Studyplan Sbi Po Reasioning

[Studyplan] SBI PO Reasoning (High Level): Topicwise Approach, booklist, strategy, Cutoffs
The structure of SBI PO Exam 2013
Phase 1
(28.04.2013)
Phase 2
Final
MCQ
(2hrs)
GA+Marketing+Computer
Data Interpretation (DI)
Reasoning
English grammar, vocab and Comprehension
50
50
50
50
Descriptive
(1 hr)
Essay, prcis, letter writing
50
Total
250
Group Discussion (GD)

Personal Interview (PI)
Total
20
30
50
GDPI
Phase 1 (250m) marks are are converted to out of 75
marks secured in Phase 2 (50m) are converted to out of 25.
Final Merit list of 75+25=100 marks.
Reasoning: Topicwise breakup SBI papers

2011
6
0
0
3
13
0
3
5
3
0
33
2010
3
2
2
6
5
5
0
0
0
2
25
2010(Asso.Banks)
5
1
3
6
5
5
0
0
0
0
25
Fact-assumption-inference-conclusion
Course of Action
Reasoning
Cause effect
High Level
Strong/weak argument
3 statement Syllogism
Subtotal: Reasoning (Higher level)
2
0
1
3
6
12
7
6
2
0
5
20
10
0
0
5
5
20
Non Verbal non-verbal (image based)
50
50
50
Reasoning
Usual
Coding-Decoding
Direction based tests
Dictionary (Alphabet) test
Maths operations, inequalities
Sitting arrangement
Eligibility Test
Odd pair
Data Sufficiency
Input output
Misc.
Subtotal: Reasoning (Usual)
Total: Verbal Reasoning (usual+higher)+Non verbal
2008s SBI PO paper doesnt follow this pattern of High level reasoning
(or tougher data interpretation Qs like those of 2010s papers). Hence
2008 is ignored from the analysis.
Reasoning: SSC vs SBI

SSC
SBI PO
Non verbal reasoning involves usual image-series+ paper-folding, paper-folding, mirror test,
mirror reflection test, dice/cubes.
dice/cubes= not asked.
3 statement syllogism, minimum
2 statement syllogism x at most 2 questions.
5 questions.
Lot of Qs. From Analogy, series, and odd pairs.
Hardly.
Barely any question on higher level reasoning.(assumption,
Lots of.
inference etc.)
Anyways, lets start.For the purpose of efficient preparation, I classify reasoning
topics into two categories.
Core topics
Majority of the reasoning is asked from these topics. Often in a set of 5

Questions.
So Cost:Benefit ratio is quite good, if you master these topics.
Chillar
(peripheral)
Barely 2-3 questions from each topic.
Observe this chart:
Reasoning approach: Higher Level

Based on the previous papers of SBI, we can see that higher level reasoning is
made up of following topics
1. Fact-assumption-inference-conclusion
2. Course of Action
3. Cause effect
4. Strong/weak argument
5. Three Statement Syllogism
While both R.S.Agarwal and BS Sijwalis books have covered these topics,
but problem with both of those books= they merely give you a few solved
exams and then give a big list of practice questions.
But the basic concepts/ theory /underlying principles are not covered in
depth.
Then You often face the doubt why option A is the answer and why not
B option? OR why is this an inference and not an assumption?
So, for SBI POs higher level reasoning questions (assumption, inference,
strong/weak argument etc), refer to Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
(BSC publication)
MK Pandey not only helps you for Higher level reasoning, but also for
provides some speed-techniques for usual reasoning topics (such as input
output, arrangement, eligibility test, coded inequalities etc.)
Anyways the study approach for Higher level Reasoning (for SBI PO) should be
like following:
Chapter Number
MK Pandey
RS Agarwal
1. Statement-Assumption
Inference, conclusion
5, 6
Strong/ Weak argument
4, 9
Cause effect
10
Course of Action
Higher Reasoning Topic
For example, pickup the topic Assumptions.

1. First understand theory from MK Pandeys Chapter #3, solve all sums
given in MK Pandey.
2. Then move to RS Agarwals Chapter #3 for extra practice. (or if youve BS
Sijwali, go to Chapter #23).
To solve the last three categories of questions (Strengthen / Weaken arguments,
cause-effect, course of action), you must know whatre the facts, assumptions,
inferences and conclusions in the given statements. Therefore, preparation

sequence should be: assumption topic>inference>strengthen / weaken
arguments and so on
3 Statement Syllogism
All cats are dogs..
To master 3 statement syllogism, first youve to master the 2statement.Understand the UPUN method explain in these two articles articles:
1. Two Statement Syllogism Click ME
2. Three Statement Syllogism Click ME
Then do all sums given in Chapter 11 of MK Pandey and finally Chapter 1 of RS
Agarwal (under Logic portion).
Reasoning Approach: Usual topics
In Decreasing priority order.
Chapter Number
MK Pandey
RS Agarwal
1. Eligibility Tests
12
18
Math Operations
17,18,19
13
Sitting Arrangement
20
6 (Puzzle Test)
Data Sufficiency
17
Input Output
13 to 16
Eligibility Test
First youre given a passage with conditions like,
Applications are invited for xyz post. If candidate has graduation with 50%
marks and 3 years work experience. then forward letter to Deputy manager,
else . forward letter to.
Then five questions are given, each has a unique case like If Rahul
Gandhi has **% in graduation and ** years of work ex and.then what to
do?
This is known as eligibility test- very commonly asked in BankPO exams.

Advantage=If you get the question, its a set of 4-5 questions. (helps you
clear sectional cutoff).
Problem=can be time consuming, if not practiced @home.
First understand the techniques and tips given in Chapter 12 of MK Pandey.

Then practice all the sums given in Chapter 18 of RS Agarwal.
Math Operations+Inequality
Theyre usually of three types
Type
Example
1. BODMAS
+ means x,
x means and..
Inequality
P@Q means P is not smaller than Q

P%Q means P is neither smaller not equal to Q
Relationship
P#Q means P is brother of Q

P^Q means P is sister of Q
Again, math operation questions are pretty common in BankPO exams
Problem= you may get wrong answer or waste lot of time.=need

maximum practice at home.
Approach: All theory and all sums of Chapter 17,18,19 of MK Pandey.
Then practice all the sums given in Chapter 18 of RS Agarwal.
Sitting arrangement
Can be of following types
1. Circular table
2. Rectangular table
3. Blood relations (A is mother of B who is sister of C and)
4. Appointment (Arranging lectures from Mon. to Sat., name of professors vs
subjects)
5. Complex (Person, building floor, occupation etc.)
Advantage=Minimum 1 set (=5 questions) always asked in BankPO exam.

(=helps clearing the sectional cutoffs).
Problem= can be sitters (=very time consuming), If not practiced

@home.
Approach: Understand the techniques explained in Chapter 20 of MK

Pandey.
Then practice all the sums given in Chapter 6 (Puzzle Test) of RS Agarwal.
Non verbal
Usually five questions.
Practice is must. Try to solve the question by eliminating the unfit

cases first.
Solve all the questions in RS Agarwal==> Non Verbal portion ==>Series,

Analogy and Classification.
You may ignore mirrors and paper folding, because usually theyre usually
not asked in BankPO exams. (However theyre important for SSCCGL exam).
Data Sufficiency (DS)
It is very easy to make mistakes in these question.
Theoretical part must be absolutely clear in your mind.
So first clear the theory from Chapter 7 of MK Pandey. Practice all

exercises.
Then practice all sums given in Chapter 17 of RS Agarwal.
Input Output
Chapter 13 to 16 of MK Pandey then practice Chapter 7 of RS Agarwal.
This ends the core topics. Now, Moving to the peripheral topics (i.e. Chillar
topics).
Reasoning: Peripheral Topics
Peripheral Topics
Chap.# in RS Agarwal
1. Coding Decoding
Direction Based Tests
Dictionary (alphabet) arrangement
10
DBT: Direction Based Test

E.g. A man walks 1 km towards East and then he turns to South and walks for 5
kms. Then heNow how far is he from the starting point?
This is a no-excuse topic. Practice all sums given in Chapter 8 of RS Agarwal.
Coding Decoding
Can be of two types
Words
Numbers
Health is written as GSKZDG then North will be written 453945 means decide then 8978
as
means
Sometimes youre given a matrix table and youve to decode the words
accordingly. Do all the sums given in Chapter #4 of RS Agarwal.
Dictionary (Alphabet) tests
Chapter #10 of RS Agarwal.
Misc.
Once ^all of above is done, get an overview of the misc. topics such as
sequence, series, odd pair, dice, cubes, clocks, calendars, Venn Diagrams
etc. from RS Agarwals/BS Sijwalis book.
This concludes the preparation of reasoning section for SBI PO.
How to approach GA+Marking+Computer, explained in separate

article: click me (with free study material for computer, IT, economy etc.)
How people dig their own graves in Bank PO/Clerk exams?

1. They underestimate the level of competition.
2. They buy the books, magazines, download PDF files from internet and so
on. But they only gather material. They never process the gathered
material.
3. They just spend time in day dreaming and facebook, TV, SMS, PC/mobile
games, cricket, loitering around etc.
4. They start serious preparation only AFTER receiving the exam call letter.
5. During the exam, they think, ya ya ya the marketing and English section
is pappu so Im going to solve all questions here. And after that, Ill go to
maths and reasoning section.
6. They get stuck in lengthy calculations of Data interpretation (because
theyve never practiced multiplication and division @home). And often
make silly mistakes in calculation =negative marking.
7. They waste lots of minutes in sitting arrangement/eligibility test/nonverbal reasoning type questions.
Ultimately they cannot even cross the sectional cutoffs.( Getting in the final merit
list is a far cry.)
So, How to avoid your grave?
Maximum revision + Maximum practice @home.
Mind will always find excuses (my cousins wedding, workload @office, Im
not in the mood.) but while youre making those excuses, someone
somewhere is busy reading books and doing sums.
The train of success doesnot show mercy on anyone, no matter how good
the excuse is, this train will not wait for you.
So always remember Anil Kapoor from Tezaab: time hotaa nahi hai,
time nikaalnaa padtaa hai. (There is no time as such, but youve to
take out time (to study)).
Donot HATE reasoning. In fact, Syllogism, sitting arrangement, eligibility

test etc. reasoning questions can be solved with maximum accuracy in
short time (once youve mastered them). So dont consider them your
enemies, make them your weapons. Theyll be immensely helpful in
scoring high marks.
When you get the question paper, you dont have to solve all questions in
a continuous sequence i.e. Reasoning question from 1 to 50. Then English
1 to 50 then DI from 1 to 50
Instead, first try to tick minimum 10-15 in each section first, and then
come back and solve remaining questions.
Cutoffs of SBI PO 2011 Exam

Phase 1: sectional cutoffs (2010, 11)
2011
Phase 1
Max marks SC/ST/PWD
English Language
50
10
General Awareness
50
7
DI
50
10
Reasoning
50
10
Descriptive
50
18
Phase 1: Marks of last candidate
Phase 1(2011)
SC/ST/PH
OBC
GEN
OBC
10
7
10
10
18
GEN
13
11
13
13
20
2010
SC/ST/PWD
5
6
4
8
18
250
88
99
110
OBC
5
6
4
8
18
GEN
10
9
8
12
20

Studyplan Sbi Po Reasioning

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Studyplan Sbi Po Reasioning

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Studyplan Sbi Po Reasioning

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

[Studyplan] SBI PO Reasoning (High Level): Topicwise Approach, booklist, strategy, Cutoffs

The structure of SBI PO Exam 2013

Essay, prcis, letter writing

Group Discussion (GD)

Phase 1 (250m) marks are are converted to out of 75

marks secured in Phase 2 (50m) are converted to out of 25.

Final Merit list of 75+25=100 marks.

Reasoning: Topicwise breakup SBI papers

Non Verbal non-verbal (image based)

Total: Verbal Reasoning (usual+higher)+Non verbal

Reasoning: SSC vs SBI

Majority of the reasoning is asked from these topics. Often in a set of 5

Barely 2-3 questions from each topic.

Observe this chart:

Reasoning approach: Higher Level

Strong/ Weak argument

Higher Reasoning Topic

For example, pickup the topic Assumptions.

inferences and conclusions in the given statements. Therefore, preparation

This is known as eligibility test- very commonly asked in BankPO exams.

Problem=can be time consuming, if not practiced @home.

First understand the techniques and tips given in Chapter 12 of MK Pandey.

P@Q means P is not smaller than Q

P#Q means P is brother of Q

Again, math operation questions are pretty common in BankPO exams

Problem= you may get wrong answer or waste lot of time.=need

Approach: All theory and all sums of Chapter 17,18,19 of MK Pandey.

Then practice all the sums given in Chapter 18 of RS Agarwal.

Advantage=Minimum 1 set (=5 questions) always asked in BankPO exam.

Problem= can be sitters (=very time consuming), If not practiced

Approach: Understand the techniques explained in Chapter 20 of MK

Usually five questions.

Practice is must. Try to solve the question by eliminating the unfit

Solve all the questions in RS Agarwal==> Non Verbal portion ==>Series,

Data Sufficiency (DS)

It is very easy to make mistakes in these question.

Theoretical part must be absolutely clear in your mind.

So first clear the theory from Chapter 7 of MK Pandey. Practice all

Then practice all sums given in Chapter 17 of RS Agarwal.

Chapter 13 to 16 of MK Pandey then practice Chapter 7 of RS Agarwal.

Direction Based Tests

Dictionary (alphabet) arrangement

DBT: Direction Based Test

This concludes the preparation of reasoning section for SBI PO.

How to approach GA+Marking+Computer, explained in separate

How people dig their own graves in Bank PO/Clerk exams?

Maximum revision + Maximum practice @home.

Donot HATE reasoning. In fact, Syllogism, sitting arrangement, eligibility

Cutoffs of SBI PO 2011 Exam

You might also like