Learn the 3-Step Method
1Write values under letters.
B E D → 2, 5, 4. On paper, always.
2Add in easy pairs.
2 + 5 + 4: pair to make tens where possible. BED = 11.
3Reverse questions: budget the letters.
‘Which word costs 15?’ Test candidates: FACE = 6+1+3+5 = 15 ✓.
Worked Example
If A=1, B=2, C=3… what is the value of DAD, and which is worth more: DAD or CAB?
Watch Out! Common Mistakes
Anchor check! D is the 4th letter. Use anchors (E=5, J=10) to spot drift instantly.
Write the numbers! Three-letter sums survive mental maths; five-letter words under time pressure don’t. Paper is faster than re-doing.
Read the rule! Some questions set A=2, B=4 (doubling) or count backwards. The rule box overrides habit.
⬇ Cheat Sheet
- Write each letter's value beneath it.
- Add in friendly pairs.
- Reverse questions: test each candidate word.
- Always read the rule — A=1 isn't guaranteed.
📖 Continue Your Journey
Quick summary
- Write the value under each letter before adding.
- Add in easy pairs; CAB = 6, BED = 11, FACE = 15.
- Reverse questions: test each candidate against the target total.
- Check the rule — papers sometimes use A=2 or backwards values.
Frequently asked questions
How do letter-value questions work?
Each letter takes its alphabet position (A=1 … Z=26) unless the paper says otherwise, and words are scored by adding their letters: CAB = 3+1+2 = 6.
What's the fastest accurate method?
Write the numbers under the letters and add in pairs — mental juggling causes the position slips that cost marks.
Do all questions use A=1?
No — some define their own values (A=2, B=4) or reverse the alphabet. The rule stated in the question always wins.
Continue your child's learning journey
with the MindBlaze app.
Fun daily learning missions for children. Clear progress insights for parents — helping every child start secondary school ready to learn.
