Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Core Concept
Comparison puzzles work by giving you clues like 'A is taller than B' or 'C scored less than D'. You must use these clues to arrange all items in a line (ascending or descending order). Think of it like solving a chain where each link connects two items
Key Rules
Read all statements carefully before starting.
2
Use symbols to track relationships
> (greater), < (less), = (equal).
3. Combine individual statements to create a complete chain.
4. Check your final answer against all given statements.
5. Watch for indirect comparisons — sometimes you must link multiple statements together.
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
If A > B and B > C, then A > C (Transitive Property). This is the backbone of all comparison puzzles.
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL typically asks:
- Who is the tallest/shortest/oldest/youngest?
- Arrange in increasing/decreasing order.
- Find positions of specific people in the arranged order.
- Handle 5-7 people with 4-6 comparative statements.
Shortcut/Trick:
Draw a simple line or arrow diagram. Write names and connect them with arrows showing the direction of comparison. This visual method solves 90% of puzzles faster than written logic.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Write statements using symbols.
Raj > Priya ... (1)
Anu > Raj ... (2)
Sita < Priya ... (3)
Mohan > Anu ... (4)
2
Step 2
Link the chain.
From (1): Raj > Priya
From (2): Anu > Raj, so Anu > Raj > Priya
From (4): Mohan > Anu, so Mohan > Anu > Raj > Priya
From (3): Sita < Priya, so Sita is even smaller
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Step 3
Final order from tallest to shortest.
Mohan > Anu > Raj > Priya > Sita
Answer: Mohan is the tallest.
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students often ignore indirect relationships. If A > B and C > A, they sometimes forget that C > B as well. Always trace the complete chain before answering.
Also, don't assume anything not stated in the problem.
Key Points to Remember
Comparison puzzles require you to arrange items in order using given statements about relationships.
Use the transitive property: if A > B and B > C, then definitely A > C.
Always draw a visual line or arrow diagram to track relationships clearly.
Read every statement carefully; indirect comparisons are often hidden in the clues.
Check your final answer by verifying it satisfies all given statements.
Common properties compared in SSC CGL: age, height, weight, marks, salary, and speed.
Exam-Specific Tips
Comparison puzzles in SSC CGL typically involve 5-7 persons and 4-6 comparative statements.
The transitive property (if A > B and B > C, then A > C) is the mathematical foundation of all comparison puzzles.
Most SSC CGL comparison puzzles ask for the maximum or minimum person in a specific property.
Five friends—Arun, Bhavna, Chetan, Deepa, and Esha—are sitting in a row facing North. Arun is to the left of Bhavna. Chetan is to the right of Deepa. Bhavna is to the left of Chetan. Deepa is to the left of Bhavna. Who is sitting in the middle (3rd position)?
Practice 2easy
Three friends—Vikram, Wanda, and Xavier—have different ages. Vikram is older than Xavier. Wanda is younger than Vikram. If Wanda is older than Xavier, who is the oldest?
Practice 3easy
Six boxes—A, B, C, D, E, F—are stacked vertically. Box B is heavier than Box A. Box D is lighter than Box C. Box E is heavier than Box F. Box C is lighter than Box B. Box F is heavier than Box A. Which box is definitely lighter than Box B?
Practice 4easy
Five friends—Arun, Bhavna, Chitra, Deepak, and Esha—are sitting in a row facing North. Arun is to the left of Bhavna. Chitra is to the right of Deepak but to the left of Esha. Deepak is to the left of Bhavna. Who is sitting in the middle (3rd position)?
Practice 5easy
Three boxes—Red, Blue, and Green—contain different numbers of marbles. The Red box has fewer marbles than the Blue box. The Green box has more marbles than the Blue box. The Red box has more marbles than 10. The Blue box has fewer marbles than 25. How many marbles could be in the Blue box?
Practice 6easy
Four students—Priya, Qasim, Ravi, and Sana—scored different marks. Priya scored more than Qasim. Ravi scored less than Sana. Qasim scored more than Ravi. Sana scored less than Priya. Who scored the second-highest marks?
Practice 7easy
Five employees—Aman, Bina, Chetan, Diya, and Eshan—work in different departments. Aman earns more than Chetan. Bina earns less than Diya. Chetan earns more than Eshan. Diya earns less than Aman. Bina earns more than Eshan. Who earns the second-highest salary?
Practice 8easy
Four students—Priya, Qasim, Ravi, and Sana—scored different marks. Priya scored more than Ravi. Qasim scored less than Sana. Ravi scored more than Sana. Who scored the least?
Practice 9easy
Five friends—Aman, Bina, Chetan, Disha, and Esha—have different heights. Based on the following clues, who is the tallest?
Clue 1: Aman is taller than Bina but shorter than Chetan.
Clue 2: Disha is taller than Esha but shorter than Aman.
Clue 3: Esha is taller than Bina.
Clue 4: Chetan is taller than Disha.
Practice 10medium
Four people—Priya, Qasim, Ravi, and Sana—have different ages: 18, 25, 32, and 40 years. Priya is older than Qasim. Ravi is younger than Sana. Priya is not the oldest. The second-youngest person is 25 years old. Who is 32 years old?
Practice 11medium
Five friends—Arun, Bhavna, Chitra, Deepak, and Esha—are sitting in a row facing North. Bhavna is to the left of Chitra. Deepak is to the right of Esha. Arun is not at either end. Chitra is not to the right of Deepak. Who is sitting at the rightmost position?
Practice 12medium
Six boxes—A, B, C, D, E, F—are stacked in a column. Box C is above Box E. Box B is below Box D. Box A is not at the top. Box F is at the bottom. Box D is above Box C. How many boxes are between Box B and Box F?
Practice 13medium
Four employees—Priya, Qasim, Ravi, and Sana—have different salaries. Priya earns more than Ravi. Qasim earns less than Sana. Ravi earns more than Sana. If the total of the two highest salaries is ₹20 lakhs and the total of the two lowest salaries is ₹8 lakhs, what is Ravi's rank in terms of salary (1 = highest, 4 = lowest)?
Practice 14medium
Five students—Aman, Bina, Chetan, Diya, and Eshan—scored different marks out of 100. Aman scored more than Bina. Chetan scored less than Diya. Eshan scored the highest. Bina scored more than Chetan. Diya did not score the second-highest. Who scored the second-highest marks?
Practice 15medium
Six boxes labeled A through F are stacked in three columns (left, middle, right), with two boxes per column. Box C is heavier than Box B. Box E is lighter than Box D. Box A is heavier than Box F. The middle column contains Box B (bottom) and Box D (top). The right column contains Box E (bottom) and Box C (top). Which box is the lightest among all six?
Practice 16medium
Five friends—Arun, Bhavna, Chitra, Deepak, and Esha—are sitting in a row facing North. Bhavna sits 2 seats to the right of Arun. Chitra sits immediately to the left of Deepak. Esha sits at one end. Deepak is not at either end. If Arun is not at the leftmost position, who sits in the middle seat?
60-Second Revision — Comparison Puzzle
Remember: Always create a visual chain or arrow diagram; it reduces mistakes and saves time.
Formula: Use transitive property A > B and B > C means A > C without exception.
Trap: Don't ignore indirect statements; link all clues together before concluding.
Method: Read statement → Convert to symbol → Link the chain → Verify answer against all statements.
Pattern: SSC asks 'who is tallest/shortest' or 'arrange in order' — both solved by the same chain method.
Common error: Assuming relationships not stated in the problem — stick only to given information.
Time saving: Solve in 60-90 seconds by drawing arrows instead of writing explanations.