Analogy: Key Concepts, Solved Examples, & Prep Tips

Analogy is one of the most common topics which can be seen in almost all the Government exams be it Banking, SSC, Railway, Insurance or Defence. In Analogy Logical Reasoning, Analogy depicts “resemblance of one object to another in certain aspects.” The aim of analogy is to test the candidate’s ability to discover the relationship between the question pair, and then find the required pair of words, which is most similar to that relationship. The weightage of this topic varies from 1 marks to 5 marks. Though Reasoning Analogy has major weightage in SSC and Railway exams where questions on different types of analogies can be seen which are mentioned further in this article

Broadly we can say that due to various questions that are being asked in different government examinations, this reasoning analogy is among the important sections under the verbal reasoning section. Therefore, we are going to cover the key concepts of the Analogy reasoning along with the solved examples, practice questions, tips and tricks, and more. Read the article till the end to clear all doubts regarding this section.

What is Analogy Reasoning?

Analogy is a topic of Logical Reasoning where the two things are compared and conclusions are drawn based on their similarities or dissimilarities. A question consists of words related to each other based on some logic will be given, and candidates will need to find a word or paid words analogous to those given in the question. Let us now understand the various types of questions from below. 

Get more details on Order and Word Formation Reasoning

Types of Analogy Reasoning

As now we know what consists of the questions related to the Analogy reasoning section. Let us see the various types of questions that may come one by one below. 

1. Letter/Word Based Analogy

In this type of analogy reasoning, a pair of letters or words are given in a certain similarity between them. Another word or letter is also given with the same similarities. Candidates need to find out the similarities between the first two words and choose the word from the given alternatives, which carries the same similarities to the “?”, as the two first carry. 

Various types of letter based analogy are Addition/ Subtraction/ Multiplication with the constant numbers, Reverse letter of the constant numbers and so on. 

2. Number Based/Numerical Analogy

In this type of analogy reasoning, a pair of numbers are given in a certain similarity between them. Another number is also given with the same similarities. Candidates need to find out the similarities between the first two numbers and choose the number from the given alternatives, which carries the same similarities to the “?”, as the first two carry.

Various types of number based analogy are Addition/ Subtraction/ Multiplication with the constant numbers, Square/Cube of the constant numbers, Operation of Sum of the digits, and so on. 

Check out Missing Number Reasoning

3. Letter and Number Based Analogy (Mixed Analogy)

In this type of analogy reasoning, a mixed pair of numbers and letters are given in a certain similarity between them. Another mixed pair of numbers and letters are also given with the same similarities. Candidates need to find out the similarities between the first two pairs and choose the pair from the given alternatives, which carries the same similarities to the “?”, as the two first carry.

Various types of letter and number based analogy are Addition/Subtraction with combination of Letters and Numbers, Operation of Place Value, and so on. 

4. Image Based Analogy

In this type of analogy reasoning, a pair of Images are given in a certain similarity between them. Another Image is also given with the same similarities. Candidates need to find out the similarities between the first two Images and choose the correct image from the given alternatives, which carries the same similarities to the “?”, as the first two.

5. General Knowledge Based Analogy

In this type of analogy reasoning, a pair of words are given in a certain similarity between them. Another word is also given with the same similarities. Candidates need to find out the similarities between the first two words and choose the correct word from the given alternatives, which carries the same similarities to the “?”, as the two first carry.

Various types of general knowledge based analogy are Country/State and Capital/Currency, Instrument and Measurement, Individual and Group, Word and Synonym/Antonym, and so on. 

Check out details on Statement & Conclusion Reasoning

How to Solve Question Based on Analogy – Know all Tips and Tricks 

Candidates can find various tips and tricks from below for solving the questions related to the Analogy reasoning section. 

Tip # 1: Candidates need to have a good understanding of the English language to solve questions related to the Analogy reasoning section.

Tip # 2: Read the question carefully and figure out the link between them and pick the correct answer.

Analogy Reasoning Sample Questions

Question 1: EL : HJ :: DY : ?

Solution: 

E(5) + 3 = H(8) and L(12) – 2 = J(10) 

Similarly, D(4) + 3 = G(7) and Y(25) – 2 = W(23) 

Hence, GW will replace the question mark

Question 2: RJ : IQ :: DH : ?

Solution: 

R – I (Reverse Letter of R is I) and J – Q (Reverse Letter of J is Q)

Similarly, D – W (Reverse letter of D is W) and H – S (Reverse letter of H is S)

Hence, WS will replace the question mark.

Question 3: ACFJ : ZXUQ ∷ ELHK : ?

Solution: The pattern followed here is given below. 

Each letter of the first term forms a reverse pair with the corresponding letter of the second term.

Hence, the correct answer is ‘VOSP’

Question 4: TOK : SNJ ∷ LAP : ?

Solution: The logic used here is given below. 

Here The pattern followed is,

Similarly,

Hence, “KZO” is the correct answer.

Question 5: 67 : 76 :: 42: ?

Solution:

67 + 9 = 76 

Similarly, 42 + 9 = 51,

Hence, 51 will replace the question mark.

Question 6: 71 : 42 :: 98 : ?

Solution: 

71 – 29 = 42

Similar, 98 – 29 = 69

Hence, 69 will replace the question mark.

Question 7: P21 : J28 :: G19 : ?

Solution: 

P(16) – 6 = J(10), 21 + 7 = 28

Similarly, G(7) – 6 = A(1), 19 + 7 = 26

Hence, A26 will replace the question mark.

Question 8: Afghanistan : Kabul :: USA : ? 

Solution: 

Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan. 

Similarly, Washington is the capital of the USA.

Hence, Washington will replace the question mark.

Question 9: Abode : Dwelling :: Blend : ? 

Solution: 

Abode is the synonym of Dwelling. 

Similarly, Mix is the synonym of Blend.

Hence, Mix will replace the answer.

Question 10: History : Herodotus ∷ ? : Eratosthenes

Solution: 

Here the relation is:

History : Herodotus → Herodotus is the father of History. 

Similarly, ? : Eratosthenes → Eratosthenes is the father of Geography.

Hence, ‘Geography’ is the correct answer.

Also get insights on Cubes and Dice Reasoning

Exams where Analogy is Part of Syllabus

Questions based on the Analogy reasoning section come up often in various prestigious government exams some of them are as follows. 

• Bank (PO & Clerk) Exams 
• SSC (CGL, 10+2, Steno, FCI, CPO, Multitasking)
• LIC (AAO & ADO)
• RRB
• UPSC 
• State PSC Exams 
• Defence exams (CISF Constable, AFCAT, CISF )

Check out more details on other Reasoning Topics:

We hope you found this article regarding the Analogy reasoning section was informative and helpful, and please do not hesitate to contact us for any doubts or queries regarding the same. You can also download the Testbook App, which is absolutely free and start preparing for any government competitive examination by taking the mock tests before the examination to boost your preparation.

Analogy Reasoning FAQs

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