Aptitude hub

Seating Arrangements

0/10 problems solved

Formulas & 30-Second Shortcut Tricks

Formulas

  • Linear row facing north: left = west side, right = east side
  • Circle facing centre: clockwise = left, anticlockwise = right
  • n people in a circle: each has exactly 2 neighbours; opposite exists only when n is even
  • Number of circular arrangements = (n − 1)!

Shortcuts

  • Start from the most definite clue (fixed ends, 'opposite', 'immediately between').
  • Draw slots first, then fill; write negative clues beside the diagram.
  • When facing south in a row, swap left and right.

Practice problems

Q1

Five friends A, B, C, D, E sit in a row facing north. C is in the middle. A is at the left end. B is to the immediate right of C. E is not next to A. Who is second from the left?

Q2

Six people sit around a round table facing the centre. P is opposite S. Q is to the immediate left of P. R is opposite Q. Who is opposite T, if U is the sixth person?

Q3

In a row of 7 facing north, M is 3rd from the left and N is 2nd from the right. How many people sit between M and N?

Q4

A, B, C, D sit around a square table facing the centre. A is to the immediate right of B. C is to the immediate right of A. Who is to the immediate left of B?

Q5

Eight students sit in a circle facing the centre. How many distinct circular arrangements are possible?

Q6

In a row facing south, X is to the immediate left of Y. From the viewer's (north) side, where is X relative to Y?

Q7

Seven people in a row face north. G is at the right end. F is 3rd to the left of G. H is between F and G, adjacent to F. What is H's position from the left?

Q8

In a circle of 6 facing the centre, how many people sit between any person and the one directly opposite (counting one direction)?

Q9

Five people sit in a row. Rohan is to the left of Sita but right of Tom. Uma is to the right of Sita. Vik is at the extreme left. Who is in the middle?

Q10

Four people sit at a round table facing the centre: J opposite K, L to the left of J. Who is to the left of K?

Seating Arrangements Speed Test

1 minute per question. Use the palette to jump around; you'll see time spent on every question at the end.