Chapter 5 of 6 · English
Analogy
Analogies test the relationship between two words; identify the relationship type (synonym, antonym, part-whole, function, degree) before checking options.
Analogy is a English chapter on the official PMDC MDCAT 2026 syllabus, contributing roughly 1 MCQs to the 9-MCQ English section. Mastering the core concepts below typically secures the full chapter weightage.
The analogy framework
An analogy of the form A : B :: C : D asks: the relationship between A and B is the same as the relationship between C and D. The single biggest mistake students make is matching by topic instead of relationship. If A:B is "doctor : patient" (one treats the other), then C:D must also be a treats-relationship, not merely two medical words.
The eight recurring relationship types
- Synonym: happy : joyful :: sad : ? Answer: sorrowful.
- Antonym: hot : cold :: light : ? Answer: dark (not heavy — match the relationship type, not the word).
- Part to whole: petal : flower :: page : ? Answer: book.
- Worker to tool: carpenter : hammer :: surgeon : ? Answer: scalpel.
- Cause to effect: virus : illness :: spark : ? Answer: fire.
- Degree or intensity: warm : hot :: cool : ? Answer: cold (greater intensity in the same direction).
- Function: knife : cut :: pen : ? Answer: write.
- Category to example: mammal : whale :: reptile : ? Answer: crocodile.
The bridge-sentence technique
Build a sentence linking A and B, then test C and D in the same sentence. Example: "chef : kitchen :: judge : ?" Bridge: "A chef works in a kitchen." Apply: "A judge works in a ?" Answer: courtroom. The bridge eliminates ambiguous options instantly.
Common traps
Watch for direction. "Doctor : patient" is treater-to-treated; "patient : doctor" reverses the order. The right answer must keep the same direction. Watch for degree: "cool : freezing" is extreme intensity, not mild antonym. Watch for false topic matches: "river : water" (container to contents) is not the same as "ocean : fish" (habitat to inhabitant).
UHS-style worked example
OPHTHALMOLOGIST : EYE :: CARDIOLOGIST : ? Bridge: "An ophthalmologist specialises in the eye." Apply: a cardiologist specialises in the heart. This is a specialist-to-organ relationship, a UHS favourite given the medical context.
Key Concepts
- Word relationships
- Cause & effect pairs
- Part-to-whole
- Synonym/antonym pairs
- Function pairs
Worked MCQs
Q1. AUTHOR : NOVEL :: COMPOSER : ?
- A. instrument
- B. symphony ✓
- C. audience
- D. conductor
Explanation: Bridge: an author creates a novel; a composer creates a symphony. Same creator-creation relationship.
Common trap: Common trap: 'instrument' and 'conductor' are music-topic matches but break the creator-creation relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common UHS analogy type?
Worker-to-tool and specialist-to-organ relationships dominate, given the medical context. Synonym and antonym pairs are also routine.
Should I read all four options before deciding?
Build your bridge sentence first, then read options. Reading options first lets the wrong answers anchor your thinking.
What if two options seem to fit?
Refine your bridge sentence to be more specific. 'A chef works in a kitchen' is too loose; 'A chef cooks food in a kitchen' eliminates more options.
Are analogies still in the latest UHS pattern?
Yes, though their share has dropped to roughly 1 MCQ per paper. They overlap heavily with vocabulary, so the prep is dual-purpose.
How Analogy Is Tested
MDCAT questions on Analogy are a mix of recall (definitions, classifications), application (predict outcomes, interpret diagrams), and basic numerical/analytical reasoning. PMDC papers from 2020–2025 emphasized the concepts above; older UHS papers (2008–2019) tested them too, with slight variations in question framing.
Practice
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See the full MDCAT 2026 syllabus or browse all English chapters.