11+ letter and word codes: how to work out the rule

To solve an 11+ letter or word code question, write the original word directly above its code, find the alphabet step for every position, check that the same rule holds across the whole example, and only then convert the target word one letter at a time. Most slips happen when a child spots the first two letters, guesses the rest, or counts backward when the question is asking for the reverse direction.

In 11+ Verbal Reasoning, code questions test how carefully a pupil can spot and apply a consistent pattern with letters and symbols ^[1] . Two formats appear regularly: alphabet-shift codes, where each letter moves forward or backward along the alphabet (for example, +1 in every position, or +1, +2, +3, +4 across the four letters), and position-match codes, where three or four words are given alongside three or four number codes in mixed order and the child matches shared letters to find which digit stands for which letter.

Step-by-step method

1. Line up the example word and its code on rough paper

Before counting anything in your head, write the given word in clear capital letters and write the code directly underneath it, letter below letter. Keep a printed or written A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z strip in view. Seeing the columns vertically stops a child from comparing the first letter of the word with the second letter of the code.

Next, check which direction the question is asking you to work in. Some questions say, “How is WARM written in the code?” (word → code). Others ask, “Which word is written as XBSN?” (code → word), where every arrow must be reversed.

2. Write the signed step for every position

Compare the first letter with the first code letter, then the second with the second, and continue to the end of the word. Write the exact signed number (+1, −1, +2, −2) between each pair:

• Constant shift: every position uses the same jump, such as +1, +1, +1, +1 or −2, −2, −2, −2.
• Growing shift: the jump changes steadily by position, such as +1, +2, +3, +4.
• Alternating shift: odd and even positions alternate, such as +1, −1, +1, −1.
• Mirror or match-up code: if the steps look random, check whether you have been given several words and several number codes; in that case, look for a letter that appears twice in one word (such as PEPPERS or LEVEL) or in the same column across two words to anchor the matching digits.

If a second example pair is given (like both LAMP → MBNQ and COLD → DPME), verify that your rule produces the second pair too.

3. Apply the rule one column at a time and check the direction

Write the target word out with space underneath each letter, copy the signed steps below the letters, and fill in one letter at a time using the alphabet strip. On multiple-choice papers, working out the first letter and the last letter often narrows five options down to one or two immediately, and checking the middle letters confirms the answer without rushing.

Common traps and how to check

• Counting the starting letter as one: When moving +2 from C, point to C as zero, then count D (one), E (two). Counting C, D lands a letter short.
• Working word-to-code when the question asks for code-to-word: Always underline the words “written as” or “stands for” in the prompt and draw a small arrow (W → C or C → W) beside your working.
• Assuming the rule is constant after two letters: A rule that starts +2, +2 might still be +2, +2, −2, −2. Check all four positions of the example pair before touching the answer choices.
• Wrap-around slips at A and Z: In alphabet codes, the alphabet loops in a circle. Moving +2 from Y passes Z to land on A; moving −1 from A lands on Z.
• Guessing a match-up code by order: When four words and four number codes are listed, they are almost never printed in matching order. Find repeated letters first so you know which code belongs to which word.

How to practise this question type at home

Practise five or six code questions untimed with an alphabet strip written at the top of the page. Ask your child to read out the signed rule (+1 in every position, or +1, −1, +1, −1) before naming the answer. Once the habit of checking all four positions is steady, include a mix of word-to-code and code-to-word questions so checking direction becomes automatic.

When your child is ready to try mixed questions online with immediate worked explanations, start a short session below.