Coding–Decoding

Concept Notes (Logical Reasoning)

1. What is Coding–Decoding?

Coding–decoding questions test your ability to understand patterns or rules used to

convert words, letters, or numbers into a different form (“code”) and apply the same rule to
decode or encode new information.

2. Types of Coding–Decoding

A. Letter Coding

A word is coded by replacing each letter with another letter using a certain pattern.

Common patterns:

1. Alphabet positions:

o A = 1, B = 2 … Z = 26

o Reverse positions: A = 26, B = 25 … Z = 1

2. Shift/Sequence coding:

o Each letter shifted forward/backward by +1, +2, –1 etc.

Example:

If CLOUD is coded as BKNTE, what is the code for RAIN?

Rule used: each letter → previous letter (–1 shift).
So, R→Q, A→Z, I→H, N→M
Answer: QZHM

B. Number Coding

Words or letters are represented as numbers.

Common patterns:

• Sum of alphabetical positions

• Total letters × a number

 • Different digits represent letters

• Pattern applied consistently across examples

Example

If BALL = 24, CAT = 24, find DOG.

BALL → 2+1+12+12 = 27
CAT → 3+1+20 = 24
DOG → 4+15+7 = 26
Answer: 26

C. Substitution Coding

Objects or words are substituted with arbitrary names.

Example

If ‘pen’ is called ‘book’, ‘book’ is called ‘chair’, ‘chair’ is called ‘desk’,

What do we write with?
We write with a pen, but pen is called book.
Answer: book

D. Mixed (Word–letter–number) Coding

Multiple coded sentences are given and the meaning of words is deduced by comparing
them.

Example

1. “Ram likes mango” → ti ra jo

2. “Mango is sweet” → jo ka mi

3. “Ram is tall” → ti mi pa

Find the code for “sweet”.

Compare (2) with others:

• “sweet” appears only in sentence 2 → code ka

Answer: ka
E. Matrix Coding

Letters are encoded using rows and columns of a matrix.

Example (simplified)

A letter is coded as row-column → A = 11, B = 12, …

Given code 23, find letter at row 2, column 3.

F. Symbol Coding

Words are coded using symbols like %, #, @, $, etc., following a fixed mapping.

3. How to Solve Coding–Decoding Questions Quickly

Observe patterns

Check for:

• Position shifts (e.g., +2, –1)

• Reversal of letters

• Alternating operations

• Vowel/consonant-based rules

Compare input–output pairs

Look for consistent operation applied to every letter or every word.

Break into components

For complex codes, check:

• First letter pattern

• Last letter pattern

• Middle letters pattern

• Number patterns separately

Use elimination

If choices are given (MCQs), map only differences.

 Practice alphabet positions

Memorize:

• A=1, E=5, I=9, J=10, M=13, O=15, Q=17, T=20, Z=26

…and reverse positions too.

4. Common Patterns & Tricks

Letter Shift Examples

• A→C (+2)

• H→E (–3)

Reversal

CAT → TAC

Alternate Letters

Shift odd-position letters differently from even-position ones.

Vowel/Consonant Rules

Vowels may follow one pattern, consonants another.

Number Encoding Tricks

• Square: e.g., 4² = 16

• Product of letter positions

• Difference between positions of first and last letters

• Sum of ASCII-like patterns

5. Sample Practice Questions

Q1. If HOME is coded as IPNF, what is the code for DATA?

Rule: +1 shift
D→E, A→B, T→U, A→B
Answer: EBUB

Q2. If SUN = 54, find SKY.

SUN → 19+21+14 = 54
SKY → 19+11+25 = 55
Answer: 55

Q3. In a code, NEVER GIVE UP is written as PGAHT IKWG WR. What is the rule?

Each letter is shifted by +2

N→P, E→G, V→X …
(Spaces preserved)

6. Final Tips for Exams

• Always check if the transformation is uniform.

• Try writing alphabet positions on paper for quick reference.

• Solve backwards if decoding.

• Practice typing patterns quickly—many shifts repeat across questions.

 CODING AND DECODING - 1 – PRACTICE QUESTIONS
By Subhash Vaddepally
Ph: 96666 56650
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01. If CEJQ is coded as XVQJ, then BDIP will be coded as :
a) WURQ b) YWRK c) WUPI d) YWPI e) None
02. If ‘EFGHIJ’ are coded letters representing ‘VUTSRQ’. Choose the right code for the word‘ZERO’.
a) BUHN b) AVIM c) AVIL d) AUTL e) AVTI
03. ‘GO AHEAD’ is coded as ‘JRDKHDG’ and STOP is coded as ‘VWRS’, how will you code/decode the letters for the word GRZQ.
a) OWNS b) DOWN c) DONE d) COME e) SHUT
04. If MAILED is coded as NBJMFE. How will you code the word ACTED?
a) BDUFE b) BUDFE c) BUFDE d) BDUEF e) None
05. If TSEREVE and NOITACUDE stands for EVEREST and EDUCATION respectively. How will you code RED FORT.
a) FDERTRO b) ROFDERT c) TROFDER d) TFRODER e) None
06. If LODES is coding as 463121, how will you code the word DOES?
a) 4632 b) 3261 c) 3621 d) 6321 e) None
07. If ‘FIRE’ is coded for a secret message to be tele printed as ‘EHQD’, how is the reply ‘DONE’ to be relayed?
a) DMOE b) CNMD c) DLNC d) DNDE e) None
08. In a certain code ‘MOTHER’ is written as OMHTRE. How will ‘ANSWER’ be written in that code?
a) NBWRRF b) MAVSPE c) NBWTRD d) NAWSRE e) None
09. In a certain code, MONKEY is written as XDJMNL. How is TIGER written in that code?
a)QDFHS b) QDFSH c) FGHIR d) REFDS e) None
10. In a certain code, BOMBAY is written as MYMYMY. How is TAMIL NADU written in that code?
a) TIATIATIA b) IATIATIAT c) MNUMNUMNU d) ALDALDALD e) None
11. In a code DID = 17and DONE = 38, then BASIS = ?
a) 50 b) 51 c) 45 d) 49 e) None
12. In a code SHARP = 58034 and PUSH = 4658, then RUSH = ?
a) 3658 b) 3568 c) 5447 d) 6855 e) None
[Link] in a certain language, MADRAS is written as NBESBT, how is BOMBAY coded in that code?
a)CPNCBX b)CPNCBZ c)CPOCBZ d)CQOCBZ e) None
14. In a certain language TRIPPLE is written as SQHOOKD, how is DISPOSE written in that code?
a)CHRONRD b)DSOESPI c)ESJTPTF d)ESOPSID e)None
15. If in a code language, COULD is written as BNTKC and MARGIN is written as LZQFHM, how will MOULDING be written in that
code?
a)CHMFINTK b)LNKTCHMF c)LNTKCHMF d)NITKHCMF e)None
16. In a certain code, MUNICIPALITY is written as INMUAPCIYTLI, how is JUDICIAL written in that code?
a) UJDILACI b) IDUJLACI c)IDJULAIC d)IDJULACI e)None
17. If FRAGRANCE is written as SBHSBODFG, how can IMPOSING be written?
a)NQPTJHOJ b)NQPTJOHI c)NQTPJOHJ d)NQPTJOHJ e)None
18. In a certain code, COMPUTER is written as RFUVQNPC, how is MEDICINE written in the same code?
a)EOJDJEFM b)EOJDEJFM c)MFEJDJOE d)MFEDJJOE e)None
19. If in a certain code, GAMBLE is written as FBLCKF, how FLOWER is coded in that code?
a)GKPVFQ b)EMNXDS c)GMPVDS d)HNQYGT e)EKNVDQ
20. If in a certain code, NATURE is coded as MASUQE, how is FAMINE coded in that code?
a)FBMJND b)FZMHND c)GANIOE d)EALIME e)FZNJME
21. If in a certain code, TEACHER is written as VGCEJGT , how would DULLARD be written in that code?
a)FWMNCTF b)FWNNBTE c)FWNNCSF d)FWNNCTF e)None
22. If in a certain code, FASHION is coded as FOIHSAN, how is PROBLEM is written in that code?
a)ROBLEMP b)PELBORM c)PRBOELM d)RPBOELM e)PELBROM
23. If in a certain code, KINDLE is coded as ELDNIK, how is EXOTIC coded in that language?
a)EXOTLC b)CXOTIE c)COXITE d)CITOXE e)EOXITC
24. If CERTAIN is coded as XVIGZRM, how can MUNDANE be coded?
a)MFMXZMV b)NFMWZMV c)NFMWZMX d)VMZWMFN e)None
25. In a certain code DATE is written as #%$@ and STYLE is written as *$©!@. How is DELAY written in that code?
a)#@!%© b)#©$%@ c)#@$%© d)#$!%© e)None
26. In a certain code ABRACADABRA is written as ZYIZXZWZYIZ. How is HOCUSPOCUS written in that code?
a)SLXFHKLXFH b)SLXZHKLXFH c)SLXFHKMXFH d)SLXFHILXFH e)None
27. In a certain code DECEMBER is written as RDEEBCME. How is FEBRUARY written in that code?
a)YFAERBRU b)YFREABUR c)YFAEBRUR d)YFAERUBR e)None
28. In a certain code SUCCESS is written as TWFGJYZ. How is MIRACLE written in that code?
a)NKVEHRL b)NKUEHRL c)NKTEHRL d)NKUHHRL e)None
29. In a certain code HYD is written as 50. How is NAG written in that code?
a) 2 b) 0.5 c) 1 d) 20 e)None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------

Key: 1.b 2.c 3.b 4.a 5.c 6.c 7.b 8.d 9.a 10.c 11.a 12.a 13.b 14.a

15.c 16.d 17.d 18.a 19.b 20.d 21.d 22.b 23.d 24.b 25.a 26. a 27. B 28.b 29. a
 CODING AND DECODING - 2 – PRACTICE QUESTIONS
By Subhash Vaddepally
Ph: 96666 56650
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directions (1-2): Study the following information to answer the given questions.
In a certain code: ‘for profit order now’ is written as ‘ho ja ye ga’ ; ‘right now for him’ is written as ‘ga ve ja se’ ;
‘place order for profit’ is written as ‘ga bi ho ye’ ‘only in right order’ is written as ‘ve du ye zo’
01. ‘ho ve du’ could be a code for which of the following?
a)In right profit b)only in profit c)Order only him d)Place in right e)Order only now
02. Which of the following may represent ‘only for now’?
a)ja bi zo b)du zo ga c)zo ga ja d)zo ga ye e)du bi ja
Directions (3-5): Study the following information to answer the given questions
‘rise and shine’ is written as ‘9 3 5’; ‘nice sun rise’ is written as ‘7 1 9’; ‘sun and moon’ is written as ‘6 5 7’
03. What is the code for ‘sun’?
a)5 b)6 c)7 d)1 e)9
04. Which of the following represents ‘moon rise’?
a)5 9 b)7 1 c)6 7 d)1 3 e)9 6
05. What does ‘1’ stand for?
a)Nice b)Sun c)Rise d)Moon e)Either ‘moon’ or ‘sun’
Directions (6-9): Study the following information to answer the given questions
‘school is far from here’ is written as ‘to ga dib a ni’ ‘here is the school bus’ is written as ‘ru to ni di zi’
‘come from school’ is written as ‘ga ni mo’ ‘is the bus late’ is written as ‘ru zi fa to’ then
06. What will the code ‘fa mo ba’ stand for in the given code language?
a)come far late b)bus far late c)come far school d)come late from e)None of these
07. What may the code ‘ru mo di’ stand for in the given code language?
a)the bus here b)come from here c)come the late d)come the Here e)late is come
08. What may be the code for ‘come this far’ in the given code language?
a)ba mo ru b)mo ba zi c)jo mo di d)job a mo e)jo ba ni
09. What may be the code for ‘from school bus’ in the given code language?
a)ni gab a b)zi rug a c)ga ni di d)zi ni di e)zi ni ga
10. If in a certain code language
‘2 4 5’ means-‘Art and Talent’, ‘3 1 6’ means-‘Callous to Generous’, ‘1 4 7’ means-‘Callous and Polite’
What is the code used for ‘to’?
a)Only 3 b)Only 1 c)3 or 6 d)Only 6 e)None of these
11. In a certain code language
‘5 7 9’ means-‘Kanchan is softspoken’, ‘6 9 4’ means-‘Soft-spoken beautiful pure’, ‘4 7 3’ means-‘Ganga is pure’,
What is the code used for ‘Kanchan’?
a)only 5 b) Only 7 c) 5 or 9 d)Cannot be detremined e)None
12. In a certain code language
‘1 2 3’ means-‘Mahendra is able’, ‘3 4 5’ means-‘Sunita is unlucky’, ‘5 2 6’ means-‘Mahendra was unlucky’,
What is the code used for unlucky?
a)2 b)3 c)1 d)Cannot be determined e)None
Directions (13-14): If
‘6 7 8’ means-‘Society Family Husbandry’,‘5 7 4’ means-‘Husbandry Health Control’,‘3 4 2’ means-‘Health Census shop’,
13. Which code has been used for ‘Census’?
a)3 or 2 b)3 or 7 c)4 d)5 e)6
14. For which word code ‘6’ has been used?
a)Society b)Family c)Husbandry d)Society or Family e)None
15. If ‘K R N’ means-‘Callous collision life’, ‘R T P’ means-‘Life very sad’, ‘N P D’ means-‘Collission sad future’ then what is the
code used for ‘Callous’?
a)R b)N c)K d)Cannot be determined e)None
16. If ‘M L T’ means-‘Day is clear’, ‘L K S’ means-‘Life is sad’,‘S M O’ means-‘Clear or sad’, then What is the code used for ‘Day’?
a)T b)K c)MO d)L e)None
17. If ‘nso ptr kil chn’ stands for ‘Sharma gets marriage gift’, ‘ptr Inm wop nhi’ stands for ‘wife gives marriage gift’, ‘tip wop nhi’
stands for ‘he gives Nothing’,.What is the code for ‘gives’?
a)Chn b)nhi c)ptr d)wop e)None
18. In a certain code language
‘nee tim see’ means how are you? ‘Ble nee see’ means where are you?
What is the code for where?
a)Nee b)tim c)see d)can’t be determined e)None
19. In a certain code ‘PURPOSE’ is written as ‘UPPRSOE’. How would ‘WATER’ be written in that code?
a) WATRE b) AWTRE c) AWETR d) WEATR e) TRWAE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------

Key: 1.a 2.c 3.c 4.e 5.a 6.a 7.d 8.d 9.e 10.c 11.b 12.e 13.a 14.d

15.c 16.a 17.d 18.e 19. c