12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 3: Ariel, Bailey, Corinne : Two-part Analysis (TPA)

Purnank

Joined: 05 Jan 2024

Last visit: 13 Jul 2025

Posts: 685

Own Kudos:

553

[1]

Given Kudos: 166

Location: India

Concentration: General Management, Strategy

GMAT Focus 1: 635 Q88 V76 DI80 Verified score

Products:

GMAT Focus 1: 635 Q88 V76 DI80 Verified score

Posts: 685

Kudos: 553

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 00:48

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

Lets A be Arieal, B be Bailey, C for Corinne, .... D E and F for rest.
D and E together Like DE or ED.
B _ A
And F is at 3rd from bottom.

(Bottom) _ _ _ _ _ _ (Top)

(Bottom) _ _ F _ _ _ (Top)
now B cant take 1st place because A will come at 3rd step that already taken by F
So possible places for B are 2nd and from bottom and 3rd from top
now sequence will look like this

(Bottom) _ B F A _ _ (Top) OR (Bottom) _ _ F B _ A (Top)
Considering These 2 lets place C, D and E.
D and E are consecutive but there is no order So
(Bottom) _ B F A D/E E/D (Top) OR (Bottom) D/E E/D F B _ A (Top)
Now Remaining blank will be taken by C. So total 4 Combinations are possible.

1 - (Bottom) C B F A D E (Top)
2 - (Bottom) C B F A E D (Top)
3 - (Bottom) D E F B C A (Top)
4 - (Bottom) E D F B C A (Top)

Answer for,
Bailey the possible steps = 2nd step from bottom, 3rd step from top
Corinne the possible steps = Bottom step, 2nd step from top

nishantswaft

ISB School Moderator

Joined: 17 Oct 2024

Last visit: 15 Jun 2025

Posts: 166

Own Kudos:

110

[1]

Given Kudos: 18

Posts: 166

Kudos: 110

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 01:02

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

In TPA questions it’s always better to form a strategy first before solving. Let's take all the details/constrains on our notepad.

The question stem tells us that;

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture
Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order
Bailey will be two steps below Ariel
Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

And we have to find;

the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture
the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture.

In such questions, it's always better to start from a position that is relatively fixed.

So let's place fei first,

_ _ F _ _ _;

Now let's place Bailey and Ariel,
This could be done in two ways;

_ B F A _ _
_ _ F B _ A

Now let's place Darryl and Edgar,
Since they'll hold consecutive stairs;

_ B F A D E
D E F B _ A

Since, at last, we are not concerned about Darryl and Edgar, their relative positions won't matter.

Let's fill the final spot with Corinne,
So we have two possibilities now;

C B F A D E
D E F B C A

So,
The possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture = [color=#000000]2nd step from bottom, 3rd step from top [/color]
[color=#000000]The possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture = Bottom step, 2nd step from top.[/color]

Hence we can choose these respective options.

Prakhar9802

Joined: 07 Aug 2023

Last visit: 19 Jun 2025

Posts: 71

Own Kudos:

67

[1]

Given Kudos: 1

Posts: 71

Kudos: 67

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 01:03

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

let's first write what we know for sure.

1- F is third from bottom.
2- D and E are together.
3- B is 2 steps below A.

Let's number the steps starting from below as 1 and the topmost step numbered as 6.

F is on step 3

If A is on 6th, B will have to be on 4th (which is 3rd from the top).
A cannot be on 5th, as then B will have to be on 3rd and 3rd is already taken by F.
If A is on 4th, B will have to be on 2nd (which is 2nd from the bottom).

Therefore, Positions of B can be 3rd from the top, 2nd from the bottom.

If A is on 6th, and B on 4th (which is 3rd from the top), D and E have to be together and only 1 and 2 are steps that can accomodate them. This leaves 5th step (Second from the top) for C.

If A is on 4th, B on 2nd (which is 2nd from the bottom), D and E have to be together and only 5 and 6 are steps that can accomodate them. This leaves 1st step (bottom) for C.

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

Invincible_147

Joined: 29 Sep 2023

Last visit: 14 Jul 2025

Posts: 81

Own Kudos:

59

Given Kudos: 151

Products:

Posts: 81

Kudos: 59

19 Dec 2024, 01:44

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi All,

Let assume this is the steps from the left most being the at the buttom and the right most being at the top

_ _ _ _ _ _

Given:

Step 1) D and E are concecutive --> D E or E D
Step 2) B two steps below A --> B _ A
Step 3) F will be on the 3rd step from button --> _ _ _ F _ _

Formations for step 2 can be in either two ways

B _ A F_ _ -equation 1

or

_ _ B F A _ -equation 2

Putting Step 1 in equation 1 and equation 2

B _ A F D E or B _ A F E D , there fore C will be at the 1st step from the buttom in this case

and

D E B F A _ or E D B F A _ , therefore C will be at top step in this case

We can see in the above final 4 possibilites, B is either at the buttom or 3rd step from the top

And for Arragement for C, its either 1st from the buttom/4th from the top or top step. This option is obviously not present , i updated the closed one i could find.
Will check the reasoning once the answers are released.

Eswar69

Joined: 12 Jun 2024

Last visit: 28 May 2025

Posts: 43

Own Kudos:

41

[1]

Given Kudos: 14

Posts: 43

Kudos: 41

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 01:50

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

Step	1st Instance	2nd Instance
6	A	E
5	C	D
4	B	A
3	F	F
2	E	B
1	D	C

Criteria:
1. D and E will be on consecutive steps but the order can be DE or ED.
2. B will be 2 steps below A, which means there is a gap of 1 step between them.
3. F will be on the 3rd step from the bottom.

As per the table, Bailey is 3rd from the top and 2nd from the bottom whereas Corinne is 2nd from the top and at the bottom. These are the possibilities.

MURALIKA

Joined: 21 Apr 2024

Last visit: 13 Jul 2025

Posts: 24

Own Kudos:

16

[1]

Given Kudos: 146

Products:

Posts: 24

Kudos: 16

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 02:13

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Following are the possibilities :

Sno	Possibility 1	Possibility 2
1	A	D/E
2	C	D/E
3	B	A
4	F	F
5	D/E	B
6	D/E	C

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

MinhChau789

Joined: 18 Aug 2023

Last visit: 13 Jul 2025

Posts: 144

Own Kudos:

139

[1]

Given Kudos: 2

Posts: 144

Kudos: 139

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 03:17

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Let 1-6 represents the steps from top to bottom.

As F takes 4, A is 2 steps higher than B, B must take either 5 (A takes 3) or 3 (A takes 1). So we only have 2 scenarios:

	Scenario 1	Scenario 2
1	D (or E)	A
2	E (or D)
3	A	B
4	F	F
5	B	D (or E)
6		E (or D)

So C must take either 2 or 6.

Answer: B = Bottom step, 3rd step from top . C = Bottom step, 2nd step from top

seenuvasan

Joined: 15 Oct 2016

Last visit: 14 Jan 2025

Posts: 19

Own Kudos:

19

GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V30 Verified score

Posts: 19

Kudos: 19

19 Dec 2024, 03:37

Kudos

Bookmarks

For me, this question looks incorrect. Waiting for Explanation.

The order I created from the top:
1st (Top) : D / E
2nd : E / D
3rd: A
4th: F
5th: C
6th: B

Shruuuu

Joined: 21 Nov 2023

Last visit: 12 Jul 2025

Posts: 82

Own Kudos:

95

[1]

Given Kudos: 99

Location: India

Schools: ISB '27 (A)

GMAT Focus 1: 655 Q83 V86 DI78 Verified score

Schools: ISB '27 (A)

GMAT Focus 1: 655 Q83 V86 DI78 Verified score

Posts: 82

Kudos: 95

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 04:40

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

From the given information & the restrictions, there are 2 ways that positioning of people can be done on the stairs -

1st :
Bottom c > b > f > a > d/e > e/d Top

2nd:
Bottom e/d > d/e > f > b > c > a Top

So, the possible steps for Bailey are - 2nd step from bottom, 3rd step from top
& the possible steps for Corinne are - Bottom step, 2nd step from top

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

TDTGiang

Joined: 13 Mar 2024

Last visit: 13 Jul 2025

Posts: 21

Own Kudos:

17

[1]

Given Kudos: 71

Products:

Posts: 21

Kudos: 17

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 06:14

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Because F is fixed at the 3rd step from bottom and B has to be 2 steps below A => this leaves 2 options for A - the 4th step from bottom and the top step.
(A cannot be at 1st, 2nd, 3rd,5th because there will either be no place for B within the scale or B will be on the same step as F, which is not possible)
As that, B is left with 2 options: 2nd step from bottom (when A is at the 4th from bottom) or 4th step from bottom (when A is at the top step)
Now, we know that D and E have to be consecutive.
Opt.1: B is at 2nd from the bottom, A is at 4th from the bottom => D and E have to be in the 5th from the bottom and the top step (whatever the order, D-E or E-D)
=> C will be at the bottom step

Opt.2: B is at the 4th from the bottom, A is at the top step. => D and E have to be in the bottom step and the 2nd from the bottom (whatever the order, D-E or E-D)
=> C will be in between A and B, which is 2nd step from the top.

IMO, part 1: C, part 2:B

Tishaagarwal13

Joined: 28 Jun 2024

Last visit: 06 Jul 2025

Posts: 87

Own Kudos:

63

[1]

Given Kudos: 54

Location: India

Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship

Posts: 87

Kudos: 63

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 06:14

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Top	Option I	Option II
6	Ariel
5	Corrine
4	Bailey	Ariel
3	Fei	Fei
2		Bailey
1		Corrine
Bottom

Given, Fei will be on the step third from the bottom - so her position is fixed at 3.

Bailey will be two steps below Ariel - So,
Option I
When Ariel stands at the top step (6th step), Bailey will be at 4

Option II
When Ariel stands at 4th step, Bailey will be at 2

Now, Darryl and Edgar will be together (not necessarily in the same order)
In option I, only 1 combination is possible - Steps 1 and 2
in option II, only 1 combination is possible - Steps 5 and 6

So, for Corinne,
In Option I, only step 5 is left
In option II, only step 1 is left

Final answer:
Bailey: 2nd step from bottom, 3rd step from top
Corrine: Bottom step, 2nd step from top

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

OmerKor

Joined: 24 Jan 2024

Last visit: 01 Jul 2025

Posts: 138

Own Kudos:

149

[1]

Given Kudos: 149

Location: Israel

Posts: 138

Kudos: 149

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 06:16

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi Everyone

6 Steps & 6 People
The 2 options as the constraints limit us are:
option 1:
A
C
B
F
E
D

Option 2:
D
E
A
F
B
C

Thus, the answer is 3 and 5 for Bailey
and 2 and 6 for Corinne.

aarati17

Joined: 20 Aug 2024

Last visit: 18 Apr 2025

Posts: 27

Own Kudos:

25

Given Kudos: 10

Posts: 27

Kudos: 25

19 Dec 2024, 06:52

Kudos

Bookmarks

Ans: Bailey-> Bottom step, 3rd step from top
Corinne-> 2nd step from bottom, 2nd step from top

In the question it is mentioned that Darryl and Edgar are on consecutive steps but not necessarily in that order and Bailey is two steps below Ariel i.e., there is a gap of 1 staircase between them. Additionally, it is mentioned that Fei is on the step third from the bottom

Keeping these 3 data in mind, we can make a table

1	A	D/E
2	C	D/E
3	B	A
4	F	F
5	D/E	C
6	D/E	B

From this we can see that we can arrange them in these 2 possible scenarios (4 if we have to fix the positions for Darryl and Edgar as well)
From the table we can see that Bailey will either be on the bottom step or the 3rd step from top and Corinne will either be on the 2nd step from bottom or the 2nd step from top

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

A_Nishith

Joined: 29 Aug 2023

Last visit: 12 Jul 2025

Posts: 414

Own Kudos:

189

[1]

Given Kudos: 16

Posts: 414

Kudos: 189

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 07:57

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Let us visualize the steps horizontally ;
Left Extreme = TOP most , Gradually decreasing as it goes towards right, & Right extreme = Bottom most

Six Steps: _ , _ , _ , _ , _ , _

According to question:
Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei = Let it be A, B, C, D, E, F respectively.

Fei will be on the step third from the bottom
=> _ , _ , _ , F , _ , _

Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order
=> _ , _ , _ , F , D, E or _ , D , E , F , _ , _ or D , E, _ , F , _ , _

Bailey will be two steps below Ariel
=> A , _ , B , F , D, E or (_ , D , E , F , _ , _ )=not possible or D , E, A , F , B , _

Now, Corinne will have only one place left within two possibilities:
=> A , C , B , F , D, E or D , E, A , F , B , C

ANSWER:
=> Bailey = 2nd step from bottom, 3rd step from top
=> Corinne = Bottom step, 2nd step from top

missionmba2025

Joined: 07 May 2023

Last visit: 12 Jul 2025

Posts: 352

Own Kudos:

420

[1]

Given Kudos: 50

Location: India

Products:

Posts: 352

Kudos: 420

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 08:17

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

Fei will be on the step third from the bottom

Bottom					Top
		F

Bailey will be two steps below Ariel

Hence, B cannot occupy the last step, as F has already occupied the third last step.

Possible arrangements

Bottom					Top
C	B	F	A	D	E
C	B	F	A	E	D
D	E	F	B	C	A
E	D	F	B	C	A

Therefore

Bailey = 2nd step from the bottom or the 3rd step from the top
Corinne = bottom step or the 2nd step from the top

rns2812

Joined: 10 Nov 2024

Last visit: 01 Jul 2025

Posts: 60

Own Kudos:

51

[1]

Given Kudos: 14

Posts: 60

Kudos: 51

[1]

19 Dec 2024, 08:20

1

Kudos

Bookmarks

Assume these are the steps (in increasing order)

1(_) 2(_) 3(_) 4(_) 5(_) 6(_)

Known that
1. F = 3
2. D,E consecutive
3. (B) (_) (A)

1(_) 2(_) 3(F) 4(_) 5(_) 6(_)

Possibilities for B in this are only in 2 and 4 to ensure A is also accommodated

Possibility 1 - 1(_) 2(B) 3(F) 4(A) 5(_) 6(_)

D and E have to be consecutive so they can take 5, 6. So C gets 1

1(C) 2(B) 3(F) 4(A) 5(D/E) 6(D/E)

Possibility 2 - 1(_) 2(_) 3(F) 4(B) 5(_) 6(A)

D and E have to be consecutive so they can take 1, 2. So C gets 5

1(D/E) 2(D/E) 3(F) 4(B) 5(C) 6(A)

B -> 2, 4 -> 2nd from bottom and 3rd from top
C -> 1, 5 -> Bottom and 2nd from top

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

jkkamau

Joined: 25 May 2020

Last visit: 14 Jul 2025

Posts: 132

Own Kudos:

106

Given Kudos: 13

Location: Kenya

Schools: Haas '25

GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V46 Verified score

GPA: 3.5

Schools: Haas '25

GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V46 Verified score

Posts: 132

Kudos: 106

19 Dec 2024, 08:59

Kudos

Bookmarks

Given that the 3rd step is already occupied by F, DE can only occupy 1&2 or 5&6 leaving B to ether occupy 1 or 4 and C to occupy either 2 or 5. That there will always be two steps between A and B hence the answer is AD

Bunuel

12 Days of Christmas 2024 - 2025 Competition with $40,000 of Prizes

This question was provided by Manhattan Prep
for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition

Win $40,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more

Ariel, Bailey, Corinne, Darryl, Edgar, and Fei are positioning themselves on a flight of six steps for a picture. Darryl and Edgar will be on consecutive steps, but not necessarily in that order. Bailey will be two steps below Ariel, and Fei will be on the step third from the bottom.

If all of the people will be on different steps, select for Bailey the possible steps that Bailey could be standing on for the picture, and select for Corinne the possible steps that Corinne could be standing on for the picture. Make only two selections, one for each column

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 3: Ariel, Bailey, Corinne

Prep Toolkit

My Rewards

GMAT Two-part Analysis (TPA) Questions

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 3: Ariel, Bailey, Corinne

Prep Toolkit

My Rewards