Analogy questions cost most RRB NTPC aspirants 4-5 marks in the General Intelligence section. According to official RRB NTPC 2024 exam analysis, 8-10 analogy questions appear consistently across all shifts, each carrying 1 mark.
This article focuses exclusively on relationship finding techniques that help you crack analogy patterns quickly. You'll learn the exact mental frameworks toppers use to identify connections between words, numbers, and letter combinations in under 30 seconds per question.
RRB NTPC Exam Insight
These techniques work specifically for RRB NTPC's analogy format, which tests your ability to recognize logical relationships and apply them to find the correct answer among four options.
Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
- Primary technique: Identify relationship type first (meaning-based, position-based, or number-based), then apply pattern
- Success rate: Students using systematic relationship mapping solve 85% analogies correctly vs. 52% using random guessing
- Time allocation: Spend 15 seconds finding relationship, 10 seconds applying to options
- Most common patterns: Synonym-Antonym (28%), Function-Object (22%), Part-Whole (18%), Number patterns (15%)
Source: PrepGrind analysis of 500+ RRB NTPC 2023-24 question papers
One Platform. All Competitive Exams.
SSC • IBPS PO • CAT • Railway • Defence & more — everything in one place. Comprehensive study material, mock tests, and personalized learning paths.
The 3-Step Relationship Finding Framework
The fastest way to solve RRB NTPC analogies involves three distinct steps that toppers execute mentally in sequence.
Step 1: Categorize the relationship type (5 seconds)
Look at the given pair and determine if it's word-based (semantic relationship), letter-based (position/alphabetical), or number-based (mathematical operation). This takes 5 seconds with practice.
Step 2: Define the exact relationship (5 seconds)
Don't just say "they're related"—specify how. For "Doctor : Hospital," the relationship is "professional works at location." For "A : C," it's "skip one letter forward."
Step 3: Apply to all options systematically (20 seconds)
Test your identified relationship against each option. The correct answer will follow the identical pattern without exceptions.
Rajesh from Nagpur improved his analogy accuracy from 40% to 90% within two weeks using this framework. He stopped guessing and started methodically categorizing each question first.
Word-Based Analogy Techniques
Word analogies in RRB NTPC follow predictable relationship patterns that you can master through recognition training.
Synonym-Antonym Relationships (28% of questions)
Identify if words are similar in meaning or opposite.
Example:
"Happy : Joyful :: Sad : ?" requires finding a synonym for sad (Gloomy, Dejected).
Technique: Ask yourself "Are these words similar or opposite in meaning?"
Function-Object Relationships (22% of questions)
Connect items with their purpose or user.
Example:
"Pen : Write :: Knife : Cut" shows tool-to-function relationship.
Technique: Ask "What does this do?" or "Who uses this?"
Part-Whole Relationships (18% of questions)
Link components to complete entities.
Example:
"Wheel : Car :: Page : Book" demonstrates part-to-whole pattern.
Technique: Determine if first word is part of second, or vice versa.
Recognition Speed Training
Train your brain to spot these patterns instantly by practicing 20 analogies daily with a timer. According to PrepGrind student data, recognition speed doubles after solving 200+ varied analogy questions.
Create a mental checklist: Is it synonym/antonym? Professional/workplace? Part/whole? Cause/effect? This systematic elimination takes 10-15 seconds initially but drops to 3-5 seconds with practice.
Letter-Based Analogy Techniques
Letter analogies test alphabetical position understanding and pattern recognition skills essential for RRB NTPC reasoning section.
Position-based Patterns
Most common letter analogy type
"B : D :: F : H" shows +2 position pattern
Technique: Convert letters to numbers (A=1, B=2... Z=26), find mathematical relationship
Vowel-Consonant Patterns (12%)
Based on letter classification
"A : E :: I : O" follows vowel-to-vowel pattern
Technique: Identify if relationship involves vowel/consonant classification
Reverse Alphabet Patterns
Less frequent but important
"A : Z :: D : W" shows opposite-end pairing
Technique: Remember reverse positions (A=Z, B=Y, C=X)
Meera from Chennai scored 100% in letter analogies after memorizing the 1-26 alphabet position chart and practicing reverse positions for 15 minutes daily.
Number-Based Analogy Techniques
Number analogies require arithmetic operation identification and precise calculation under time pressure.
Common Number Patterns Table
| Pattern Type | Example | Relationship | Application Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square/Cube | 4 : 16 :: 5 : 25 | n² | Square the first number |
| Product | 3 : 15 :: 4 : 20 | n×5 | Multiply by constant |
| Sum | 12 : 3 :: 20 : 5 | sum of digits | Add all digits |
| Difference | 10 : 3 :: 15 : 8 | subtract constant | n - 7 in example |
Source: Official RRB NTPC Previous Year Papers
Basic Operation Patterns (60% of number analogies)
Test each operation (+, -, ×, ÷) between the pair numbers.
Example: "5 : 25 :: 7 : 49" shows squaring relationship (5²=25, 7²=49)
Sequential Patterns
Involve adding/subtracting fixed values.
Example: "3 : 9 :: 5 : 15" demonstrates multiplication by 3
Multi-step Operations
Try combined operations like "multiply then add" or "square then subtract."
Example: "2 : 5 :: 3 : 10" follows pattern (n×2+1)
Prime and Composite Patterns
Test number property understanding.
Technique: Classify numbers as prime, composite, even, odd, perfect squares
Time Management Strategy for Analogy Questions
Efficient time allocation separates high scorers from average performers in RRB NTPC's timed environment.
15-Second Rule
Identify the relationship type and define it precisely. If you can't spot the pattern in 15 seconds, mark for review and move on. Never spend more than 45 seconds on any single analogy.
Elimination Technique
When relationship isn't immediately clear, eliminate obviously wrong options first. This improves guessing accuracy from 25% to 40-50% on difficult questions.
Practice Distribution
Dedicate 30% of your reasoning practice time to analogies. Those who solved 500+ analogy questions during preparation scored 82% average vs. 64% for those practicing fewer questions.
Your Action Plan for Mastering Analogies
Week 1: Word Analogies Only
- Focus on synonym-antonym patterns
- Master function-object relationships
- Practice 20-30 questions daily
Week 2: Letter Patterns
- Memorize alphabet positions (A=1 to Z=26)
- Practice position-based patterns
- Learn vowel-consonant classifications
Week 3: Number Relationships
- Master basic operation patterns
- Practice sequential number patterns
- Learn prime/composite classifications
Build your pattern recognition library by maintaining an error log. Write down every analogy you miss with its relationship type. Review this log weekly to identify weak pattern categories.
Take 10-question mini-tests daily with 30-second time limit per question. This builds the speed required for actual exam conditions where you have approximately 35 seconds per question in the General Intelligence section.
People also search for
How many analogy questions appear in RRB NTPC exam?
RRB NTPC typically includes 8-10 analogy questions out of 30 General Intelligence questions. According to official RRB exam pattern for CBT-1, these questions carry 1 mark each with 0.25 negative marking for wrong answers. The exact count varies slightly across different exam shifts.
Which analogy relationship types are most frequently asked in RRB NTPC?
Synonym-Antonym relationships appear most frequently (28%), followed by Function-Object (22%), Part-Whole (18%), and Number patterns (15%). Letter-based analogies constitute 12% of questions. Focus your preparation on word-based relationships first for maximum score impact.
How can I improve my analogy solving speed from 60 seconds to 30 seconds?
Practice category-specific questions daily—20 word analogies, 15 number patterns, 10 letter relationships. Use a timer strictly. Create mental shortcuts for common patterns (synonym checker, position calculator, operation identifier). Speed improves naturally after solving 300+ varied analogies with deliberate time tracking.
Should I guess on difficult analogy questions or skip them?
Use the 15-second rule: if you cannot identify the relationship type within 15 seconds, eliminate obviously wrong options and make an educated guess. Blind guessing has 25% accuracy, but elimination-based guessing achieves 40-50%. Never leave questions unattempted unless you're running out of time with 2 minutes remaining.
What's the difference between RRB NTPC analogy patterns and other competitive exam analogies?
RRB NTPC focuses heavily on straightforward word relationships and simple number operations compared to SSC CGL's complex verbal analogies or IBPS PO's advanced numerical patterns. RRB analogies test basic relationship recognition rather than deep logical reasoning, making them more accessible with pattern-based preparation.
Conclusion: Your Next Step
Mastering RRB NTPC analogy questions requires systematic relationship finding practice rather than random question solving. Focus on the three-step framework—categorize, define, apply—and build speed through category-wise timed practice.
Start today with 20 word-based analogies, identifying the exact relationship type for each. Track your accuracy and time per question. Most students reach 85%+ accuracy within 3-4 weeks of focused, technique-based practice.
Use PrepGrind's RRB NTPC Reasoning Mock Tests to practice under real exam conditions with detailed analogy solutions explaining each relationship type.
Practice Smarter. Rank Higher.
Free mock tests with analytics, instant feedback, and section-wise practice for RRB NTPC,SSC, IBPS, CAT & more.