Order and Ranking Reasoning Puzzle for IBPS PO — Meera, Harsh, Lata, Bhavna
The puzzle
Meera, Harsh, Lata, Bhavna — are ranked from 1 (highest) to 4 (lowest) — work out each person's exact rank. Using the clues below, work out the arrangement.
- Meera is 2nd from the bottom.
- Bhavna is ranked immediately above Harsh.
- Lata is ranked LAST (lowest).
Question: Determine the arrangement.
Reveal the answer
Answer: Bhavna, Harsh, Meera, Lata (rank 1 = highest, down to rank 4 = lowest).
- Start: 24 possible rankings of 4 people.
- Clue 3 — "Lata is ranked LAST (lowest)." ⇒ Lata → rank 4 (bottom) (6 possibilities left).
- Clue 1 — "Meera is 2nd from the bottom." ⇒ Meera → rank 3 (3rd from top) (2 possibilities left).
- Clue 2 — "Bhavna is ranked immediately above Harsh." ⇒ Harsh → rank 2 (2nd from top), Bhavna → rank 1 (top) (1 possibility left).
- Exactly one ranking survives every clue — that is the answer.
How to crack order & ranking puzzles faster
- "Ranked higher" means a smaller rank number — rank 1 outranks rank 2. Fix that direction before anything else.
- Lock the anchors first — "exactly k-th from the top/bottom" fixes a rank instantly.
- "Exactly k people between" gives a fixed gap — try it at each valid pair of ranks.
- Treat it as a row: write ranks 1 to N on paper and fill names as each clue eliminates possibilities.
FAQ
Who is ranked highest in this puzzle?
Bhavna holds rank 1 (highest). The full order from rank 1 to rank 4: Bhavna, Harsh, Meera, Lata.
How do you solve order and ranking puzzles for bank exams?
Fix direct rank anchors first (k-th from the top/bottom), then apply relative clues (higher/lower, immediately above, exactly k between). Remember rank 1 is the highest — 'higher than' means a smaller rank number. Eliminate until one order satisfies every clue.
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