Why this topic matters · 6 min read
Analogy questions test your ability to find the same relationship between two pairs of words, numbers, or letters. In Agniveer Army CEE, Reasoning carries good weightage and Analogy is one of the most frequently asked topics — expect 3 to 5 questions per paper. Questions are mostly word-based (semantic) or number-based. They are easy to medium difficulty and should be solved in 20 to 30 seconds each if you know the relationship types well.
What is Analogy
Analogy means same relationship. You are given a pair of items that share a specific relationship. Your job is to find another pair that shares the exact same relationship. Think of it like a ratio — if A is to B, then C must be to D in the same way. The relationship can be between words, numbers, or letters.
- Format: A : B :: C : ? — find the missing item
- The relationship in pair 1 must exactly match pair 2
- Never assume — always verify the relationship before picking the answer
- Relationship must be in the same direction and same logic
- If multiple options seem correct, pick the one with the closest relationship
Types of Word Analogy Relationships
Most word analogy questions in Agniveer Army fall into a fixed set of relationship types. Once you memorize these categories, you can crack any question quickly. The trick is to state the relationship as a sentence before looking at the options.
- Tool and its user: Scalpel : Doctor :: Chisel : Carpenter
- Animal and its home: Lion : Den :: Bird : Nest
- Animal and its young one: Cow : Calf :: Dog : Puppy
- Worker and product: Carpenter : Furniture :: Cobbler : Shoes
- Part and whole: Petal : Flower :: Chapter : Book
- Antonym pair: Day : Night :: Hot : Cold
- Degree of intensity: Warm : Hot :: Dislike : Hate
- Cause and effect: Fire : Ash :: Flood : Destruction
- Male and female: Bull : Cow :: Drake : Duck
- Action and result: Study : Knowledge :: Exercise : Fitness
Number Analogy
In number analogy, a mathematical relationship connects the first pair of numbers. You apply the same operation or pattern to find the missing number in the second pair. Common operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, squares, and cubes.
- Identify the operation: addition, subtraction, multiply, divide, square, cube
- Check if the same operation gives a consistent result across both pairs
- Example: 4 : 16 :: 5 : 25 — relationship is squaring the number
- Example: 3 : 12 :: 5 : 20 — relationship is multiply by 4
- Sometimes two operations are combined: 2 : 6 :: 4 : 12 — multiply by 3
- Always double-check with the first pair before applying to the second
Key formulas
Square pattern
A : A^2 :: B : B^2
When: When second number is the square of the first
Multiply pattern
A : (A x k) :: B : (B x k)
When: When a constant k is multiplied — find k from pair 1, apply to pair 2
Addition pattern
A : (A + k) :: B : (B + k)
When: When a constant k is added to the first number
Worked examples
Q: 7 : 49 :: 9 : ? — Relationship: 7 squared is 49, so 9 squared is 81. Answer: 81
Q: 6 : 18 :: 8 : ? — Relationship: 6 multiplied by 3 is 18, so 8 multiplied by 3 is 24. Answer: 24
Letter Analogy
Letter analogy uses the position of letters in the English alphabet (A=1, B=2 ... Z=26). The relationship is usually about jumping forward or backward by a fixed number of positions, reversing, or skipping alternate letters. Memorize at least A to Z positions for speed.
- A=1, B=2, C=3 ... M=13, N=14 ... Z=26 — memorize this
- Example: AC : BD :: EG : FH — each letter moves one step forward
- Opposite letter trick: A-Z, B-Y, C-X (add both positions = 27)
- Example: BDF : CEG — each letter in the group moves one step ahead
- Check if forward jump is consistent: +1, +2, +3 etc.
- Sometimes the pattern is position reversal or mirror image logic
Key formulas
Opposite letter
Position of letter + Position of its opposite = 27
When: To find the opposite alphabet quickly — A(1) opposite is Z(26), 1+26=27
Worked examples
Q: BD : CE :: FH : ? — B(2)D(4), C(3)E(5) — each letter +1. So F(6)H(8) becomes G(7)I(9). Answer: GI
Q: ACE : BDF :: GIK : ? — each letter +1. G(7)I(9)K(11) becomes H(8)J(10)L(12). Answer: HJL
⚠ Common mistakes to avoid
- Reversing the relationship direction — if the question says Pen : Writer, do not pick an option where the relationship becomes Writer : Pen (product to maker instead of tool to user)
- In number analogy, trying only addition or subtraction and ignoring squares or cubes — always check square first if the second number is much larger
- In letter analogy, miscounting alphabet positions under time pressure — practice A to Z positions until they are instant recall
- Choosing an option that is partially correct — example: Lion : Roar :: Dog : Bark seems right, but if the question pattern is animal to home, Bark is wrong
- Overthinking word analogies — the relationship is always simple and direct in Agniveer level. Do not look for hidden or complex meanings
🧠 Memory aids
- SAME SAME rule: Say the relationship of pair 1 aloud as a sentence, then check which option fits the SAME sentence for pair 2. Example: Pen is used by Writer. What is used by Carpenter? Hammer.
- Alphabet positions mnemonic — split alphabet into 3 rows: A-I (1-9), J-R (10-18), S-Z (19-26). Add 9 for each row jump to estimate position fast.
- For number analogy remember SOD: Square, Operation (multiply/add), Difference — try in this order. Most questions are solved by one of these three.
- Opposite letter shortcut: think of it like a seesaw at 27. A(1) and Z(26) balance. N(14) opposite is M(13). 14+13=27.
🎯 AGNIVEER ARMY exam tips
- Agniveer Army CEE typically asks 3 to 5 analogy questions per paper — mostly word-based with 1 or 2 number-based. Letter analogy appears less often but do not skip it.
- Difficulty is easy to medium. These are scoring questions — solve them in 20 to 25 seconds each. Do not spend more than 30 seconds on any analogy question.
- Word analogy in recent papers frequently uses Army-related and general knowledge context — example: Colonel : Regiment :: General : Army. Brush up military rank hierarchy.
- Number analogy in Agniveer papers mostly uses squares and simple multiplication. Cubes are rare but not absent — check if the number is 8, 27, 64, 125.
- Eliminate wrong options first rather than jumping to the answer — this is faster when you spot 2 obviously wrong options quickly, leaving only 2 to verify.