Do you dream of wearing the uniform of the BSF, CRPF, or CISF? The SSC GD Constable exam is your biggest chance to serve the nation. But to get selected, you must clear the computer-based exam first. In the Reasoning section, one topic that helps you score full marks is Direction and Distance. Many students get confused in the exam hall. They mix up “Left” and “Right” or get lost while calculating the distance. But here is the secret: You don’t need a real compass to solve these questions. You just need a simple diagram. Whether the question asks about a man walking North or a shadow falling in the West, the logic is always the same. If you practice the right patterns, you can solve these questions in 10 seconds. To help you prepare, we have collected the most important Direction questions from previous exams and made a Free PDF. Download it below.
Why is Direction & Distance Important for SSC GD?
In the General Intelligence and Reasoning section (20 questions), this topic is very reliable.
- Fixed Marks: You will definitely find 2 to 3 questions from this topic in your shift.
- Zero Formulas: unlike Math, you don’t need to memorize formulas. You just need to draw lines on paper.
- High Accuracy: If your diagram is correct, your answer cannot be wrong. It is the safest topic to attempt.
Download Free PDF of Direction & Distance Questions for SSC GD
We have prepared a comprehensive PDF containing exam-level questions. We have chosen questions that cover the unique mix of simple turns, degree-based turns, and shadow problems that SSC GD is famous for. Download it, save it, and practice these questions to build your speed.
Q1. A boy walks 5 km towards the East. Then he turns right and walks 3 km. Then he turns right again and walks 5 km. In which direction is he now from the starting point?
(a) East
(b) South
(c) West
(d) North
Answer: (b) South
(Logic: He goes East (Right on paper), turns Right (Down), turns Right (West). He comes back to the same vertical line. He is now exactly below the starting point, which is South.)
Q2. Sita starts from her house and walks 2 km towards North. Then she turns right and walks 2 km. Then she turns right again and walks 2 km. What is the distance between her current position and her house?
(a) 4 km
(b) 2 km
(c) 0 km
(d) 1 km
Answer: (b) 2 km
(Logic: She moves up 2 km, right 2 km, and down 2 km. The vertical distance cancels out. The horizontal distance remains 2 km.)
Q3. One morning after sunrise, Rahul was standing facing a pole. The shadow of the pole fell exactly to his left. Which direction was Rahul facing?
(a) East
(b) South
(c) North
(d) West
Answer: (c) North
(Logic: In the morning, Sun is in East -> Shadow is in West. If the shadow (West) is to Rahul’s Left, then Rahul must be facing North.)
Q4. A man is facing West. He turns 45 degrees clockwise, then 180 degrees clockwise, and then 270 degrees anti-clockwise. Which direction is he facing now?
(a) South-West
(b) West
(c) North-West
(d) South
Answer: (a) South-West
(Logic: Total Clockwise = 45 + 180 = 225. Total Anti-clockwise = 270. Net turn = 270 – 225 = 45 degrees Anti-clockwise. Facing West, turning 45° Anti-clockwise leads to South-West.)
Q5. Point P is 10m to the West of Point Q. Point R is 10m to the North of Point Q. In which direction is Point R from Point P?
(a) North-East
(b) North-West
(c) South-East
(d) South-West
Answer: (a) North-East
(Logic: P is West of Q. R is North of Q. So R is above and to the right of P. That direction is North-East.)
Q6. Ravi travels 8 km towards North. Then he turns left and travels 6 km. How far is he from the starting point?
(a) 14 km
(b) 10 km
(c) 12 km
(d) 2 km
Answer: (b) 10 km
(Logic: This forms a right-angled triangle. Height=8, Base=6. Hypotenuse = sqrt{8^2 + 6^2} = sqrt{64+36} = sqrt{100} = 10 km.)
Q7. A dog runs 20 meters towards East and turns to the right, runs 10 meters and turns to the right, runs 9 meters and again turns to the left, runs 5 meters and then turns to the left, runs 12 meters and finally turns to the left and runs 6 meters. Now which direction is the dog facing?
(a) North
(b) East
(c) West
(d) South
Answer: (a) North
(Logic: Don’t draw the whole distance. Just track turns: Start East -> Right (South) -> Right (West) -> Left (South) -> Left (East) -> Left (North). Final direction is North.)
Q8. If ‘South’ becomes ‘North-East’, then ‘West’ will become:
(a) South-East
(b) North-West
(c) South-West
(d) East
Answer: (a) South-East
(Logic: South to North-East is a 135° Anti-clockwise turn. Move West by 135° Anti-clockwise. It lands on South-East.)
Q9. At 4:30 PM, if the minute hand points towards East, in which direction does the hour hand point?
(a) North-East
(b) South-East
(c) North-West
(d) South-West
Answer: (a) North-East
(Logic: At 4:30, minute hand is at 6 (Down/South). But question says it points East (90° Anti-clockwise shift). Hour hand is between 4 and 5 (South-East). Shift it 90° Anti-clockwise -> North-East.)
Q10. Five friends are sitting in a circle facing the center. A is to the immediate left of B. C is between B and D. Who is to the immediate right of B?
(a) C
(b) D
(c) A
(d) Cannot be determined
Answer: (a) C
(Logic: Facing center. A is Left of B. C is between B and D. So the order is A-B-C-D. Immediate right of B is C.)
5 Preparation Tips to Master Direction Questions
You don’t need to be a navigator to solve these questions. You just need a systematic approach. Don’t rely on mental calculations; your brain can play tricks on you under pressure. Here are 5 simple tips to help you master Direction and Distance questions for the SSC GD exam:
- Draw the “+” Sign: As soon as you start, draw a small Plus sign on your paper. Mark N (Up), S (Down), E (Right), and W (Left). This serves as your compass and prevents silly mistakes.
- Right is Clockwise: Many students get confused about which way to turn. Just remember: Right Turn = Clockwise. Left Turn = Anti-Clockwise.
- Learn the “Triplets”: SSC GD loves questions involving the Shortest Distance (Pythagoras Theorem). Memorize the common triplets: (3, 4, 5), (6, 8, 10), and (5, 12, 13). If you see 3 and 4 as sides, the distance is automatically 5.
- Shadow Rule: Remember this simple logic: In the morning (Sunrise), shadows fall to the West. In the evening (Sunset), shadows fall to the East. If a shadow is to the “Left,” the person is facing North (in the morning).
- Read the End First: Always check what the question is asking. Is it asking for the total distance covered or the shortest distance from the start? These are two different answers.
Join our exclusive Telegram group for expert guidance, personalized tips, and real-time solutions to boost your SSC exam prep. [Click here to join now!]
FAQs: Direction & Distance Questions for SSC GD
No. It is one of the easiest topics. The questions are usually simple turns or finding the shortest distance.
You can consistently expect 2 to 3 questions in the Reasoning section.
It is used to find the straight-line distance (hypotenuse) when the path forms a right-angled triangle. Formula: Distance2 = Height2 + Base2.
Fix the sun’s position first (East for Morning, West for Evening). Then place the shadow opposite to the sun. Then align the person’s left/right to match the shadow.
You can download the free, exam-level PDF by clicking the link provided in the middle of this blog post.
- Sign Up on Practicemock for Updated Current Affairs, Topic Tests and Mini Mocks
- Sign Up Here to Download Free Study Material
Free Mock Tests for the Upcoming Exams
- IBPS PO Free Mock Test
- RBI Grade B Free Mock Test
- IBPS SO Free Mock Test
- NABARD Grade A Free Mock Test
- SSC CGL Free Mock Test
- IBPS Clerk Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB PO Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB Clerk Free Mock Test
- RRB NTPC Free Mock Test
- SSC MTS Free Mock Test
- SSC Stenographer Free Mock Test
- GATE Mechanical Free Mock Test
- GATE Civil Free Mock Test
- RRB ALP Free Mock Test
- SSC CPO Free Mock Test
- AFCAT Free Mock Test
- SEBI Grade A Free Mock Test
- IFSCA Grade A Free Mock Test
- RRB JE Free Mock Test
- Free Banking Live Test
- Free SSC Live Test