Introduction
Seating Arrangement puzzles place a group of people around a table or in a row based on a set of given
conditions. It's the highest-weightage reasoning puzzle in bank Prelims and Mains, so mastering a consistent
solving method matters more than any single trick.
Common Types
| Type | Key Feature |
|---|
| Linear (single row) | People seated in one straight line, facing one direction (north or south) |
| Linear (double row) | Two rows facing each other — position matters relative to the opposite row too |
| Circular | People seated around a round table, facing centre or outward |
| Rectangular/Square | People on all four sides, some sides with more seats than others |
Step-by-Step Solving Method
- Step 1: Draw the base structure first (row, circle, or table) before reading conditions in detail.
- Step 2: Place the most definite/fixed clues first (e.g., "A sits at the extreme left").
- Step 3: Use relative clues (immediate left/right, "two seats from") only after fixed points are placed.
- Step 4: Handle "facing north/south" or "facing centre/outward" clues last, since they flip left-right logic.
- Step 5: Re-check every condition against your final arrangement before answering.
Q. Five friends A, B, C, D, E sit in a row facing north. A sits second from the left. B sits immediately right of A. C sits at the extreme right. D sits immediately left of C. Where does E sit?
Positions 1-5 from left. A = position 2. B = position 3 (immediately right of A).
C = position 5 (extreme right). D = position 4 (immediately left of C).
Remaining position 1 → E sits at the extreme left (position 1).
⚠️ Key Insight: In circular arrangements, "facing the centre" reverses left/right compared to
"facing outward" — always fix the facing direction before applying any left/right clue, or your entire arrangement
can flip.
💡 Exam Tip: If a clue gives two possible positions, don't guess — hold both as parallel
possibilities and use the next clue to eliminate one. Forcing an early guess is the most common reason full
arrangements go wrong.
✅ Practice Focus: Linear row arrangements with direction-facing clues · Circular arrangements
(centre-facing and outward-facing) · Double-row facing arrangements · Handling "either/or" ambiguous clues.