Study Material — 1 PYQs (2022–2022) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
RRB Group D Alphabet Test is a frequently tested subtopic — 1 previous year questions from 2022–2022 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
1 questions from actual RRB Group D papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12022Previous Year Pattern
If the alphabets from A to Z are numbered 1 to 26 respectively, and we reverse the order so that Z becomes 1 and A becomes 26, then what will be the sum of the numerical values of the letters in the word 'BRAIN'?
Concept Notes
Alphabet Test— Rules & Concept
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 the letters of the English alphabet are written in reverse order (Z, Y, X, ..., B, A), then which letter will be the 7th letter from the left in this reversed sequence?
Practice 2medium
If the letters of the English alphabet are written in reverse order (Z, Y, X, ..., B, A), then which letter will be the 7th letter to the right of the 10th letter from the left in this reversed sequence?
Practice 3hard
In a certain code, the positions of letters in the English alphabet are used as follows: A=1, B=2, C=3, ..., Z=26. A word is encoded by reversing the alphabet positions of each letter (so A↔Z, B↔Y, C↔X, etc.) and then arranging the resulting numbers in ascending order. If the word 'PRINT' is encoded using this method, what is the 3rd number in the encoded sequence?
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