How To Prepare IBPS PO Reasoning: Preparation Strategy

How To Prepare IBPS PO Reasoning: Reasoning Ability is a section of most of the exams for Government jobs. IBPS PO is no different. Both IBPS PO Prelims and IBPS PO Mains have Reasoning Ability section. Because of the increasing difficulty level of this section over the years, many students find it difficult to score well in this section.

Attempt All IBPS PO Prelims Exam Questions with Hints & Solutions Here!

Candidates have to clear the sectional cutoff for Reasoning Ability section in both Prelims and Mains in order to appear in the next round. So, ignoring this section is out of the question. In fact, clearing the Reasoning Ability sectional cutoff is not enough in Mains as the marks of Mains are considered for final merit listing. So, one must prepare in a way that secures a high score in this section. In this article we will explain how to prepare IBPS PO Reasoning. Read on to find out.

Practice Subject Wise Chapters 2025 from IBPS PO Prelims

Candidates can follow the steps below to take the Practice:

• 1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., embibe.com.
• 2nd Step: Login/Sign-up through your mobile number/email.
• 3rd Step: Then select your Goal as ‘Banking’ under Getting a government job section then Next and now select your exam name as ‘IBPS PO Prelims‘.
• 4th Step: Click Next and select your preferred language as English/Hindi.
• 5th Step: Once Done, click on the below-mentioned Subject links to Start the Practice.

How To Prepare IBPS PO Reasoning Ability

Before getting into the details of how to prepare IBPS PO Reasoning, candidates need to know the IBPS PO exam pattern and the weightage of the Reasoning Ability section.

In IBPS PO Prelims, the Reasoning Ability section contains 35 questions carrying 1 mark each. The time allocated to complete this section is 20 minutes. In IBPS PO Mains, the Reasoning Ability section is merged with the Computer Aptitude section. The total number of questions combining these two is 45 carrying a total marks of 60. The time allocated to finish this section is 60 minutes.

Understanding the weightage, marking scheme and time duration for this section is very important because preparation for the Reasoning Ability section needs one to focus not only on the knowledge that is needed for this section but also on the time management skills to finish this section on time. In this article on how to prepare IBPS PO Reasoning, we will cover both these aspects.

**Steps to Take IBPS PO Prelims Mock Test

Access the unlimited IBPS PO Prelims mock test from Embibe and improve the preparation level. Candidates can follow the below-mentioned steps to take the IBPS PO Prelims mock test series:

• 1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., Embibe
• 2nd Step: Use the mobile number/email to log in.
• 3rd Step: Then select Goal as ‘IBPS PO Prelims’ under Banking.
• 4th Step: Click Next and select the preferred language.
• 5th Step: Once done, click on the below-mentioned links to take the TEST.

How To Prepare IBPS PO Reasoning: Know The Syllabus

The first stage towards a successful and effective preparation plan is to know the IBPS PO syllabus – the topics included under the Reasoning Ability section of the IBPS PO exam. It is to be noted that the Reasoning Ability syllabus for both IBPS PO Prelims and IBPS PO Mains is the same, and hence, the preparation is also the same.

Once candidates know the topics included in this section, they have to classify them into two categories – easy topics and difficult topics – based on the strengths and weaknesses. For candidates convenience, we are listing down the easy and hard topics below. They are to add and remove topics.

Apart from these topics, the following topics are moderately difficult:

1. Decision Making
2. Assertion and Reasoning
3. Statement and Argument
4. Statement and Conclusion
5. Statement and Assumption

Note that the questions from the easy topics can be  answered with common sense. Generally, no additional knowledge is required to answer these questions. However, in order to improve the speed, they need to practice sufficient number of questions from these topics.

The difficult and moderately difficult topics needs analytical and logical approach, critical thinking, knowledge of certain theoretical aspects, and following certain steps to solve questions.

How To Prepare IBPS PO Reasoning: Clear The Concepts

As mentioned above, this section needs one to think critically and analytically. For this, having the basic understanding of each of the topics and what they entail is a must. This along with going through the example questions will make it easier for candidates to identify and approach the problems.

Best Books for IBPS PO Reasoning 2025

How To Prepare IBPS PO Reasoning: Practice Sufficient Number Of Questions

Having basic understanding of the concepts and going through the solved questions alone is not sufficient. The problem with the Reasoning Ability section is that the questions could be very diverse. So, candidates need to practice enough questions for every topic in the right manner with the right approach to be in a position to answer any question asked. Practicing diligently a wide variety of questions of increasing difficulty level can improve their analytical and logical reasoning skills.

How To Prepare IBPS PO Reasoning: Topic-wise Tips

Let us now have a glimpse at how to prepare each of the topics:

Distance and Directions

This is the easiest and most scoring of all the topics. Read the statements carefully. Focus on one aspect at a time and make diagrams. As candidates make diagrams, assume facing towards the North.

Blood Relations

Reading the details given in the question and making flow chart kind of diagrams can help candidates arrive at the correct answer.

Analogy

Here, candidates have to identify how two components are related and find out the missing component that has a similar relationship with another component. This is mostly based on common sense. Sometimes, general knowledge is also necessary. But the questions can seem confusing if they do not practice sufficient number of questions of varying difficulty level.

Classification

Just like in Analogy, Classification or Odd Man Out too needs common sense and a little general knowledge. Having a good vocabulary too is needed. Needless to say that candidates need to practice a lot as well.

Order & Ranking

Here, the rank/position of the person is to be determined from top-bottom/left-right or the rank/position will be given, and candidates will have to calculate the total number of people in the class or row. There are a few formulas to solve this type of questions. However, they need to read the theory and understand when to apply which formulas. Making diagrams can also help.

Alphanumeric Series

This is all about identifying the pattern in a given series. Candidates have to train their mind in a way so that they can look every aspect and find out the trend or pattern. The only way to master it is by practice.

Mathematical / Coded Inequalities

This is actually an easy topic if they can train themself, not to lose concentration while solving this type of questions. The best way is to make a table and decode the given symbols – what each of the symbols mean. Then re-write the given relationships using the decoded symbols. Third, they need to combine all the relationships to get the combined statement from which drawing the conclusions is very easy.

Coding-Decoding

This again needs one to identify the pattern – the relationship between a given word and its encoded version. Once that is identified, candidates can solve the questions easily. Make sure they consider how, for example, a letter in a certain position of a word is related to the letter in the same position of the encoded word (eg. The encoded letters may be a the next/previous letter of the one in the actual word). The more candidates practice, the better they understand how to check all possibilities.

Circular and Linear Seating Arrangements

There is no shortcut to solve this type of questions. Candidates have to make diagrams as they practice and have to practice a lot in order to gain mastery over this topic.

Syllogism

Here, candidates need to understand the theory first. Also, they must learn how to use Venn Diagrams to solve this type of questions. There are other approaches as well.

Data Sufficiency / Puzzles

These are based on any of the topics as mentioned above. As the names suggest, these are all about critical and analytical thinking. Candidates have to decide on the approach depending upon the type of questions asked.

Decision Making, Assertion and Reasoning, Statement and Argument/ Conclusion/Assumption

This depends on a candidate’s ability to think logically. Most of the times, the answer will seem simple but at the same time all the options will make sense. Therefore candidates have to practice sufficient number of questions in order to master the skill of coming up with right decision/reason/argument/assumption.

Now that you have clear knowledge of how to prepare IBPS PO Reasoning, what are you waiting for? Refer to the best IBPS PO books for Reasoning Ability and finish each and every topic. Also, you must also take IBPS PO mock tests for the full syllabus and see how you are performing in each of the sections, including in the Reasoning Ability section. This is necessary because when you take the test for the full syllabus, your performance in one section will have an impact on that of others. You need to keep that in mind and have control over your overall test-taking process. You can take the bank mock test series of Embibe for for this purpose.

Taking mock tests also helps in identifying the topics and sections you are weak at and need to improve. At Embibe, you can get detailed feedback on your tests pinpointing all your areas of improvement. You have to unlock Embibe’s Advanced Test Analysis for this purpose which will help you improve your score by up to 25 percent in just two tests.

FAQs Related to IBPS Reasoning Preparation Tips

Let us take a look at a few frequently asked questions related to IBPS Preparation Tips.

Q.1: What is the IBPS PO Interview round process?
Ans: The IBPS PO Interview round is conducted for a total of 100 marks, and there are around 3-4 juries who shall be giving the interview. The questions asked in the interview might be both on professional and personal levels. We suggest all aspirants be well acquainted with banking awareness, current affairs, culture, and general awareness to score well in the interview.

Q.2: When will the IBPS PO exam 2025 be conducted?
Ans: The IBPS PO Prelims exam 2025 will be conducted in October, 2025.

Q.3: What are the factors that contribute to better preparation?
Ans: Candidates should create an IBPS PO preparation strategy and start early to improve their subject knowledge as well as test-taking skills.

Q.4: Will the IBPS PO Mock test help candidates in scoring high marks?
Ans: Yes, attempting mock tests help candidates in identifying the weak and strong areas. Also, taking mock tests improves time management, speed, accuracy, and the strategy required to score good marks.

Q.5: How many questions come in IBPS PO?
Ans: The question paper of IBPS PO Prelims contains 100 objective type questions. In comparison, the Mains question paper consists of 155 MCQs and 02 descriptive type questions.

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We hope this detailed article on How to Prepare IBPS PO Reasoning helps you to crack the Reasoning section in the IBPS PO exam. Stay tuned to Embibe for more updates related to the IBPS PO exam.