Aptitude · Logical reasoning
Seating arrangements, made easy
💡 The idea
Draw the seats first. Place the surest clue (an end, the middle, opposite) and then fit the “next to” clues around it.
Draw the seats→Surest clue first→Fit the rest→Check every clue
🧭 The method: 3 steps
- Draw the seats and the way people face.
- Start with the fixed clues; try both options when a clue allows two places.
- Check every clue against your final picture.
🎬 Every kind of question, in pictures
Pick a kind. Guess the answer first, then watch the picture work it out. Tap any step to see it in the picture.
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✏️ Worked examples
Example 1. Five sit in a row facing north. A is in the middle; B is to the immediate right of A. Which seat is B in?
- Middle = seat 3
- Facing north, their right is your right
- Seat 4
⚡ Shortcut: Seat 4 from the left
⚠️ Where people go wrong
- In a circle facing the centre, someone’s right is the next seat ANTICLOCKWISE.
- In a row facing south, their right is your left.
- Stopping before checking all the clues.
📌 Remember
- Draw first
- Fixed clues first
- Circle, facing in: right = anticlockwise