CAT Seating Arrangement Questions and Answer Download PDF

Overview: Practice CAT seating arrangement questions to boost your score and percentile in the final CAT exam. Learn some preparation tips on how to solve these questions. 

Seating Arrangement questions have consistently appeared in the CAT exam over the years, with around 5 to 6 questions asked almost every time.

These questions test your ability to analyse multiple conditions and determine a single logical arrangement that satisfies all of them.

To strengthen your understanding and accuracy, it’s highly recommended to practice from CAT Previous Year Papers, as they provide real examples of the types and patterns of questions that frequently appear in the exam.

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Continue reading to know the important CAT seating arrangement questions with solutions here!

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What Are Seating Arrangement Questions in the CAT Exam 2026?

Seating Arrangement questions present a scenario in which a group of people (or objects) must be seated or arranged in a specific order, pattern, or configuration. The arrangement could be linear (row), circular (around a table), or even two-dimensional (facing each other in rows).

Common Types of Seating Arrangement Questions in the CAT Exam

• Linear Arrangement: Individuals seated in a single row, facing the same or opposite directions.
• Circular Arrangement: People or objects sit around a table or circle, facing inward or outward.
• Double Row Arrangement: Two rows of people or objects face each other, with clues about positions across and along the rows.

Read more: Quantitative Ability Syllabus 2026

CAT Seating Arrangement Questions 2026

Q1. Six employees, P, Q, R, S, T, and U, are arranged in a row during a meeting according to the following conditions:

• Q and R are seated next to each other, with P in between them.
• T is seated to the left of U.
• S is seated to the right of R.
• Q is not seated at either end.

Please determine the seating arrangement of the employees.

Answer: T U _ Q P R S.

Q2. Five friends, A, B, C, D, and E, are arranged in a row for a meeting with the following conditions:

• A is sitting to the right of B and the left of E.
• C is sitting next to D.
• D is not sitting at either end of the row.
• B is sitting to the right of E.

Answer: C D _ _ A B E

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Q3. Eight friends named Ajit, Byomkesh, Gargi, Jayanta, Kikira, Manik, Prodosh, and Tapesh are travelling from Kolkata to Delhi on a flight operated by Cheap Air. The seating in the flight is arranged in 30 rows, numbered 1 to 30, each with 6 seats labelled A to F from left to right. Seats A to C are on the left of the aisle, while seats D to F are on the right. Seats A and F are window seats, C and D are aisle seats, and B and E are middle seats. Cheap Air charges extra for seats in certain rows based on their location.

• Rows 1, 12, and 13 have extra legroom and cost an additional Rs. 1000 for any seat.
• For rows 2-10, window seats have a Rs. 300 extra charge, and aisle seats have a Rs. 500 extra charge.
• Rows 11 and 14 to 20 have a Rs. 200 extra charge for window seats and a Rs. 400 extra charge for aisle seats. Other seats do not have any extra charges.

The following are known:

1. Eight friends were seated in six different rows.
2. Among them, there were 3 Window seats, 4 Aisle seats, and 1 Middle seat.
3. Seven of them paid extra, totalling Rs. 4600, for their chosen seats, while one did not pay any additional amount.
4. Jayanta, Ajit, and Byomkesh were seated in consecutive rows and seats marked by the same letter, with different amounts paid for their choices. One of them may have paid nothing.
5. Gargi sat next to Kikira, and Manik sat next to Jayanta.
6. Prodosh and Tapesh were seated in consecutive rows and seats marked by the same letter, with different amounts paid for their choices. One of them may have paid nothing.

A) Find the row in which Mnik was sitting.

1. 10
2. 11
3. 12
4. 13

Answer: 10

B) How much extra fare Gargi paid for her desired seat?

1. Rs.0
2. Rs.300
3. Rs.500
4. Rs.1000

Answer: 1000

Q4. Eight people, denoted as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, are seated in a row. Some of them are facing north, and others are facing south. A and B are seated in such a way that only two people are to the right of A, and B is third to the left of A. Further, only one person sits between B and F, and F is to the immediate right of E. B's neighbors are both facing the same direction. C is positioned third to the left of F, and B faces the opposite direction to A. G is not seated at either end of the row.D and E are facing in the same direction, and both C and G face the opposite direction to H. Lastly, A faces north, and there is only one person between E and H.

A) Which of them is positioned right in the middle of the row?

1. H, C
2. H, B
3. E, F
4. A, F

Answer: E, F

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B) Determine the position of A concerning B.

1. Third to the right
2. Second to the left
3. Third to the left
4. Immediate left

Answer: Third to the left

Q5. In a card game, 6 people are seated around a circular table. Suresh is sitting opposite Raghubir, who is seated to the left of Ajay and the right of Pramod. Ajay is to the left of Dhiraj, and Yogendra is to the left of Pramod. If Dhiraj and Yogendra exchange seats and Pramod and Raghubir also swap seats, who will be sitting to the left of Dhiraj?

1. Yogendra
2. Raghubir
3. Suresh
4. Ajay

Answer: Suresh

Q6. Seven varsity basketball players, A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, are to be recognised at a luncheon. They will be seated in a row on a dais. A and G need to leave early and must be seated at the far right. B will receive the most valuable player's trophy and must be seated in the centre for the presentation. C and D, who are competitive, need to be seated as far apart as possible.

Which two options are not able to sit together?

1.  B & D 
2. C & F 
3. D & G 
4. E & A

Answer: E & A

Q7. There is a three-floor building where an automobile exhibition is taking place. Each floor of the building displays cars that are either all family cars or all sports cars, all new or all used, and all production models or all research models. The following conditions apply to the exhibition:

•  If both family cars and sports cars are displayed, then each family car is on a lower-numbered floor than any sports car.
• The exhibit does not contain any previously used research models.
• The exhibit does not contain any research models of sports cars.
• New cars are located on the first floor.
• Used cars are located on the third floor.

A) If there are sports cars on precisely two floors, which of the following statements could be true?

1. There are research models on floor 1.
2. There are sports cars on floor 1.
3. There are family cars on floor 2.
4. There are research models on floor 2.
5. There are family cars on floor 3.

Answer: There are research models on floor 1.

B) Identify the correct statement from the following.

1. There are production models on floor 1.
2. There are research models on floor 1.
3. There are production models on floor 2.
4. There are production models on floor 3.
5. There are research models on floor 3.

Answer: There are research models on floor 3

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Tips To Solve CAT Seating Arrangement Questions 2026

Here are some of the tips to solve the CAT-level seating arrangement questions easily:

1. First, Identify the Key Information

By default, individuals in a linear seating arrangement are assumed to be facing north (at the top of the page), while those in a circular setup are assumed to be facing the centre.

2. Now Translate to Visuals

Please create a basic diagram showing the layout using placeholders such as A, B, C for people and arrows indicating directions (left, right).

3. Mark confirmed the Positions of CAT level seating arrangement questions:

In this context, "confirmed positions" are to be filled in based on straight facts such as "A is located at the far left" or "B and C are right next to each other."

4. Analyse the Relative Positions of CAT level seating arrangement questions

Remember to create connections between the placeholders in your diagram using relative statements such as "D is two seats to the left of E".

5. Logical Deductions

After filling in some positions, make use of logical deductions to fill in the rest. For instance, if A is next to B and B is next to C, then A and C are also adjacent.

6. Eliminate Contradictions

As you complete the diagram, look for choices that go against your established positions and remove those options.

7. Work with Possibilities

When you encounter a problem, consider leaving space for an uncertain position and exploring two or three potential options for that position. Then, examine the impact of each possibility on the rest of the arrangement.

8. Watch for Repetitive Information

It's normal for CAT level seating arrangement questions to repeat information in various ways. Instead of getting stuck on these repetitions, try to concentrate on the distinctive details that create new links.

Preparation Techniques for the CAT Seating Arrangement Questions 2026

• Practice with Mock Tests: Work on seating arrangement CAT questions using mock CAT papers and previous year question analyses, which can be obtained from credible sources.
• Practice with Time Limit:  Set time limits when solving seating arrangement CAT questions to replicate the real exam conditions.
• Review Your Mistakes: Evaluate the seating arrangement CAT questions you answer incorrectly and comprehend the reasons behind the errors. This will enable you to prevent similar mistakes in the future.

Remember to keep these guidelines in mind and practice regularly. This will build a solid groundwork for handling seating arrangement questions in the CAT exam. It's essential to remain composed, attentive, and systematic to solve these questions efficiently and confidently.

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Conclusion

The CAT seating arrangement questions can be mastered with regular practice. By practising questions from mock exams and previous CAT papers, you can improve your ability to identify clues and apply logical reasoning.

Strengthen these skills to become adept at solving problems. It's important to create a time management strategy and stay focused during the test.

Above all, approach the CAT exam with confidence. With dedication and effective strategies, you can excel in the seating arrangement questions for CAT and find success in the CAT exam.