Quick pre-test: add the paired positions. If they sum to 27 (A↔Z family), it's the mirror — 5 seconds, done.

WATCH OUT

✗ Spending a minute on an unfamiliar semantic pair (obscure animal homes)

✓ Analogy is a speed bank. If the vocabulary itself is unknown, eliminate options by relation-type and move in 30 seconds — never derail the 15-minute section for 2 marks.

Exam-pattern practice

PYQ-style questions with full solutions. Work through them as a readiness check — mark yourself honestly and get your gap report at the end.

Readiness check

Are you exam-ready for Analogy — Semantic, Number & Figural?

10 problems from this chapter. Try each one, reveal the worked solution, mark yourself honestly — get your gap report at the end.

10 questions~7 min worth ~8 marks in SSC CGL exams

5-minute revision

The whole chapter, distilled. Read this the night before the exam.

•State the relation as a sentence (semantic) or equation (letter/number) BEFORE reading options.
•Semantic families: worker:tool/product, product:raw material, instrument:measures, study:subject, animal:young/home, intensity, cause:effect.
•EJOTY anchors (5/10/15/20/25); mirror pairs sum to 27.
•Write letter positions under the letters — never track shifts mentally.
•Number menu in order: ±k, ×k, n², n³, n(n+1), n²±1, digit ops, ka±m.
•Verify the rule on ALL given pairs; the second pair (or options) breaks two-fit ties.
•Direction matters: Butter : Milk ≠ Milk : Butter.
•Budget 25–30 s/question — analogy funds the section's harder questions.

SSC CGL question blueprint

How this topic is asked, tier by tier — so you can prep to the pattern.

Typical weightage: Tier 1: 6–8 marks (3–4 Q × 2) · Tier 2: 9–15 marks (3–5 Q × 3)

Question style	Marks each	Typical count	What it tests
Semantic MCQ	2–3	1–2	Relationship catalogue + precision sentence test
Letter MCQ	2–3	1–2	Positional arithmetic, mirror rule, mixed shifts
Number MCQ	2–3	1–2	Operations menu with verification discipline

Prep strategy

Day 1–2: memorise the semantic catalogue (young/homes/instruments/studies) — flashcards work best.
Day 3–4: 50 letter analogies with positions written out; drill EJOTY + mirror.
Day 5+: mixed PYQ sets at 25 s/question; log every miss by family to find your weak catalogue rows.

Exam-hall strategy

Battle-tested tips from mentors and toppers for this topic under the sectional clock.

Bank analogies early in the section — 25–30 seconds each, no lingering.
Semantic: full-sentence test; reject 'associated' options ruthlessly.
Letter: positions under letters; test the 27-mirror before hunting complex shifts.
Number: menu in order, verify on all pairs, let options break ties.
Unknown vocabulary? Eliminate by relation-type and move — never spend 90 seconds on a 2-mark recall gap.
In Tier 2, expect triads and double-shift letter patterns — same method, one extra written line.

Beyond the exam

Where this skill shows up in the job you're competing for — and in life.

Verbal aptitude everywhere

Analogies are the core format in CSAT, CLAT, CMAT and most state PSC aptitude papers — one catalogue, many exams.

Precise thinking

The sentence test (name the relation exactly) is the same discipline as writing a good bug report or a legal argument: association is not causation.

Vocabulary building

Semantic analogy drills double as vocabulary study for the English section — instrument names, collectives, degrees of intensity.

Pattern literacy

The number-operations menu is the same hypothesis-testing loop used in data analysis: cheapest hypothesis first, verify on all data.

Where else this topic is tested

Prepare once, score in every exam that asks it.

SSC CHSL / CPO / MTSVery high — identical formats and catalogue

RRB NTPC / Group DVery high — analogy is similarly the top reasoning pattern

IBPS / SBI prelimsMedium — appears within miscellaneous reasoning

UPSC CSATMedium — semantic analogies with heavier vocabulary

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Questions aspirants ask

Pulled from the Q&A community and mentor sessions.

Typically 3–4 in Tier 1 and 3–5 in Tier 2's Reasoning module, spread over semantic, letter, number and figural formats. Combined with classification (odd one out), which uses the same relationship catalogue, this skill family covers 5–7 questions per paper.

Verify against every given pair first — most 'two-fit' cases die there. If both survive, the option set decides: a fair SSC question lists only one of the competing answers. If both appear (rare, usually a flawed question), prefer the single-operation rule over the composed one.

Yes — it's a small, closed list (20–30 pairs each) that SSC recycles. They're pure recall marks: one evening each on animal:young, animal:home, and instrument:measures pays for itself across analogy, classification AND general awareness.

Same logic, visual alphabet: the transform (rotation 45°/90°, mirror, element added/removed) plays the role of the relation. The transform kit lives in the Non-Verbal Reasoning chapter — master rotation vs mirror there and figural analogies become 20-second questions.

The format feels like common sense, which is why unprepared aspirants lose to designed distractors (reversed direction, association-instead-of-relation, k³-style near misses). Two focused practice days on the catalogue + 100 PYQs move you from 70% to ~95% accuracy at half the time per question.