Example 1
In a row of students, Ravi is 11th from the front and 15th from the back. How many students are in the row?
Answer: C) 25
Total = 11 + 15 − 1 = 25 (Ravi is counted twice).
Order and Ranking reasoning questions for competitive exams: rules, worked examples and practice
Order and ranking questions give a person's position from both ends of a row and ask for the total, or the reverse.
Key rules and formulas
- Total in a row = position from left + position from right − 1.
- Position from the other end = total − position + 1.
- People between two positions = difference − 1.
- If two ranges overlap, subtract the overlap so no one is counted twice.
Common traps
- Forgetting the −1 (the person is counted from both ends).
- Mixing up "from the top" and "from the bottom".
Where Order and Ranking is asked
- IBPS Clerk Prelims (Reasoning Ability)
- IBPS PO Prelims (Reasoning Ability)
- RRB Group D (General Intelligence & Reasoning)
- RRB NTPC CBT 1 (General Intelligence & Reasoning)
- SBI Clerk Prelims (Reasoning Ability)
- SBI PO Prelims (Reasoning Ability)
- SSC CGL Tier 1 (General Intelligence & Reasoning)
- SSC CGL Tier 2 (General Intelligence, Reasoning & General Intelligence)
- SSC CHSL Tier 1 (General Intelligence)
Worked examples
Example 2
In a row of students, Ravi is 11th from the front and 14th from the back. How many students are in the row?
Answer: A) 24
Total = 11 + 14 − 1 = 24 (Ravi is counted twice).
Example 3
In a row of students, Ravi is 23rd from the front and 15th from the back. How many students are in the row?
Answer: B) 37
Total = 23 + 15 − 1 = 37 (Ravi is counted twice).
Frequently asked questions
What is Order and Ranking in competitive exams?
Order and ranking questions give a person's position from both ends of a row and ask for the total, or the reverse.
Which exams ask Order and Ranking questions?
On MockBazaar, Order and Ranking questions appear in IBPS Clerk Prelims, IBPS PO Prelims, RRB Group D, RRB NTPC CBT 1, SBI Clerk Prelims, SBI PO Prelims, SSC CGL Tier 1, SSC CGL Tier 2, SSC CHSL Tier 1.
What is the most common mistake in Order and Ranking?
Forgetting the −1 (the person is counted from both ends).