Word analogies for the NAPOLCOM exam: name the relationship first, and the options answer themselves.
An analogy item gives a pair of words with a relationship and asks for the option that shares it. Examinees who go from the first word straight to the options are choosing among four words that all feel connected, which is exactly what the options are written to do. The method is one sentence: state the relationship between the given pair before reading any option, then apply that sentence to each. This page gives the recurring relationship types, the method, and worked items with the traps named.
- Last reviewed
- Worked examples
- 3
- Subtest
- NAPOLCOM Exam Word Analogy Reviewer
Or drill napolcom exam word analogy reviewer (included with a paid plan).
Quick facts
- Format
- A : B :: C : ___, or a pair to match
- Method
- Say the relationship in one sentence first
- Types
- About ten recurring relationships
- Main trap
- An option related to C but not the same way
- Time
- Under 40 seconds with the method
Primary keyword: napolcom exam word analogy reviewer
The relationship types
About ten relationships account for most items. Learning to name them fast is the skill.
| Type | Example | The sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Part to whole | Wheel : Car | A wheel is a part of a car |
| Category | Sergeant : Rank | A sergeant is a kind of rank |
| Tool to use | Handcuffs : Restrain | Handcuffs are used to restrain |
| Worker to product or place | Judge : Court | A judge works in a court |
| Cause to effect | Negligence : Accident | Negligence causes an accident |
| Degree | Warm : Hot | Hot is a stronger degree of warm |
| Opposite | Guilty : Innocent | Guilty is the opposite of innocent |
| Synonym | Candid : Frank | Candid means frank |
| Object to characteristic | Steel : Hard | Steel is characteristically hard |
| Sequence | Investigation : Prosecution | Investigation comes before prosecution |
The sentence method
Cover the options. Say a sentence that connects the given pair, specific enough to exclude other pairs: not 'a wheel is related to a car' but 'a wheel is a part of a car'. Then uncover the options and put each into the same sentence with the third word. Only one survives. If two survive, the sentence was not specific enough; add the direction or the degree ('a necessary part', 'a stronger degree') and try again.
The trap is always an option that is related to the third word by a different relationship: given 'patrol : street', the option 'guard : uniform' is related to guard but not as the place where the action is done. The sentence rejects it instantly; the ear does not.
Direction and order
Analogies are directional. 'Part : whole' is not 'whole : part', and an option with the right words in the wrong order is wrong. Check the order of the given pair against the order of each option as a separate step, because the exam sets that trap deliberately.
Worked examples
These items are written specifically for this guide. The actual practice bank pulls from a separate pool of original NAPOLCOM-style items reviewed by passers.
Item 01
PATROL : STREET :: GUARD : blank
- AUniform
- BPostCorrect
- CWeapon
- DNight
Explanation. Sentence: a patrol is done along a street; a guard is kept at a post. Uniform, weapon and night are all related to a guard, but none is the place where the guarding is done. Naming the relationship excludes them; the ear does not.Item 02
WARNING : PENALTY :: SUSPENSION : blank
- AReprimand
- BPromotion
- CDismissalCorrect
- DComplaint
Explanation. Degree: a penalty is more severe than a warning, so the answer is a sanction more severe than suspension, which is dismissal. Reprimand is less severe (wrong direction); promotion is the opposite kind of thing; complaint precedes a sanction.Item 03
Which pair has the same relationship as EVIDENCE : CONVICTION?
- AVerdict : Trial
- BFuel : FireCorrect
- CLawyer : Client
- DSentence : Judge
Explanation. Evidence produces a conviction; fuel produces a fire. A reverses the order (a trial produces a verdict). C and D are worker relationships. Direction decides between A and B.
Want twenty more like these, under a clock?
The napolcom exam word analogy reviewer drill runs ten or twenty items with full explanations and tracks which traps you fall for most often. Included with a paid plan.
Study tactics that actually move the score
- 01
Cover the options and say the relationship in one specific sentence before uncovering them.
- 02
Put each option into the same sentence. Only one survives; if two do, make the sentence more specific.
- 03
Check the order of every option against the order of the given pair. Reversed pairs are a deliberate trap.
- 04
Learn the ten relationship types until you can name one on sight.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common analogy relationships?
Part to whole, category, tool to use, worker to place, cause to effect, degree, opposite, synonym, object to characteristic, and sequence. Naming which one is in play is most of the item.
Why do two options both seem right?
Because the relationship sentence was too general. Add direction or degree ('a stronger degree of', 'a necessary part of') and one option drops out.
How long should an analogy take?
Under forty seconds with the sentence method. They are among the fastest items on the paper once the method is automatic.
Stop reading. Find your floor.
Forty questions across all four subtests, forty minutes, and a per-subject breakdown against the 80.00 pass mark.