Analogy Reasoning: Complete Guide for Competitive Exams

What is Analogy?

An analogy is a comparison between two pairs of items based on a similar relationship. In reasoning exams, candidates must identify the relationship between the first pair and find another pair with the same relationship.

"Analogy is the art of finding hidden relationships between objects, words, numbers, or concepts."

Analogy questions are commonly asked in RSSB Computer Instructor, SSC, Banking, Railway, UPSC, and various state-level examinations.

Types of Analogy Questions

Common Relationships Used in Analogy

1. Profession and Workplace

Example:

Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?

Answer: School

Relationship: Profession → Workplace

2. Part and Whole

Example:

Wheel : Car :: Page : ?

Answer: Book

Relationship: Part → Whole

3. Cause and Effect

Example:

Study : Knowledge :: Exercise : ?

Answer: Fitness

Relationship: Cause → Effect

4. Object and Function

Example:

Pen : Write :: Knife : ?

Answer: Cut

Relationship: Object → Function

5. Synonym Relationship

Example:

Happy : Joyful :: Sad : ?

Answer: Unhappy

Relationship: Similar Meaning

6. Opposite Relationship

Example:

Hot : Cold :: Day : ?

Answer: Night

Relationship: Opposite Words

7. Number Relationship

Example:

3 : 9 :: 5 : ?

Solution:

3² = 9

5² = 25

Answer: 25

8. Letter Relationship

Example:

ABC : DEF :: GHI : ?

Answer: JKL

Relationship: +3 shift

Shortcut Tips for Solving Analogy Questions

Tip 1: Identify the Exact Relationship

Don't guess based on similarity alone.

Check:

• Function
• Part-Whole
• Opposite
• Synonym
• Sequence

Tip 2: Use Elimination Method

Remove options that do not follow the same relationship.

Tip 3: Practice Alphabet Positions

A=1, B=2, C=3 ... Z=26

Many analogy questions use letter position patterns.

Tip 4: Look for Hidden Mathematical Operations

Possible operations:

• Addition
• Subtraction
• Multiplication
• Division
• Square
• Cube

Analogy Examples for Practice

Example 1

Bird : Nest :: Lion : ?

Answer: Den

Example 2

Book : Reading :: Food : ?

Answer: Eating

Example 3

25 : 5 :: 49 : ?

Answer: 7

Example 4

ACE : BDF :: GIK : ?

Answer: HJL

RSSB Computer Instructor Exam Preparation Tips

Important Strategy

1. Practice 20–30 analogy questions daily.
2. Focus on verbal and number analogy.
3. Learn common word relationships.
4. Improve vocabulary.
5. Solve previous year reasoning papers.

Expected Difficulty Level

Common Mistakes

❌ Ignoring the exact relationship

❌ Choosing options based on general knowledge only

❌ Missing mathematical patterns

❌ Not checking letter positions

Quick Revision Notes

• Analogy means similarity of relationship.
• Identify the first pair relationship.
• Apply the same relation to the second pair.
• Common types: Word, Number, Letter, Figure.
• Practice is the key to speed and accuracy.