Know how to Crack Seating arrangement questions in CAT 2014 exam

Out of 10 questions on Logical reasoning, you may find 3 to 4 questions based on seating arrangement sets in CAT 2014. Choosing right options can boost your percentile by 25+ while a single choice of wrong option can give you a dip of 9 percentile due to the award of penalty in the form of negative marking.

How to prepare for Seating arrangement Questions
The best method of preparation to solve questions on seating arrangement is to prepare a sketch in mind or preferably, on the paper so that you are able to answer more than one questions comfortably.

There may be multiple conditions and it is expected from the aspirant to logically understand the same. 

The only way is to practice more and gradually develop required skill sets. Over a period of time you will develop logical short cuts to solve these problems. 

Important do’s and don’ts to solve Seating arrangement sets

1. Do not jump to the answer options unless and until you have carefully read the problem and have understood it.

2. Now go for elimination method. When you go through the options please ensure to understand and eliminate the incorrect option. If you are able to pin point the incorrect ones you are the winner. To achieve this, please go through all the given options carefully, don’t skip any of them.

3. The problem has to be solved on the basis of given information and not on the assumptions. Please therefore, do not assume any formation which is not available in the problems. Only the given facts are supposed to be used.

4. Two most important things that will guide you to lead to the conclusions. The information you are provided with, will lead to a Valid conclusion since it definitely follows But the conclusion which does not definitely follow from the given information will be invalid one.  This you have to remember, while solving the questions.

5. Words like “all” “some”, “none”, “other than”, “only” or “unless” etc. have to be given due care and special attention, since questions will be based on such information.

Example Questions -

Example problems 1 & 2 – Read the information given below and answer the questions based on the small paragraph

One of the renowned NGOs in India has taken on the challenge to save tigers in the country and has invited five film personalities to pose for photographs with the specially designed shirts and placards to convey the message. However, Shahrukh doesn’t want to stand next to Salman as they have some problems between them. Vidya and Vivek wish to pose standing close to each other as there is more understanding between them. Bobby has some issues with vivek as he misbehaved with him in a party and both are at logger heads. Vivek always loves to stand at the extreme right and would seldom compromise the position. Nevertheless, the problem was resolved somehow and it became a great message for the world in the best manner.

Question 1: If Shahrukh is standing to the extreme left, who is standing in the middle?

(a) Vivek
(b) Salman
(c) Vidya
(d) Bobby

Question 2: If Shahrukh stands to the extreme left, who stands fourth from left?

(a) Vidya
(b) Salman
(c) Vivek
(d) Bobby

Question 3: If Vidya gets a conflict with Vivek and doesn’t want to stand next to him and Vivek is ready to give-up his claim on extreme right position while Sharukh wants to stand second from right, who will stand on extreme right position.

(a) Vidya
(b) Salman
(c) Bobby
(d) Unable to decide

Answers with Explanation

Left-to right

1. Shahrukh  2.Bobby   3.Salman   4. Vidya  5.Vivek ,  Therefore - 

Answer 1: B
If Shahrukh is standing at the extreme left, this arrangement will be fine satisfying all the personalities. It is, therefore Salman who is in the middle.

Answer 2: A
Once you have understood the arrangement, you can solve all the questions. Looking at the arrangement the fourth position from left will be occupied by Vidya.

Answer 3: C
Going by the question and changed situation following arrangement may be made -

Left to right –

1. Vidya  2.Salman 3.Vivek 4.Shahrukh 5.Bobby

Problem-2 (with a single followed question)

Abhishek, Bharat, Chakradhar, Damodar and Elizabeth are sitting on a bench. Abhishek is sitting next to Bharat, Chakradhar is sitting next to Damodar, Damodar is not sitting with Elizabeth who is on the left end of the bench. Chakradhar is on the second position from the right. Abhishek is to the right of Bharat and Elizabeth. Abhishek and Chakradhar are sitting together. In which position Abhishek is sitting?

Answer:  B
Explanation: From Left to Right – 1. Elizabeth 2.Bharat 3.Abhishek 4.Chakradhar 5.Damodar.   Hence Abhishek is sitting between Bharat and Chakradhar

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