Analogy questions are based on finding a relationship between two numbers, letters or words and using the same relationship to solve another pair.
For NIMCET 2027, practising different types of analogy questions can help you improve your logical thinking and solve reasoning questions more quickly. You will learn common analogy patterns with simple examples and practice questions.
Analogy means finding a similar relationship between two pairs of elements.
It is generally represented as:
A : B :: C : D
This means that A is related to B in the same way that C is related to D.
The first step is to identify the relationship between A and B. You then apply the same logic to C to find D.
Analogy questions can be broadly divided into three types:
Number analogy questions use mathematical operations or number patterns. You may need to identify relationships involving:
Addition or subtraction
Multiplication or division
Squares and cubes
Consecutive numbers
Prime numbers
Combination of two or more operations
For example:
2 : 6 :: 6 : ?
Here:
2 × 3 = 6
Following the same pattern:
6 × 7 = 42
So, the answer is 42.
Letter analogy questions are based on alphabet positions. The question may involve shifting letters forward or backward, finding opposite letters or arranging letters in a particular order.
For example:
I : H :: U : ?
I is shifted one position backwards to H.
If the same pattern is followed:
U → T
Students should know the positions of letters in the alphabet to solve such questions quickly.
Word analogy questions are based on the relationship between words. The relationship may involve:
Synonyms
Antonyms
Person and profession
Object and function
Part and whole
Place and person
Object and its use
For example:
Doctor : Patient :: Advocate : ?
A doctor treats a patient, while an advocate represents a client.
Therefore, the answer is Client.
Knowing some common mathematical patterns can save time while solving NIMCET analogy questions.
In this pattern:
n → n³ + 1
Example:
4 → 4³ + 1
= 64 + 1
= 65
Therefore:
5 → 5³ + 1
= 125 + 1
= 126
Here, the number is multiplied by the next consecutive number.
n → n × (n + 1)
Example:
2 → 2 × 3 = 6
6 → 6 × 7 = 42
In this pattern, the number is multiplied by the number immediately before it.
n → n × (n − 1)
Example:
9 → 9 × 8 = 72
5 → 5 × 4 = 20
Some questions may use the square of a number followed by division.
n → n² ÷ 2
For example:
10 → 10² ÷ 2
= 100 ÷ 2
= 50
Another common pattern is:
n → n² − another number
For example:
12 : 90
12² − 54
= 144 − 54
= 90
The same relationship should then be applied to the second pair.
In some questions, the product of two outer numbers gives the square of the middle number.
For example:
25 : 20 : 16
25 × 16 = 400
√400 = 20
This relationship can then be used to solve similar questions.
Letter-based analogy questions for NIMCET usually require you to work with alphabet positions.
A letter can be moved forward or backward by a particular number of positions.
For example:
I → H = −1
H → F = −2
U → R = −3
W → S = −4
The shift can remain fixed or change according to the pattern given in the question.
Opposite letters are found by pairing the beginning and end of the alphabet:
A ↔ Z
B ↔ Y
C ↔ X
D ↔ W
M ↔ N
For example:
A → Z
R → I
M → N
This pattern can be used when a question asks you to find the corresponding letters.
Some analogy questions may require you to rearrange letters in alphabetical order.
For example:
J, U, S, T
After arranging them alphabetically:
J, S, T, U
Read the question carefully because the required relationship may involve arranging, shifting or reversing the letters.
Another pattern can involve reversing a word and then changing a particular letter.
For example:
INDIA
Reversed:
AIDNI
A further change may then be applied according to the pattern given in the question.
Word-based analogy questions mainly test your understanding of relationships between words.
Words with similar meanings can form an analogy.
For example:
Phobia : Fear :: Amnesia : Forgetfulness
The relationship is based on meaning.
Some questions use opposite meanings.
For example:
Stringent : Flexible
Here, the two words have opposite meanings.
The relationship may connect a professional with the person they work for or serve.
Doctor : Patient :: Advocate : Client
The question can also connect a part with the thing it belongs to.
Tree : Root :: House : Foundation
Understanding the exact relationship is important because more than one option may appear related.
Follow these steps while solving an analogy question:
First, check whether the question is based on numbers, letters or words.
Look carefully at the first pair and find the exact relationship between them.
Use the same operation or relationship for the second pair.
Compare your answer with the given options and eliminate those that do not follow the same pattern.
Do not choose an option just because it looks similar. Make sure the same logic works for both pairs.
Practising NIMCET analogy PYQ questions can help you become familiar with the type of reasoning problems asked in the exam.
While solving previous-year questions, focus on the logic rather than simply remembering the answer. Try to identify whether the question uses a mathematical operation, alphabet position, word meaning or another relationship.
You can maintain a small notebook for questions that you get wrong or take too long to solve. Revise these questions regularly before moving to another practice set.
Previous Year & Practise Questions
Regular practice is the easiest way to improve in analogy reasoning.
Learn basic number patterns.
Remember squares and cubes of commonly used numbers.
Revise alphabet positions.
Practise opposite letters.
Improve your vocabulary for word-based questions.
Solve analogy questions with a timer.
Practise NIMCET PYQs regularly.
Revise the questions you get wrong.
Try to understand why an answer is correct instead of memorising patterns blindly. This will help when the question uses a new combination of operations.
Students often make mistakes because they identify a pattern too quickly. Some common errors are:
Using the wrong mathematical operation
Ignoring the order of numbers
Confusing next and previous numbers
Missing an alphabet shift
Forgetting opposite letter pairs
Confusing synonyms and antonyms
Choosing an option without checking the complete relationship
Always check whether the same logic works for the complete analogy before selecting your answer.
For NIMCET 2027, practise number, letter and word analogies regularly and solve previous-year and practice questions to improve your speed. Keep your NIMCET analogy PDF notes handy for revision and focus on the patterns where you make the most mistakes.
