Overview
Analogies form one of the most frequently tested topics in the **SSC CGL** General Intelligence & Reasoning section. In Tier 1, the Reasoning section carries **50 marks (25 questions)**, and typically 2-4 questions are directly based on Analogies. The concept tests your ability to identify a relationship between a given pair and find or apply the same relationship to another pair.
SSC CGL Analogies can be based on words, letters, numbers, or figures. The key to cracking these questions is recognizing the underlying relationship quickly and accurately. Since there is **negative marking of 0.50 marks** per wrong answer, understanding patterns thoroughly is critical.
Key Concepts
### Types of Analogies in SSC CGL
1. **Word Analogies**: Establishing relationships between words based on meaning, function, category, or association.
2. **Number Analogies**: Finding mathematical relationships between number pairs (squares, cubes, operations).
3. **Letter Analogies**: Identifying positional or pattern-based relationships between letter groups.
4. **Figure Analogies**: Visual pattern recognition where shapes transform following a rule.
### Common Relationship Categories
| Relationship Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Synonym / Antonym | Happy : Joyful :: Sad : Melancholy |
| Part : Whole | Wheel : Car :: Key : Keyboard |
| Worker : Tool | Carpenter : Hammer :: Painter : Brush |
| Product : Raw Material | Bread : Flour :: Paper : Pulp |
| Animal : Young One | Dog : Puppy :: Cat : Kitten |
| Country : Capital | India : New Delhi :: France : Paris |
| Object : Function | Knife : Cut :: Pen : Write |
| Male : Female | Bull : Cow :: Stallion : Mare |
| Study : Subject | Ornithology : Birds :: Entomology : Insects |
| Symbol : Representation | $ : Dollar :: £ : Pound |
Detailed Explanation
### Solving Word Analogies
**Step 1**: Identify the relationship between the first pair.
**Step 2**: Apply the same relationship to find the answer from the options.
**Example**: Doctor : Patient :: Teacher : ?
- Relationship: A doctor treats/serves a patient.
- Applying: A teacher teaches/serves a **Student**.
**Example**: Telescope : Stars :: Microscope : ?
- Relationship: A telescope is used to observe stars.
- Applying: A microscope is used to observe **Microorganisms/Cells**.
### Solving Number Analogies
**Common patterns to check:**
- Squares: 5 : 25 :: 7 : 49 (n : n²)
- Cubes: 3 : 27 :: 4 : 64 (n : n³)
- Sum of digits: 18 : 9 :: 27 : 9
- Multiplication: 3 : 12 :: 5 : 20 (n : 4n)
- n² + 1 pattern: 3 : 10 :: 5 : 26
**Example**: 8 : 64 :: 11 : ?
- 8² = 64, so 11² = **121**
**Example**: 6 : 222 :: 7 : ?
- 6³ + 6 = 216 + 6 = 222, so 7³ + 7 = 343 + 7 = **350**
### Solving Letter Analogies
Use the **alphabet position numbering** (A=1, B=2, ... Z=26).
**Example**: ACE : BDF :: MOQ : ?
- Each letter moves +1 position: M+1=N, O+1=P, Q+1=R → **NPR**
**Example**: AZ : BY :: CX : ?
- First letter moves forward (+1), second letter moves backward (-1): C+1=D, X-1=W → **DW**
### Solving Figure Analogies
Look for:
- Rotation (90°, 180°, 270°)
- Reflection (mirror image)
- Addition/removal of elements
- Shading changes (filled ↔ empty)
- Size changes (larger ↔ smaller)