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IBPS Clerk Reasoning Preparation Strategy 2025

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The Reasoning section in the IBPS Clerk exam must be prepared effectively by following a structured approach to cover each topic. The Reasoning section in the Prelims exam consists of 35 questions of 35 marks, whereas it is called as the Reasoning and Computer Aptitude section in the Mains exam consists of 50 questions 60 marks. The Reasoning section is one of the most scoring, as you can solve questions using simple concepts and logic. It requires basic concepts, tips, and tricks to prepare smartly. Below, we have provided the preparation strategy for Reasoning and topic-wise tips to make your preparation hassle-free.

 

IBPS Clerk Exam Reasoning Preparation

The IBPS Clerk exam reasoning preparation involves knowledge about the exam pattern and a deep understanding of the basic concepts. With this, you also require short tricks to be applied in the questions that need to be solved quickly. To make the best of your preparation, you should follow the correct preparation methods. Choose the right kind of resources. Practice and revise regularly by making a schedule to be disciplined while you prepare. Focus on the most repeated topics in the exam. Refer to the Previous Year’s Questions. And attempt 2 to 3 mock tests to test your knowledge and to get an idea of the type of questions asked in the exam.

1. Go Through the Exam Pattern

Always go through the exam pattern first. Make a clear vision in your mind about the number of questions, the time duration, and the marks allotted. This will ensure you are preparing in the right direction. The approach to studying the topics in the syllabus. The reasoning section in the IBPS Clerk exam proves to be a turning point if you follow a structured approach in your preparation.

First, you need to know the exam pattern of IBPS Clerk, and particularly for the reasoning section. Then move on to the topics covered in the Reasoning syllabus and how you can prepare for each topic.

Reasoning Structure for IBPS Clerk Prelims:

  • 35 questions
  • 35 marks
  • 20 minutes

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Structure for IBPS Clerk Mains:

  • 50 questions
  • 60 marks
  • 45 minutes

Note: In the Mains exam, Computer Aptitude questions are asked along with the Reasoning questions.

Click on the link below to check the detailed exam pattern for the IBPS Clerk exam for both the Prelims and the Mains exam.

Check all the topics covered in the reasoning section of the IBPS Clerk exam by clicking on the link provided below.

2. Learn Basic Concepts of the Important Topics

Focus on practicing as many questions from the important topics as possible. This practice will help you score better. There is more weightage of important topics in the exam. Learning short tricks and improving your speed in these topics is essential.

Take a look at the weightage of the frequently asked topics in the IBPS Clerk Prelims and Mains exams.

  1. Puzzles & Seating Arrangement (10 to 15 Questions) Linear, Circular, Box-based, Floor-based
  2. Syllogism (3 to 5 Questions)
  3. Inequality (3 to 5 Questions)
  4. Blood Relations (2 to 3 Questions)
  5. Direction Sense (2 to 3 Questions)
  6. Coding-Decoding (3 to 5 Questions)
  7. Alphanumeric Series (3 to 5 Questions)
  8. Miscellaneous (Order & Ranking, Meaningful Words, etc.)

3. Refer to the IBPS Clerk Topic-wise Preparation Strategy

The most effective way of preparing for reasoning is to focus on solving and practicing questions from the important topics. You need a structured preparation to score better in these topics. Allot a specific time of the day daily to prepare and practice questions from the essential topics of reasoning. The preparation strategy for the important topics of reasoning is provided below.

a. Puzzles and Seating Arrangement

In the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam, 10 to 15 questions on Puzzles and Seating Arrangement are asked. The Prelims and Mains exams both have this type of question. With the right kind of strategy, you can easily score maximum marks in this section. Follow the given strategy to prepare for the Puzzles and Seating Arrangement topic.

Strategy:

  • Start with easy puzzles and move to moderate ones.
  • Practice different types of Puzzles with the help of various online platforms.
  • Practice puzzle sets daily using time-bound sets.
  • Focus on understanding the language and drawing quick diagrams.

b. Syllogism

In the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam, 3 to 5 questions on Syllogism are asked. The Prelims and Mains exams both have this type of question. With the right kind of strategy, you can easily score maximum marks in this section. Follow the given strategy below for preparing the Syllogism topic.

Strategy:

  • Learn traditional as well as new pattern syllogisms (using “only,” “a few”).
  • Learn to solve questions using basic syllogism rules.
  • Practice questions from the latest trends.
  • Use Venn diagrams.

c. Inequality

In the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam, 3 to 5 questions on Inequality are asked. The Prelims and Mains exams both have this type of question. With the right kind of strategy, you can easily score maximum marks in this section. Follow the given strategy to prepare for the Inequality topic. Follow the given strategy for preparing the Inequality topic.

Strategy:

  • Practice coded and direct inequalities.
  • Use shortcut tricks to solve inequality questions.
  • Revise basic mathematical comparison symbols.

d. Coding-decoding

In the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam, 3 to 5 questions on coding-decoding are asked. The Prelims and Mains exams both have this type of question. With the right kind of strategy, you can easily score maximum marks in this section. Follow the given strategy to prepare for the coding-decoding topic. Follow the given strategy below for preparing the coding-decoding topic. Follow the strategy given below for solving the coding-decoding questions.

Strategy:

  • Focus on letter shifting, number coding, and all other latest coding-decoding questions.
  • Learn to identify common words for code.
  • Practice old and new pattern questions.

e. Blood Relations and Direction Sense

In the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam, 3 to 5 questions on blood relations and direction sense are asked. The Prelims and Mains exams both have this type of question. With the right kind of strategy, you can easily score maximum marks in this section. Follow the given strategy to prepare for the blood relations and direction sense topic. Follow the strategy given below for preparing the Blood Relations and Direction Sense topic.

Strategy:

  • Draw family trees and directional diagrams.
  • Use shorthand symbols for quick answers.
  • Practice from the previous year’s questions.

f. Alphanumeric Series

In the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam, 3 to 5 questions on the alphanumeric series are asked. The Prelims and Mains exams both have this type of question. With the right kind of strategy, you can easily score maximum marks in this section. The basic strategy for solving the alphanumeric series is given below.

Strategy:

  • Practice identifying patterns quickly: forward-backward, odd-even, letter-number positions.
  • Use a strategic approach to solve series questions. (for example EJOTY – 5, 10, 15, 20, 25)
  • Attempt topic tests based on the latest pattern.

4. Work on Time Management Skills

Remember that there is a time constraint in the exam for each section. The main challenge is the speed at which to solve tricky questions in reasoning within a time limit. Therefore, you must try to minimize your time for solving several questions. This can be achieved with the dedicated practice of important topics consistently.

  • Spend no more than 2 minutes on any single puzzle.
  • Attempt easy questions first.
  • Try to attempt at least 2 questions within a minute.
  • Maintain speed with mock test practice.

5. Attempt Topic Tests

When you attempt topic tests, you will know which topic needs more attention from your side. You can attempt daily and weekly quizzes. Giving topic tests will prepare you to attempt questions from each topic in the exam. Focus on important topics more. Reduce time and don’t get stuck on a particular section. The topic tests contain 10 questions, which are based on the previous year’s questions asked in the exam. It matches the real exam difficulty level and tests your problem-solving skills.

6. Attempt Mini Mock Tests

Attempting the mini mock tests will help you attempt questions in a time-bound manner. It is less time-consuming and is made based on the real exam questions. A total of 20 questions of the reasoning section are asked in the mini mock tests. These will test your question-solving speed. This will give you a real exam scenario with a lesser number of questions. Also, analyse your performance after the tests and improve your accuracy.

7. Attempt Sectional Tests

Sectional tests are curated based on the exam pattern for both the prelims and Mains exams. You must attempt separate sectional tests for Prelims and Mains. Check your accuracy and try to improve it. Also, note the time spent on each question. Make a note of the solution of Incorrect and unattempted questions. Later, try to solve those questions and learn their solutions.

IBPS Clerk Reasoning Overall Preparation Tips

For the IBPS Clerk Reasoning Preparation, first refer to the exam pattern. Then, know the topic-wise weightage. Focus on the important topics. Choose the right resources for your preparation. Make a proper study schedule. And start practicing questions from important topics. This should be your basic approach towards the reasoning. Further, while practicing, you need questions based on the latest pattern. For this, first solve the previous year’s questions. Then, attempt mock tests based on the previous year’s pattern. Some of the most recommended preparation tips for reasoning are mentioned below.

1. Refer to the Exam Pattern

First, you should have a proper understanding of the exam pattern before you start your preparation. There will be 35 questions of 35 marks in the Prelims exam from the reasoning section. And there will be 50 questions of 60 marks in the Mains exam. Know the duration of the reasoning section. The negative marking is applied for wrong attempts. There will be a sectional timing in the exam.

2. Make a Proper Study Schedule

When you make a schedule, you will be more disciplined in your studies, and it will help you in the long run. The dedicated practice of at least 2 to 3 topics daily will prove to be useful in your preparation. Divide the full day study into 2 to 3 study slots. In the first slot, learn the topics that you are weak in. Then, in the second slot, focus on revising and practicing previously learned topics. And in the third and fourth study slots, practice questions from your strong topics and take tests.

3. Learn and Practice Basic Concepts

Learn basic concepts from each topic so that you can practice more questions based on that concept. Learning the basic concepts will help you with preparing other topics as well. The basic concepts of reasoning include applying logic and understanding different types of questions. Making your foundation strong will ultimately lead you towards scoring better marks.

4. Solve Previous Year Questions

Try to solve a maximum number of previous year questions asked in the exam. This is the best practice that every aspirant should follow. This also gives you an idea of the main topics that are covered in the exam. You will easily be able to recognise the types of the most frequently asked topics in the exam. And when you practice from the previous year’s questions, you will be able to analyse your strong and weak topics.

5. Attempt Topic Tests and Mini Mocks

You can take the topic-wise tests available to you on our PracticeMock platform. You should always take tests from the most recommended online platform. You should practice at least 10 to 15 questions from a particular topic in a time-bound manner. Practicing in this way will improve your accuracy and speed in these topics. Mini mock tests are also available on our platform for the IBPS Clerk exam.

6. Attempt Sectional Tests

Once you have gone through the basic concepts and tips, and tricks to solve questions from the reasoning topics, you can easily attempt the sectional tests. Practice 2 to 3 sectional tests in a week and know your strong and weak topics. This will also inform you about various types of questions coming from the topics that are frequently asked in the exam. After you have finished attempting the tests, make notes of the solutions and analyse your performance in the tests.

7. Take Full Length Mocks

Take a weekly full-length mock test for the IBPS Clerk exam. Make the most of the available mock tests. Maintain a notebook to write down important instructions provided during the tests. Make a note of the insights gained from the tests. Improve your score in each section. Eventually, learn proper methods of solving questions from each topic. Take a free full-length mock test now.

8. Choose the Latest Updated Study Material

Your resources should be limited so that you can revise them again and again with the latest updated content. You can opt for PracticeMock’s latest study material for maximum output. Take weekly live tests on important topics. Download the PracticeMock (PM) application for mobile. The tests are made mobile-friendly and can be attempted at any time.

9. Make Short notes for Revision

Making short notes for revision becomes important as you will need them when you want to refer to what you’ve studied earlier. Revising the topics that you have learnt is essential. Make a formula sheet and also a short tricks sheet, and revise them regularly. Revise grammar rules and make notes of the vocabulary. Allot a specific time of your day for revision of important concepts to help you with your preparation.

10. Analyse and Improve your Performance

Attempt tests based on the latest exam trends and analyse your performance in each test. Maintain a mistake notebook and work on your accuracy. Now you know your weak and strong topics. You will naturally improve when you practice these concepts daily. Record your marks in each test that you’ve attempted. This practice will lead you towards the selection in the final examination.

Summary

The IBPS Clerk Reasoning preparation strategy discusses the important preparation tips and topic-wise tips for the exam. You must focus on the higher weightage topics. Make a proper study schedule to cover these topics effectively. Make a habit of practicing daily. Dedicate a study slot to prepare for the reasoning section. Also, be consistent in your preparation. Practice a larger number of questions and attempt topic tests.

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IBPS Clerk Reasoning Preparation Strategy 2025: FAQs

How to prepare reasoning section for IBPS Clerk exam?

To prepare effectively for the reasoning section, you must follow the right preparation strategy.

What is the weightage of reasoning section in the IBPS Clerk exam?

The reasoning section carries 35 marks in the prelims exam and 60 marks in the main exam.

Where can I find topic-wise reasoning tests for the IBPS Clerk exam?

You can find the topic-wise reasoning tests for the IBPS Clerk exam on our PracticeMock platform.

How can I score maximum in the IBPS Clerk exam?

To score maximum in the IBSP Clerk exam, focus on solving a larger number of questions and improve your speed and accuracy.

Sandhya

Hi, I'm Sandhya Sadhvi (B.E. in ECE from GTU 2017-2021). Over the years, I've been a dedicated government job aspirant, having attempted various competitive exams conducted by the Government of India, including SSC JE, RRB JE, Banking & Insurance exams, UPSC CDS, UPSC CSE and GPSC. This journey has provided me with deep insights into the examination patterns and preparation strategies. Currently, I channel this experience into my role as a passionate content writer at PracticeMock, where I strive to deliver accurate and relevant information to candidates preparing for Banking exams, guiding them effectively on their preparation journey.

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