Ranking and Order Test Notes for SSC Reasoning
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
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PDF Notes: Ranking and Order Test Notes for SSC Reasoning
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In ranking and order test questions persons stand in a row or are ranked in a class. You find a position, the total number or the number of persons between two people. A few simple formulas solve most of them.
Formulas
| Find | Formula |
|---|---|
| Total number of persons | Position from one end + position from the other end − 1 |
| Position from the other end | Total − position from one end + 1 |
| Persons between two positions | Difference of the positions − 1 |
| Persons between when both counted from different ends | Total − (sum of the two positions) |
| Persons on one side | Position − 1 |
Cases
- If two persons exchange places, use the new position for the changed person.
- If a person is the n-th from the left and another is m-th from the right and they overlap, the total is n + m − 1 only when they are the same person.
- If two persons are different, the total is n + m + (persons between them).
Solved Example
A is 18th from the left and 14th from the right in a row. Total = 18 + 14 − 1 = 31.
In a class of 40, Rohan is 15th from the top. His rank from the bottom = 40 − 15 + 1 = 26.
Quick Tips
- Draw the row with positions marked.
- Check carefully whether the question says "from the top" or "from the bottom".
- Use the formula only if the same person is described.
- Exchange problems need new positions.
Quick Revision Points
- Total = position from left + position from right − 1.
- Position from the other end = total − position + 1.
- Persons between = difference − 1.
- Draw the line for complex questions.
- Check which end is used.
- Exchange problems change the positions.
Practice Questions With Answers
- A student ranks 5th from the top and 12th from the bottom. Find the total.
Answer: 16 - In a class of 40, a student is 15th from the top. Find the rank from the bottom.
Answer: 26 - A person is 7th from the left in a row of 25. Find the position from the right.
Answer: 19 - How many persons are between the 5th and the 14th from the top?
Answer: 8 - A is 18th from the left and 14th from the right. Find the total.
Answer: 31 - In a class of 45, Ravi is 12th from the top and Sita is 12th from the bottom. How many students are between them?
Answer: 21 - A student ranks 8th from the bottom in a class of 35. Find the rank from the top.
Answer: 28 - Ram is 5th from the left and Shyam is 5 places to the right of Ram. At what position from the left is Shyam?
Answer: 10th
How to Practise This Chapter
Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Logical Reasoning notes page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ranking test?
A question in which persons are ranked or arranged in a row.
How do I find the total number of persons?
Add the positions from both ends and subtract 1.
How do I find the persons between two people?
Find the difference of positions and subtract 1.
What if the positions are from different ends?
Use total − (sum of positions).
Does exchange of places change the total?
No, only the positions change.
Should I draw a diagram?
Yes, it avoids mistakes.
What is the position from the other end?
Total − position + 1.
Is this topic asked every year?
Yes, in CGL and CHSL reasoning.
How much time should I spend?
About 30 seconds.
How to practise?
Do ten questions every day for a week.
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Decision Making Reasoning: Eligibility Conditions Questions with Solved Examples for SSC CGL, CHSL
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Conditional Statements in Reasoning: If-Then Rules, Contrapositive and Unless Questions for SSC
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.