REASONING APPROACH

Reasoning:

                 Seeing last year’s papers, anyone can guess that this is the most time killing section. But nothing to worry. Let’s see some topics which are easy and scoring.

Inequalities:
                 In this section, you will be given one or two statements with a series of inequality relations (like A>B<C=D) and two conclusions. All you have to do is phase out if the conclusions are true/false/can’t be determined. Sometimes they give a series of codes for the symbols like A#B means A is neither greater than nor equal to B (which implies A<B); A$B means A is not less than B (which implies that A is greater than or equal to B).The bracket part won’t be given in the question paper, you have to phase it out yourselves.  Then there will be one or two statements in coded form like A$B#C which has to be decoded into a proper mathematical relation by you. The conclusions will also be given in coded form. They also have to be decoded and then have to be compared with the decoded statements to see if they are true/false.

                Sometimes they miss a single relation in a statement and give a particular relation which must be definitely true or false. You have to phase out the missing relation. (A>B-----C A>C is definitely true which means A>B>C is our answer)

Generally they give this section for 5 marks. You can grab these 5 marks very easily.

Syllogisms:
                In this section, two or 3 statements will be given like All A are B, Some B are C. Two or three conclusions will be given like some A are B.Some B are C. You have to find out which conclusion’s true and which one’s false. For basic rules of solving this section, Google the term ‘syllogism basics’ and browse through the different techniques. Stick to the technique which you find easy. Another 5 marks grabbed easily.

Blood relations:

                You know the drill. A series of complex indirect relations between two persons will be given. You have to phase out the actual relation between the two. (If this is not asked as an individual question, it can also be asked in puzzle/seating arrangement). Sometimes, they give coded relations like A$B means A is the mother of B,A%B means A is the father of B.They give a statement like P$Q%R.How is P related to R.You have to decode the statement and answer it likewise).

Directions:

                Not a very important topic but why take our chances. Simpletopic. The travelling pattern of a person/object will be given and you might be asked to find out the final direction the person/object is facing.Some times questions can also include distances.

Now let us see some moderate sections in reasoning.

Machine input –output:

                 In these types of questions, an input will be given and it will be sorted in usually 5-8 steps. Every step will be given.

Example:

Input -   man’s mood varies with time and environment

Step-1   varies with man’s mood environment and time

Step-2   and time environment mood man’s varies with

Step-3   environment time and varies with mood man’s

Step-4   and varies environment time man’s mood with

                This will be followed by another input and 5 questions. You have to note down the input, sort out the logic of the given steps, apply the same to the given input and write down the steps. Then you can answer the 5 questions easily.

The input may not only include words, it may sometimes include a combination of numbers, special characters and words. This section can kill your time so practice it well. If you think you can’t do it, don’t go for it.

Puzzle/Seating arrangement:

                 You will be given a series of steps for a particular arrangement. You have to read the steps and make the arrangement accordingly. Simple? No.Because arrangement of every object won’t be given. You have to use logic to phase out the entire arrangement. Sometimes only 1 puzzle/seating arrangement will be given. Sometimes both will be given.SO expect a minimum of 5 marks and a maximum of 10 marks from this section.

Verbal reasoning:

                 This section can be classified as between moderate and difficult. You will be given a question and conclusions/inferences/course of actions follow.If you read the question properly, you can phase out the answers.

Non-verbal reasoning:

                 This can be the most scoring and the most time killing part in reasoning. A definite section in SBI PO. You will be given a series of four pictures and you need to sort out the 5^th one.

Sometimes 5 pictures will be given and you have to choose the one that doesn’t belong to the series (Odd man out) Sometimes an analogy question can also be asked (Like A:B, find out C :?)

Usually asked for 10 marks.

Other topics can be studied from previous papers, but these are the least expected questions.