SSC Verbal Reasoning Notes: Free Topic-wise Study Material
Verbal reasoning is the part of reasoning in which the questions are given in words, letters and numbers, and not in pictures. It includes the alphabet test, analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding, word formation and dictionary order. These questions are easy to solve if you know the alphabet positions and a few simple tricks. These SSC verbal reasoning notes explain the topics in simple language with tables, solved examples and practice questions.
Verbal reasoning is a high-scoring part, because the questions are short and the answer can be found in less than 30 seconds with practice.
What You Get in These Verbal Reasoning Notes
- Topic-wise notes with tricks for letters, words and series
- Position and opposite-letter tables for quick use
- Solved examples and practice questions with answers
- Free PDF notes with a cover page for offline reading
- Links to the Reasoning notes on coding-decoding, analogy and series
Topics of Verbal Reasoning
| Topic | What is asked |
|---|---|
| Alphabet test | Position of letters, counting and opposite letters |
| Analogy and classification | Find the related word or the odd one out |
| Series | Letter, number and mixed series |
| Coding-decoding | Letter shifting, number coding and substitution |
| Word formation | Make words from the letters of a given word |
| Dictionary order | Arrange words in alphabetical order |
Alphabet Position Table
| Letters | Positions |
|---|---|
| A to E | 1 to 5 |
| F to J | 6 to 10 |
| K to O | 11 to 15 |
| P to T | 16 to 20 |
| U to Z | 21 to 26 |
Remember the letters E, J, O, T, Y (EJOTY), which are at positions 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25.
Opposite Letters
- The opposite of a letter is the letter at the same distance from the other end: A and Z, B and Y, C and X and so on.
- The sum of the positions of a letter and its opposite is always 27.
- Example: the opposite of K (position 11) is the letter at position 16, which is P.
Basic Rules for Letters and Words
- Counting from the right: position from the right = 27 − position from the left.
- Vowels are A, E, I, O and U; the other 21 letters are consonants.
- In a word-based question, first write the position of every letter below it.
- In dictionary order, compare the letters one by one from the left.
Common Mistakes
- Counting the positions wrongly from the right end.
- Forgetting that a letter may appear more than once in a word.
- Mixing the letter shift (forward) with the opposite letter.
- Not writing the positions, and trying to solve the question in the head.
How to Prepare Verbal Reasoning Step by Step
- Learn the alphabet positions and the EJOTY trick by heart.
- Learn the opposite-letter pairs until you can say them fast.
- Practise 10 questions of each topic daily and write the positions.
- Learn the rules of coding-decoding from the Reasoning notes.
- Take one sectional test every week.
- In the last month, solve complete reasoning sections within the time limit.
Tips to Avoid Silly Mistakes
- Write the position numbers below the letters for every question.
- Check the direction of the shift (forward or backward) before you answer.
- Use EJOTY and the "sum is 27" trick to save time.
- Do not spend more than 40 seconds on one question.
Practise and Revise
After each topic, attempt questions from our SSC previous year papers and the practice papers. Also read the Coding-Decoding and Analogy notes, the Logical Reasoning notes and the Non Verbal Reasoning notes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Verbal Reasoning Notes
Where can I read SSC verbal reasoning notes for free?
You can read these notes free on this website. They cover the alphabet test, word formation and related topics, and you can also buy the PDF.
What is verbal reasoning?
Verbal reasoning is the part of reasoning in which the questions are given in words, letters and numbers, such as analogy, series and coding-decoding.
What is the difference between verbal and non-verbal reasoning?
Verbal reasoning uses words and letters, while non-verbal reasoning uses pictures and figures.
What is the EJOTY trick?
EJOTY are the letters at positions 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25, and they help to find the position of other letters quickly.
How do I find the opposite of a letter?
Take the letter at the same distance from the other end of the alphabet, or subtract its position from 27.
How do I find the position of a letter from the right?
Position from the right is 27 minus the position from the left.
Is verbal reasoning easy to score?
Yes. The questions are short, and with practice you can solve them in less than 30 seconds.
Which verbal reasoning topics are asked the most in SSC?
Analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding, alphabet test and dictionary order are asked the most.
How many hours should I practise verbal reasoning daily?
About 45 minutes to 1 hour daily is enough, divided between learning and practice.
Are these notes enough for the SSC reasoning section?
They give a strong base for the verbal part. For the whole section, also read the logical and non-verbal notes and solve previous year papers.
Do I need to write positions for every question?
Yes. Writing the positions below the letters reduces mistakes, especially in coding and series questions.
Can I download these notes as a PDF?
Yes. Each note has a PDF with a cover page, available for a small price of Rs 5.