Position Shifting

Position Shifting problems feature elements that move to different positions within a fixed frame (circle, square, grid). The movement may be horizontal (left/right), vertical (up/down), or diagonal, with constant step size. You must track the element's position and predict its next location.

10Worksheets
200+Practice Questions
MediumDifficulty
2-3 hoursHours to Master

Introduction to Position Shifting

Position Shifting problems feature elements that move to different positions within a fixed frame (circle, square, grid). The movement may be horizontal (left/right), vertical (up/down), or diagonal, with constant step size. You must track the element's position and predict its next location.

Prerequisites

Understanding of coordinate positions Horizontal and vertical movement concepts Grid or frame layout understanding Constant step movement tracking
Why This Matters: Position Shifting problems appear in 1-2 questions in SSC CGL and Banking PO exams. They test spatial tracking and movement pattern recognition.

How to Solve Position Shifting Problems

1

Step 1: Track the x-coordinate (horizontal position) of the element

2

Step 2: Track the y-coordinate (vertical position) if movement is 2D

3

Step 3: Calculate the shift between consecutive positions

4

Step 4: Determine direction (right = +, left = -, up = -, down = + depending on coordinate system)

5

Step 5: Apply the same shift to the last position

6

Step 6: Handle boundaries (element may wrap, bounce, or stop)

7

Step 7: Select the figure with the element at the new position

Pro Strategy: Treat the figure as a coordinate system. Track the position of the moving element separately from stationary elements. The movement step is usually constant.

Example Problem

Example: Dot positions: x=20, x=35, x=50, x=65. What is next x-coordinate? Solution: Step 1: X-positions: 20, 35, 50, 65 Step 2: Shift = +15 each step Step 3: Next x = 65 + 15 = 80 Answer: Dot at x=80

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Practice regularly to build speed and accuracy
  • Understand the concept before memorizing formulas
  • Start with easier problems and gradually increase difficulty

Exam Importance

Position Shifting is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:

SSC CGL
1-2 questions
BANKING PO
1-2 questions
RAILWAYS RRB
1-2 questions
INSURANCE
1-2 questions

Ready to Master Position Shifting?

Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes:

20 practice questions
Detailed solutions
Step-by-step explanations
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