If GOAL is coded as HPBM, what is the code for FAIL?

Correct — A.
Rule: every letter moves +1: G→H, O→P, A→B, L→M.

F→G, A→B, I→J, L→M
FAIL → GBJM → option (a).

Why the others are wrong

• (b)
  EBJN — EBJN moves F back to E and L forward two places to N. GOAL's code shows L → M, so FAIL's code must end in M.
• (c)
  FBKM — FBKM leaves F unchanged and moves I two places to K. Every letter moves exactly +1, giving G and J.
• (d)
  GAJL — GAJL leaves A and L as they are. GOAL's own code turns A into B and L into M, so neither can stay.

A uniform shift code moves every letter the same distance. Read the step from the given pair and confirm it on every letter: G → H, O → P, A → B, L → M is +1 throughout.

A shared letter is a free check. GOAL and FAIL both contain A and L, and GOAL's code shows A → B and L → M. So FAIL's code must have B second and M last.

Key facts

• A +1 shift moves each letter to the next: F→G, A→B, I→J, L→M.
• Under a uniform shift, a letter always codes the same way, whichever word it is in.
• Z + 1 wraps round to A.

Common traps

• Shifting some letters and copying others unchanged, as GAJL does
• Moving a letter two places instead of one (I → K)

No directly related past PYQ was found.