The Reasoning section in the IBPS exams (IBPS PO, Clerk, SO, etc.) is designed to assess a candidate’s logical thinking, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills. It typically includes both Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning. Here is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus:
1. Logical Reasoning
- Syllogism: Questions based on two or more statements followed by conclusions. You need to determine if the conclusions logically follow the statements.
- Assumptions: Identifying implicit assumptions in statements.
- Statements and Arguments: Analyzing statements and determining the strength of given arguments.
- Cause and Effect: Identifying cause-effect relationships between two given statements.
- Course of Action: Determining the appropriate course of action based on a situation.
- Critical Reasoning: Analyzing arguments, inferences, assumptions, and conclusions.
2. Seating Arrangements
- Linear Seating: Arrangements in a row (single or double) where candidates must determine the position of people based on given conditions.
- Circular Seating: Arrangements of people in a circle or polygon, with variations such as facing inward or outward.
3. Puzzles
- Tabular Puzzles: Complex puzzles involving several parameters like names, ages, cities, etc.
- Floor-based Puzzles: Arranging people or objects on different floors with given conditions.
- Scheduling Puzzles: Puzzles based on schedules such as arranging events, tasks, or meetings on different days or times.
4. Blood Relations
- Understanding relationships between people based on given information.
- Direct or coded questions based on family relationships.
5. Coding-Decoding
- Word-Based Coding: Coding and decoding words or sentences using given rules.
- Number-Based Coding: Patterns involving numbers or letters.
6. Inequalities
- Direct Inequalities: Solving inequalities involving symbols like >, <, ≥, ≤.
- Coded Inequalities: Determining the relationships between variables using coded symbols.
7. Order and Ranking
- Determining positions of people or objects based on given clues.
- Solving questions involving rank and hierarchy.
8. Direction Sense
- Problems based on directions (North, South, East, West) where candidates have to determine the final direction or distance.
9. Alphanumeric Series
- Finding missing terms in a series of letters, numbers, or symbols.
- Mixed Series: Series consisting of a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
10. Input-Output
- Questions based on a sequence of operations applied to a set of inputs, where candidates must determine the output after each step.
11. Data Sufficiency
- Determine if the provided data is sufficient to answer a given question.
12. Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Pattern Recognition: Identifying patterns in figures or sequences.
- Figure-based Series: Finding the next figure in a sequence based on logical patterns.
- Mirror and Water Image: Identifying the mirror or water image of a given figure.
- Paper Folding and Cutting: Determining the result of folding or cutting a piece of paper.
13. Decision Making
- Solving questions where logical decisions need to be made based on a set of rules or criteria.
14. Miscellaneous
- Logical Sequence of Words: Arranging words in a meaningful order.
- Analogy: Finding relationships between pairs of words, numbers, or figures.
- Odd One Out: Identifying the item that does not belong in a group.
Important Tips for Preparation:
- Practice Regularly: The more puzzles, seating arrangements, and coding-decoding questions you practice, the better you’ll get.
- Focus on Time Management: Reasoning can be time-consuming. Learn how to quickly identify and solve easy questions.
- Mock Tests and Previous Papers: Regularly practice with mock tests to become familiar with the question patterns and improve speed.
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