The banking sector in India has experienced numerous changes in the past few years. Banking jobs have gained huge popularity and numerous candidates apply every year for various designations especially the Bank Probationary Officer (PO) post. Apart from the written exam, there is an interview round as well which needs to be cleared by the candidates. It is necessary for a Bank PO aspirant to start preparing for the exams as early as possible in order to get familiar with the exact pattern & syllabus.
Syllabus and Exam Pattern of Bank Exams
It is important for the candidates to know the syllabus of the bank exam in order to plan their preparation scheme. Moreover, previous year question paper also proves as a wonderful source to acquire useful data about the exam pattern. The written tests for bank PO exam usually consist of 2 parts: objective test and descriptive test. The written test is divided into four sections namely, quantitative ability, English language test, Reasoning, and General Awareness/ Marketing Aptitude. If you wish to clear the examination, it is vital that you pay equal attention on each of the following categories.
Breakage of Reasoning Section
| Reasoning Sections | Breakage |
| Coding Decoding |
3 |
| Inequalities |
5 |
| Syllogism |
5 |
| Blood Relation |
2 |
| Direction Sense |
2 |
| Seating Arrangement |
5 – 10 |
| Puzzles |
5 – 10 |
| Miscellaneous |
5 |
Time Management & Methods to Attempt the Bank Exams
If you rate yourself excellent at the Reasoning section, then try to attempt it as your second section, right after completing English (recommended). As you are good at this section, you can easily allocate 20-25 minutes to complete it. Technically, it offers 35 seconds per question if you aim to attempt all the questions. Also, remember that quickly attempting all questions might decrease your accuracy and lead to lesser marks. The best way is to check the list of topics in this section, spot the least time consuming topics as per your strengths and target them first.
However, if you are one of those who feel their reasoning capabilities are lower as compared to Quantitative and /or Verbal, it is recommend that you to attempt this section in the end and offer no more than 15 minutes.
Tips on Improving Reasoning Skills
Below are the some tips on improving reasoning skills:
1. Efficient Study Material
The first step is to collect all reasoning test preparation material including IBPS 2017 Reasoning Syllabus along with other important notes. This would help you conserve time without any need for searching on the internet or libraries. Since you can easily search all the topics at a single place, you can even work on time management techniques in a much improved manner.
2. Concentrate
You need to prepare for Bank PO exams in a sensible manner. The reasoning paper is quite tricky which should be worked upon with high level of concentration. Don’t mix other topics and read one item at a time. It would help in making you understand the topic in less time.
3. Grasp Formulas and Tables
Reasoning test is significantly based on formulas and methods. One needs to learn all the basic formulas as well as tables which are needed for developing shortcuts to solve a question in minimum time. It also proves helpful in solving mathematical problems in a convenient way.
4. Remember Exam Basics
- Always aim to solve issues with proper formulas and tricks. Never ever act over smart and work to experiment with a question by following unfamiliar tricks.
- Keep a Note about Negative Marking –Do not attempt every question that is not compulsory for the exam.
- Moreover, don’t waste your time on a particular question. Always offer proper time to the problem mentioned. Make a note to answer those questions which you can answer quickly then hunt for others. Time is a most important factor which will either make or break your dreams.
5. Practice More
Practice is indeed needed to grow perfect. Every candidate should go through IBPS Reasoning Mock test in order polish themselves. The IBPS Exam Reasoning questions include Critical Reasoning as well as Analytical Reasoning. Moreover, Reasoning Data Sufficiency is also offered for the candidates. One must also work to practice relevant ibps reasoning preparation puzzles that are helpful in improving solving skills and hence enhancing your reasoning power. Candidates can even check IBPS Model Question paper for learning about more reasoning questions.
IBPS Reasoning books- R S Aggarwal reasoning books as well as Arihant reasoning books, etc. will offer you proper analysis of upcoming IBPS exam and the important chapters which would be covered in the segment. It also consists of useful notes such as IBPS reasoning solved paper from the previous years.
6. Essential Tips
- Logical reasoning questions containing Data / Diagram, are quite crucial, so do take them seriously.
- Good knowledge of Direction (East, West, North, and South) is quite important to solve path type questions.
- One must be familiar with sequence and number position of different alphabets from A to Z.
- Prepare short notes for IBPS exam reasoning topics. Moreover, also write down all necessary formulas on a sheet which can prove beneficial for last moment revision.
- Try to attempt more and more questions based on mathematics problems. This will help to save your time.
- Improve your reasoning skills through practicing.
Reasoning Section has different aspects which need to be analyzed with time. All the active aspirants who are aiming to clear a bank exam should carefully learn the question pattern. Professional guidance can help you improve your skills and is selected by numerous students in towards highly competitive world. Learning from an expert is always helpful, so try and search for a bank exam coaching institute which holds a good reputation.
You can refer the internet in order to grab notes, question papers as well as online mock tests that are essential to improve your understanding about reasoning. Hard work is the key to all forms of success, so build a study schedule that allows you to focus on all the sections of bank exams.
