Mrunal (Studyplan) SBI PO Reasoning (High Level) - Topicwise Approach, Booklist, Strategy, Cutoffs Mrunal

5/25/2014 Mrunal [Studyplan] SBI PO Reasoning (High Level): Topicwise Approach, booklist, strategy, Cutoffs Mrunal
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[Studyplan] SBI PO Reasoning (High Level): Topicwise Approach, booklist,
strategy, Cutoffs
1. The structure of SBI PO Exam 2013
2. Reasoning: Topicwise breakup SBI papers
3. Reasoning: SSC vs SBI
4. Reasoning approach: Higher Level
5. 3 Statement Syllogism
6. Reasoning Approach: Usual topics
1. Eligibility Test
2. Math Operations+Inequality
3. Sitting arrangement
4. Non verbal
5. Data Sufficiency
6. Input Output
7. Reasoning: Peripheral Topics
1. DBT: Direction Based Test
2. Coding Decoding
3. Dictionary (Alphabet) tests
8. How people dig their grave in Bank PO/Clerk exams?
9. So, How to avoid your grave?
10. Cutoffs of SBI PO 2011 Exam
1. Phase 1: sectional cutoffs (2010, 11)
2. Phase 1: Marks of last candidate
The structure of SBI PO Exam 2013
Phase 1
(28.04.2013)
MCQ
(2hrs)
GA+Marketing+Computer 50
Data Interpretation (DI) 50
Reasoning 50
English grammar, vocab and Comprehension 50
Descriptive
(1 hr)
Essay, prcis, letter writing 50
Total 250
Phase 2 GDPI
Group Discussion (GD) 20
Personal Interview (PI) 30
Total 50
Final
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 2010 2010(Asso.Banks)
Reasoning
Usual
Coding-Decoding 6 3 5
Direction based tests 0 2 1
Dictionary (Alphabet) test 0 2 3
Maths operations, inequalities 3 6 6
Sitting arrangement 13 5 5
Eligibility Test 0 5 5
Odd pair 3 0 0
Data Sufficiency 5 0 0
Input output 3 0 0
Misc. 0 2 0
Subtotal: Reasoning (Usual) 33 25 25
Reasoning
High
Level
Fact-assumption-inference-
conclusion
2 7 10
Course of Action 0 6 0
Cause effect 1 2 0
Strong/weak argument 3 0 5
3 statement Syllogism 6 5 5
Subtotal: Reasoning (Higher level) 12 20 20
Non
Verbal
non-verbal (image based) 5 5 5
Total: Verbal Reasoning
(usual+higher)+Non verbal
50 50 50
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, mirror reflection test, dice/cubes.
paper-folding, mirror test,
dice/cubes= not asked.
2 statement syllogism x at most 2 questions.
3 statement syllogism,
minimum 5 questions.
Lot of Qs. From Analogy, series, and odd pairs. Hardly.
Barely any question on higher level reasoning.
(assumption, inference etc.)
Lots of.
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:
Higher Reasoning Topic
Chapter Number
MK Pandey RS Agarwal
1. Statement-Assumption 3 3
3. Inference, conclusion 5 5, 6
2. Strong/ Weak
argument
4, 9 2
4. Cause effect 10 8
5. Course of Action 6 4
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 2-statement.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
2. Math Operations 17,18,19 13
3. Sitting Arrangement 20 6 (Puzzle Test)
4. Data Sufficiency 7 17
5. Input Output 13 to 16 7
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..
2. Inequality
P@Q means P is not smaller than Q
P%Q means P is neither smaller not equal to Q
3. 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 SSC-CGL 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 4
2. Direction Based Tests 8
3. 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 as
453945 means decide then 8978
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/non-verbal
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 2010
Phase 1
Max
marks
SC/ST/PWD OBC GEN SC/ST/PWD OBC GEN
English
Language
50 10 10 13 5 5 10
General
Awareness
50 7 7 11 6 6 9
DI 50 10 10 13 4 4 8
Reasoning 50 10 10 13 8 8 12
Descriptive 50 18 18 20 18 18 20
Phase 1: Marks of last candidate
Now the marks scored by last candidate from Phase 1 to GDPI (Phase 2), in each
category.
Phase 1(2011) 250
SC/ST/PH 88
OBC 99
GEN 110
Courtesy: Mr.csl80 of pagalguy forum, for providing the cut off data and other
essential inputs regarding this exam.
URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2013/02/studyplan-sbi-po-reasoning-high-level-
approach-booklist-strategy-cutoffs-2013.html
Posted By Mrunal On 11/02/2013 @ 20:29 In the category IBPS,Studyplan

Mrunal (Studyplan) SBI PO Reasoning (High Level) - Topicwise Approach, Booklist, Strategy, Cutoffs Mrunal

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