What are the common types of seating arrangement questions in CAT?

The common types of problems include:

• Linear Arrangement

• Circular Arrangement

Eight people A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting in a straight line facing north. B is fourth to the right of A. Only one person sits between B and C. D sits exactly in the middle of B and C. F is third to the right of C. E is not an immediate neighbor of B. G sits to the immediate left of H. Who sits at the extreme ends of the row?

The correct answer is A and H.

What is the approach to solve circular arrangement questions?

• Fix one person as a reference.

• Determine whether people face inward or outward.

• Use left/right accordingly:

  • Facing center → left is clockwise

  • Facing outward → left is anti-clockwise

Eight friends P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W are sitting around a circular table facing the centre. U is on the immediate right of Q. V is the neighbour of T. R is between T and U. W is on the immediate left of P but is not the neighbour of T or S. What is the position of S?

What does “immediate neighbor” mean in seating arrangements?

“Immediate neighbor” refers to the people who are directly to the left or right (or both) of the person, without any one in between.

Six persons A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting equidistant from each other around a circular table (facing the centre of the table).

Consider the Question and two Statements given below:

Question: Who is sitting on the immediate left of A?

Statement-1: B is sitting opposite to C and D is sitting opposite to E.

Statement-2: F is sitting on the immediate left of B.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Question and the Statements?

What is the difference between “to the left of” and “immediate left of”?

• “Immediate left of” means directly adjacent.

• “To the left of” can mean anywhere on the left side (not necessarily adjacent).

In a row, P is to the left of Q. R is to the immediate left of Q. Who is to the immediate right of R?

The answer is Q.

How to approach arrangement questions with multiple conditions and directions?

• Create a reference structure (circle/line).

• Fill in definite info first.

• Use placeholders for uncertain positions.

• Use process of elimination.

What does “X sits between Y and Z” mean?

It means X is flanked by Y and Z, but not necessarily in that order. The sequence could be Y-X-Z or Z-X-Y.

Five people P, Q, R, S, and T are sitting in a row. R is between Q and T. Q is to the left of R. Who is sitting at the center if S is at one end?

Sequence: S, Q, R, T, P → R