Reasoning Practice Set – The Reasoning Ability section is a core component of bank exams, appearing in both preliminary and mains phases. It tests logical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities through a variety of question types. The number of topics can vary slightly depending on the exam (e.g., IBPS vs. SBI) and phase (prelims vs. mains), but the syllabus is generally standardized across major bank. Reasoning ability topics range from simple logical puzzles to complex analytical reasoning, with prelims focusing on speed and accuracy and mains emphasizing deeper analysis.
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List of Reasoning Ability Topics
Based on the syllabi of major bank exams (IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Assistant, IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, etc.), the Reasoning Ability section typically includes the following 20 key topics. This list is comprehensive, covering both prelims and mains, and accounts for variations in question types:
Seating Arrangement:
- Linear (row, parallel rows)
- Circular (facing center/outside, with additional variables like professions)
- Rectangular/Square
- Mixed arrangements (e.g., with objects or colors)
- All seating arrangement questions for practice
Puzzles:
- Floor-based (single or multiple buildings, with variables like flats or items)
- Box-based (stacking or categorization)
- Scheduling (days, months, time slots)
- Category-based (grouping by attributes)
Order and Ranking:
- Linear ranking (e.g., height, weight, marks)
- Position-based (e.g., left/right in a row)
- Advanced ranking with multiple parameters
- All Order and Ranking Reasoning Questions
Syllogism:
- Categorical statements (all, some, no)
- Possibility cases
- Negative conclusions
Blood Relations:
- Family tree-based
- Coded relations
- Mixed puzzles with seating or ranking
- Blood relation reasoning questions
Coding-Decoding:
- Letter/number coding
- Symbol-based coding
- Conditional coding (e.g., new language patterns)
- Fictitious codes
- Coding Decoding Reasoning Questions – Practice MCQ
- 1000 Coding Decoding Questions
Inequalities:
- Direct inequalities (e.g., A > B > C)
- Coded inequalities (e.g., symbols like #, $)
- Mathematical inequalities
Direction Sense:
- Standard directions (north, south, etc.)
- Coded directions
- Distance-based problems
Alphanumeric Series:
- Number series
- Letter series
- Mixed series (letters, numbers, symbols)
Input-Output:
- Word-based shifting
- Number-based shifting
- Mixed input-output (e.g., arranging in patterns)
Data Sufficiency:
- Two or three statements
- Questions on seating, puzzles, or relations
- Logical reasoning-based sufficiency
Logical Reasoning:
- Statement and assumption
- Statement and conclusion
- Statement and argument
- Course of action
Analogy:
- Letter-based
- Number-based
- Meaning-based (semantic)
Classification:
- Odd one out (letters, numbers, words)
- Group-based classification
Number Series:
- Arithmetic patterns
- Geometric patterns
- Mixed patterns
Letter and Symbol Series:
- Alphabet-based sequences
- Symbol substitution
- Mixed letter-symbol patterns
Clock and Calendar:
- Angle between hands
- Day/date calculation
- Defective clock/calendar problems
Venn Diagrams:
- Logical Venn diagrams
- Set-based problems
- Syllogism-based diagrams
Mirror and Water Images:
- Letter/number images
- Figure-based images
- Mixed patterns
Embedded Figures:
- Figure within figure
- Pattern completion
- Rotational figures
Total Topics: 20, as listed above. This is a comprehensive breakdown based on standard bank exam syllabi and question patterns observed in recent years (up to 2025).
Prelims vs. Mains:
- Prelims: Focus on simpler, speed-based topics like seating arrangement, puzzles, syllogism, inequalities, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, alphanumeric series, and order and ranking (approximately 10-12 topics).
- Mains: Include advanced versions of prelims topics plus complex puzzles, input-output, data sufficiency, logical reasoning, and critical reasoning (15-20 topics, with emphasis on multi-variable puzzles like floor arrangements).
Exam-Specific Variations:
- IBPS PO/SBI PO: All 20 topics are relevant, with mains heavily testing puzzles, seating, and logical reasoning.
- RBI Assistant: Slightly fewer topics (15-18), with less focus on advanced logical reasoning or embedded figures.
- Clerk Exams: Emphasize simpler topics (12-15), with fewer input-output or data sufficiency questions.
- Floor Arrangements: Floor-based puzzles are a subset of the “Puzzles” topic, often combined with order and ranking or seating arrangement elements. They are among the most complex, especially in mains, due to multiple variables (e.g., professions, objects).
Reasoning Focused Topics
Aspirants should be more focused on order and ranking and floor arrangement questions, which are subsets of the “Order and Ranking” and “Puzzles” topics. These are critical for bank exams, often comprising 10-15 questions in prelims and 15-20 in mains.
The advanced floor arrangement techniques (e.g., leveraging multiple variables, resolving overlapping conditions) align with mains-level complexity, where puzzles combine floors with attributes like professions, pets, or hobbies.
Additional Insights
- Question Distribution: In prelims, reasoning typically has 35 questions (35 marks), with 5-10 on seating/puzzles, 3-5 on syllogism, and 2-5 on other topics. In mains, reasoning (often 40-50 marks) may include 10-15 puzzle/seating questions, 5-8 on input-output or logical reasoning, and 3-5 per other topic.
- Preparation Strategy: Prioritize high-weightage topics (puzzles, seating, syllogism, coding-decoding) and practice advanced techniques for mains (e.g., grid-based tracking for floor puzzles). Use mock tests to cover all 20 topics.
- Sources: The topic list is derived from standard bank exam syllabi (IBPS, SBI, RBI guidelines) and recent exam patterns, ensuring accuracy as of May 1, 2025.
Various Reasoning Practice Key Topics
There are 20 key topics in the Reasoning Ability section for bank exams, covering a wide range of logical and analytical skills.
These include seating arrangement, puzzles (e.g., floor arrangements), order and ranking, syllogism, blood relations, coding-decoding, inequalities, direction sense, alphanumeric series, input-output, data sufficiency, logical reasoning, analogy, classification, number series, letter/symbol series, clock/calendar, Venn diagrams, mirror/water images, and embedded figures.
If you need more questions of any specific topic, a practice set for another reasoning topic, make your requests known in the comments section.
