This page covers Agniveer Army CEE Box / Stack Puzzle with complete concept notes, 6 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Box/Stack puzzles involve arranging items in a vertical stack or boxes on different floors. Items are placed one above the other based on given conditions. Think of it like stacking books or placing boxes in a tower.
Key RulesCore rules you must know cold
Only one item can occupy each position. Items are numbered from bottom to top or top to bottom. Conditions link items using words like 'above', 'below', 'immediately above', 'between', 'top', 'bottom'.
Key Properties: 'Immediately above' means direct contact with no gap. 'Above' means anywhere higher, with possible gaps. 'Between' means exactly one item separates two others. 'Second from top' means one item above it.
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC asks 3-5 questions per puzzle. Common formats include 7-floor buildings, 8-box stacks, or 5-item arrangements. Questions test position identification, relative placement, and counting gaps between items.
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
Use the 'Fixed Point Method'. Find items with maximum constraints first. Items mentioned as 'top', 'bottom', or with multiple conditions become anchor points.
Build the arrangement around these fixed positions.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Fix definite positions. C is at position 7 (top). A is at position 6 (immediately below C). D is at position 1 (bottom).
2
Step 2
Analyze 'between' condition. B is between E and F means E-B-F or F-B-E arrangement.
3
Step 3
Use remaining condition. G is above E but below F. This gives us F-G-E sequence when read from top to bottom.
4
Step 4
Combine sequences. From F-G-E and E-B-F, we get F-G-E-B-F. But F cannot repeat, so we arrange as F-G-E-B with F above this group.
5
Step 5
Final arrangement from bottom to top: D(1), E(2), B(3), G(4), F(5), A(6), C(7).
Verification: C at top ✓, A immediately below C ✓, D at bottom ✓, B between E and F ✓, G above E but below F ✓.
Second Shortcut: Draw a rough vertical line and mark positions 1-7. Fill known positions first, then work with remaining conditions.
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students confuse 'above' with 'immediately above'. 'Above' allows gaps, 'immediately above' means direct contact. Also, misreading 'between' conditions leads to wrong sequences. Always verify final arrangement against all given conditions.
Key Points to Remember
Box puzzles arrange items vertically with one item per position
'Immediately above' means direct contact, 'above' allows gaps between items
'Between' means exactly one item separates two others in the stack
Use Fixed Point Method - identify items with maximum constraints first
Number positions from 1 (bottom) to n (top) or vice versa consistently
Draw vertical arrangements to visualize relationships clearly
Always verify final arrangement against every given condition
Common question types: position finding, gap counting, relative placement
Exam-Specific Tips
Box puzzles typically involve 5-8 items arranged vertically
SSC asks 3-5 questions per box arrangement puzzle
'Second from bottom' means position 2 when counting from bottom
'Third from top' means position 3 when counting from top
Maximum gap between two items in 7-box puzzle is 5 positions
Minimum items needed for 'between' relationship is 3 items
'Immediately below' means direct contact from lower position
Box puzzles appear in 80% of SSC CGL Tier-1 question papers
Practice MCQs
Box / Stack Puzzle — Practice Questions
6graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis
Five boxes are stacked vertically. Box P is placed directly above Box Q. Box R is placed directly above Box S. Box T is at the bottom. If Box S is directly above Box T, what is the correct order from bottom to top?
Practice 2easy
Four boxes A, B, C, and D are arranged in a stack. Box C is not at the top. Box A is directly above Box D. Box B is not at the bottom. Which position must Box D occupy?
Practice 3medium
Five boxes are stacked vertically. Box P is placed directly above Box Q. Box R is placed directly above Box S. Box T is at the bottom. If Box Q is directly above Box T, what is the correct order from bottom to top?
Practice 4medium
Six boxes labeled A through F are arranged in a stack. Box C is exactly 2 positions below Box A. Box E is immediately above Box D. Box B is at the top. If the stack has 6 positions numbered 1 (bottom) to 6 (top), what is the position of Box C if Box A is at position 5?
Practice 5medium
Four boxes are stacked: X, Y, Z, and W. Box Y is neither at the top nor at the bottom. Box Z is directly below Box X. Box W is at the bottom. Which box is at the top?
Practice 6hard
Five boxes labeled P, Q, R, S, and T are stacked vertically. Box R is placed exactly in the middle. Box P is directly above Box Q. Box S is placed immediately below Box R. Box T is at the bottom. Which box is at the top of the stack?
60-Second Revision — Box / Stack Puzzle
Remember: Fix definite positions (top/bottom/immediately) first
Formula: Total positions minus 1 equals maximum possible gaps
Trap: 'Above' and 'immediately above' have different meanings
Method: Use vertical line diagram for clear visualization
Check: Verify final answer against all given conditions
Shortcut: Items with most constraints become anchor points
Pattern: Between A and B means A-X-B or B-X-A arrangement