SSC CGL 2027 Ranking and Order Questions with Position Formulas

Ranking and Order is an important topic in the General Intelligence and Reasoning section of the SSC CGL examination. These questions test a candidate's ability to determine the position of a person or object in a row, identify the total number of people, and calculate how many people stand between two positions.

For SSC CGL 2027 preparation, candidates should understand ranking from the left and right, ranking from the top and bottom, position interchange questions, and the formulas used to solve these problems. This guide explains the essential concepts, shortcut formulas, solved examples, and practice MCQs with answers.

What Are Ranking and Order Questions?

Ranking and Order questions provide information about the position of a person or object in a sequence, queue, row, or list. Candidates must use the given ranks to calculate the required position or total number of people.

For example, if a student ranks 8th from the top and 13th from the bottom in a class, the total number of students can be calculated using a simple formula.

Total number = Rank from top + Rank from bottom − 1

Therefore, the total number of students is 8 + 13 − 1 = 20.

The subtraction of 1 is necessary because the same student is counted from both directions.

Important Ranking Formulas for SSC CGL 2027

1. Finding the Total Number of People

When the rank of a person is known from both ends of a row or list, use the following formula:

Total number = Rank from one end + Rank from the other end − 1

Example: A student ranks 11th from the left and 16th from the right. Find the total number of students.

Solution: Total = 11 + 16 − 1 = 26 students.

2. Finding Rank from the Opposite End

If the total number of people and a person's rank from one end are known, the rank from the opposite end can be calculated as follows:

Rank from the opposite end = Total number − Rank from the known end + 1

Example: A person ranks 9th in a row of 30 people. Find the rank from the opposite end.

Solution: Rank = 30 − 9 + 1 = 22nd.

3. Finding the Number of People Between Two Ranks

When two people are ranked from the same end, the number of people between them is the difference between their ranks minus 1.

People between them = Difference between ranks − 1

Example: A is 7th and B is 15th from the left. How many people stand between them?

Solution: People between them = 15 − 7 − 1 = 7.

4. Finding People Between Opposite-End Ranks

If two people are ranked from opposite ends of a row and the total number of people is known, use this formula when the two people occupy distinct positions:

People between them = Total number − Rank from one end − Rank from the other end

Example: In a row of 40 people, A is 12th from the left and B is 15th from the right. How many people stand between them?

Solution: People between them = 40 − 12 − 15 = 13.

5. Position After Interchanging Ranks

Some questions describe two people exchanging positions. After the exchange, one person's new rank may reveal the original rank of the other person.

Example: A is 8th from the left. A exchanges positions with B, who is 17th from the left. What is A's new rank?

Answer: 17th from the left.

Explanation: After exchanging positions, A occupies the position originally held by B.

Left, Right, Top and Bottom Ranking

Ranking questions may describe horizontal rows, vertical queues, exam results, or lists. The calculation method remains the same, but candidates must identify the correct reference end.

• Left rank: Position counted from the left end of a row.
• Right rank: Position counted from the right end of a row.
• Top rank: Position counted from the highest position in a list or result.
• Bottom rank: Position counted from the lowest position in a list.

Before applying any formula, underline the words that identify the reference end. This helps prevent errors caused by mixing up ranks from opposite directions.

Step-by-Step Method to Solve Ranking Questions

1. Identify the reference ends: Determine whether the ranks are given from the left, right, top, or bottom.
2. Write down the known values: Note the total number, ranks, or positions mentioned in the question.
3. Select the correct formula: Use the total-number, opposite-rank, or people-between formula as required.
4. Substitute the values carefully: Pay attention to the subtraction of 1 where necessary.
5. Check whether positions overlap: In opposite-end questions, confirm that the two people occupy different positions if calculating the number between them.
6. Verify the result: Check whether the answer is reasonable and consistent with the information provided.

Most basic ranking questions can be solved in a few seconds once the correct formula is identified. Regular practice helps candidates recognise the question pattern quickly.

SSC CGL 2027 Ranking and Order Practice Questions

Attempt the following practice MCQs before checking the explanations. These are illustrative practice questions created for revision and are not presented as official previous-year questions.

Question 1: Total Number of Students

A student ranks 8th from the top and 13th from the bottom. How many students are there in total?

A) 19
B) 20
C) 21
D) 22

Correct Answer: B) 20

Explanation: Total = 8 + 13 − 1 = 20 students.

Question 2: Rank from the Opposite End

A person ranks 12th from the left in a row of 29 people. What is the person's rank from the right?

A) 16th
B) 17th
C) 18th
D) 19th

Correct Answer: C) 18th

Explanation: Rank from the right = 29 − 12 + 1 = 18th.

Question 3: Rank from Both Ends

A person ranks 8th from the left and 13th from the right. How many people are in the row?

A) 19
B) 20
C) 21
D) 22

Correct Answer: B) 20

Explanation: Total = 8 + 13 − 1 = 20 people.

Question 4: People Between Two Positions

A is 7th from the left, and B is 12th from the left. How many people stand between A and B?

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6

Correct Answer: B) 4

Explanation: People between them = 12 − 7 − 1 = 4.

Question 5: Rank from the Bottom

A student ranks 15th from the top in a class of 40 students. What is the student's rank from the bottom?

A) 24th
B) 25th
C) 26th
D) 27th

Correct Answer: C) 26th

Explanation: Rank from the bottom = 40 − 15 + 1 = 26th.

Question 6: Rank and Total

In a row of 35 people, A is 9th from the left. What is A's rank from the right?

A) 25th
B) 26th
C) 27th
D) 28th

Correct Answer: C) 27th

Explanation: Rank from the right = 35 − 9 + 1 = 27th.

Question 7: Opposite-End Ranking

In a row of 40 people, A is 12th from the left and B is 15th from the right. How many people stand between A and B?

A) 11
B) 12
C) 13
D) 14

Correct Answer: C) 13

Explanation: People between them = 40 − 12 − 15 = 13.

Question 8: Position Interchange

A is 8th from the left in a row. A exchanges positions with B, who is 17th from the left. What is A's new rank from the left?

A) 8th
B) 9th
C) 16th
D) 17th

Correct Answer: D) 17th

Explanation: After the exchange, A occupies B's original position, which is 17th from the left.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to subtract 1: When calculating the total from ranks at opposite ends, the same person is counted twice unless 1 is subtracted.
• Using the wrong reference end: Check whether the question uses left, right, top, or bottom.
• Confusing total people with people between: The formulas for these two quantities are different.
• Ignoring position exchanges: After an exchange, each person occupies the other's original position.
• Making arithmetic errors: Substitute values carefully and verify the calculation.
• Ignoring overlapping positions: If opposite-end ranks add up to total + 1, the two ranks refer to the same position, so the number of people between them is not calculated using the usual distinct-position formula.

Preparation Strategy for SSC CGL 2027

A regular practice routine can help candidates improve their speed and accuracy in ranking and order questions. Start with basic rank calculations before progressing to position exchanges and multi-step problems.

• Practise 10–15 ranking questions daily.
• Memorise the formulas for total people and opposite-end ranks.
• Practise finding the number of people between two positions.
• Solve questions involving position exchanges.
• Use timed reasoning exercises to improve speed.
• Maintain a notebook of common mistakes and tricky patterns.
• Review incorrect answers and identify which formula should have been used.

During mock tests, identify the quantity the question asks for before choosing a formula. This simple habit can prevent many avoidable mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are ranking and order questions in SSC CGL?

These reasoning questions require candidates to calculate a person's position in a row, queue, or list using ranks from one or both ends.

2. How do I calculate the total number of people in a row?

If a person's ranks from opposite ends are known, add the two ranks and subtract 1 to find the total number of people.

3. How do I find rank from the opposite end?

Subtract the known rank from the total number of people and add 1.

4. How do I calculate the number of people between two ranks?

For ranks counted from the same end, subtract the smaller rank from the larger rank and then subtract 1.

5. How can I improve my speed in ranking questions?

Learn the basic formulas, identify the reference ends carefully, practise daily, and review mistakes to improve speed and accuracy.

Conclusion

Ranking and order questions become easier when candidates understand the relationship between ranks, total people, and positions from opposite ends. For SSC CGL 2027, focus on the total-number formula, opposite-end ranking, people-between calculations, and position interchange questions.

Regular practice, accurate formula selection, and careful calculations can help you solve these questions confidently. Continue practising with Katara Academy to strengthen your reasoning skills for competitive examinations.