Verbal Reasoning Letter Series
A Letter Series question shows a row of letter pairs — like BG, CJ, DM, EP — that follow a hidden rule. The trick is that each pair holds two separate patterns: the first letters make one series and the second letters make another. Track the two strands on their own, count along the alphabet, and continue each.
💡 Worked example
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
Use the alphabet above to help you.
Find the pair of letters that continues the series:
BG CJ DM EP [ ? ]
How to answer
Common things to look for
Each strand of the pair hides one of these — check them separately:
- A steady step — the strand moves the same number of places each time (+1, +2, +3…) or backwards (−1, −2…).
- Two different steps — the first strand might move +1 while the second moves +3; they rarely match.
- One up, one down — a very common exam trick: the first letters climb the alphabet while the second letters fall.
- A changing step — a strand can speed up (+1, +2, +3, +4…) rather than move a fixed amount.
Watch for these traps
- Count on the alphabet, not in your head. Write A–Z in the margin the moment you meet a letter question, and count places along it rather than trying to jump letters in your head.
- Don't mix the strands. Finish the first letters completely, then start on the second letters — muddling the two is the commonest mistake.
- Watch the direction. A strand going backwards (Z, Y, X…) is easy to read forwards by accident. Check which way each strand is travelling.
Try these yourself
Now have a go yourself — tap the pair that comes next.
✏️ Question 1
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
Use the alphabet above to help you.
Find the pair of letters that continues the series:
AZ CX EV GT [ ? ]
The answer is IR
first letters A, C, E, G go up +2 each → I; second letters Z, X, V, T go down −2 each → R, giving IR.
✏️ Question 2
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
Use the alphabet above to help you.
Find the pair of letters that continues the series:
DE GF JG MH [ ? ]
The answer is PI
first letters D, G, J, M go up +3 each → P; second letters E, F, G, H go up +1 each → I, giving PI.
✏️ Question 3
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
Use the alphabet above to help you.
Find the pair of letters that continues the series:
BT DP FL HH [ ? ]
The answer is JD
first letters B, D, F, H go up +2 each → J; second letters T, P, L, H go down −4 each → D, giving JD.
Related
- The complete 11+ question-type guide
- VR: Number Series — the same "find the rule, continue it" trick with numbers
- VR: Letter Analogies — apply a letter shift to a new pair
- VR: Letter Codes — letters standing in for each other
All example questions come from the Brainblox question bank — practise this question type inside 15 arcade games, timed mock exams and focused practice. Brainblox is an independent app: not affiliated with, endorsed by or licensed by any exam board, school or assessment publisher, and it contains no past papers.