Seating Arrangement

Subject: Reasoning | Frequency: 2-3 questions per APPSC paper | Time: 90-120 sec/question

Introduction

Seating arrangement questions give clues about the positions of people in a row or around a table. You must determine the arrangement and answer questions about it. APPSC favours linear (single row, facing one direction) and circular (facing center) types. The absolute rule: always draw the diagram. Process definite clues first.

Core Method

1. Identify the arrangement type — linear (row) or circular (table)?
2. Draw the layout — line for linear, circle for circular
3. Process DEFINITE clues first — exact positions, ends, center
4. Then process RELATIVE clues — "A is to the left of B", "C is opposite D"
5. Handle NEGATIVE clues last — "A is NOT next to B"
6. Fill remaining positions by logical deduction
7. Verify ALL clues against your final arrangement

Types

Linear — Single Row, Same Direction

• All face the same direction
• "Left" and "right" from the seated person's perspective

Linear — Facing North/South

Linear — Double Row (Facing Each Other)

• Two rows face each other; "left" for each row is opposite

Circular — Facing Center

• Clockwise from person = to their RIGHT
• Anticlockwise from person = to their LEFT

Circular — Facing Outside

• Clockwise from person = to their LEFT
• Anticlockwise from person = to their RIGHT

Key Terms

Worked Examples — Easy

Q1: 5 people (A, B, C, D, E) sit in a row facing North. B sits at the right end. D is to the immediate left of B. A is to the immediate left of D. C is not at the left end.

• Right end: B
• ..., A, D, B
• C is not at left end → E is at left end
• Arrangement: E, C, A, D, B
• Answer: C sits 2nd from the left

Q2: 6 friends (P, Q, R, S, T, U) in a row. P and Q at extreme ends. S next to P. T next to Q. R immediate right of S.

• P at one end, Q at other
• P, S, R, _, T, Q
• U fills the blank
• Arrangement: P, S, R, U, T, Q

Q3: 4 people A, B, C, D sit around a circular table facing center. A is opposite C. B is to the right of A. Where is D?

• A at 12, C at 6 (opposite)
• B to right of A (clockwise) = 3 o'clock
• D fills remaining: 9 o'clock (left of A)
• Answer: D is to the left of A, opposite B

Worked Examples — Medium

Q4: 8 people (A-H) sit around a circular table facing center. A sits opposite D. B is 2nd to the right of A. C is 3rd to the left of D. E sits between A and B.

• Place A at position 1. D opposite at position 5.
• B is 2nd right (CW) of A → position 3
• E between A and B → position 2
• C is 3rd left of D → D at 5, 3rd left (ACW) = position 8
• Arrangement: A(1), E(2), B(3), _(4), D(5), _(6), _(7), C(8)
• Fill F, G, H in positions 4, 6, 7

Q5: 8 people in two rows of 4 facing each other. Row 1 (facing South): P, Q, R, S. Row 2 (facing North): A, B, C, D. P faces C. Q at extreme end. B faces R. D not at extreme end.

• Q at an extreme end of Row 1
• P faces C (same column), B faces R (same column)
• D not at extreme → D in middle positions of Row 2
• Strategy: Use a grid, test each possibility systematically

Q6: 6 people around circular table facing center. A between F and B. C immediate right of F. D between B and E.

• F, A, B in sequence (clockwise)
• C is immediate right (CW) of F: need to reconcile
• D between B and E: B, D, E in sequence
• Full clockwise: C, F, A, B, D, E
• Verify: A between F and B (yes), C immediate right of F (C is CW from F? No, C is ACW from F in this arrangement)
• Adjust and re-verify — always draw the diagram

Shortcuts & Tricks

Common Mistakes

1. Left-right confusion in South-facing rows — left/right reverse for South-facing people
2. Circular CW/ACW mix-up — "Right" facing center = clockwise; facing outside = anticlockwise
3. Not checking all constraints — finalizing before verifying every clue
4. "Between" misinterpretation — means directly adjacent to both, not just somewhere in the middle
5. Starting with ambiguous clues — always start with definite/fixed position clues

Exam Strategy

• APPSC often gives a set of 3-5 questions from one arrangement — invest time upfront in getting the arrangement right
• Time: 90-120 seconds for the arrangement, 15-20 seconds per sub-question
• Practice drawing speed — the arrangement is mechanical once diagrammed correctly
• Always process definite clues first
• Negative marking: -0.333 — verify all clues before committing

Practice Questions

1. 5 people in a row. A at left end, E at right end. B next to A. C not next to E. Arrangement? → A, B, C, D, E or A, B, D, C, E (C not next to E → A, B, C, D, E)
2. Circular, 6 people facing center. A opposite D. B to right of A. C to left of D. Remaining? → Draw and fill
3. Row facing North. P is 3rd from left, Q is 3rd from right, 5 total. P and Q same person? → Yes (3rd from left = 3rd from right in row of 5)
4. A between B and C in a row. D to the right of C. Order? → B, A, C, D
5. Circular, 8 people. A at 12. B opposite A. C 2nd right of B. C is at? → B at 6, C 2nd CW = 8 o'clock position

Key Terms / Formulas