Four students Rakesh, Raju, Ravi and Ranga scored different marks in a test. Rakesh scored more than Raju. Ravi scored less than Rakesh. Raju scored more than Ravi. Ranga scored more than Raju but less than Rakesh. Who scored the highest marks among them?

Introduction / Context:
This question is a simple ranking and ordering problem based on comparative statements about marks scored by four students. Such questions are common in verbal reasoning and logical reasoning tests. The objective is to translate the given comparisons into a clear order and then identify who is at the top of the order. Careful attention to each inequality is essential in order to avoid mistakes when more than two people are compared.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• There are four students: Rakesh, Raju, Ravi and Ranga.
• Rakesh scored more than Raju.
• Ravi scored less than Rakesh.
• Raju scored more than Ravi.
• Ranga scored more than Raju but less than Rakesh.
• All four have different scores.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to interpret every sentence as an inequality involving the marks. If we let the marks be M(Rakesh), M(Raju), M(Ravi) and M(Ranga), each statement gives a relation such as M(Rakesh) greater than M(Raju). By combining these inequalities we can get a complete ordering from highest to lowest. Once that ordering is clear, the person with the maximum marks can be directly identified. No numerical values are required; only relative comparison is used.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: From the first statement, Rakesh scored more than Raju, so M(Rakesh) greater than M(Raju). Step 2: From the third statement, Raju scored more than Ravi, so M(Raju) greater than M(Ravi). Step 3: Combining these two, we get M(Rakesh) greater than M(Raju) greater than M(Ravi). Step 4: The second statement, Ravi scored less than Rakesh, is consistent with this chain since M(Ravi) is already less than M(Rakesh). Step 5: The last statement tells us that Ranga scored more than Raju but less than Rakesh, so M(Rakesh) greater than M(Ranga) greater than M(Raju). Step 6: Now combine Ranga into the previous chain. We already have M(Rakesh) greater than M(Raju) greater than M(Ravi) and M(Rakesh) greater than M(Ranga) greater than M(Raju). Step 7: The consistent full order from highest to lowest is M(Rakesh) greater than M(Ranga) greater than M(Raju) greater than M(Ravi). Step 8: Therefore, Rakesh is the highest scorer among the four students.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can quickly verify by imagining sample numerical marks that satisfy all the inequalities. For example, assign marks: Rakesh 90, Ranga 85, Raju 80 and Ravi 70. Check each condition: Rakesh scored more than Raju (90 greater than 80), Ravi scored less than Rakesh (70 less than 90), Raju scored more than Ravi (80 greater than 70), and Ranga scored more than Raju but less than Rakesh (85 between 80 and 90). All conditions are satisfied, and Rakesh clearly has the maximum marks.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a (Ranga) is wrong because Ranga scored less than Rakesh, not more. Option b (Raju) is wrong because Raju scored less than both Ranga and Rakesh. Option d (Ravi) is wrong because Ravi scored less than Raju and definitely less than Rakesh.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to read the statements quickly and mix up the order, especially when many names appear together. Some students may forget to place Ranga correctly between Rakesh and Raju. Others may ignore one of the conditions and conclude that Ranga or Raju scored the highest. To avoid such errors, it is helpful to write down the inequalities and then merge them systematically. Another pitfall is assuming equal marks, but the question clearly implies different scores, which ensures a strict ordering.

Final Answer:
From the combined inequalities, Rakesh is at the top of the order. Correct option: Rakesh.