Sequence Analogy

Sequence Analogy problems involve pairs where the relationship is based on order, time, or developmental progression (e.g., Child : Adult). You must identify the sequential relationship in the first pair and apply it to complete the second pair.

10Worksheets
200+Practice Questions
IntermediateDifficulty
2-3 hoursHours to Master

Introduction to Sequence Analogy

Sequence Analogy problems involve pairs where the relationship is based on order, time, or developmental progression (e.g., Child : Adult). You must identify the sequential relationship in the first pair and apply it to complete the second pair.

Prerequisites

Understanding of sequences and order Knowledge of natural and logical progressions Awareness of developmental stages Temporal reasoning skills
Why This Matters: Sequence Analogy appears in 1-2 questions in SSC CGL, Banking PO, and Railways exams.

How to Solve Sequence Analogy Problems

1

Step 1: Identify the relationship between the first pair of words (A : B)

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Step 2: Determine the order: is A before B, or B before A?

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Step 3: Note the direction (earlier→later or later→earlier)

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Step 4: Look at the third word (C) and find a word (D) that has the same sequential relationship with C

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Step 5: Maintain the same direction of sequence

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Step 6: Eliminate options that don't fit the sequential relationship

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Step 7: Choose the option that best maintains the sequence relationship

Pro Strategy: Build knowledge of natural sequences and progressions. Pay attention to whether the relationship is biological, temporal, or process-based.

Example Problem

Example: Child : Adult :: Seed : ? Solution: Step 1: Child grows into Adult (earlier stage → later stage) Step 2: The relationship is 'developmental progression' Step 3: We need the later stage of Seed Step 4: Options: (a) Flower (b) Tree (c) Plant (d) Fruit Step 5: Seed grows into Plant Step 6: Child : Adult :: Seed : Plant Answer: Plant

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Learn common sequence pairs: Child-Adult, Seed-Plant, Egg-Chicken, Caterpillar-Butterfly, Morning-Evening, Birth-Death, Start-Finish, Day-Night
  • Understand educational/professional sequences: Freshman-Senior, Apprentice-Expert, Intern-Doctor
  • Consider seasonal sequences: Spring-Summer, Monsoon-Autumn, Dawn-Dusk
  • Remember process sequences: Cloud-Rain, Raw Material-Product, Idea-Invention
  • Be aware of reverse sequences (Adult-Child, End-Start)
  • Watch for sequences that are cyclic (Day-Night-Day)

Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster

If A comes before B, then C comes before D
The earlier stage is typically less developed or less mature
The later stage is typically more developed or more complete
Eliminate options where the sequence direction is reversed

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing sequence with cause-effect relationships
Reversing the order of the sequence
Choosing a stage that is not in the same developmental path
Selecting a word that represents a different type of progression

Exam Importance

Sequence Analogy is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:

SSC CGL
1-2 questions
BANKING PO
1-2 questions
RAILWAYS RRB
1-2 questions
GRE
1-2 questions
CAT
0-1 questions

Ready to Master Sequence Analogy?

Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes:

20 practice questions
Detailed solutions
Step-by-step explanations
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