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IBPS Clerk Box / Stack Puzzle

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This page covers IBPS Clerk Box / Stack Puzzle with complete concept notes, 4 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.

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Concept Notes

Box / Stack Puzzle— Rules & Concept

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

4graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

Four boxes labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 are stacked vertically. Box 3 is not at the top. Box 2 is not at the bottom. Box 1 is immediately above Box 4. Which box is at the bottom?

Practice 2easy

Seven boxes are arranged in a stack from bottom to top as positions 1 through 7. Box M is at an odd position. Box N is at an even position. Box O is exactly 2 positions above Box M. Box P is exactly 1 position below Box N. Box Q is at position 1. Which box is at position 7?

Practice 3easy

Five boxes labeled A, B, C, D, and E are stacked vertically. Box C is immediately above Box B. Box A is at the top. Box D is immediately below Box E. Box E is not at the bottom. Which box is at the bottom?

Practice 4easy

Five boxes labeled A, B, C, D, and E are stacked vertically in positions 1 to 5 (1 is bottom, 5 is top). Based on the following clues, determine which box is at position 3? Clue 1: Box B is immediately above Box A. Clue 2: Box C is at an even-numbered position. Clue 3: Box D is not at the top. Clue 4: Box E is at position 1. Clue 5: Box A is below position 3.

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
←Scheduling / Day-Month PuzzleParallel Row Puzzle→
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