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

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FEBRUARY 11TH, 2013

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[Studyplan] SBI PO Reasoning (High Level): Topicwise Approach, booklist, strategy, Cutoffs
The structure of SBI PO Exam 2013
Reasoning: Topicwise breakup SBI papers
Reasoning: SSC vs SBI
Reasoning approach: Higher Level
3 Statement Syllogism
Reasoning Approach: Usual topics
Eligibility Test
Math Operations+Inequality
Sitting arrangement
Non verbal
Data Sufficiency
Input Output
Reasoning: Peripheral Topics
DBT: Direction Based Test
Coding Decoding
Dictionary (Alphabet) tests
How people dig their grave in Bank PO/Clerk exams?
So, How to avoid your grave?
Cutoffs of SBI PO 2011 Exam
Phase 1: sectional cutoffs (2010, 11)
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
Essay, prcis, letter writing
(1 hr)

Phase 2

Final

GDPI

50

Total

250

Group Discussion (GD)

20

Personal Interview (PI)

30

Total

50

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

Direction based tests

Dictionary (Alphabet) test

Maths operations, inequalities

Sitting arrangement

13

Eligibility Test

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Usual

Reasoning
High Level

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

Eligibility Test

Odd pair

Data Sufficiency

Input output

Misc.

Subtotal: Reasoning (Usual)

33

25

25

Fact-assumption-inference-conclusion

10

Course of Action

Cause effect

Strong/weak argument

3 statement Syllogism

Subtotal: Reasoning (Higher level)

12

20

20

50

50

Non Verbal non-verbal (image based)

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

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

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.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Fact-assumption-inference-conclusion
Course of Action
Cause effect
Strong/weak argument
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

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

Higher Reasoning Topic

MK Pandey RS Agarwal

1. Statement-Assumption

3. Inference, conclusion

5, 6

2. Strong/ Weak argument 4, 9

4. Cause effect

10

5. Course of Action

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

17

5. 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

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

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.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Circular table
Rectangular table
Blood relations (A is mother of B who is sister of C and)
Appointment (Arranging lectures from Mon. to Sat., name of professors vs subjects)
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

2. Direction Based Tests

3. Dictionary (alphabet) arrangement 10

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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.

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

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

10

General Awareness 50

11

DI

50

10

10

13

Reasoning

50

10

10

13

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

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bhupinder
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apaka jitna dhanyawad kiya jaye wo kam hai ,agar mere layak koi sewa ho to jarur bataye,mai aagr aapke kisi kaam aa saka to ye
mera sobhagya hoga._/\_ bhupi

nav
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ladki dekhi ni kutte pucnh utha ke aa jate h

prabhat kumar
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thank you very much

sukhwinder kumar
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how marks need sc cateagery sbi p o exame

Meera
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Thanks Mrunal. M K Pandeys Analytical Reasoning is a good book. It gives explanations for the answers. Thanks once again

Rohin
Reply to this comment
Banking services of chronicle best magazine for solving DI and high level reasoning for SBI PO..Very difficult paper set in BSC..SAME
AS SBI

zuber
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maths hai kya sbi ke po ke exam mein ??? please koi jaldi bolo

Shashank
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Hai bhaijaan.25 question aate hain MATHS ke..(inclusive of 5 Data sufficiency Questions). ;)

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