All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Select the letter-cluster from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

MCN, NCO, OCP, PCQ, ?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2020 Tier-II (English) Previous Year Paper (29-Jan-2022)
The correct answer is

QCR

Analyzing the Letter-Cluster Series Pattern

The question asks us to find the next letter-cluster in the given series: MCN, NCO, OCP, PCQ, ?. To solve this, we need to observe the pattern in the letters at each position within the letter-clusters. Let's examine the pattern for the first, second, and third letters separately.

Step-by-Step Pattern Analysis

First Letter Pattern

Let's look at the first letter of each cluster in the series:

  • MCN: The first letter is M.
  • NCO: The first letter is N.
  • OCP: The first letter is O.
  • PCQ: The first letter is P.

The sequence of first letters is M, N, O, P. This sequence follows the alphabetical order. M is followed by N, N by O, and O by P. Therefore, the next letter in this sequence should be the letter that comes after P in the alphabet, which is Q.

Second Letter Pattern

Now let's look at the second letter of each cluster in the series:

  • MCN: The second letter is C.
  • NCO: The second letter is C.
  • OCP: The second letter is C.
  • PCQ: The second letter is C.

The second letter in all the given letter-clusters is consistently C. Following this pattern, the second letter of the next cluster should also be C.

Third Letter Pattern

Finally, let's look at the third letter of each cluster in the series:

  • MCN: The third letter is N.
  • NCO: The third letter is O.
  • OCP: The third letter is P.
  • PCQ: The third letter is Q.

The sequence of third letters is N, O, P, Q. This sequence also follows the alphabetical order. N is followed by O, O by P, and P by Q. Therefore, the next letter in this sequence should be the letter that comes after Q in the alphabet, which is R.

Combining the Patterns

By combining the next letters found for each position, we can determine the next letter-cluster in the series:

  • First letter: Q
  • Second letter: C
  • Third letter: R

Putting these together, the next letter-cluster is QCR.

Position Pattern in Series (MCN, NCO, OCP, PCQ) Observed Pattern Next Letter
First Letter M, N, O, P Alphabetical sequence (+1 position) Q
Second Letter C, C, C, C Constant C
Third Letter N, O, P, Q Alphabetical sequence (+1 position) R

Based on the analysis of the pattern for each letter position, the letter-cluster that replaces the question mark (?) is QCR.

Conclusion on the Letter Series

The series follows a predictable pattern where the first and third letters advance alphabetically by one step in each subsequent cluster, while the second letter remains constant as 'C'. Applying this consistent pattern, we derive the next term.

Revision Table: Understanding Letter Series

Letter series questions test your ability to identify patterns in sequences of letters. Common patterns include:

  • Advancing or receding alphabetically by a fixed number of steps.
  • Alternating patterns.
  • Patterns based on alphabetical positions (e.g., prime numbers, squares).
  • Combinations of the above across different positions in a cluster or word.

Additional Information: Alphabetical Positions

Knowing the alphabetical position of letters can be very helpful in solving letter series and coding-decoding problems. Here are the positions for reference:

Letter Position Letter Position Letter Position
A 1 J 10 S 19
B 2 K 11 T 20
C 3 L 12 U 21
D 4 M 13 V 22
E 5 N 14 W 23
F 6 O 15 X 24
G 7 P 16 Y 25
H 8 Q 17 Z 26
I 9 R 18  
Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Select the letter that can replace the question mark(?) in the following series.

    A, E, I, ? Q, U
  2. Select the letter-cluster that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

    KQG, JTK, HXO, ECS, ?
  3. Select the letter-cluster from among the given options that can replace the question mark (?) in the following series.

    KMTC, EVOM, OQXG, IZSQ, ?

  4. A series is given with one term missing. Select the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series.

    ABCD, CTFZ, ELIV, GDLR, ?

  5. Which of the following letter-clusters will replace the question mark (?) and complete the following letter-cluster series?

    IR, BY, UF, NM, GT, ?

  6. A series is given with one term missing. Select the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series.

    ABCD, CUKA, ENSX, GGAU, ?

  7. Which of the following letter-clusters will replace the question mark (?) in the given series?

    TYG, ?, PSM, NPP, LMS

  8. A series is given with one term missing. Select the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series.

    TTDS, VMLP, XFTM, ZYBJ, ?

  9. A series is given with one term missing. Select the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series.

    ABCD, EVKT, IPSJ, MJAZ, ?
  10. Which of the following letter clusters will replace the question mark (?) in the given series?

    ARC, EPF, JNI, PLL, ?

Important Questions from Alphabet Series

  1. A series is given with some letters missing. Choose the correct alternative from the given ones that will complete the series:

    BR __ __ NB __ O __ NB
  2. A series is given with some letters missing. Choose the set of letters which when sequentially placed shall complete it .

    a __ __ dba __ __ bcad __ __ da __ __ cd
  3. In the following letter series, some of the letters are missing which are given in that order as one of the alternatives below It. Choose the correct alternative

    _ a _ b _ abaa _ bab _ abb
  4. Select the combination of letters that when sequentially placed in the blanks of the given series will complete the series.

    Q _ P _ M _ A _ T _ Q A _ T M

  5. In the series _b_a_ba_b_abab_aab;

    fill in the six blanks ( _ ) using one of the following given four choices such that the series follows a specific order.

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
SSC CGL
September 30, 2026
UPSSSC PET
October 23, 2026
Test Series
SSC CGL img
SSC
SSC CGL (Tier I + Tier II) 2026 Mock Test Series - Latest Pattern
2503 Tests 6 Tests Free
5389 Attempts
4.2(868)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App