Alphabet Line

From Entrance Tests

Many Question Types involve using an Alphabet Line. An Alphabet Line is - not surprisingly - a horizontal depiction of the alphabet like this...

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Normal Use of Alphabet Line

Most questions which contain an alphabet line require you to calculate to relationship between two letters. The usual way to do this is to count forwards or backwards between the letters.

The relationship between D and M is that M is 9 letters forwards from D. This is often written as +9.

The relationship between G and B is that B is 5 letters backwards from G. This is often written as -5.

Usually, you will want to take the shortest route from one letter to the next. To do this you may need to to 'wrap' around at the beginning or the end of the alphabet.

How do we get from C to V?

You could either go forwards 19 letters

or

You could go backwards 7 letters (to 'wrap', once you get to A, the next letter back is Z) which will save you time.

Unusual Use of Alphabet Line - Mirror Relation

Some entrance tests in the past have used a different technique to get from one letter to the next. This is known as a Mirror Type Relation. Letters are related by their position in the alphabet. A goes with Z, B goes with Y, C goes with X and so on. See Mirror Type Relation for more details.