Logical Puzzles: Matching and Allocation

Matching and allocation puzzles require you to assign items from one category to items in another category based on a set of constraints. These puzzles are common in the UCAT Decision Making subtest and are distinct from ordering problems because they involve pairing rather than sequencing. This lesson teaches you the grid method — the most reliable technique for solving these puzzles under time pressure.

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What Are Matching and Allocation Puzzles?

These puzzles typically involve:

• Assigning people to roles, tasks, or locations (e.g., three doctors to three wards)
• Pairing items from two categories (e.g., matching five students to five projects)
• Allocating resources (e.g., distributing equipment across departments)

The constraints typically include:

• Direct assignments ("A is assigned to Ward 1")
• Exclusions ("B is NOT assigned to Ward 2")
• Conditional rules ("If C is in Ward 3, then D is in Ward 1")
• Capacity constraints ("Each ward has exactly one doctor")

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The Grid Method

The grid method is the most efficient approach for matching puzzles. Here is how it works:

Step 1: Create a Grid