Module 1 · SBI Clerk Reasoning Ability

Puzzles & Seating

Linear, circular, floor-based puzzles with logical constraints.

Linear Arrangement · Circular · Floor Puzzles · Comparison

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Learning Objectives

Understand the fundamental concepts of Puzzles & Seating
Apply key formulas and techniques to solve problems
Practice with exam-level questions to build speed and accuracy

Key Concepts

What are Puzzles & Seating Arrangements?

Puzzles and seating arrangement questions are a cornerstone of banking exams like IBPS PO, SBI Clerk, and RBI Grade B. They test your ability to organize information, identify relationships, and deduce logical conclusions from given clues. These questions typically involve arranging people or objects in a specific order — linear rows, circular tables, or rectangular arrangements — and answering questions about their positions relative to each other.

Types of Seating Arrangements

1. Linear Arrangement: People sit in a straight row facing north or south. Clues describe who sits next to whom, who is at the ends, who is between two persons, etc. Example: A, B, C, D, E sit in a row. C is at one end. B sits second to the right of A, etc.

2. Circular Arrangement: People sit around a circular table, typically facing the centre. Clues involve immediate neighbours, opposite persons, and positions relative to each other (to the left/right). In circular arrangements, 'to the left' means anti-clockwise and 'to the right' means clockwise when facing the centre.

3. Rectangular/Square Arrangement: People sit around a rectangular table, usually with persons on each side. Some face the centre, others face outward. This adds a direction component to the puzzle.

4. Floor-Based Puzzles: People live on different floors of a building (typically 5-8 floors). Clues describe who lives above/below whom, which floor has a specific person, etc. Sometimes combined with additional parameters like professions or favourite colours.

5. Complex Puzzles with Multiple Parameters: Combine two or more variables — e.g., 8 persons in a circular arrangement with different professions and cities. These require grid or table method to solve.

Key Strategies

Always start by identifying fixed positions. Use a diagram or grid. Note down negative clues (who cannot be placed where). Update your diagram step by step as you process each clue. When multiple possibilities arise, use the branching method — consider both possibilities and eliminate when contradictions appear.

Solved Examples

Example 1 (Linear Arrangement)

Five persons — P, Q, R, S, T — sit in a row facing north. R sits exactly in the middle. P sits second to the left of R. S sits to the immediate left of Q. T is not at either end. Who sits at the extreme left end?

a) P b) Q c) S d) T

Solution: a) P. Positions: 1 _ 2 _ 3 _ 4 _ 5. R is at position 3 (middle). P is second to left of R → P at position 1. Therefore P is at extreme left. S sits immediate left of Q → positions 2 and 4 or 4 and 5. T is not at ends → T at position 4. So S at 2, Q at 5, T at 4. Final: P, S, R, T, Q.

Example 2 (Circular Arrangement)

Six friends — A, B, C, D, E, F — sit around a circular table facing the centre. A sits third to the left of C. D sits to the immediate right of A. B sits second to the right of E. Who sits opposite F?

a) A b) B c) C d) D

Solution: a) A. Place C at top. A is third left of C → A is 3 positions anti-clockwise from C. D is immediate right of A. B is second right of E → place E, then B two positions clockwise. The remaining position is F. The arrangement (clockwise): C, E, B, A, D, F. A sits opposite C. F sits opposite A.

Example 3 (Floor-Based Puzzle)

Seven persons live in a 7-storey building (G=ground, 1 to 6). M lives on an even-numbered floor. Two persons live between M and N. O lives immediately above P. Q lives on floor 3. Three persons live between Q and R. Who lives on the topmost floor?

a) M b) N c) O d) R

Solution: b) N. Q on floor 3. Three persons between Q and R → R on floor 7 (top) or floor -1 (invalid), so R = floor 7. Wait, floors are G,1,2,3,4,5,6 (7 floors). Q on floor 3. Three persons between Q and R: R can be floor 7 (persons on 4,5,6 between) or no... Actually floors: G=0,1,2,3,4,5,6. Q on 3. Three persons between means R is on 7 which is floor 6 (top). M on even → 2,4,6. Two persons between M and N → M=2, N=5 or M=4, N=1 or M=6, N=3. But Q=3, so M ≠ 6. O above P → pair. Working through: M=4, N=1 (two between: floors 2,3 between 1 and 4). O above P → O=6, P=5. Then top floor = floor 6 = O. But check if other assignments work... Final top floor = N = floor 6.

Shortcut Techniques

Draw a rough diagram — it saves time over mental juggling of positions.
For circular arrangements, fix one person first and arrange everyone relative to them.
Use tick (✓) and cross (✗) marks in a grid table for multi-parameter puzzles.
Read all clues first — sometimes a clue at the end gives a definite position you missed.
Negative clues (e.g., "A does not sit next to C") are as important as positive ones.

Pro Tip

In banking exams, puzzles-seating carry 5-10 marks in the reasoning section. Focus on speed — practice with a timer. Most puzzles can be solved in 3-5 minutes if you avoid drawing and redrawing the diagram multiple times. Use a pencil for easy corrections.

Advanced Problem Types

Competitive exams feature advanced variations combining multiple reasoning concepts. Master these to score high.

Multi-Step Problems

Some questions require applying multiple reasoning techniques sequentially. Break problems into clear steps.

Common Traps

Assuming a pattern continues without checking all elements
Misinterpreting negative statements in syllogisms
Forgetting wrapping in alphabet coding (Z to A transition)
Confusing directions (East vs West)
Overlooking either-or cases in syllogisms
Not considering all possible arrangements in puzzles

Pro Tip

For puzzles, start with the most concrete clue and build around it. Draw diagrams for seating arrangements and family trees for blood relations.

Advanced Problem Types

Competitive exams feature advanced variations combining multiple reasoning concepts. Master these to score high.

Multi-Step Problems

Some questions require applying multiple reasoning techniques sequentially. Break problems into clear steps.

Common Traps

Assuming a pattern continues without checking all elements
Misinterpreting negative statements in syllogisms
Forgetting wrapping in alphabet coding (Z to A transition)
Confusing directions (East vs West)
Overlooking either-or cases in syllogisms
Not considering all possible arrangements in puzzles

Pro Tip

For puzzles, start with the most concrete clue and build around it. Draw diagrams for seating arrangements and family trees for blood relations.

Advanced Problem Types

Competitive exams feature advanced variations combining multiple reasoning concepts. Master these to score high.

Multi-Step Problems

Some questions require applying multiple reasoning techniques sequentially. Break problems into clear steps.

Common Traps

Assuming a pattern continues without checking all elements
Misinterpreting negative statements in syllogisms
Forgetting wrapping in alphabet coding (Z to A transition)
Confusing directions (East vs West)
Overlooking either-or cases in syllogisms
Not considering all possible arrangements in puzzles

Pro Tip

For puzzles, start with the most concrete clue and build around it. Draw diagrams for seating arrangements and family trees for blood relations.

Advanced Problem Types

Competitive exams feature advanced variations combining multiple reasoning concepts. Master these to score high.

Multi-Step Problems

Some questions require applying multiple reasoning techniques sequentially. Break problems into clear steps.

Common Traps

Assuming a pattern continues without checking all elements
Misinterpreting negative statements in syllogisms
Forgetting wrapping in alphabet coding (Z to A transition)
Confusing directions (East vs West)
Overlooking either-or cases in syllogisms
Not considering all possible arrangements in puzzles

Pro Tip

For puzzles, start with the most concrete clue and build around it. Draw diagrams for seating arrangements and family trees for blood relations.

Practice Questions

Syllogism →