The Reasoning Ability section is one of the most scoring yet tricky parts of the IBPS Clerk 2026 exam. With the right strategy, consistent practice, and smart time management, candidates can easily maximize their score in this section.

• High scoring with practice
• Tests analytical and logical thinking
• Decides cut-off clearance in Prelims
• Helps gain speed advantage over others

Most aspirants fear reasoning—not because it’s difficult, but because of lack of structured preparation.

🔹 Prelims (Reasoning Ability)

🔹 Mains (Reasoning)

🔸 High-Weightage Topics

• Puzzle & Seating Arrangement
• Syllogism
• Inequality
• Coding–Decoding
• Blood Relation
• Direction Sense
• Order & Ranking

🔸 Easy Scoring Topics

• Alphanumeric Series
• Logical Reasoning
• Data Sufficiency
• Input-Output

1️⃣ Master Puzzles & Seating Arrangement First

• Practice daily 2–3 sets
• Start from linear seating → circular → box/floor puzzles
• Focus on understanding conditions, not guessing

👉 These topics alone can cover 15–20 questions in Prelims.

2️⃣ Use Short Tricks for Syllogism & Inequality

• Learn Venn diagram + A–E conclusion logic
• Practice new pattern syllogisms
• Avoid overthinking—answers are often direct

3️⃣ Improve Speed in Coding–Decoding

• Focus on letter shifting, pattern recognition
• Practice new coded logic questions
• Avoid lengthy calculations

4️⃣ Accuracy Over Attempts

• Attempt only those questions where logic is clear
• Avoid blind guesses (negative marking hurts badly)
• Ideal attempts:
• • Prelims: 28–32 with accuracy
  • Mains: 25–35

5️⃣ Follow Sectional Time Discipline

• Fix topic-wise time slots
• Do easy questions first, puzzles later
• Skip time-consuming questions initially

🔹 Puzzles & Seating

• Daily practice mandatory
• Use diagrams
• Don’t panic if first set feels tough

🔹 Blood Relation & Direction

• Use family tree & rough diagrams
• Solve mentally after practice

🔹 Series & Alphabet Test

• One of the fastest scoring topics
• Practice mixed pattern series

❌ Ignoring puzzles due to fear
❌ Attempting all questions blindly
❌ Skipping mock tests
❌ Not analyzing wrong answers
❌ Spending too much time on one question

• Attempt 2–3 full mocks weekly
• Analyze:
• • Time spent per question
  • Accuracy
  • Weak topics
• Improve strategy every week

Mock tests are the real game-changers for reasoning.

• Previous Year Question Papers
• Sectional Mock Tests
• Topic-wise Practice PDFs
• Daily Puzzle Practice
• Free YouTube reasoning sessions

Cracking the Reasoning section in IBPS Clerk 2026 is not about intelligence—it’s about practice, pattern recognition, and speed control. With consistent effort and the right strategy, you can turn this section into your biggest strength.

👉 Start early, practice smart, and analyze deeply.