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[Studyplan] SBI PO Reasoning (High Level):

Topicwise Approach, booklist, strategy, Cutoffs
IBPS, Studyplan3 years Ago380 Comments

1.

The structure of SBI PO Exam 2013

2.

Reasoning: Topicwise breakup SBI papers

3.

Reasoning: SSC vs SBI

4.

Reasoning approach: Higher Level

5.

3 Statement Syllogism

6.

Reasoning Approach: Usual topics

1.

Eligibility Test

2.

Math Operations+Inequality

3.

Sitting arrangement

4.

Non verbal

5.

Data Sufficiency

6.

Input Output

7.

Reasoning: Peripheral Topics

1.

DBT: Direction Based Test

2.

Coding Decoding

3.

Dictionary (Alphabet) tests

8.

How people dig their grave in Bank PO/Clerk exams?

9.

So, How to avoid your grave?

10.

Cutoffs of SBI PO 2011 Exam

1.

Phase 1: sectional cutoffs (2010, 11)

2.

Phase 1: Marks of last candidate

The structure of SBI PO Exam 2013

Phase 1

MCQ

GA+Marketing+Computer

Data Interpretation (DI)

(2hrs)

Reasoning

English grammar, vocab and Comprehension

(28.04.2013)
Descriptive
(1 hr)

Essay, prcis, letter writing

Total

Group Discussion (GD)

Phase 2

GDPI

Personal Interview (PI)

Total

Final

Phase 1 (250m) marks are are converted to out of 75

marks secured in Phase 2 (50m) are converted to out of 25.

Final Merit list of 75+25=100 marks.

Reasoning: Topicwise breakup SBI papers

201

Reasoning

Coding-Decoding

Usual

Reasoning
High Level

Direction based tests

Dictionary (Alphabet) test

Maths operations, inequalities

Sitting arrangement

13

Eligibility Test

Odd pair

Data Sufficiency

Input output

Misc.

Subtotal: Reasoning (Usual)

33

Fact-assumption-inference-conclusion

Course of Action

Cause effect

Strong/weak argument

Non Verbal

3 statement Syllogism

Subtotal: Reasoning (Higher level)

12

non-verbal (image based)

Total: Verbal Reasoning (usual+higher)+Non verbal

50

2008s SBI PO paper doesnt follow this pattern of High level reasoning (or
tougher data interpretation Qs like those of 2010s papers). Hence 2008 is ignored
from the analysis.

Reasoning: SSC vs SBI PO

SSC

Non verbal reasoning involves usual image-series+ paper-folding, mirror reflection test, dice/cubes.

pa

2 statement syllogism x at most 2 questions.

Lot of Qs. From Analogy, series, and odd pairs.

Barely any question on higher level reasoning.(assumption, inference etc.)

Lo

Anyways, lets start.For the purpose of efficient preparation, I classify reasoning topics
into two categories.
Core topics

Majority of the reasoning is asked from these topics. Often in a set of 5 Quest

So Cost:Benefit ratio is quite good, if you master these topics.

Chillar (peripheral)

Observe this chart:

Barely 2-3 questions from each topic.

Reasoning approach: Higher Level

Based on the previous papers of SBI, we can see that higher level reasoning is made
up of following topics
1.

Fact-assumption-inference-conclusion

2.

Course of Action

3.

Cause effect

4.

Strong/weak argument

5.

Three Statement Syllogism

While both R.S.Agarwal and BS Sijwalis books have covered these topics,

but problem with both of those books= they merely give you a few solved exams
and then give a big list of practice questions.

But the basic concepts/ theory /underlying principles are not covered in depth.

Then You often face the doubt why option A is the answer and why not B
option? OR why is this an inference and not an assumption?

So, for SBI POs higher level reasoning questions (assumption, inference,
strong/weak argument etc), refer to Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey (BSC
publication)

MK Pandey not only helps you for Higher level reasoning, but also for provides
some speed-techniques for usual reasoning topics (such as input output,
arrangement, eligibility test, coded inequalities etc.)

Anyways the study approach for Higher level Reasoning (for SBI PO) should be like
following:
Higher Reasoning Topic

Chapter Number

MK Pandey

1.

Statement-Assumption

Inference, conclusion

Strong/ Weak argument

4, 9

Cause effect

10

Course of Action

For example, pickup the topic Assumptions.

1.

First understand theory from MK Pandeys Chapter #3, solve all sums given in
MK Pandey.

2.

Then move to RS Agarwals Chapter #3 for extra practice. (or if youve BS Sijwali,
go to Chapter #23).

To solve the last three categories of questions (Strengthen / Weaken arguments, causeeffect, course of action), you must know whatre the facts, assumptions, inferences and
conclusions in the given statements. Therefore, preparation sequence should be:
assumption topic>inference>strengthen / weaken arguments and so on

3 Statement Syllogism
All cats are dogs..

To master 3 statement syllogism, first youve to master the 2-statement.Understand the

UPUN method explain in these two articles articles:
1.

Two Statement Syllogism Click ME

2.

Three Statement Syllogism Click ME

Then do all sums given in Chapter 11 of MK Pandey and finally Chapter 1 of RS

Agarwal (under Logic portion).

Reasoning Approach: Usual topics

Chapter Number
In Decreasing priority order.
MK Pandey

1.

Eligibility Tests

12

Math Operations

17,18,19

Sitting Arrangement

20

Data Sufficiency

Input Output

13 to 16

Eligibility Test
First youre given a passage with conditions like,

Applications are invited for xyz post. If candidate has graduation with 50% marks and 3
years work experience. then forward letter to Deputy manager, else . forward letter
to.

Then five questions are given, each has a unique case like If Rahul Gandhi has
**% in graduation and ** years of work ex and.then what to do?

This is known as eligibility test- very commonly asked in BankPO exams.

Advantage=If you get the question, its a set of 4-5 questions. (helps you clear
sectional cutoff).

Problem=can be time consuming, if not practiced @home.

First understand the techniques and tips given in Chapter 12 of MK Pandey.
Then practice all the sums given in Chapter 18 of RS Agarwal.

Math Operations+Inequality
Theyre usually of three types
Type

1.

Example

BODMAS

+ means x,
x means and..

Inequality

P@Q means P is not smaller than Q

P%Q means P is neither smaller not equal to Q

Relationship

P#Q means P is brother of Q

P^Q means P is sister of Q

Again, math operation questions are pretty common in BankPO exams

Problem= you may get wrong answer or waste lot of time.=need maximum
practice at home.

Approach: All theory and all sums of Chapter 17,18,19 of MK Pandey.

Then practice all the sums given in Chapter 18 of RS Agarwal.

Sitting arrangement
Can be of following types
1.

Circular table

2.

Rectangular table

3.

Blood relations (A is mother of B who is sister of C and)

4.
5.

Appointment (Arranging lectures from Mon. to Sat., name of professors vs

subjects)
Complex (Person, building floor, occupation etc.)

Advantage=Minimum 1 set (=5 questions) always asked in BankPO exam.

(=helps clearing the sectional cutoffs).

Problem= can be sitters (=very time consuming), If not practiced @home.

Approach: Understand the techniques explained in Chapter 20 of MK Pandey.

Then practice all the sums given in Chapter 6 (Puzzle Test) of RS Agarwal.

Non verbal

Usually five questions.

Practice is must. Try to solve the question by eliminating the unfit cases first.

Solve all the questions in RS Agarwal==> Non Verbal portion ==>Series, Analogy
and Classification.

You may ignore mirrors and paper folding, because usually theyre usually not
asked in BankPO exams. (However theyre important forSSC-CGL exam).

Data Sufficiency (DS)

It is very easy to make mistakes in these question.

Theoretical part must be absolutely clear in your mind.

So first clear the theory from Chapter 7 of MK Pandey. Practice all exercises.

Then practice all sums given in Chapter 17 of RS Agarwal.

Input Output

Chapter 13 to 16 of MK Pandey then practice Chapter 7 of RS Agarwal.

This ends the core topics. Now, Moving to the peripheral topics (i.e. Chillar topics).

Reasoning: Peripheral Topics

Peripheral Topics

Chap.# in

1.

Coding Decoding

Direction Based Tests

Dictionary (alphabet) arrangement

10

DBT: Direction Based Test

E.g. A man walks 1 km towards East and then he turns to South and walks for 5 kms.
Then heNow how far is he from the starting point?
This is a no-excuse topic. Practice all sums given in Chapter 8 of RS Agarwal.

Coding Decoding
Can be of two types
Words

Numbers

Health is written as GSKZDG then North will be written as

453945 means d

Sometimes youre given a matrix table and youve to decode the words
accordingly. Do all the sums given in Chapter #4 of RS Agarwal.

Dictionary (Alphabet) tests

Chapter #10 of RS Agarwal.

Misc.

Once ^all of above is done, get an overview of the misc. topics such as
sequence, series, odd pair, dice, cubes, clocks, calendars, Venn Diagrams etc. from
RS Agarwals/BS Sijwalis book.
This concludes the preparation of reasoning section for SBI PO.
How to approach GA+Marking+Computer, explained in separate article: click
me (with free study material for computer, IT, economy etc.)

How people dig their own graves in Bank PO/Clerk exams?

1.

They underestimate the level of competition.

2.

They buy the books, magazines, download PDF files from internet and so on. But
they only gather material. They never process the gathered material.

3.

They just spend time in day dreaming and facebook, TV, SMS, PC/mobile
games, cricket, loitering around etc.

4.

They start serious preparation only AFTER receiving the exam call letter.

5.

During the exam, they think, ya ya ya the marketing and English section is
pappu so Im going to solve all questions here. And after that, Ill go to maths and
reasoning section.

6.

They get stuck in lengthy calculations of Data interpretation (because theyve

never practiced multiplication and division @home). And often make silly mistakes in
calculation =negative marking.

7.

They waste lots of minutes in sitting arrangement/eligibility test/non-verbal

reasoning type questions.

Ultimately they cannot even cross the sectional cutoffs.( Getting in the final merit list is a
far cry.)

So, How to avoid your grave?

Maximum revision + Maximum practice @home.

Mind will always find excuses (my cousins wedding, workload @office, Im not in
the mood.) but while youre making those excuses, someone somewhere is busy
reading books and doing sums.

The train of success doesnot show mercy on anyone, no matter how good the
excuse is, this train will not wait for you.

So always remember Anil Kapoor from Tezaab: time hotaa nahi hai, time
nikaalnaa padtaa hai. (There is no time as such, but youve to take out time (to
study)).

Donot HATE reasoning. In fact, Syllogism, sitting arrangement, eligibility test

etc. reasoning questions can be solved with maximum accuracy in short time (once
youve mastered them). So dont consider them your enemies, make them your
weapons. Theyll be immensely helpful in scoring high marks.

When you get the question paper, you dont have to solve all questions in a
continuous sequence i.e. Reasoning question from 1 to 50. Then English 1 to 50
then DI from 1 to 50

Instead, first try to tick minimum 10-15 in each section first, and then come back
and solve remaining questions.

Cutoffs of SBI PO 2011 Exam

Phase 1: sectional cutoffs (2010, 11)
2011

Phase 1

Max marks

SC/ST/PWD

OBC

GEN

English Language

50

10

10

13

General Awareness

50

11

DI

50

10

10

13

Reasoning

50

10

10

13

Descriptive

50

18

18

20

Phase 1: Marks of last candidate

Now the marks scored by last candidate from Phase 1 to GDPI (Phase 2), in each
category.
Phase 1(2011)

SC/ST/PH

OBC