Introduction
Symbol or Sign analogies test your understanding of what different symbols or signs represent. These questions are common in reasoning tests because they assess your ability to connect an abstract symbol with its real-world meaning, concept, or entity.
Pattern: Symbol / Sign Analogy
Pattern
The key idea is: the first term is a symbol or sign that represents the second term. You must find another pair where the same symbolic relationship exists.
Step-by-Step Example
Question
“$” : Dollar :: “₹” : ______
(A) Pound (B) Rupee (C) Yen (D) Franc
Solution
-
Step 1: Identify the relationship in the first pair.
“$” is the symbol for Dollar - symbol → meaning. -
Step 2: Apply the same logic.
“₹” is the symbol for Rupee - symbol → meaning. -
Final Answer:
Rupee → Option B -
Quick Check:
“$” : Dollar :: “₹” : Rupee ✅
Quick Variations
1. Currency symbols (₹, $, €, ¥).
2. Mathematical symbols (+, -, ×, ÷).
3. Scientific or measurement symbols (° for degree, % for percentage).
4. Road or public signs (e.g., 🚫 for prohibition, ⚡ for electricity).
Trick to Always Use
- Step 1 → Translate each symbol into its meaning.
- Step 2 → Check if the second pair follows the same symbol-to-meaning pattern.
- Step 3 → Eliminate options that represent things not symbolized by the given sign.
Summary
Summary
- Understand what each symbol or sign stands for.
- Keep the relationship direction consistent (symbol → meaning).
- Focus on standard or universally recognized representations.
- Ignore visual resemblance-meaning matters more than appearance.
Example to remember:
“$” : Dollar :: “₹” : Rupee
Hint: Translate each symbol to its corresponding currency name.
Common Mistakes: Choosing 'Dollar' - symbol for Dollar is “$”, not “¥”.