Study Material — 10 PYQs (2024–2024) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
SSC GD Constable Comparison Puzzle is a frequently tested subtopic — 10 previous year questions from 2024–2024 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
SSC GD Constable Comparison Puzzle — Past Exam Questions
10 questions from actual SSC GD Constable papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12024Previous Year Pattern
Three students—Priya, Qasim, and Ravi—scored different marks in an exam. Priya scored more than Qasim. Ravi scored less than Priya. Qasim scored more than Ravi. Who scored the least?
Exam Q 22024Previous Year Pattern
Four boxes—P, Q, R, and S—contain different numbers of items. Box P has fewer items than Box Q. Box R has more items than Box S. Box Q has more items than Box R. If Box S has 10 items, and Box R has 15 items, how many items does Box Q have at minimum?
Exam Q 32024Previous Year Pattern
Five friends—Arun, Bhavna, Chetan, Deepa, and Eira—are sitting in a row. Arun is heavier than Bhavna. Chetan is lighter than Deepa. Bhavna is heavier than Chetan. Deepa is lighter than Arun. Who is the heaviest among them?
Exam Q 42024Previous Year Pattern
Five runners—P, Q, R, S, and T—finished a race with different timings. P was faster than Q. R was slower than S. Q was faster than R. S was faster than P. T was slower than Q. Who finished first (fastest)?
Exam Q 52024Previous Year Pattern
Four items—W, X, Y, and Z—have different prices. W is cheaper than X. Y is more expensive than Z. X is more expensive than Y. Z is cheaper than W. What is the correct order from cheapest to most expensive?
Exam Q 62024Previous Year Pattern
Six employees—A, B, C, D, E, and F—have different salaries. A earns more than B. C earns less than D. B earns more than C. D earns less than A. E earns more than F. F earns more than A. Which employee earns the most?
Exam Q 72024Previous Year Pattern
Four boxes—W, X, Y, Z—contain different numbers of items. Box Y has fewer items than Box X. Box Z has more items than Box W. Box X has fewer items than Box Z. Box W has more items than Box Y. Which box has the second-highest number of items?
Exam Q 82024Previous Year Pattern
Four people—Aman, Bina, Chetan, and Diya—have different ages. Aman is older than Bina. Chetan is younger than Diya. Bina is older than Diya. Aman is not the oldest. Who is the youngest?
Exam Q 92024Previous Year Pattern
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. Bhavna is to the left of Deepak. Esha is at the rightmost position. Who is sitting in the middle (3rd position)?
Exam Q 102024Previous Year Pattern
Five students—Priya, Qasim, Ravi, Sana, and Tara—scored different marks. Ravi scored more than Sana. Qasim scored less than Tara. Priya scored more than Ravi. Sana scored more than Qasim. Tara scored less than Ravi. Who scored the second-highest marks?
Concept Notes
Comparison Puzzle— Rules & Concept
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
3
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.