Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Importance of High-Level Puzzles in IBPS PO

• Types of High-Level Puzzles Asked

  • Seating Arrangement

  • Floor-Based Puzzle

  • Box Puzzle

  • Scheduling Puzzle

  • Classification Puzzle

  • Age-Based Puzzle

  • Ranking Puzzle

  • Double Variable Puzzle

• Puzzle-Solving Strategy

• Common Mistakes to Avoid

• 20 High-Level Original Puzzle Sets (Exam-Oriented)

• Summary Notes

• FAQs

Introduction

The Reasoning Ability section in IBPS PO Prelims and Mains heavily features high-level puzzles. These puzzles test logical thinking, pattern recognition, data arrangement and time management. A strong command over puzzle-solving techniques helps aspirants score high and stay ahead in both stages of the exam.

This article provides an original collection of IBPS PO high-level puzzles, strategy tips and exam-ready practice questions. It also prepares you for the advanced difficulty seen in the Mains exam.

Importance of High-Level Puzzles in IBPS PO

• Puzzles form 60 to 70 percent of the Reasoning section

• Most puzzles are multi-variable and require structured thinking

• Candidates with puzzle mastery score higher in less time

• Mains puzzles often include tricky clues and hidden relations

Practicing high-level puzzles develops analytical strength and improves accuracy.

Types of High-Level Puzzles Asked in IBPS PO

Seating Arrangement Puzzles

These include:

• Linear arrangement

• Circular arrangement

• Square or rectangular arrangement

• Inward and outward facing seating

• Dual row arrangement

These puzzles often have 8 to 12 people with multiple attributes.

Floor-Based Puzzle

Here:

• Floors are numbered

• People live on different floors

• Additional variables like profession or city may be given

Floor puzzles test vertical and horizontal mapping ability.

Box Puzzle

In this type:

• Boxes are arranged vertically

• Each box has a unique item

• Conditions involve above–below relations

It is one of the most common high-level puzzles in Mains.

Scheduling Puzzle

These involve:

• Activities scheduled on different dates

• Months

• Time slots

• Extra variables

These puzzles check chronological reasoning.

Classification Puzzle

Here:

• People or items are grouped into different categories

• Categories are based on color, subject, movie preference, etc.

These puzzles measure categorization and grouping skills.

Age-Based Puzzle

Age puzzles compare:

• Age relations

• Differences

• Youngest, oldest

• Intermediate relations

These often include hidden clues and indirect comparisons.

Ranking Puzzle

Ranking puzzles relate to:

• Height

• Marks

• Order of preference

• Top to bottom position

These puzzles require quick comparison skills.

Double Variable Puzzle

This is the most advanced type.

Examples:

• Eight people with two attributes

• Cities + food

• Subjects + marks

• Days + colors

These puzzles require structured table formation.

Puzzle-Solving Strategy

1. Identify the Base Structure

Find whether the puzzle is linear, circular, floor-based or multi-variable.

2. Draw a Clean Diagram

A clear layout prevents confusion and reduces rework.

3. Place Definite Clues First

Clues like “A sits third to the left of B” or “X lives on the seventh floor”.

4. Resolve Either-Or Situations

Make two possibilities only when needed and eliminate one.

5. Maintain Variable Links

Connect names with attributes such as color, city, or subject.

6. Use Elimination Effectively

Strike off impossible options early to reduce complexity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not reading all clues together

• Taking unnecessary assumptions

• Creating too many possibilities

• Ignoring indirect clues

• Poor diagram structure

• Spending too much time on a single puzzle

Efficient puzzle-solving requires clarity and structured thinking.

20 High-Level IBPS PO Reasoning Puzzles (Original and Exam-Oriented)

Below are completely original puzzles crafted in bank-exam style.

Puzzle 1: Circular Seating (8 Persons, Inward Facing)

Eight people A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H sit around a circle facing inward.

• B sits third to the right of A.

• C sits second to the left of B.

• Only two persons sit between C and D.

• E sits opposite F.

• G sits to the immediate left of H.
  Solve the arrangement.

Puzzle 2: Floor-Based (7 Floors + Profession)

Seven people live on floors numbered 1 to 7.

• The Doctor lives above the Engineer.

• Teacher lives on an even floor.

• Lawyer lives on floor 5.

• Actor lives on floor 1.

• Singer lives two floors below the Chef.
  Find who lives where.

Puzzle 3: Box Puzzle (7 Boxes Stacked Vertically)

Boxes are placed one above another.

• Box C is above A but below E.

• B is just above D.

• F is below C.

• G is on the topmost box.
  Find the order of boxes.

Puzzle 4: Scheduling Puzzle (7 Days, 7 Activities)

Seven tasks are done Monday to Sunday.

• Coding is done before Testing.

• Design is done after Research.

• Deployment is mid-week.

• Review is not on Monday.

• Analysis is done two days before Research.
  Find the schedule.

Puzzle 5: Linear Seating (Two Rows Facing Each Other)

Row 1: A, B, C, D
Row 2: W, X, Y, Z
All face each other.

• A faces Z

• C sits second left of A

• W sits opposite B

• X does not sit at any end
  Find the arrangement.

Puzzle 6: Classification Puzzle (6 People + 3 Subjects)

Six people like Physics, Maths, or Biology.

• Exactly two like each subject.

• A and C do not like Maths.

• B likes Biology.

• D likes neither Physics nor Biology.
  Find subject preferences.

Puzzle 7: Age-Based Puzzle

• A is older than B.

• C is younger than D.

• B is older than C.

• D is older than A.
  Arrange oldest to youngest.

Puzzle 8: Ranking Puzzle (Marks)

• A scored more than B but less than D.

• C scored less than B.

• F scored highest.
  Rank them highest to lowest.

Puzzle 9: Double Variable Puzzle (8 People + Cities + Colors)

Eight people belong to eight cities and like eight colors.
Clues include relationships like:

• Person from Delhi likes blue.

• One who likes red lives next to one from Pune.

• Chennai person does not like yellow.
  Form the full table.

Puzzle 10: Mixed Puzzle (Seating + Profession)

Eight people sit in a circle with professions such as doctor, engineer, lawyer, etc.

• Doctor sits second right of painter.

• Engineer sits opposite dancer.

• Lawyer is not next to dancer.
  Find complete mapping.

Puzzle 11: Straight Line Seating (10 People)

• A sits at one extreme.

• C is third right of A.

• H is in the middle.

• D is left of H but not adjacent.
  Find arrangement.

Puzzle 12: Month-Based Puzzle (Birth Months)

• A is born before B but after C.

• D is older than C.

• E is younger than all.
  Find order of birth months.

Puzzle 13: Profession Puzzle (7 People + 7 Jobs)

Jobs: Doctor, Chef, Pilot, Artist, Writer, Analyst, Banker
Clues link:

• Doctor is neither A nor C

• Artist is next to Analyst

• Banker is younger than Pilot
  Complete the mapping.

Puzzle 14: Box Puzzle (Height Based)

Seven boxes of different heights are stacked.

• Tallest box is A

• C is shorter than F

• E is taller than D but shorter than A
  Rank all boxes.

Puzzle 15: Circular Seating (Alternating Genders)

Eight seats alternate male and female.

• A sits between two males

• Two females sit opposite
  Determine arrangement.

Puzzle 16: Coding Day Puzzle (5 People)

• Coding is done on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun

• A codes before C

• B codes after E
  Find who codes when.

Puzzle 17: Train Timing Puzzle

• A reaches before B

• C reaches after B

• D reaches before all
  Find order.

Puzzle 18: Attribute Puzzle (Pets)

• Cat owner is older than dog owner

• Fish owner is youngest

• Rabbit owner is not oldest
  Find arrangement.

Puzzle 19: Seating + Color Combination

Eight people sit around a square table.

• Corner seats wear dark colors

• Mid seats wear light colors
  Assign colors to seats.

Puzzle 20: Festival Scheduling Puzzle

• Diwali is before Holi

• Dussehra is after Eid

• Christmas is last
  Find order of festivals.

Summary Notes

• High-level puzzles dominate IBPS PO exams

• Practice structured diagrams

• Start with direct clues

• Avoid multiple possibilities early

• Improve logical linking ability

• Aim to solve at least 2–3 high-level puzzles daily

FAQs

Q1. Are IBPS PO puzzles difficult?
They are moderate to difficult but become manageable with structured practice.

Q2. How many puzzles come in Prelims?
Around 3 to 4 sets.

Q3. How many puzzles come in Mains?
Up to 6 complex sets.

Q4. What is the best approach for puzzles?
Draw clear diagrams and follow clue order.

Q5. Should I skip puzzles in Prelims?
Skip only if the set is too time-consuming. Accuracy matters most.