Logical Reasoning :It is a difficult section when compared with quantitative aptitude. The answer changes from person to person. So we need to think how the examiner will think. There can be miscellaneous puzzles (individually or in groups) from different areas. It is a time aking section. You can approximately do 25- 35 questions if you follow our tips in logical reasoning. So have a look at them.1. ArrangementsThis is the most frequently tested and most important area of this section. Questions in this section are generally asked in 2-3 sets of6-7 questions each. Though the sets may be time consuming, you can get full marks (in minimal time) if you solve the set correctly. Also, they do not require conceptual knowledge but an ability to read and interpret a large amount of data and represent it in forms of a figure/ arrangement/table.Some common arrangement types are:- Circular- Linear – elements in a single row/column- Linear – elements in multiple rows/ columns- Linear – scheduling of events/ activities- Complex – multiple parametersPractice as many sets as you can. As your practice increases, you will find better and more efficient ways of representing the data and arriving at the final arrangement. Start representing the given data as a figure (for linear and circular arrangements) or table (for complex arrangements and scheduling based questions). Then fill up the figure/table with the direct and indirect clues. Keep marking the clues that you have already used up and separately note down the clues that you can’t use immediately.Sometimes you may not be able to fill up the entire figure/table. This does not necessarily mean that you are wrong. The set may have been designed that way. Try and attempt the questions first and then re-check the table (if necessary). If the arrangement based sets are perfectly solved, clearing the sectional cut-off becomes very easy.2) Sequential Output TracingLike arrangements, these are also asked in sets of 4-6 questions. However, based on the difficulty level, you can either solve the complete set or not be able to solve a single question. Here, an input in terms of numbers or words or a combination of both is given. This input is processed through a series of steps and a final output is obtained. You need to identify the logic that is applied in each step. Based on this logic, questions can be asked in two ways:

- Each question of the set has a separate input and the question has to solved accordingly – These tend to become more time consuming since this is as good as solving five.- Six different sets.- One input is given and all the questions of the set are based on it – This is less time consuming but can be error-prone if you make any mistake in applying the steps to the input.Typically, the patterns that are used in bank exams are:- Rearrangements – The given words may be shifted left or right in alphabetical order or depending on the number of letters in each word.Similarly, the given numbers may be shifted in ascending/ descending order or based on some property of the number (odd/even, prime/ composite, etc.)- Replacements – This generally applies to numbers in the input. In each step, the given numbers may be replaced by some other numbers based on some mathematical operation (multiplication, division, square, etc). These are slightly difficult to identify. You need a lot of practice and immense concentration for these questions as a single mistake can lead to errors in the entire set. Also, you should be able to observe the way the position/ nature of the words and numbers changes.3) SyllogismsThis is probably the only area in this section that requires conceptual knowledge. Consequently, most aspirants find this the most difficult part of the section. It involves 2, 3, 4 or 6 statements (that conventionally sound absurd e.g. all dogs are cats) followed by a few conclusions. You need to identify the relationship between the given statements and identify the conclusions that definitely follow from the given statements. These questions are rule-based i.e. certain combinations of statements lead to certain conclusions. So, they can either be solved by directly applying the rules or using the Venn diagram based approach. However, it is not possible to solve these without prior conceptual knowledge unlike the other questions in this section.4) Data SufficiencyTechnically, this is the same question type that also appears in the Quantitative Aptitude section. However, the major difference here is that the data given is essentially logical in nature rather than mathematical. So, while you may not be able to attempt a DS question in the QA section if you do not know the relevant concept/formula, you can theoretically attempt each DS question based on pure logic.Another difference is that data sufficiency questions in this section may have variations in terms of instructions:- 2 statement DS questions (typical of the QA section)- 3 statement DS questions (also asked in the QA section)

- Data redundancy questions –where the statement that is not required for the question to be solved has to be identified.Again, the key to solve these questions is to read and understand the instructions very carefully, and then follow them to the letter. In a lot of cases, even if the instructions are the same, their order may change, thereby changing the answer options.5) Visual ReasoningYou are generally given a sequence of 5-6 figures and you need to identify a figure that either continues the series or does not fit in. These do not require conceptual knowledge but basic observation skills to identify the relevant patterns.Some of the commonly used patterns are:- Addition/subtraction of elements- Rotation of elements- Clockwise or anticlockwise- Movement of elements – clockwise or anticlockwise- Replacement of elements- Combinations of the aboveTypically, consecutive or alternate figures exhibit the same pattern. To solve these questions quickly, identify the pattern, establish the position of an element, and eliminate answer options based on that and then move on to the next element. Practice is essential for these questions. However, even with practice you may not be able to identify the logic for certain questions of this type in the exam. If you are unable to get the pattern in 2-3 minutes in the exam, it is advisable to leave the question for the time being and come back to it later.6) Critical ReasoningThis can be considered the most difficult and error-prone area of this section because the questions test verbal reasoning skills. You need to understand what exactly the question requires, apply a combination of logic and English knowledge and then solve the question accordingly.The common question types in this area are:- Implicit assumptions- Inferences- Cause and Effect- Course of Action- Strengthening and Weakening of Arguments- Probably/Definitely True or FalseYou should decide whether to attempt these or not based on your comfort level with individual question types as well as with the pure LR questions.7) Miscellaneous Puzzles

These may be individual or group questions from a large (almost infinite) number of areas. While you may not able to cover each question type, the ones that you should definitely practice are:- Direction based questions- Relationships – family tree, coded relationships, relationship puzzles- Series and Analogies – number and letter series as well as analogies, alphanumeric series, odd man out questions- Codes – letter & number codes, mixed codes, sentence coding, substitution, etc.- Logic Puzzles – comparisons and ranks, word based puzzles, etc.- Numerical Logic – gambling games, odd weights, cubes, etc.- Selection CriteriaDuring preparation, if you do not have adequate time, you can practice these questions at the very end. However, you should identify the question types that you are most comfortable with and accordingly attempt those if and when they appear in the exam.APRReading ComprehensionThis is the most important area of this section and is definitely tested in each paper. Questions can be asked in a single passage of 10-15 questions or in 2-3 passages of 5-8 questions each. The passage may be based on banking, finance and economics, politics, current affairs, sports, science etc. Bank exams rarely include passages on psychology, philosophy etc. Questions in these RC passages are of the following types:1. Factual : The answer to the question is explicitly given in the passage, either in a single sentence or in different parts of the passage. You just need to read the passage thoroughly and find the relevant sentence(s) to answer the question. In a 10 question passage, 5-6 questions are of this type. The number increases proportionately in a 15 question passage.2. Vocabulary Based : Certain words in the passage are highlighted and their synonym/antonym is to be found. This synonym/antonym has to be with reference to the usage of that word in the passage. So, you need to read the relevant part of the passage and identify the synonym/antonym in the context of the passage . A 10 question passage generally has 4 such questions (split equally between synonyms and antonyms). Again, this number increases proportionately in a 15 question passage.3. Inferential : These require you to read and understand the passage, and draw inferences based on what the passage wants to say. These are more difficult and error-prone compared to the earlier types. Consequently, they are rarely asked in bank tests. You may have at the most one question of this type in a passage of 10 questions.There are three common techniques (among others) to attempt an RC set:

1. Read the passage thoroughly first and then attempt the questions – Improves understanding of the questions but significantly increases time as you may need to re-read the parts relevant to each question.2. Read the questions first and then re- read the passage – This saves time as you focus only on data relevant to each question. However, it is time- consuming for long passages and error-prone for inferential questions or for questions where the answer is present in different sentences.3. Skim through the passage, read the questions and then read the relevant parts thoroughly. This technique attempts to combine the advantages of both the earlier techniques. However, it can be the most time- consuming of the three till you master it.You need to practice RCs using all three techniques so that you are adept that the one that you prefer most before the exam.Tips :Read as much as you can and from as many sources as possible to improve your comprehension skills. Editorials and business articles from prominent newspapers like The Hindu, Economic Times, Hindu, Business Line, Times of India, etc. are useful. You should also read current affairs articles from magazines like India Today, Outlook, OPEN etc. Other more convenient options like news and analysis websites (CNN, BBC news, etc.) and eBooks can also be chosen for those who are always on the move. These not only improve your language and comprehension but also help you in the general awareness section and GDPI rounds. Apart from this, a healthy reading habit always helps. Note down new or unfamiliar words and look them up in a standard dictionary like Oxford English Dictionary. Once you know the meaning, read the passage again to understand how the word has been used.