Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Each letter has a fixed position
A=1, B=2, C=3... Questions can ask about positions from left (A=1) or right (Z=1, Y=2, X=3). Most SSC questions use left-side positioning
Key Rules
First, memorize that A=1 and Z=26 from the left. From the right, A=26 and Z=1. The formula for right position is: Right Position = 27 - Left Position. For example, M is 13th from left, so from right it's 27-13=14th position
Common question types include
finding positions of letters, arranging letters in alphabetical order, identifying middle letters in sequences, finding letters at specific positions after rearrangement, and determining which letter comes before or after a given letter.
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Write down the letters in PLANET: P, L, A, N, E, T
2
Step 2
Arrange these letters alphabetically by comparing their positions in the alphabet:
A=1, E=5, L=12, N=14, P=16, T=20
3
Step 3
Alphabetical order becomes: A, E, L, N, P, T
4
Step 4
Count positions: 1st=A, 2nd=E, 3rd=L
5
Step 5
Answer is L
Another Shortcut: For finding positions quickly, remember these landmark letters: E=5, J=10, O=15, T=20, Y=25. These help you estimate nearby letter positions without counting from A.
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC typically asks 1-2 alphabet test questions. Common formats include word arrangement, finding missing letters in sequences, and position-based problems. Questions often combine alphabet knowledge with logical sequences.
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students often confuse left and right positions. Always clarify whether the question asks for position from left (standard) or right. Another mistake is miscounting when arranging letters - always double-check your alphabetical order.
Practice writing the alphabet backward to strengthen right-position calculations.
Key Points to Remember
English alphabet has 26 letters with A=1, B=2... Z=26 from left side
Right position formula: 27 - Left position (A=26, Z=1 from right)
If you count from the left in the alphabet, which letter is at the 15th position?
Practice 2easy
If the letters of the English alphabet are written in reverse order (Z, Y, X, ..., B, A), which letter will be the 7th letter from the left?
Practice 3easy
If the letters of the English alphabet are written in reverse order (Z, Y, X, W, ..., C, B, A), then which letter will be the 7th letter from the left in this reversed sequence?
Practice 4easy
How many letters are there in the English alphabet between the 8th and 18th letters (including both)?
Practice 5easy
In the English alphabet, if every alternate letter starting from A is removed, which letter will be at the 5th position in the remaining sequence?
Practice 6easy
In the English alphabet, how many letters are there between M and V (not including M and V)?
Practice 7medium
In the English alphabet, if you count 5 letters backward from P, which letter will you reach?
Practice 8medium
If the alphabet is split into two halves (A-M and N-Z), and each half is reversed independently, what will be the 3rd letter from the left in the second half after reversal?
Practice 9medium
In a certain code, the alphabet is written in reverse order. If the 5th letter from the left in the normal alphabet is E, what will be the 5th letter from the left in the reverse-coded alphabet?
Practice 10medium
How many letters are there between the letter M and the letter U in the English alphabet (not counting M and U themselves)?
Practice 11medium
If every alternate letter starting from B is removed from the alphabet, which letter will be at the 10th position in the remaining sequence?
Practice 12hard
In a sequence where every 3rd letter of the alphabet is selected (C, F, I, L, O, R, U, X), and then this sequence is reversed and every 2nd letter of the reversed sequence is removed, what is the total number of letters remaining?
Practice 13hard
In the English alphabet, if every alternate letter starting from B is removed, and then the remaining sequence is reversed, what is the 7th letter from the left in the final sequence?
Practice 14hard
If letters A through Z are assigned values 1 through 26 respectively, and a word's 'alphabet score' is calculated as the sum of values of all its letters, then which of the following words has an alphabet score closest to 100?
Practice 15hard
In a certain code language, the positions of letters in the English alphabet are reversed (A=26, B=25, C=24, ... Z=1). If the word 'REASONING' is coded using this system, what is the sum of the coded values of the 3rd, 5th, and 8th letters of the coded word?
60-Second Revision — Alphabet Test
Remember: A=1, Z=26 from left; reverse for right positions
Formula: Right position = 27 - Left position
Landmark: E=5, J=10, O=15, T=20, Y=25 for quick positioning
Method: Always arrange letters alphabetically before counting positions
Trap: Check if question asks left or right position
Practice: Write alphabet backward for right-position speed
Focus: Word arrangement questions are most common in SSC