Letter Series Questions for SSC: The Short Answer
A letter series gives single letters or groups of letters (letter clusters) that follow a rule, and asks for the missing or next term. The fastest method is always the same: turn every letter into its position number (A = 1 ... Z = 26), find the jump, and turn the answer back into a letter. After Z, counting starts again from A, so Z + 1 = A and X + 5 = C.
Key takeaway for SSC: In a letter-cluster series, check two things separately: the jump inside each cluster and the jump from the first letter of one cluster to the first letter of the next. Almost every SSC letter-cluster question is solved by those two numbers. Every example here was checked with a program.
Letter series questions appear in the reasoning sections of SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC GD and SSC CPO. For letter positions and the EJOTY trick, see our note on alphabet test and dictionary order questions for SSC.
Letter Positions You Need
| E | J | O | T | Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Use these anchors (EJOTY) to reach any letter in one or two steps. For wrap-around, subtract 26: X (24) + 5 = 29 → 29 − 26 = 3 → C.
Types of Letter Series in SSC Exams
| Type | Example | Rule | Next term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single letters, fixed jump | B, E, H, K, N, ? | +3 | Q |
| Increasing jumps | A, B, D, G, K, P, ? | +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6 | V |
| Alternating (two series) | A, Z, C, X, E, V, ? | A, C, E (+2) and Z, X, V (−2) | G |
| Opposite-letter pairs | AZ, BY, CX, DW, ? | first letter +1, second −1 | EV |
| Reverse clusters | ZYX, WVU, TSR, ? | inside −1, first letter −3 | QPO |
Letter Cluster Series: Solved Examples
Example 1: Four-letter clusters
BDFH, GIKM, LNPR, QSUW, ?
- Inside each cluster the letters move +2 (B D F H).
- First letters: B, G, L, Q, so the jump is +5.
- Next first letter: Q + 5 = V. Then V, X, Z, B (Z + 2 wraps to B).
- Answer: VXZB.
Example 2: Missing middle term
CGK, JNR, ?, XBF, EIM
- Inside each cluster: +4 (C G K).
- First letters: C, J, ?, X, E move +7 each time (X + 7 wraps to E).
- Missing first letter: J + 7 = Q, so the cluster is Q, U, Y.
- Answer: QUY.
Example 3: Reverse series
ZYX, WVU, TSR, ?
- Inside: −1 (Z Y X). First letters: Z, W, T move −3.
- Next first letter: T − 3 = Q, so Q P O.
- Answer: QPO.
How to Solve Letter Series Fast (Step-by-Step)
- Write the position number under each letter (only the first letters, for clusters).
- Find the jump between consecutive first letters.
- Find the jump inside one cluster and check it on a second cluster.
- Build the answer, subtracting 26 whenever you pass Z.
- Check the answer against the term after the gap, if there is one.
Common Mistakes in Letter Series Questions
- Forgetting to wrap after Z (W + 5 is B, not an error).
- Using the inside jump for the first letters, or the reverse.
- Counting the starting letter when moving forward (C + 2 = E, not D).
- Ignoring the term after the question mark, which confirms the rule.
Letter Series Practice Questions with Answers
- D, H, L, P, T, ? Answer: X. Jump +4.
- C, D, F, I, M, ? Answer: R. Jumps +1, +2, +3, +4, +5.
- KMO, NPR, QSU, ? Answer: TVX. Inside +2, first letters +3.
- AZ, CX, EV, ? Answer: GT. First letter +2, second −2.
- FIL, KNQ, PSV, ? Answer: UXA. Inside +3 (X + 3 wraps to A), first letters +5.
For timed practice, take the SSC MTS Alphabet Series Mock Test 03 and the SSC GD Alphabet Series Mock Test 02.
Letter Series FAQs
How do you solve letter cluster series quickly?
Write the position of the first letter of each cluster and find the jump; then find the jump inside one cluster. Combine the two to build the missing cluster.
What comes after Z in a letter series?
Counting continues from A. Subtract 26 from any position above 26: Y + 4 = 29 → 3 → C.
Are letter series asked in SSC GD and SSC MTS?
Yes. Letter and letter-cluster series appear in the reasoning sections of SSC GD, SSC MTS, SSC CHSL, SSC CGL and SSC CPO.
Practice Next
- Topic tests: SSC MTS Alphabet Series Mock Test 02, SSC MTS Alphabet Series Mock Test 03, SSC GD Alphabet Series Mock Test 02 and SSC CHSL Series Mock Test 02.
- Related notes: alphabet test and dictionary order questions for SSC, number series questions for SSC CGL and coding decoding tricks for SSC CGL.
- Browse all study notes.