Coding-Decoding — Four Question Types and the EJOTY Shortcut

One Tool Solves Almost Every Coding Question

Coding-decoding looks like a puzzle but it is really a lookup exercise. Before anything else, you need the alphabet's position numbers available instantly.

The anchor letters — EJOTY:

E = 5, J = 10, O = 15, T = 20, Y = 25.

Memorise those five and you can reach any letter in one or two steps. Need P? It sits one after O, so P = 16. Need W? Two before Y, so W = 23.

The reverse position rule:

> Reverse position = 27 - normal position

So if A is coded as Z, then B (position 2) becomes 27 - 2 = 25 = Y. This single subtraction handles every opposite-letter question in the paper.

Write the alphabet with numbers on your rough sheet the moment the exam starts. Thirty seconds spent there saves two minutes on every coding question that follows, and it removes counting errors completely.

1. In a certain code, CAT is written as DBU. How is DOG written in the same code?

2. If MOTHER is coded as NPUIFS, then SISTER is coded as:

3. In a code where A is written as Z and B is written as Y, how is BOX written?

4. If CAB is coded as 6 using the sum of the alphabetical positions of its letters, then FED is coded as:

5. If TEA is coded as 20-5-1, then MAN is coded as:

6. If 'white' is called 'blue', 'blue' is called 'red' and 'red' is called 'yellow', what is the colour of a clear sky?

7. In a code language, 'pit na som' means 'bring me water', 'na jo tap' means 'water is cold' and 'som tir jo' means 'me is happy'. What is the code for 'cold'?

8. If the letters of the word EDUCATION are arranged in alphabetical order, which letter is fourth from the left?