IBPS & SBI PO Prelim and Main Exams 2025– Last-minute tips and Strategy for the Reasoning Section 

The Common Recruitment Process for the IBPS PO (CRP XV) announced 5208 vacancies in July 2025. The Prelim exam is tentatively scheduled to be held on 17^th, 23^rd and 29^th August 2025, and the Main exam on 12^th October 2025. The skill to get through lies in having an idea about the pattern of previously held exams, analysing papers, and teaching oneself how to strategise. 

We bring this article for your benefit, with a few handy inputs on how to prepare for and succeed in the Reasoning section of the upcoming IBPS 2025 Prelim and Main examinations. We have also included inputs for SBI PO 2025 Prelim and Main Exams.

IBPS PO Prelim – Reasoning:

The IBPS PO Prelim paper comprises essentially three test areas, namely, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. 

The Reasoning section consists of 35 questions that need to be attempted in 20 minutes. 

The total number of marks allotted to this section is 40. The negative marking scheme put in place for this exam mandates the deduction of 1/4^th of the marks assigned for a question for every incorrect response. 

A variable marking scheme MAY BE applicable in the Reasoning section of this exam, as 35 questions carry a maximum of 40 marks

This section offers a good scope for score maximisation, as this is a relatively easier part of the tests. 

The difficulty level of questions in this area in the Prelims is easy to moderate.

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

IBPS PO Prelim 2024: 20^th October 2024 Shift 1

S. No.	Topic	No. of questions	Level of Difficulty
1	Linear Arrangement (Unknown number of persons, facing north)	3	Easy
2	Two Row Arrangement (with 6 persons each)	5	Easy
3	Distributions (6 persons, 3 months, 2 dates, 6 flowers)	5	Easy-moderate
4	Box arrangement(6 boxes and variable)	5	Easy-moderate
5	Distributions (9 persons and 3 States)	5	Easy
6	Syllogisms / Deductions(Only a few)	3	Easy
7	Inequalities	3	Easy
8	Direction Sense	3	Easy
9	Meaningful word	1	Easy
10	Number Arrangement	1	Easy
11	Pair of letters	1	Easy

Puzzles given in other slots: Linear arrangement with nine persons (some facing North and some facing South), Floor Arrangement (Three floors; two flats; Distribution), Box Arrangement (nine boxes), six Persons Linear + Distribution, Circular Seating Arrangement- four persons facing towards the centre and three persons facing away from the centre, Quant-based Reasoning (seven persons and their ages), Comparisons.

SBI PO Prelim – Reasoning:

The SBI PO Prelim paper comprises essentially three test areas, namely, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. 

The Reasoning section consists of 30 questions that need to be attempted in 20 minutes. 

The total number of marks allotted to this section is 30. The negative marking scheme put in place for this exam mandates the deduction of 1/4^th of the marks assigned for a question for every incorrect response. 

The difficulty level of questions in this area in the Prelims is easy to moderate.

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

SBI PO Prelim 2024: 24^th March Shift 1

S. No.	Topic	No. of questions	Level of Difficulty
1	Linear Arrangement (single row, eight persons; four persons facing North and four persons facing South)	4	Easy to moderate
2	Distribution (6 persons, 6 months and variable)	5	Easy to moderate
3	Circular Seating Arrangement (9 persons, all facing centre)	5	Easy
4	Floor Arrangement (10 people; 5 Floors; 2 flats)	5	Easy
5	Quant based reasoning (6 persons, 6 years, 6 favourite places)	5	Moderate
6	Deductions / Syllogisms (Only a few)	4	Easy
7	Pair of letters	1	Easy
8	Meaningful word	1	Easy

Puzzles given in other slots: Linear Arrangement (Two row – seven persons each), Distribution (nine persons and nine designations), Distributions (3 Variable; seven persons, 3 cities and seven colours), Floor Arrangement (seven persons, seven Floors and variable ( Fruit)), Box Arrangement (9 boxes).Floor Arrangement (Three floors; two flats; Distribution), Box Arrangement (6boxes and variable), 6 Persons Linear + Distribution, Circular Seating Arrangement- 4 persons facing towards the centre and  3 persons facing away from the centre.

The following areas are considered important for the Prelim Exam: 

1. Symbols and notations (Inequalities)

2. Blood relations

3. Direction sense

4. Coding-decoding

5. Syllogisms (Deductions)

6. Puzzles - Linear arrangements / Box arrangements / Floor arrangements / Circular arrangements / Distribution (days and months based) / Comparisons / Quant-based Reasoning

7. Miscellaneous (Word arrangements, Number arrangements, meaningful word, letter series etc.)

8. Data Sufficiency

9. Input Output

Though questions on Data Sufficiency are usually posed in the Main exam, candidates are advised not to get complacent and be on their guard, as is clear by the precedent set with the appearance of such questions in the 2018 and 2019 Prelims. 

Strategy for Prelim:

It is advisable to attempt questions on Deductions, Blood relations, Directions, Symbols and Notations, Word and Number arrangements and Input and Output before moving on to others.

Solving Puzzles must come next in this process. Here too, it is more time-saving to focus on comparisons before working out seating arrangements and Distributions, which must be considered 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. 

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

IBPS and SBI PO Mains – Reasoning:

The IBPS PO Main paper comprises four test areas: Reasoning Ability, Data Analysis and Interpretation, English Language, and General Economy and Banking Awareness.  

The Reasoning section of the exam consists of 40 questions that need to be attempted in 60 minutes. The total number of marks allotted to this section is 60. The negative marking scheme put in place for this exam mandates the deduction of 1/4^th of the marks assigned for a question for every incorrect response. 

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 [Feedback as given by T.I.M.E. students who appeared for such exams in the past] 

IBPS PO Mains 2024:

S. No.	Topic	No. of questions	Level of Difficulty
1	Distribution (Days and Slots)	5	Moderate to Difficult
2	Circular Arrangement + QBR (Eight persons; some facing inside and some facing outside; Age)	5	Moderate
3	Two Row Distribution	4	Moderate
4	Linear Arrangement + QBR	5	Moderate to Difficult
5	Comparisons + QBR	3	Moderate
6	Dice + Letter Arrangement	3	Moderate
7	Direction Sense with Symbols	3	Moderate
8	Reverse Syllogism	1	Moderate
9	Input-Output	5	Moderate
10	Data Sufficiency (3 Statements)	2	Moderate
11	Critical Reasoning	5	Difficult
12	Miscellaneous	4	Moderate

SBI PO Mains 2024:

S. No.	Topic	No. of questions	Level of Difficulty
1	Linear arrangement + distribution (unknown number of persons with one variable)	5	Difficult
2	Distribution (4 variables)	5	Moderate
3	Scheduling-based puzzle	4	Moderate to Difficult
4	Lock code-based puzzle	5	Difficult
5	Circular arrangement	1	Easy
6	Direction Sense with symbols	4	Moderate
7	Input and Output (Word-Based)	5	Moderate to difficult
8	Data Sufficiency (3 Statements)	3	Moderate
9	Critical Reasoning	8	Moderate to difficult

The following areas are considered important for the Main 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 and designation-based / Comparisons / Quant based Reasoning

7. Data sufficiency

8. Input and output

9. Miscellaneous (Word arrangements, Number arrangements, meaningful word, letter series etc.)

10. Critical Reasoning

Strategy for the Main Exam:

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

It is advisable to attempt questions on Deductions, Blood relations, Directions, Symbols and Notations and Input and Output before moving on to others.

Solving puzzles must come next in this process. In recent Main exams, it was observed that the clue pattern in puzzles was very lengthy and elaborate. If we follow the clues in the order in which they are presented in the puzzle, solving will become easier. So, these are a must-try ones.

New patterns in puzzles have also been observed in recent exams. A set of instructions is given, and the test-taker is expected to understand the given instructions and implement them properly. 

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.

For the sake of time management, questions on Data Sufficiency and Critical Reasoning should be worked out towards the end. Though Critical Reasoning sounds intimidating, its questions do not take much time to answer and can be easily worked out by elimination.

Some useful Tips:

• Going through the Analyses of previous years’ papers will help you understand what topics were asked in the exams, the weightage of questions from each topic, the pattern of questions, etc.

• Whether a 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 give you an edge over others who are appearing for the exams.

• Tracking your performance regularly helps you identify the areas/topics in which you are weak and need to boost your preparation.

• Answering the questions in a particular sequence, 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 also assist you in time management so that when you go for the actual exam, you give it a shot with confidence.