The reasoning ability section is one of the most important parts of the IBPS PO 2025 exam, and within this section, puzzles play an important role in this section. Among various types of puzzles asked in the exam, Box-Based Puzzles have become the most popular for their structured logic and moderate-to-high difficulty levels. Candidates preparing for the IBPS PO Prelims and Mains should pay close attention to this category as it often features in both stages of the exam. In this article, we are providing a detailed strategy for the box-based puzzle along with the master strategy to solve puzzle questions easily and quickly.
Study Resources Based On the Latest Pattern
What Are Box-Based Puzzles?
Box-based puzzles are logical reasoning problems where you need to arrange a given number of boxes (usually between 6 to 12) either from top to bottom or bottom to top based on a set of clues. The position of each box is determined by interpreting and combining different types of clues like relative position, immediate adjacency, and specific position constraints.
Types of Box-Based Puzzles Asked in IBPS PO Exams
Though the format remains similar, Box-Based Puzzles can appear with slight variations in IBPS PO exams:
- Simple Vertical Arrangement: Positioning boxes in a vertical stack based solely on positions (from top to bottom).
- Vertical Arrangement with Attributes: Each box is associated with an attribute like colour, brand, or weight, and candidates must arrange both the positions and attributes correctly.
- Unknown number of boxes: The Number of boxes is not known initially. You have to deduce the number of boxes from the clues.
- Multiple Vertical Arrangement: Positioning boxes in a two or three-vertical stack based solely on positions (from top to bottom).

Box Based Puzzles IBPS PO 2025
7 boxes are kept one above another in order to make up as stack. Each of the box contains different number of beans among 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. The bottommost box is numbered as 1 while the topmost as 7. Number of boxes above box C is equal to number of boxes below box G, which contains prime number of beans. Box containing 11 beans is just above box containing 15 beans. Box E contains beans in multiple of 6. Box B is the 5th box. Box A is two boxes above box D, which contains 16 beans. Box E is not adjacent to box D or box G. Box F contains 10 beans is an even numbered box.
Question 1: Which box contains 14 beans?
A) Box D
B) Box C
C) Box F
D) Box A
E) Cannot be determined
Question 2: Box E contains ___ beans.
A) 11
B) 14
C) 16
D) 12
E) 10
Question 3: How many boxes are above box G?
A) Five
B) Four
C) Two
D) One
E) Three
Question 4: What is the difference in number of beans of box C and box B?
A) 5
B) 4
C) 7
D) 2
E) 1
Question 5: Which box contains 13 beans?
A) Box A
B) Box G
C) Box B
D) Box D
E) Box F
Box Based Puzzles for IBPS PO 2025
Get a Free Box Based Puzzles IBPS PO 2025 PDF by Clicking on the below link.
IBPS PO Box-Based Puzzles Strategy
Here’s a proven approach to solve box-based puzzles efficiently, tailored for RRB PO 2025 aspirants:
Step 1: Read and understand the setup (30 seconds)
- Identify the structure: Note the number of boxes and how they are arranged (e.g., stacked vertically, numbered 1 to 6, bottom to top).
- List the attributes: Identify variables such as the color, material, or quantity of the boxes.
- Understand the numbering: Clarify whether the bottom box is numbered 1 or the top box is 1, as this varies across puzzles.
Tip: Skim the clues to spot direct information (e.g., “Box A is at the bottom”) and the puzzle’s complexity.
Step 2: Create a Visual Framework (30 Seconds)
- Draw a simple diagram to represent the boxes, such as a vertical stack of empty slots labeled with position numbers.
- Use a rough sheet to jot down attributes (e.g., colors: Red, Blue, Green) and possible positions.
Example Framework for 6 boxes:
Box 6: ________
Box 5: ________
Box 4: ________
Box 3: ________
Box 2: ________
- Box 1: ________ (Bottom)
Tip: Keep your diagram clear and avoid clutter to prevent confusion.
Step 3: Prioritise Direct Clues (1 Minute)
- Start with clues that provide exact positions (e.g., “Box Red is in position 1”).
- Fill these directly into your diagram.
- Note clues that limit possibilities (e.g., “Box Blue is not at the top”).
- Example: If “Box Red is at the bottom,” place Red in Position 1 and eliminate it from other positions.
Tip: Underline direct clues in the question to avoid missing them.
Step 4: Analyse Relative Clues (1.5 Minutes)
- Focus on cues that describe relationships (for example, “Box Blue is immediately above Box Green” or “There are two boxes between Box Red and Box Yellow”)
Example: A is three boxes above B means there are two boxes between A and B and A is above B
- Use your diagram to test possible placements, making sure they align with earlier entries.
- Eliminate impossible positions based on constraints (for example, if Box Blue is above Box Green, then Blue cannot be in position 1).
Step 5: Fill Remaining Positions and Verify (1 Minute)
- Use the process of elimination to place the remaining boxes or attributes.
- Cross-check all clues to ensure consistency (e.g., no two boxes occupy the same position).
- If time permits, re-read clues to confirm your arrangement.
Tip: If stuck, try a possibility and test it against all clues. If it fails, backtrack quickly.
Step 6: Answer Questions (1 Minute)
- Most puzzles have 4–5 questions (e.g., “Which box is in Position 3?” or “Which box is immediately below Box Blue?”).
- Refer to your diagram to answer quickly, ensuring no calculation errors.
Why IBPS PO Box-Based Puzzles Strategy Makes a Difference?
The IBPS PO Box-Based Puzzle strategy is a game-changer because it sharpens your logical thinking and boosts your accuracy in the Reasoning section. These puzzles test your ability to arrange items (like boxes stacked one above another) based on multiple conditions. By mastering them, you learn to handle complex conditions step-by-step, improving speed and focus under time pressure. Practicing box-based puzzles helps identify key clues quickly, minimizes errors, and builds confidence for tackling other arrangement puzzles too. A solid strategy for these puzzles ensures you score high in Reasoning, which is crucial for clearing the IBPS PO cutoff efficiently.
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