IBPS PO Prelims Reasoning Syllabus

Puzzles (Most Important Topic)

Expect 2–3 sets in Prelims.

Types include:

• Linear seating arrangement (single row – north/south facing)
• Circular seating arrangement
• Square/rectangular seating
• Floor-based puzzles (building with multiple floors)
• Box-based puzzles
• Month/Day/Year-based arrangement
• Comparison-based puzzles (ranking/age/profession)

Focus: Direction, position, relative clues, elimination logic.

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Seating Arrangement

Closely related to puzzles but may appear separately:

• Circular table arrangement
• Parallel row arrangement
• Mixed arrangement with variables (profession, city, color)

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Syllogism

Tests logical conclusion from statements.

Covers:

• Basic Venn diagram method
• Possibility-based questions
• Only/Only a few cases
• Coded syllogism (sometimes)

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Inequality (Direct & Coded)

• Symbol-based inequality (<, >, ≤, ≥, =)
• Chain inequality
• Coded inequality

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Blood Relations

• Family tree problems
• Coded blood relation
• Puzzle-based blood relations

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Direction & Distance

• Basic direction test
• Shortest distance
• Direction with angles

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Order & Ranking

• Position from left/right
• Combined ranking
• Total number in row problems

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Alphanumeric Series

• Letter-number-symbol sequence
• Position-based questions
• Pattern-based missing term

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Coding-Decoding

• Letter shifting
• Word formation
• Pattern coding
• New pattern-based coding (rare but possible)

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IBPS PO Mains Reasoning Syllabus (Advanced & Analytical Level)

Main’s reasoning is tougher and more concept-based.

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High-Level Puzzles & Seating Arrangement

• Multi-variable puzzles
• Uncertain number of persons
• Variable-based seating (profession + city + hobby)
• Day/month/floor combination puzzles
• Circular + square hybrid puzzles

These carry maximum marks.

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Logical Reasoning (Critical Reasoning)

Includes:

• Statement & Assumption
• Statement & Conclusion
• Statement & Inference
• Statement & Argument
• Cause & Effect
• Course of Action
• Strengthen/Weaken the argument

This part checks decision-making ability.

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Input-Output (Machine Arrangement)

• Shifting pattern
• Box pattern
• Mathematical rearrangement
• Reverse step-based questions

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Data Sufficiency (Reasoning Type)

• Two or three statement problems
• Whether given data is sufficient to answer the question

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Syllogism (Advanced Level)

• Multiple conclusion cases
• Coded + possibility mixed
• Statement combination type

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Logical Connectors

• If–Then statements
• Either–Or cases
• Only If cases
• Nested logical statements

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Analytical Reasoning

• Grouping & selection
• Distribution problems
• Team formation
• Conditional selection