One of the most crucial and scoring sections in the SBI PO exam is the Reasoning Ability Section. As the name indicates, this section tests the candidates’ ability to ‘reason’ and apply logic to a particular situation or problem. It can be tricky sometimes, but a good preparation and regular practice coupled with the best exam strategy will help you score enough marks to qualify for the next phase of the exam.
Let’s discuss the proven tips that will help you score maximum marks in this section along with the best Mock Tests that will enhance your speed and accuracy in dealing with every type of question that the exam can throw at you.
SBI PO 2022 Exam Pattern
Candidates can check below the exam pattern of SBI PO for preliminary and mains exam.
Prelims Exam Pattern
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2022 | |||
Name of Subject | No of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
*Note: 0.25 marks will be deducted for every question attempted wrong by a candidate. No deduction will be there in marks if a question is left unattempted or blank by a candidate.
Mains Exam Pattern
S.No. | Name of Tests(Objective) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 50 minutes |
2 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 50 | 45 minutes |
3 | General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
4 | English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hours | |
Descriptive Test | 02 | 50 | 30 minutes |
(i) Objective Test: The objective test of 3 hours duration consists of 4 Sections for total 200 marks. The objective test will have separate timing for every section.
(ii) Descriptive Test: The Descriptive Test of 30 minutes duration with two questions for 50 marks will be a Test of English Language (Letter Writing & Essay).
SBI PO Reasoning Strategy
There are many topics from the syllabus that appear in this section, again and again. You must know all the concepts of all the topics to excel. If your concepts are clear, you can easily find the solution to any problem. Be ready to face different types of puzzles. Therefore, you must practice as many puzzles as possible so that you can solve any kind of puzzle you face in the exam. A good practice will save you from getting terrified seeing problems on puzzles or seating arrangements problems.
Here are a few tips you need to follow to get best results:
- The reasoning section is one of the most time-consuming yet scoring sections in the SBI PO exam.
- This section comes with topics of both the reasoning and the computer aptitude. But maximum number of questions are asked from reasoning part.
- Focus on Symbols and Puzzles (Linear Arrangements, Circular Arrangements, Distribution and Comparison). They carry most weightage.
- Spend more time on solving more questions from puzzles and seating arrangements.
- Questions on Input-Output and Data Sufficiency usually come in Mains exam but can also be asked in the Prelims exam.
- Master this section by taking daily Mock Tests.
SBI PO Books for Reasoning and Computer Aptitude
Reasoning Ability section is combined with Computer Aptitude in the Mains exam. It is not an easy not to crack if you will not take this section seriously. But if you know well all the basic concepts of all the topics that make up the Reasoning syllabus and have prepared well nobody can stop you from scoring maximum or even full marks in it. And to master this section, you’ll have to practice different types of questions from previous year papers.
Best Books for SBI PO Reasoning Preparation
Check out the list of some of the best books for SBI PO Reasoning and Computer Aptitude preparation:
Again, if you want to clear your basic concepts, “A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning by R.S Agarwal” will help you greatly. You can pick any one of the other mentioned books for advanced preparation.
Book | Author/Publication |
A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning(Verbal Reasoning – Blood Relations, Coding-decoding, Input-Output, Critical Reasoning (Statement-Assumption, Strong & Weak Arguments, Courses of Action), Direction Sense) | R.S Agarwal |
Analytical Reasoning (Analytical Reasoning – Seating Arrangements, Grouping, Selection etc.) | MK Pandey |
A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal | BS Sijwali, Indu Sijwali |
How to Crack Test of Reasoning in All Competitive Exams (English) | Arihant Publication |
Important or Most Scoring Topics for SBI PO 2022 Prelims & Mains Exam 2022
Here are a few important topics that you need to prepare to get better results in the Reasoning section of both the SBI PO Prelims and Mains exams:
S. No | Topic |
1. | Inequality |
2. | Syllogism |
3. | Coding-Decoding |
4. | Puzzles (especially floor or box based) |
5. | Linear/ Circular Arrangements |
6. | Blood relations |
7. | Seating Arrangement |
8. | Direction Sense |
9. | Alphanumeric Series |
10. | Order and Ranking |
Note: Devote proper time to the preparation equal to all the topics from the Reasoning syllabus.
SBI PO Books FAQs
Q1. How can I crack SBI PO in first attempt?
Ans. It is neither too easy to crack SBI PO exam in the first attempt nor its too tough. You must have a good study plan coupled with the latest and the best Mock Tests for regular practice to achieve success. You should start your preparation by understanding the syllabus and exam pattern well and target a deadline to cover the syllabus. Refer to the best books mentioned in this article above and seek guidance from good YouTube Tutorials to attain conceptual clarity. Good practice is the only key to success.
Q2. Is SBI PO exam tough?
Ans. SBI PO is one of the most popular and competitive of all the Banking exams. A good preparation always leads to success. With the best study material and practice via mock tests will make it easy for you to crack the SBI PO exam.
Q3. How will I choose the best books for SBI PO?
Ans. You can easily find the list of best books for SBI PO on the article above. Choose to pick the books that can clarify your concepts easily.
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