You are given information about positions, rankings, or arrangements. Your job is to determine the exact order or find specific positions of elements in that arrangement
💡Key Rules
Always work systematically from left to right or top to bottom. When multiple conditions are given, satisfy all conditions simultaneously. Pay attention to words like 'between', 'immediately', 'adjacent', 'next to', and 'opposite'
→Types of Questions
Linear arrangements (single row), circular arrangements, and ranking based on performance, height, weight, or age. SSC CGL frequently asks about finding positions, counting people between two positions, or determining who sits where
⚡Shortcut Technique 1
Use the 'Anchor Method'. Find the most restrictive condition first and use it as your starting point. This saves time and reduces errors.
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Worked Example
Solve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
D sits at one end. Let's place D at the left end: D _ _ _ _
2
Step 2
A sits two places to the left of E. This means there's exactly one person between A and E. Possible positions: A_E or positions 2 and 4.
3
Step 3
Since D is at position 1, A can be at position 2 and E at position 4: D A _ E _
4
Step 4
B sits immediately to the right of C. The remaining positions are 3 and 5. So C must be at position 3 and B at position 5.
Final arrangement: D A C E B
Verification: A is two places left of E ✓, B is immediately right of C ✓, D is at one end ✓
Shortcut Technique 2: Use the 'Elimination Method' for ranking questions. When given partial information about ranks, eliminate impossible positions systematically.
Common Mistakes: Students often confuse 'left' and 'right' directions. Always maintain consistent orientation. Another mistake is not checking if the final arrangement satisfies ALL given conditions. Many students also misinterpret 'between' (which excludes endpoints) and 'among' (which can include endpoints).
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Exam Patterns
What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL typically asks 1-2 questions on this topic. Questions usually involve 5-8 people or objects. Linear arrangements are more common than circular ones. The difficulty level is moderate, and these questions are scoring if approached systematically.
In a queue of 12 people, Arun is 7th from the front. Bhavna is 5th from the back. How many people are between Arun and Bhavna?
Practice 2easy
Seven friends A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are standing in a line. D is 4th from the left. How many friends are standing to the right of D?
Practice 3easy
In a class of 40 students, Raj's rank from the top is 12th. What is Raj's rank from the bottom?
Practice 4easy
In a class of 40 students, Rajesh ranks 15th from the top. What is his rank from the bottom?
Practice 5easy
In a race, Priya finishes ahead of Neha, and Neha finishes ahead of Meera. Meera finishes ahead of Pooja. Who finishes last?
Practice 6easy
Among five books, Book P is heavier than Book Q. Book R is lighter than Book S. Book Q is heavier than Book R. Which book is the lightest?
Practice 7medium
In a class of 40 students, Priya ranks 14th from the top. Her friend Meena is 10 ranks below Priya. What is Meena's rank from the bottom?
Practice 8medium
Seven friends A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are standing in a row. D is 4th from the left. B is 2nd to the right of D. What is B's position from the left?
Practice 9medium
In a race, Priya finished ahead of Neha, who finished ahead of Isha. Meera finished ahead of Priya. Isha finished ahead of Deepa. Who finished in the 3rd position?
Practice 10medium
Among 8 books on a shelf, Book X is 3rd from the left. Book Y is 2nd from the right. How many books are between Book X and Book Y?
Practice 11medium
In a class of 45 students, Rajesh's rank from the top is 12th. What is his rank from the bottom?
Practice 12hard
In a competition, 10 participants are ranked from 1st to 10th. Participant M's rank is such that the number of participants ranked below M is 3 more than the number of participants ranked above M. Participant N's rank is such that the number of participants ranked above N is twice the number of participants ranked below N. What is the rank difference between M and N?
Practice 13hard
Seven friends—Arun, Bhavna, Chirag, Deepak, Esha, Farhan, and Gita—are standing in a line. Bhavna is 4 positions to the left of Farhan. Chirag is immediately to the right of Arun. Deepak is 2 positions to the right of Esha. Gita is at one of the ends. Farhan is not at either end. If Arun is 3rd from the left, who is standing 5th from the left?
Practice 14hard
Five people—P, Q, R, S, T—are standing in a line. The number of people standing to the left of P is equal to the number of people standing to the right of R. Q is standing immediately to the right of P. S is standing to the left of T. If R is not at either end, which of the following must be true?
60-Second Revision — Ranking & Order
Remember: Draw the arrangement as you solve, don't rely on mental calculation
Formula: People between positions A and B = |A-B| - 1
Trap: 'Left of' and 'Right of' depend on your reference direction - stay consistent
Technique: Start with the most restrictive condition to save time
Check: Verify final arrangement satisfies ALL conditions before marking answer
Key Words: 'Immediately' means adjacent, 'between' excludes endpoints
Pattern: SSC prefers 5-7 people linear arrangements over complex circular ones