What Coding-Decoding Questions Test
- Letter-shifting codes (+n, −n, reversal)
- Substitution codes from example sentences
- Number and symbol coding
- Conditional/mixed coding with multiple rules
Question bank coverage by sub-pattern
How Coding-Decoding Appears in IBPS PO
Coding-Decoding is part of the Reasoning Ability section (20% of the IBPS PO syllabus). See the full IBPS PO Prelims breakdown.
Coding-Decoding Solved Examples for IBPS PO
12 exam-pattern coding-decoding questions from the practice bank, each with a full solution.
In a certain code, 'water is life' is coded as '123 456 789', 'life is beautiful' is coded as '789 456 012', and 'water beautiful planet' is coded as '123 012 345'. What could be the code for 'planet'?
- A.123
- B.456
- C.789
- D.345Correct
Solution
'water is life' : 123 456 789, 'life is beautiful' : 789 456 012, 'water beautiful planet' : 123 012 345. 'water' is coded as '123', 'is' is coded as '456', 'life' is coded as '789', 'beautiful' is coded as '012'. Therefore, 'planet' is coded as '345'.
If in a certain code, 'LION' is written as 'MJOQ', then how will 'MILK' be written in that code?
- A.NJMLCorrect
- B.NJMO
- C.LNKM
- D.NLMJ
Solution
Each letter is moved one step forward. L + 1 = M, I + 1 = J, O + 1 = P, N + 1 = O. Similarly, M + 1 = N, I + 1 = J, L + 1 = M, K + 1 = L. Hence, MILK becomes NJML.
If 'MASTER' is coded as 'OCUVGT', then how will 'DOCTOR' be coded?
- A.FQEVQTCorrect
- B.FQGVQT
- C.EQEVQT
- D.FQEVRU
Solution
The pattern is +2, +2, +2, +2, +2, +2. M+2 = O, A+2 = C, S+2 = U, T+2 = V, E+2 = G, R+2 = T. Similarly, D+2 = F, O+2 = Q, C+2 = E, T+2 = V, O+2 = Q, R+2 = T. Therefore, DOCTOR becomes FQEVQT.
In a certain code of language, 'one apple daily please' is written as 'A$ A@ B% B@'. 'doctor advised help better' is written as 'B% B& A^ B%'. 'almost all treat well' is written as 'A% B@ A$ B&'. 'pollute airs thus rivers' is written as 'B^ A& B& B%'. Which of the following is the code for 'Rain Starts Even'?
- A.B& B% A&
- B.A* A@ A&
- C.B& B% A@
- D.B% B* A$
- E.None of theseCorrect
Solution
'Rain' (4 letters) should start with 'A', 'Starts' (6 letters) should start with 'B', and 'Even' (5 letters) should start with 'A'. None of the options fit this pattern.
If 'GOLD' is coded as 'I%M#' and 'LUCK' is coded as '%$@*', then how will 'LOAD' be coded?
- A.%I@#
- B.%@I#
- C.%@M#Correct
- D.%@#I
Solution
From the given codes, L=%, O=@, A=M, D=#. Therefore, LOAD = %@M#
If 'TROUBLE' is coded as 'VTSVCND', then how is 'PROBLEM' coded?
- A.QSPCMFNCorrect
- B.QSPNCMF
- C.QSPNCFN
- D.QSNPCMF
Solution
The pattern is +2, -1, +2, -1, +2, -1. T+2=V, R-1=Q, O+2=S, U-1=T, B+2=D, L-1=K, E+2=G. Applying the same logic: P+2=R, R-1=Q, O+2=Q, B-1=A, L+2=N, E-1=D, M+2=O. Therefore PROBLEM becomes QSPCMFN
If 'FRIEND' is coded as 684215 and 'CANDLE' is coded as 345912, then how is 'FEDERAL' coded?
- A.643568
- B.354691
- C.654291Correct
- D.645269
Solution
From the given codes, F=6, E=5, D=4, R=8, I=2, N=1, C=3, A=4, L=9. Therefore, FEDERAL = 654291
In a certain code language, 'sun moon stars' is written as 'xyt pqr abc', 'moon earth planet' is written as 'pqr def ghi', and 'sun earth universe' is written as 'xyt def jkl'. What is the code for 'planet'?
- A.abc
- B.def
- C.ghiCorrect
- D.jkl
Solution
'sun moon stars' : xyt pqr abc, 'moon earth planet' : pqr def ghi, 'sun earth universe' : xyt def jkl. 'sun' is coded as 'xyt', 'moon' is coded as 'pqr', 'earth' is coded as 'def'. Therefore, 'planet' must be 'ghi'.
If 'pen' is called 'pencil', 'pencil' is called 'eraser', 'eraser' is called 'sharpener', 'sharpener' is called 'book', and 'book' is called 'bag', what is used to remove pencil marks?
- A.sharpenerCorrect
- B.eraser
- C.pencil
- D.book
- E.bag
Solution
An 'eraser' is used to remove pencil marks. In the given substitution code, 'eraser' is called 'sharpener'. Thus, 'sharpener' is used.
In a certain code, 'sky is blue' is coded as 'a b c', 'sea is deep' is coded as 'd b e', and 'blue sea green' is coded as 'c d f'. What is the code for 'is'?
- A.a
- B.bCorrect
- C.c
- D.d
Solution
'sky is blue' : a b c, 'sea is deep' : d b e, 'blue sea green' : c d f. Comparing the first two sentences, the common words are 'is'. The common code is 'b'. Therefore, 'is' is coded as 'b'.
In a code language, 'EXCHANGE' is coded as 'FZEKBQJF'. How will 'TRANSFER' be coded in that language?
- A.USDRUHIUCorrect
- B.UQCPTKIT
- C.USCTTHIU
- D.URCPTHJT
- E.USDPTKIT
Solution
Pattern analysis: The shifts applied to successive positions follow +1, +2, -2, +1, +3, etc. Applying the exact rule systematically to 'TRANSFER' yields 'USDRUHIU'.
If in a certain code, A=1, B=2, C=3, ..., Z=26. What is the total value of the word 'REASON'?
- A.60
- B.63
- C.66
- D.69Correct
Solution
R=18, E=5, A=1, S=19, O=15, N=14. Total = 18 + 5 + 1 + 19 + 15 + 14 = 69
Coding-Decoding — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing to check in a coding question?
Compare letter positions of the word and its code. A constant gap means a shift code; a variable but symmetric gap usually means reversal; no positional relation means substitution — then match letters across the given examples.
How are sentence-coding questions solved quickly?
Find a word that repeats across two coded sentences — its code is the token both code-sentences share. Eliminate word by word instead of decoding everything.
How many Coding-Decoding practice questions does Parikshala have for IBPS PO?
39 exam-pattern Coding-Decoding questions for IBPS PO Reasoning Ability, each with a step-by-step solution. Practice is free — no sign-up needed to start.