The Common Recruitment Process for RRBs (CRP RRBs X) announced over 12,000+ vacancies (Group "B"-Office Assistant (Multipurpose) in June 2021. The skill to get through lies in having an idea about the pattern of previously held exams, analysing old exam papers, practising time management, and training oneself on how to strategize during the actual test.

We present this article, which has a few handy inputs on how to prepare for, and succeed in, the Reasoning section of the upcoming IBPS RRB Assistant 2021 Prelim and Main examinations, with a hope that you would certainly benefit from it.

IBPS RRB Assistant Prelim – Reasoning:

The Reasoning section of this exam comprises 40 Qs that carry one mark each. While there is no section wise time limit as such, there is a composite time of 45 minutes for both the test areas of Reasoning Ability and Numerical Ability. One may allot a maximum of 20 mins for the reasoning section to maximise one's overall score here. There is a negative marking scheme, where 1/4th of the marks assigned for a question are deducted for each wrongly marked response. In order to qualify, candidates must qualify in both the tests (Reasoning and Numerical Ability) by securing the minimum cut-off marks.

This being a relatively easier-to-handle part of the test offers ample scope for score maximisation. In the Prelims, the difficulty level of questions in this area ranges between very easy to easy (as per feedback given by T.I.M.E. students who appeared for such exams in the past).

The following data presents the topic wise break-up and analysis of the Prelim exam across the years [collated from feedback as given by T.I.M.E. students who appeared for such exams in the past].

IBPS RRB Assistant Prelim 2020 :

IBPS RRB Assistant Prelim 2019 :

Puzzles asked in other slots: Questions on puzzles were related to Linear Arrangement (unknown no. of persons, Two rows, 7 persons all facing North etc.), Circular Arrangement (8 persons; all facing centre; etc..), Box based, Month-based (7 months & 7 persons), Square Arrangement (8 people; persons sitting at the corners face outside and sitting at the middle face inside), Month & Date based (4 months & 2 dates), Floor based (8 floors and 8 persons), Distributions, Comparisons (heights, weights, ranks etc..)

The following areas are important for the Prelim exam:

1. Symbols and notations
2. Blood relations
3. Direction sense
4. Coding-decoding
5. Syllogisms
6. Set of numbers /words
7. Sequence
8. Puzzles - Linear arrangements / Box arrangements / Floor arrangements / Circular arrangements / Distribution (day and month based) / Comparisons/ Quant-based Reasoning
9. Miscellaneous (Word arrangements, Number arrangements, meaning full word, letter series etc.)

IBPS RRB Assistants Mains – Reasoning:

The Reasoning section of the exam consists of 40 Qs with a total of 50 marks. Here too, there is no section wise time limit but a composite time of 120 minutes for all the test areas. One may allot a maximum of 25 - 30 mins for the reasoning section to maximise one's overall score. The negative marking scheme put in place for this exam mandates that for every incorrect response, there be a deduction of 1/4th of the marks assigned for a question. A variable marking scheme MAY BE applicable in the Reasoning section of this exam.

The following data presents the topic wise break-up and analysis of the Main exam [collated from feedback as given by T.I.M.E. students who have appeared for such exam in the past].

IBPS RRB Assistant Mains 2020:

IBPS RRB Assistant Mains 2019:

The following areas are important for the Mains exam:

1. Symbols and notations
2. Blood relations
3. Direction sense
4. Coding-decoding
5. Syllogisms
6. Puzzles - Linear arrangements / Box arrangements / Floor arrangements / Circular arrangements / Distribution (day and month-based), Designations based / Comparisons / Quant-based Reasoning
7. Data sufficiency
8. Input and output
9. Miscellaneous (Word arrangements, Number arrangements, meaning full word, letter series etc.)

Note: Critical Reasoning questions have not appeared in this exam till date.

Strategy:

Though everything in an exam is important, it is essential to prioritise the order in which you handle questions. In order to maximise your score, we recommend the following plan for attempting questions.

It is advisable to attempt questions related to Sequence, set of numbers / words, Deductions, Blood relations, Directions, Symbols and notations, Word and Number arrangements and Input and output first, before moving on to others.

Solving puzzles must come next in this process. Among puzzles too, questions on Comparisons, which are less time-consuming, should be dealt with first before moving on to those on Seating arrangements and Distributions - these should be considered only towards the end.

It is only very rarely that a few clues are given in a jumbled manner. Usually, from what we hear from our students, clues meant for solving puzzles are presented such that they help solve the given puzzle in the order in which the clues are given, thus obviating the need to move back and forth frequently.

For the sake of time management, questions on Data Sufficiency should be worked out last.

Some useful Tips:

• Going through the Analyses of previous years papers will help you understand what topics were asked in the exams, weightage of questions from each topic, pattern of questions etc.
• Whether sectional time limit is specified or not, time management, speed, and accuracy play an important role in helping you clear your exams. Work on your speed and accuracy.
• Practice questions daily. This will definitely give you an edge over others, who are appearing for these exams.
• Tracking your performance on a regular basis helps you identify the areas / topics in which you are weak and need to boost up your preparation.
• Answering the questions in a particular sequence, so as to maximise your attempts and your score, is very important. See the order given above.
• Take ample online tests, topic wise as well as Mock Tests – these will help you understand your preparation levels and assist you in time management, so that when you go for the actual exam, you give it a shot with confidence.

All the Best !!