Puzzles are the most important topic in your IBPS Clerk Mains Reasoning preparation. This topic coverage helps secure approx. 20 to 25 marks in the Mains exam. In the Mains exam, you can’t skip a puzzle even when it’s lengthy, because it carries more marks. Practice most probable puzzles from the free downloadable PDF given in this blog. Read till the end to know how to quickly solve a puzzle in IBPS Clerk mains exam.
Download Most Probable Puzzle Sets for IBPS Clerk Mains Exam
Here we are providing the most probable puzzle set PDF for IBPS Clerk mains exam. Candidates can download the PDF from the link given below and start practicing puzzles today only. After going through this puzzle set candidates can visit PracticeMock Test Series for Topic Tests of Banking. This free downloadable PDF contains 10 question sets which can be solved within 5 to 7 minutes. Please don’t get disheartened if you are not able to solve it within this time limit, improve your speed and accuracy using mains level topic tests available at PracticeMock platform.
Puzzles for IBPS Clerk Mains Exam – Click Here to Download PDF!
How to Download This PDF?
To download this free PDF, you need to click on the link provided above. Then, this link will redirect you to the IBPS Clerk mock test page. After you log in/ Sign Up using your email ID, you will see click here to download PDF link in the top left corner of the banking tests dashboard page. If you are already logged in, you can directly download the PDF. If you face any issues downloading the PDF, please leave a comment in the comments section.
To make the best use of this PDF, use a timer beside you or a stopwatch on your device and try to solve 1 puzzle within 5 minutes only.
Weightage of Puzzles in IBPS Clerk mains Exam
Puzzles carry significant weightage in the mains exam including Seating Arrangement questions, and different puzzle type based questions. Major types include floor-based puzzle, scheduling puzzle, box based puzzle, order and ranking puzzle, and mixed puzzle including various variables. Almost 50% of the Reasoning marks depends on how candidates tackle these questions from topic. The overall puzzle based questions in the IBPS Clerk Mains exam contribute 20 to 25 marks if we look at previous year exam analysis.
Let’s look at weightage of Puzzle from 2019 to 2024 IBPS Clerk Mains Exam:
| Year | Puzzle/Seating Arrangement Qs | Puzzle Types Included |
| 2019 | 20–25 | Linear, Circular, Box-based, Floor-based |
| 2020 | 25–30 | Parallel row, Circular, Month-date, Floor-box |
| 2021 | 20–25 | Linear, Circular, Box, Floor, Variable-based |
| 2022 | 25–30 | Month-date, Floor-box, Circular, Comparison |
| 2023 | 20–25 | Linear, Circular, Floor-based, Uncertain rows |
| 2024 | 25–30 | Box-floor combo, Circular, Month-date, Double row |
Trend Insight:
- Puzzles consistently make up 50 to 75% of the Reasoning section.
- Hybrid puzzles (e.g., floor + box, month + date) are increasingly common.
- Expect 4 to 5 sets of puzzles, each with 5 questions.
Strategy to Solve Puzzles Quickly
The first step to solve a puzzle is to know which type of puzzle is asked. Then, read the entire puzzle. Then, draw a clear visual for given statements. Use clues to place items in the right places. Use conditional clues smartly and eliminate irrelevant options and choose and verify the correct choice.
1. Scan the Puzzle Type First (10–15 sec)
- Identify whether it’s Linear Arrangement, Circular, Box/Floor-based, Month-Date, or Variable-based.
- Decide if it’s familiar or worth skipping temporarily.
2. Read the Entire Puzzle Once (30–40 sec)
- Don’t jump to solving immediately.
- Highlight keywords: exact, not, either–or, only, immediately, between, before, after.
3. Draw a Clear Framework
- Use boxes, circles, or grids depending on the puzzle type.
- Leave space for uncertain placements.
4. Place Direct Clues First
- Start with absolute positions (e.g., “A sits at the first position”).
- These anchor your diagram and reduce ambiguity.
5. Use Conditional Clues Smartly
- For clues like “If A is third, then B is fifth,” create two diagrams if needed.
- Eliminate invalid cases quickly.
6. Link Clues Logically
- Don’t treat clues in isolation.
- Combine clues to form chains (e.g., “A is left of B, who is next to C”).
7. Avoid Overwriting
- If a diagram gets messy, redraw it cleanly.
- Clarity saves time in the long run.
8. Practice Elimination
- Use options to eliminate impossible arrangements.
- Especially useful in variable-based puzzles.
9. Time Your Sets
- Aim for 5 to 7 minutes per puzzle set.
- If stuck beyond 7 minutes, flag for review and move on.
Conclusion
Work on improving Puzzle Solving Speed and Accuracy. Take Topic Tests of Mains level Puzzles regularly. Initially, solve Prelims level puzzles then move to mains level. Solve at least 2 to 3 puzzle sets daily from mixed topics. Use stopwatch technique to simulate exam pressure. Maintain a mistake notebook to track errors and revise patterns.
Know What Our Successful Candidate Says…
Our Banking Preparation Package includes topic tests, sectional tests, rank boosters for prelims, previous year paper tests, e-books, CA tests, Quizzes, live tests, PDF Course, and more. Discover our banking and insurance packages in detail from the link provided below!
Join our exclusive Telegram group, where our experts are ready to answer all your queries, guide you in banking exam preparation, and give personalised tips to boost your success. Get access to real-time solutions, expert advice, and valuable resources to improve your study journey.
FAQs
To solve the puzzle fast, start by understanding the puzzle type and drawing a clear framework from the statements given and apply clues logically to arrive at the correct answer.
PracticeMock Mains Level Banking Topic Tests are best for Practice.
Yes. Puzzles appear in combination with other topics like blood relation, direction sense and more. These are also called Hybrid Puzzles.
The IBPS Clerk Mains is bilingual. You can choose your preferred language (Hindi or English) during the exam. Puzzle questions will appear in the selected medium.
There is no trick needed to solve a puzzle. But, experts suggest that you apply direct clues first to your diagram and then place the uncertain clues in the right place.
- 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