Coding-decoding - CSAT Practice Questions

"Coding-decoding" refers to a problem-solving technique commonly used in various competitive exams, including the UPSC Prelims Paper 2 CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). In this context, coding-decoding typically involves deciphering patterns or rules applied to letters, words, or numbers to determine their hidden meaning or to decode a given message.

CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)
UPSC Prelims Paper 2 CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)

In the CSAT exam, coding-decoding questions are often included to assess candidates' logical reasoning, analytical skills, and ability to understand complex patterns. These questions may present coded messages or sequences, and candidates are required to identify the underlying rules or patterns to decode the information accurately.

Candidates preparing for the CSAT exam should familiarize themselves with different types of coding-decoding patterns, such as:

1. Letter shifting: Each letter in the alphabet is shifted by a certain number of positions.

2. Letter substitution: Letters are replaced by other letters according to a specific rule or key.

3. Number coding: Letters are assigned numerical values, and mathematical operations are applied to encode or decode the message.

4. Mixed coding: A combination of letter shifting, substitution, and numerical coding rules is applied.

To excel in coding-decoding questions in the CSAT exam, candidates should practice solving various types of coding-decoding problems, develop logical reasoning skills, and learn to identify patterns effectively. Understanding the principles behind coding-decoding can significantly improve performance in this section of the exam and contribute to overall success in the CSAT test.

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TYPE 1: Coding with Alphabets

In such questions, the “ALPHABETS” of a word are substituted by some other “DOSKDEHWV”.

You have to find logical patterns to the coding and thereby decode the question.

Practice Questions

1. Consider the following coded message: "PLUTO" is coded as "QLVUP". Based on this coding scheme, how would "JUPITER" be coded?

a. KVQJSFQ

b. KVSJFQQ

c. LVSJFQQ

d. KVQJFSQ

2. In a certain coding scheme, "APPLE" is coded as "BQQMF". Following the same pattern, how would "ORANGE" be coded?

a. PSBPEF

b. PSBNHF

c. PSBMGF

d. PSBOHF

3. If in a certain code language, "WATER" is coded as "VZUDQ", then how would "FLOWER" be coded?

a. EKLTCD

b. EKNVGQ

c. EKOTCS

d. EKOUCS

4. If "CODING" is written as "DPDJOH", then how would "UPSC" be written in that code?

a. VQTD

b. VQTG

c. VRTD

d. VRTG

5. In a certain code language, "SUN" is coded as "TVQ". Following the same pattern, how would "MOON" be coded?

a. NOPP

b. NPPN

c. OPPO

d. PPNO

6. If in a certain code language, "TABLE" is coded as "UCMFD", then how would "CHAIR" be coded?

a. DIJBS

b. DIKBS

c. EIJBS

d. EIKBS

7. If "BLACK" is written as "YXZZN", then how would "WHITE" be written in that code?

a. DRGSB

b. DSGSB

c. DSGTC

d. ESGTC

8. In a certain code language, "WATERMELON" is coded as "VZUDNLDMKN". Following the same pattern, how would "BANANA" be coded?

a. AYBMZM

b. AYBLZL

c. YXAMYL

d. YXBNZM

9. If "GATE" is written as "JCWG", then how would "PAPER" be written in that code?

a. SDUHU

b. SCOHV

c. SDVHU

d. SBUHV

10. In a certain code, MONKEY is written as XDJMNL. How is TIGER written in that    code?

a. QDFHS

b. SDFHS

c. SHFDQ

d. UJHFS

e. None of these

Answer key with explanation

1. Correct Answer: d. KVQJFSQ

Explanation: In the given coding scheme, each letter in the word "PLUTO" is replaced by the corresponding letter that comes next in the alphabet. Applying the same pattern to "JUPITER", we get the coded message "KVQJFSQ". Therefore, option d is the correct answer.

2. Correct Answer: b. PSBNHF

Explanation: In the given coding scheme, each letter in the word "APPLE" is replaced by the letter that comes two positions after it in the alphabet. Applying the same pattern to "ORANGE", we get the coded message "PSBNHF". Therefore, option b is the correct answer.

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3. Correct Answer: c. EKOTCS

Explanation: In the given coding scheme, each letter in the word "WATER" is replaced by the previous letter in the alphabet, and then each letter is shifted one position to the right in the alphabet. Applying the same pattern to "FLOWER", we get the coded message "EKOTCS". Therefore, option c is the correct answer.

4. Correct Answer: c. VRTD

Explanation: In the given coding scheme, each letter in the word is replaced by the next letter in the alphabet. Applying the same pattern to "UPSC", we get the coded message "VRTD". Therefore, option c is the correct answer.

5. Correct Answer: d. PPNO

Explanation: In the given coding scheme, each letter in the word "SUN" is replaced by the letter that comes two positions after it in the alphabet. Applying the same pattern to "MOON", we get the coded message "PPNO". Therefore, option d is the correct answer.

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6. Correct Answer: a. DIJBS

Explanation: In the given coding scheme, each letter in the word "TABLE" is replaced by the letter that comes one position after it in the alphabet. Applying the same pattern to "CHAIR", we get the coded message "DIJBS". Therefore, option a is the correct answer.

7. Correct Answer: b. DSGSB

Explanation: In the given coding scheme, each letter in the word is replaced by the letter that comes seven positions before it in the alphabet. Applying the same pattern to "WHITE", we get the coded message "DSGSB". Therefore, option b is the correct answer.

8. Correct Answer: d. YXBNZM

Explanation: In the given coding scheme, each letter in the word "WATERMELON" is replaced by the previous letter in the alphabet. Applying the same pattern to "BANANA", we get the coded message "YXBNZM". Therefore, option d is the correct answer.

9. Correct Answer: c. SDVHU

Explanation: In the given coding scheme, each letter in the word is replaced by the letter that comes three positions after it in the alphabet. Applying the same pattern to "PAPER", we get the coded message "SDVHU". Therefore, option c is the correct answer.

10.The correct answer is None of these.

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TYPE 2: Coding with Numbers

In this type of questions, alphabets are replaced with numbers or digits.

Common operations involved in coding with numbers:

  1. Addition of numbers for each alphabet
  2. Multiplication of numbers for each alphabet
  3. Reverse order of number for each alphabet

You need to recognise which one is being used in any given question and solve accordingly.

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Practice Questions

1. If REASON is coded as 5 and BELIEVED as 7, what is the code number for GOVERNMENT?

a. 6
b. 8
c. 9
d. 10

2. In a certain code, 15789 is written aa XTZAL and 2346 is written as NPSU. How is 23549 written in that code ?

a. NPTUL
b. PNTSL
c. NPTSL
d. NBTSL

3. If MASTER is coded as 4li259, then POWDER will be coded as

a. 765439
b. 765439
c. 765459
d. 765549

4. If PALAM could be given the code number 43, what code number can be given to SANTACRUZ?

a. 75
b. 85
c. 120
d. 123

5. If RAMON is written as 12345 and DINESH as 675849, then HAMAM will be written as (UPSC CSAT 2018)

a. 92233
b. 92323
c. 93322
d. 93232

6. In a certain coding language, if GO = 32 & SHE = 49 then SOME will be equal to?

a. 56
b. 58
c. 62
d. 64

7. If ROSE is coded as 6821, CHAIR is coded as 73456 and PREACH is coded as 961473, what will be the code for SEARCH?

a. 276413
b. 214763
c. 214673
d. 246173

8. In a certain code BOMB is written as 5745 and BAY is written as 529, how is BOMBAY written in that code?

a. 5854329
b. 5745529
c. 5645529
d. 5545529

9. In a certain code, HARYANA is written as 8197151, how is DELHI written in that code?

a. 45389
b. 45289
c. 44389
d. 45489

10. In a certain code, NEWYORK is written as 111, how is NEWJERSEY written       in that code?

a. 104
b. 124
c. 134
d. 114

Answer key

1. a. 6
2. c. NPTSL
3. c. 765459
4. d. 123
5. b. 92323
6. a. 56
7. c. 214673
8. b. 5745529
9. a. 45389
10. b. 124

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In conclusion, mastering the art of coding-decoding is not only essential for excelling in competitive exams like the UPSC Prelims Paper 2 CSAT but also for honing logical reasoning and analytical skills. The diverse range of patterns and rules encompassed within coding-decoding questions challenges candidates to think critically and strategically. By familiarizing themselves with different coding-decoding techniques such as letter shifting, substitution, number coding, and mixed coding, aspirants can enhance their problem-solving abilities and increase their chances of success in the CSAT exam. Through diligent practice and a deep understanding of underlying principles, candidates can decode the path to achievement in this pivotal aspect of the test, ultimately contributing to their overall performance and aspirations in the civil services domain.

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