As a serious IBPS PO aspirant, you already know the Reasoning section in IBPS PO mains is not a joke. But did you know that one well solved puzzle set can fetch you 5 marks in less than 7 minutes?

Yes – if you master Puzzles and Seating Arrangements, you will not only save time but also boost your total score significantly. The challenge, however, is that these questions are lengthy, data heavy, and sometimes include multiple variables.

In this blog, I will walk you through:

• How to approach IBPS PO Mains Puzzles step by step
• What is the common pattern seen in recent years
• The best way to practice and revise puzzle sets 

Types of Puzzle Questions asked in IBPS PO Mains Bank Exam 

Here is the list of puzzle types that are frequently asked in IBPS PO exams based on the analysis of the last 5 years’ papers:

• Linear Arrangement Puzzle

• Circular Arrangement Puzzle

• Box/Stack Puzzle

• Floor-based Puzzle

• Month-Date Puzzle

• Day-based puzzles

Tips and Tricks to Solve Puzzle Questions Faster

Puzzle Questions test your logical reasoning, speed and precision? Whether it’s a floor based puzzle, seating arrangement, or box based puzzle, the following tips help you to score more in the reasoning section.

Still confused about Floor, Circular, or Box Puzzles? Get our exclusive free notes PDF from Bhagya Achievers – Click Here to Download

1. Read and analyse the puzzle carefully 

Identify all key variables: names, positions, floor, colours, ages, professions etc.

Note direct and indirect clues separately.

Direct: “A lives on the top floor”

Indirect: “Only two people live between A and B.”

Avoid Assumptions: Stick strictly to what’s given.

2. Use Visual Aids:

• Draw tables, snacks, or grids to organize data 

• Use circles/lines for seating; vertical stacks for floor puzzles

• Label clearly for easy reference

3. Start with Direct Clues 

• Begin solving with fixes like “S lives above W.”

• Use such clues to anchor your puzzle setup.

• Gradually build using indirect ones.

4. Apply Elimination & Handle Multiple Cases

• For dual possibilities, draw separate cases 

• Eliminate wrong ones as you go

5. Practice with Timer & Review Mistakes

• Use sectional timers (2-3 mins in prelims, 15 -20 mins in mains).

• Attempt easy puzzles first in the final IBPS PO bank  exam 

• Log and learn with mistakes to avoid repetition 

IBPS PO Mains Reasoning Practice Set – Puzzle + Seating PDF Download

Practice Sample Questions of Puzzle with Answers

In a study group six students from P to U were discussing about six revolutions that took place in 6 different countries i.e. India, Russia, Japan, U.S, China and Germany in different years viz. 1967, 1972, 1977, 1981, 1986 and 1989. All the information given is not necessarily in the same order. Each person was talking about one revolution only. U talked about the latest revolution that took place in the U.S. The revolution discussed by S happened neither more than 10 years before the revolution discussed by P. S neither talked about the Chinese nor the Indian revolution. As per R, the revolution in Russia took place in an even numbered year. Q did not talk about the Chinese revolution. T was talking about the revolution that took place in the year 1981 i.e. after the revolution in Germany. The Japanese revolution happened just before the revolution discussed by P.

IBPS PO Puzzle & Seating Arrangement Sectional Test – Free Practice Set

1. Revolution in which of the following countries took place in the year 1986? 

A. India 

B. U.S 

C. China 

D. China

E. None of these 

Answer: C

2. How many revolutions took place between the Japanese and Indian revolution? 

A. None 

B. One 

C. Two 

D. Three 

E. None of these

Answer: A

3. Who talked about the German revolution?

A. Q 

B. Q 

C. P 

D. S 

E. None of these 

Answer: D

4. Which of the following combinations is correctly matched? 

A. R - Russia – 1977 

B. T - India – 1981 

C. S- China - 1967 

D. P - India – 1986 

E. P - China – 1986 

Answer: E

For More Practice Download Free PDF 50+ IBPS PO Expected Puzzle Questions with Answers 

Types of Seating Arrangements for IBPS PO Mains Bank Exam 

There are various types of Seating Arrangement Questions asked in the Reasoning section of IBPS PO Mains bank exams are as follows:

• Circular Seating Arrangement

• Square Seating Arrangement

• Single Row/ Double Row/ Uncertain Seating Arrangement

• Rectangular Seating Arrangement

• Triangular Seating Arrangement

Download Circular Seating Arrangement Questions with Solutions PDF

Tips and Tricks to solve Seating Arrangement Questions for IBPS PO Bank Exam 

Seating Arrangement questions are asked in SBI PO, SBI Clerk, IBPS PO, IBPS SO, IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, RRB Clerk and SSC exams. These puzzles test your logical reasoning, speed, and accuracy. 

1. Start with Direct Statements:

Begin by analysis and writing down all the clear, direct clues provided. These are your anchors. 

Example: If the statement is “A sits second to the left of B”. Write it as B → 2L A.

IBPS Mains 2025 Expected Puzzle PDF – Must Practice Sets by Experts

2. Note down Negative Clues 

• Don’t skip the negative or indirect information, such as 

• “C does not sit next to D”

• “E is not sitting at the corner”

• These constraints are key to eliminating incorrect possibilities.

3. Use short Notations

• Convert long sentences into simple symbols and arrows to save time. 

• “P is third to the right of Q” becomes Q → 3R P 

• This helps you avoid rereading the lengthy passage again and again. 

4. Draw the Base Diagram 

• Based on the type of puzzle (linear, circular, square etc.), draw a rough base figure with placeholders. This gives structure to your logic.

• For Circular arrangement, mark positions as a clock (1-8 or 1-6) 

• For Linear/seating in rows, mark seats clearly (left to right)

5. Make Multiple Possibilities 

• If required, create 2-3 possibilities arrangements on paper.

• Don’t try to “guess” the right one – test all logically 

• Eliminate those that contradict a clue.

Bhagya Achievers Reasoning Doubt Solving Notes – Common Errors PDF

6. Don’t get emotionally attached with one diagram 

• Avoid sticking to one arrangement just because it’s “almost right”.

• If even one clue doesn’t match that possibility is invalid.

• Be ready to start fresh if needed.

7. Finalize the One Correct Possibility 

At the end, you should be left with only one possibility that:

• Satisfies all positive clues 

• Does not violate any negative clues

• That’s your final answer.

8. Practice Consistently 

Practice a variety of seating arrangement questions – circular, square, dual row arrangement etc.

Use resources like: 

• Previous Year Papers 

• Mock Test Series 

Practice 1000 Seating Arrangement Questions PDF 

Practice Seating Arrangement Questions with Answer

Twelve key members are invited by the party President to discuss the points to be included in their party manifesto. They sit in two rows each of which contains six persons. Members in both the rows face each other and are equidistant with the persons sitting adjacent. Raghu, Gopi, Somi, Sethi, Abram and Anu are sitting in row-1 and they face towards the east. Prabhu, Deva, Javed, Atal, Puri and Gil are sitting in row-2 and they face towards the west. One person in one row faces the other person in the other row. Prabhu, who is sitting at one of the ends of the row, is second to the right of Puri. Raghu does not face Prabhu or Puri. Raghu is third to the left of Anu. There are two people between Deva and Gil. There is only one person between Somi and Sethi, Somi and Sethi do not face Prabhu. Gopi is a neighbour of Somi. Atal, who does not face Sethi, is not the neighbour of Deva.

1. Who among the following faces Anu ?   

A. Deva  

B. Puri   

C. Atal   

D. Javed  

E. Gil 

Answer:  E

2. How many people are sitting between Abram and Somi? 

A. One    

B. Two   

C. Three  

D. Four   

E. None 

Answer: B

3. Abram is related to Javed in the same way as Gopi is related to Atal. On this pattern Anu is related to: 

A. Gil   

B. Prabhu  

C. Puri   

D. Deva  

E. None of these 

Answer: D

4. Which of the following statements is true about Gopi? 

A. Gill is the neighbour of that person who faces Gopi.  

B. Somi is not the immediate neighbour of Gopi. 

C. Abram is second to the right of Gopi. 

D. Puri faces Gopi. 

E. Gopi is second from the left end of the row. 

Answer: D

5. Who is sitting at the ends of row-1? 

A. Prabhu, Gil  

B. Anu, Raghu  

C. Sethi, Abram 

D. Prabhu, Atal 

E. None of these

Answer: C

For More Practice 100+ Seating Arrangement Questions with Answers – Download Free PDF

To Conclude:

Mastering Puzzles and Seating Arrangements in IBPS PO Mains is not about solving every set, but about solving the right ones with accuracy and speed. With regular practice, smart diagramming, and a strategic approach, you can confidently tackle even the most complex puzzle and seating arrangement sets.

FAQs

Q: How to solve the seating arrangement puzzle quickly?

Ans: Start with identifying direct clues, draw a rough layout immediately, and use elimination methods to fix step by step positions. 

Q: What is the fastest way to solve a puzzle? 

Ans: Focus on the definite information first, create an accurate diagram, and avoid assumptions unless logically supported. 

Q: How to solve circular seating arrangement questions?

Ans: Fix one person facing a direction (inside or outside), mark left/right accordingly, and align others based on relative clues.

Q: How to score 100 in IBPS PO Mains? 

Ans: Follow a smart strategy, focus on high scoring sections like General Awareness & Reasoning, and take full length mock tests regularly.

Q: Is there a trick to solving puzzles?

Ans: Yes, practice common puzzle patterns, use diagram based solving, and always decode fixed positions before conditional ones.

Q: Can you crack Bank PO if you are weak in maths?

Ans: Yes, with proper strategy and by strengthening reasoning, English, and General Awareness, even average math skills can be compensated.

Q: Can I clear IBPS mains in 1 month?

Ans: Yes, if you already have IBPS PO prelims level clarity and dedicate 6-8 focused hours daily with mocks and revision, it’s possible.

Q: How many hours should I study to crack bank PO?

Ans: Ideally to crack IBPS PO bank exam, 6-8 focused hours daily for 3-6 months with smart planning, mock practice, and revision can help you succeed.

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