Logical reasoning is a pivotal section in bank exams like IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, IBPS RRB PO, IBPS RRB Clerk, SBI PO, and SBI Clerk. This segment tests your analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to make quick, accurate decisions under pressure. With logical reasoning carrying significant weightage (35-60 marks), mastering it can boost your overall score and help you clear sectional cutoffs.
Whether you're solving complex puzzles or decoding patterns, understanding the reasoning syllabus and key logical reasoning topics is essential for success. In this guide, we explore the reasoning topics common across these exams, provide detailed syllabi, and share expert strategies to ace your preparation. Start your journey to cracking bank exams with confidence!
What is Logical Reasoning?
Logical reasoning evaluates your ability to analyze patterns, draw logical conclusions, and solve problems efficiently. It’s a core component of bank exams, designed to assess your mental agility and decision-making skills. Reasoning questions are broadly categorized into:
- Verbal Reasoning: Involves language-based problems like syllogism or statement-conclusion.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Includes visual tasks like figure series or mirror images (less common in bank exams).
- Analytical Reasoning: Focuses on complex problems like puzzles and seating arrangements.
In exams like IBPS PO and SBI Clerk, logical reasoning tests your speed and accuracy, with varying difficulty levels across Prelims and Mains. For instance, IBPS PO Mains combines reasoning with computer aptitude, adding complexity. By mastering reasoning, you can secure a competitive edge, as it’s a high-scoring section when approached strategically.
Detailed Logical Reasoning Syllabus for Bank Exams
| Questions, Marks, Time | Topics |
|---|---|
| IBPS PO Prelims Questions: 35 Marks: 35 Time: 20 minutes |
Puzzles (floor, box, scheduling), Seating Arrangement (linear, circular), Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Inequalities, Number Series, Direction Sense, Alphanumeric Series |
| IBPS PO Mains Questions: 45 Marks: 60 Time: 60 minutes |
All Prelims topics, Statement and Assumption/Conclusion, Data Sufficiency, Input-Output, Logical Reasoning (cause-effect, course of action), Computer Aptitude (flowcharts, binary logic) |
| IBPS Clerk Prelims Questions: 35 Marks: 35 Time: 20 minutes |
Puzzles (simple floor, day-based), Seating Arrangement (linear, single row), Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Number Series, Alphanumeric Series, Ranking and Order, Direction Sense |
| IBPS Clerk Mains Questions: 50 Marks: 60 Time: 45 minutes |
All Prelims topics, Inequalities, Data Sufficiency, Input-Output, Statement and Conclusion, Computer Aptitude (basic hardware, software) |
| IBPS RRB PO Prelims Questions: 40 Marks: 40 Time: ~25 minutes (part of 45-minute total) |
Puzzles (floor, month-based), Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Inequalities, Number Series, Direction Sense, Alphanumeric Series |
| IBPS RRB PO Mains Questions: 40 Marks: 50 Time: ~30 minutes (part of 120-minute total) |
All Prelims topics, Statement and Assumption, Data Sufficiency, Input-Output, Logical Reasoning (statement-conclusion) |
| IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Questions: 40 Marks: 40 Time: ~25 minutes (part of 45-minute total) |
Puzzles (simple), Seating Arrangement (linear), Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Number Series, Alphanumeric Series, Ranking, Direction Sense |
| IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Questions: 40 Marks: 50 Time: ~30 minutes (part of 120-minute total) |
All Prelims topics, Inequalities, Data Sufficiency, Statement and Conclusion |
| SBI PO Prelims Questions: 35 Marks: 35 Time: 20 minutes |
Puzzles (complex, multi-variable), Seating Arrangement (circular, dual-row), Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Inequalities, Number Series, Direction Sense, Data Sufficiency |
| SBI PO Mains Questions: 45 Marks: 60 Time: 60 minutes |
All Prelims topics, Input-Output, Statement and Assumption/Conclusion, Logical Reasoning (cause-effect, inference), Computer Aptitude (binary conversions, logic gates) |
| SBI Clerk Prelims Questions: 35 Marks: 35 Time: 20 minutes |
Puzzles (floor, day-based), Seating Arrangement (linear, single row), Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Number Series, Alphanumeric Series, Ranking, Direction Sense |
| SBI Clerk Mains Questions: 50 Marks: 60 Time: 45 minutes |
All Prelims topics, Inequalities, Data Sufficiency, Input-Output, Statement and Conclusion, Computer Awareness (basics, internet) |
Common Logical Reasoning Topics
The logical reasoning topics form the foundation of bank exam preparation. These topics appear across IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, IBPS RRB, SBI PO, and SBI Clerk, with slight variations in complexity. Below is a list of key reasoning topics to prioritize, based on past papers and official syllabi:
- Puzzles: Solve floor-based, box-based, or scheduling puzzles, common in IBPS PO and SBI PO Mains.
- Seating Arrangement: Tackle linear, circular, or dual-row arrangements, a staple in IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk.
- Syllogism: Analyze categorical or conditional statements for quick deductions.
- Coding-Decoding: Decode letter, number, or symbol patterns, frequent in IBPS RRB.
- Blood Relations: Solve family tree problems, testing logical connections.
- Number Series: Identify missing or wrong numbers in sequences.
- Inequalities: Handle mathematical or coded inequality questions.
- Direction Sense: Navigate direction-based problems, common in Prelims.
- Alphanumeric Series: Decode mixed letter-number sequences.
- Statement and Assumption/Conclusion: Draw logical deductions from given statements.
- Data Sufficiency: Assess whether provided information is enough to solve a problem.
- Input-Output: Understand machine-based pattern shifts, crucial for Mains.
- Ranking and Order: Determine positions in sequences.
- Analogy: Solve word or number-based analogies.
These logical reasoning topics require regular practice to enhance speed and accuracy. For example, puzzles and seating arrangements often carry high weightage (10-15 marks) in IBPS PO, while syllogism and coding-decoding are quick wins in SBI Clerk. Focus on understanding question patterns and time management to excel in reasoning.
Example Questions and Answers for Logical Reasoning Topics
1. Puzzles (Floor-Based)
Question:
Seven people (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) live on seven different floors of a building (1 to 7, bottom to top). A lives on an odd-numbered floor. B lives immediately above C. D lives on floor 4. E lives on an even-numbered floor below D. F is not on floor 7. Who lives on floor 5?
Solution:
Floors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. D lives on floor 4. A lives on an odd-numbered floor: 1, 3, 5, or 7. E lives on an even-numbered floor below D: 2. B lives immediately above C, so B and C occupy consecutive floors. F is not on floor 7, so G is on 7. Assign: E on 2, D on 4, G on 7. Remaining: ustedes 1, 3, 5, 6. A on 3, B on 5, C on 6, F on 1. Verify conditions: A (odd: 3), B above C (5 above 6), D on 4, E even below 4 (2), F not on 7. Floor 5: B.
Answer:
B lives on floor 5.
2. Seating Arrangement (Circular)
Question:
Six people (P, Q, R, S, T, U) sit around a circular table facing the center. P is second to the left of Q. R is opposite S. T is not adjacent to P. Who is second to the right of R?
Solution:
Six seats, facing center. P is second to left of Q: Q at 1, P at 5. R opposite S: Try R at 3, S at 6. T not adjacent to P (5): P’s neighbors are 4, 6 (S at 6). T at 2, U at 4. Final: 1:Q, 2:T, 3:R, 4:U, 5:P, 6:S. R at 3, second to right: 4(U), 5(P). So, P.
Answer:
P is second to the right of R.
3. Syllogism
Question:
Statements: All cats are dogs. Some dogs are birds. Conclusions: I. Some cats are birds. II. Some birds are cats.
Solution:
Venn diagram: Cats subset of dogs. Dogs overlap with birds. Conclusion I: No definite overlap between cats and birds. Conclusion II: No definite connection between birds and cats. Neither is necessarily true.
Answer:
Neither conclusion I nor II follows.
4. Coding-Decoding
Question:
In a code, “HOUSE” is written as “IPVTF.” How is “GARDEN” coded?
Solution:
HOUSE → IPVTF: H(8)→I(9): +1, O(15)→P(16): +1, U(21)→V(22): +1, S(19)→T(20): +1, E(5)→F(6): +1. Each letter’s position +1. GARDEN: G(7)→H(8), A(1)→B(2), R(18)→S(19), D(4)→E(5), E(5)→F(6), N(14)→O(15). Code: HBSEFO.
Answer:
GARDEN is coded as HBSEFO.
5. Blood Relations
Question:
A is B’s mother. C is B’s sister. D is C’s father. E is D’s son. How is E related to B?
Solution:
A is B’s mother. C is B’s sister, so A is C’s mother. D is C’s father, so D is married to A. E is D’s son, so E is A and D’s son, brother to B and C. E’s relation to B: brother.
Answer:
E is B’s brother.
6. Number Series
Question:
Find the missing number in the series: 2, 6, 12, 20, ?, 42.
Solution:
Series: 2, 6, 12, 20, ?, 42. Differences: 4, 6, 8, 10 (if ? is 30), 12. Differences increase by 2. So, 20+10=30. Verify: 30+12=42. Alternative: n²+n: 1²+1=2, 2²+2=6, 3²+3=12, 4²+4=20, 5²+5=30, 6²+6=42. Missing: 30.
Answer:
The missing number is 30.
7. Inequalities
Question:
Which symbol replaces ‘?’ in: 5 ? 10, 10 ? 15, 15 ? 20, if the relation is consistent?
Solution:
Given: 5 ? 10, 10 ? 15, 15 ? 20. Analyze pairs: 5 < 10, 10 < 15, 15 < 20. Consistent relation: Each number is less than the next. Symbol: <.
Answer:
The symbol is <.
8. Direction Sense
Question:
A man walks 5 km north, turns left and walks 3 km, then turns right and walks 2 km. What is his final direction?
Solution:
Start at (0,0). 5 km north: (0,5), facing north. Turns left (west), walks 3 km: (-3,5), facing west. Turns right (north), walks 2 km: (-3,7), facing north. Final direction: North.
Answer:
The final direction is north.
9. Alphanumeric Series
Question:
Find the next term in the series: A1, C4, I9, I16, ?
Solution:
Series: A1, C4, I9, I16, ?. Numbers: 1=1², 4=2², 9=3², 16=4². Next: 5²=25. Letters: A(1), C(3), I(9), I(9). Pattern unclear, but I repeats. Assume I continues: I25.
Answer:
The next term is I25.
10. Statement and Assumption
Question:
Statement: “Enroll in our course to crack IBPS PO.” Assumption: I. The course guarantees success. II. The course is designed for IBPS PO preparation.
Solution:
Statement: Promotes a course for IBPS PO. Assumption I: Not implied; suggests help, not certainty. Assumption II: Implied, as it targets IBPS PO aspirants. Only II is valid.
Answer:
Assumption II is implicit.
11. Data Sufficiency
Question:
Is x > y? (1) x + y = 10 (2) x - y = 4
Solution:
Need: Is x > y? (1) x + y = 10: Insufficient (e.g., x=6, y=4 or x=4, y=6). (2) x - y = 4: x = y + 4, so x > y. Sufficient alone.
Answer:
Statement (2) alone is sufficient.
12. Input-Output
Question:
A machine processes input: 12 45 78 23 56. Step 1: Arrange in ascending order. Step 2: Add 5 to each number. What is the output?
Solution:
Input: 12, 45, 78, 23, 56. Step 1: Ascending: 12, 23, 45, 56, 78. Step 2: Add 5: 17, 28, 50, 61, 83.
Answer:
The output is 17, 28, 50, 61, 83.
13. Ranking and Order
Question:
In a queue, A is 5th from the front, and B is 8th from the back. There are 10 people in total. How many people are between A and B?
Solution:
Total: 10 people. A is 5th from front: Position 5. B is 8th from back: Position = 10 - 8 + 1 = 3. Positions: B(3), A(5). People between: 5-3-1=1.
Answer:
1 person is between A and B.
14. Analogy
Question:
If CAT : FBU, then DOG : ?
Solution:
CAT → FBU: C(3)→F(6): +3, A(1)→B(2): +1, T(20)→U(21): +1. Pattern: First letter +3, second +1, third +1. DOG: D(4)→G(7), O(15)→P(16), G(7)→H(8). Result: GPH.
Answer:
DOG is coded as GPH.
Preparation Tips for Logical Reasoning
To excel in logical reasoning, adopt these expert-backed strategies:
- Know the Syllabus: Study the reasoning syllabus for your target exam (e.g., IBPS PO or SBI Clerk) to focus on high-weightage topics like puzzles and seating arrangements.
- Practice Daily: Solve at least 20-30 questions on logical reasoning topics such as syllogism, coding-decoding, and blood relations to build proficiency.
- Take Mock Tests: Simulate exam conditions with timed mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Platforms like ibpsonline offer tailored practice.
- Learn Shortcuts: Master tricks for inequalities and coding-decoding to save time during the exam.
- Analyze Weaknesses: Identify challenging areas (e.g., input-output or data sufficiency) and dedicate extra practice to them.
- Time Management: Prioritize quick-solve topics like number series or analogy in Prelims to maximize attempts.
- Use Quality Resources: Refer to books like R.S. Agarwal’s Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning and solve previous year papers for pattern familiarity.
Consistent practice and strategic preparation will help you conquer the reasoning section and boost your overall score.
Take Action – Start Mock Tests
Ready to master logical reasoning for IBPS PO, SBI Clerk, or IBPS RRB? Kickstart your preparation with ibpsonline’s free mock tests, topic-wise quizzes, and expert-led courses covering all reasoning topics.
From puzzles to syllogism, we’ve got you covered with comprehensive resources to ensure success. Explore our IBPS Clerk and SBI PO study materials, practice with real exam-like questions, and track your progress. Don’t wait—start your journey to a bank job today! [https://www.ibpsonline.in/2025/04/reasoning-mock-test-free.html]
FAQs
Q: What are the key logical reasoning topics for IBPS PO?
A: Focus on puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogism, coding-decoding, and data sufficiency, especially for Mains.
Q: How does the reasoning syllabus differ between IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk?
A: IBPS Clerk Prelims emphasizes simpler puzzles and seating arrangements, while SBI Clerk includes slightly tougher puzzles. Mains for both exams add input-output and computer-related questions, but SBI Clerk includes computer awareness instead of aptitude.
Q: Is there negative marking in the reasoning section?
A: Yes, most bank exams (IBPS, SBI) deduct 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in the reasoning section.
Q: How can I improve my speed in logical reasoning?
A: Practice daily with timed quizzes, learn shortcuts for logical reasoning topics like inequalities, and analyze mock test performance to optimize time management.
