Puzzle Solving Method for IBPS and SBI Mains: Box, Floor, Scheduling and Mixed Puzzles

Mains puzzles combine two or three variables (person + floor + colour + city). They are solved not by intelligence but by a fixed table method that never loses information.

The table method

1. Draw a table with one row per position (floor, month, box) and one column per variable.
2. Fill the direct statements first (‘C lives on the 4th floor’).
3. Convert relative statements into gaps (‘two people between A and B’ → distance 3).
4. Fill the variable with the most constraints next.
5. Use ‘only’, ‘not’ and ‘neither’ clauses to eliminate; keep at most two cases.
6. Verify every statement at the end.

Clause dictionary

Clause	Meaning
Immediately above	Adjacent, higher
Two people live between X and Y	X and Y are 3 positions apart
Not more than two people below A	A is on floor ≤ 3
Only one person sits between	Exactly one
Neither X nor Y	Both excluded

Solved scheduling puzzle

Six friends (A–F) have exams in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, one each. B’s exam is in a month with 31 days but not in Jan. Two people have exams between B and D. F is immediately after D. A is before C but not in Jan. E is not in June.

B ∈ {Mar, May}. Case 1: B = Mar → D = Jun (two between) → F after D impossible. Case 2: B = May → D = Feb → F = Mar. E ≠ Jun, A ≠ Jan → E = Jan? A before C: remaining Jan, Apr, Jun for A, C, E; A ≠ Jan → A = Apr, C = Jun, E = Jan. Order: E, D, F, A, B, C.

Practice plan

One high-level puzzle daily for 45 days; aim for under 10 minutes. Note the clause that cost you the most time and re-read the dictionary.

Common mistakes

• Solving on scratch paper without a table
• Assuming ‘between’ means adjacent
• Not re-verifying after a case is eliminated

Related: Seating arrangement puzzles.

Stuck on a puzzle question?

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Frequently asked questions

Which exams is this Puzzle Solving Method guide useful for?

SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD, RRB NTPC and Group D, IBPS and SBI PO/Clerk, state PSC and other exams with a similar syllabus.

How much practice is needed for Puzzle Solving Method?

Solve 20–30 questions daily for one to two weeks with a timer. Track the time per question and your accuracy; move on once accuracy is above 90 percent.

Can I get puzzle solving bank mains questions explained in Hindi?

Yes. DoubtPay AI explains any question in Hindi, Hinglish, English and nine other Indian languages, with step-by-step working. Packs start at ₹9 for 15 answers.