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 first half of the alphabet (A to M) is written in reverse order, what will be the 5th letter in the new sequence?
Practice 2easy
If the letters of the English alphabet are numbered from 1 to 26 (A=1, B=2, C=3, ... Z=26), what is the position of the letter 'M'?
Practice 3easy
How many letters are there between 'D' and 'J' in the English alphabet (not including D and J)?
Practice 4easy
If you reverse the English alphabet (Z=1, Y=2, X=3, ... A=26), what is the position of the letter 'T'?
Practice 5easy
Which letter is 5 positions to the right of 'G' in the English alphabet?
Practice 6easy
In the English alphabet, which letter comes exactly 3 positions before 'Q'?
Practice 7medium
How many letters are there between 'D' and 'P' in the English alphabet (not including D and P)?
Practice 8medium
If the first half of the English alphabet is written in reverse order and the second half is written in normal order, what will be the 15th letter in this new sequence?
Practice 9medium
In a certain code language, if the position of a letter in the English alphabet is multiplied by 2 and then 3 is subtracted, what will be the code for the letter 'M'?
Practice 10medium
If every alternate letter starting from 'B' in the English alphabet is removed, which letter will be at the 10th position in the remaining sequence?
Practice 11medium
Starting from 'Z' and moving backward in the alphabet, if you skip every 3rd letter, which letter will you land on after skipping exactly 4 times?
Practice 12hard
In a certain code language, if the position of each letter in the word MATHEMATICS is reversed, which letter will be 11th from the left in the new arrangement?
Practice 13hard
If all vowels in the word EDUCATION are replaced by the next letter in the alphabet, and all consonants are replaced by the previous letter in the alphabet, what will be the 5th character from the right in the modified word?
Practice 14hard
In the English alphabet, how many letters are there between the 7th letter from the left and the 7th letter from the right, if we exclude both the reference letters?
Practice 15hard
A word is formed by taking every 3rd letter starting from the 2nd letter of the word PERSONALITY. What is the 4th letter of the newly formed word?
Practice 16hard
If the alphabet is written in reverse order and each letter is assigned a numerical value equal to its position in the reversed alphabet, what is the sum of the numerical values of the letters in the word LOGIC?
Practice 17hard
In a coded language, vowels are replaced by the letter that comes 2 positions after them in the alphabet, and consonants are replaced by the letter that comes 2 positions before them in the alphabet. If the word STRENGTH is coded using this rule, how many letters in the coded word are consonants in the original alphabet?
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