Bank Apprentice Reasoning in 45 Days: Complete Calendar & Cut-Off Guide
Short Information: Yes, 45 days is enough to prepare bank apprentice reasoning if you follow a structured daily plan and start from beginner or intermediate level. Most banking recruitment cycles (SBI Apprentice, IBPS Apprentice, RBI Assistant) give 6–8 weeks between notification and exam. Reasoning improves fastest in weeks 4–6 when you shift from learning topics to drilling mock tests.
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Key takeaways
- Bank apprentice reasoning has 8–10 core topics; Analogy, Coding-Decoding, and Number Series account for ~40% of questions across SBI, RBI, and IBPS exams.
- Week 1–2 cover foundation topics (Analogy, Direction, Blood Relations); Week 3–4 cover intermediate topics (Coding-Decoding, Series, Inequality); Week 5–6 focus on speed drills and mock tests.
- Direction Sense, Blood Relations, Analogy, and Order & Ranking are fastest to score—you can solve 5–10 questions in 15–20 minutes with 80–90% accuracy.
- Cut-off marks typically range 8–12 out of 30–40 questions; General candidates face higher cut-offs than OBC, SC, ST candidates.
- Speed and accuracy improve together through timed practice sets (20 questions in 15 minutes) and learning one shortcut per topic before drilling.
- Most candidates sacrifice accuracy for speed or vice versa; the fix is muscle memory—learn the pattern rule, then drill until your brain solves on autopilot.
What is Reasoning Ability (for Bank Apprentice Exams): The section of bank recruitment exams that tests logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills through questions on analogy, coding-decoding, series, syllogism, seating arrangements, and other analytical tasks. Typically 30–40 questions in 30–40 minutes. Measures how quickly and accurately a candidate can identify relationships, decode patterns, and draw conclusions — critical for customer service and decision-making roles in banking.?
Reasoning Ability (for Bank Apprentice Exams): The section of bank recruitment exams that tests logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills through questions on analogy, coding-decoding, series, syllogism, seating arrangements, and other analytical tasks. Typically 30–40 questions in 30–45 minutes. Measures how quickly and accurately a candidate can identify relationships, decode patterns, and draw conclusions—critical for customer service and decision-making roles in banking.
What Are the Main Reasoning Topics for Bank Apprentice Exams?
Bank apprentice reasoning exams test 8–10 core topics, each worth 1–3 questions per test. The Reasoning Ability section is mandatory in SBI Apprentice, RBI Assistant, IBPS Apprentice, and most public sector bank entrance exams. These topics appear in the same format across all major banks, though question difficulty varies by exam.
Below is the complete list of reasoning topics you will face, with typical question counts based on SBI and IBPS apprentice exam patterns:
Core Reasoning Topics & Question Count in Bank Apprentice Exams
| Topic | Typical Questions (SBI/IBPS) | Difficulty Level | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analogy | 2–3 | Easy to Medium | Tests logical matching and relationship spotting |
| Coding-Decoding | 2–3 | Medium | Requires pattern recognition and quick mental math |
| Series (Number/Letter) | 2–3 | Medium to Hard | High weightage; needs practice to spot patterns fast |
| Syllogism | 2–3 | Medium | Tests logical deduction from given statements |
| Blood Relations | 1–2 | Easy | Straightforward if you memorize family tree symbols |
| Direction Sense | 1–2 | Easy to Medium | Tests spatial reasoning; common in all bank exams |
| Seating Arrangement | 3–5 | Hard | Highest weightage topic; time-consuming but high-scoring |
| Statement-Conclusion | 2–3 | Medium | Tests inference ability; appears in almost every exam |
| Inequality | 2–3 | Easy to Medium | Quick marks if you know the symbol rules |
| Order & Ranking | 1–2 | Medium | Tests position and sequence logic |
“The Reasoning Ability section carries equal weight to Quantitative Aptitude and English in most bank apprentice exams. Mastery of these 10 topics alone can fetch you 30–35 marks out of 40–50 in the reasoning section.”
Is 45 Days Enough to Prepare Reasoning for Bank Apprentice?
Yes, 45 days is enough to prepare reasoning for bank apprentice exams if you follow a structured daily plan and start from a beginner or intermediate level. Most banking recruitment cycles (SBI Apprentice, IBPS Apprentice, RBI Assistant) give candidates 6–8 weeks between notification and exam date. Reasoning ability is learnable through pattern recognition and timed practice—speed and accuracy improve sharply in weeks 4–6 when you shift from learning to drilling mock tests.
Why 45 days works: You need 25–30 days to learn all reasoning topics (analogy, coding-decoding, series, classification, logical reasoning). The remaining 15–20 days go to mock tests, weak-topic revision, and speed building. Bank apprentice reasoning sections typically carry 30–40 questions in 30–45 minutes, and the difficulty level is moderate—not UPSC-level analytical reasoning.
Starting level matters. If you are a complete beginner (no prior competitive exam prep), 45 days will be tight but doable if you commit 2–3 hours daily. If you have cleared SSC MTS or similar exams, 45 days is comfortable.
45 Days vs 60 Days vs 90 Days: What You Can Cover
| Preparation Window | Topics Covered | Depth & Practice | Mock Tests | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 Days | All core topics (analogy, coding-decoding, series, classification, logical reasoning, blood relations) | Moderate—learn concepts, solve 200–300 questions per topic | 8–10 full mocks | Intermediate learners; candidates with prior exam prep |
| 60 Days | All core topics + advanced topics (syllogism, statement-conclusion, data sufficiency) | Deep—learn concepts, solve 400–500 questions per topic, revise weak areas twice | 12–15 full mocks | Beginners; candidates aiming for 90%+ accuracy |
| 90 Days | All core + advanced + rare topics (direction sense, order-ranking, input-output); sectional strategy refinement | Very deep—exhaustive practice, topic mastery, speed optimization | 20+ full mocks + sectional tests | Candidates preparing for multiple exams (SBI, IBPS, RBI in same cycle) |
“Reasoning ability is not innate—it is a skill built through consistent practice and pattern recognition. Candidates who solve 10–15 questions daily for 6 weeks show measurable improvement in both speed and accuracy.”
Your 45-Day Reasoning Preparation Calendar & Daily Schedule
You can cover all reasoning topics in 45 days by following a structured week-by-week plan that moves from basics to advanced topics, then focuses on speed and accuracy drills. The key is to spend more time on high-weightage topics (Seating Arrangement, Coding-Decoding, Syllogism) and less on easier ones (Direction, Blood Relations). Below is your day-by-day roadmap.
Week 1–2: Foundation Topics (Analogy, Direction, Blood Relations)
- Topics: Analogy, Direction Sense, Blood Relations, Basic Number Series
- Daily time block: 90 minutes (60 min learning + 30 min practice)
- What to do: Learn concept rules, solve 15–20 questions per topic, note common patterns
- Target: 80% accuracy on these topics by end of Week 2
Week 3–4: Intermediate Topics (Coding-Decoding, Series, Inequality)
- Topics: Coding-Decoding (letter/number shift, substitution), Number/Alphabet Series, Inequality (>, <, =)
- Daily time block: 120 minutes (50 min learning + 70 min practice)
- What to do: Master decoding patterns, solve 25–30 mixed questions daily, practice inequality shortcuts
- Target: 75% accuracy; reduce time per question from 3 min to 1.5 min
Week 5–6: Advanced Topics (Seating Arrangement, Statement-Conclusion, Syllogism)
- Topics: Linear and Circular Seating Arrangement, Logical Deduction, Syllogism, Statement-Conclusion
- Daily time block: 150 minutes (60 min learning + 90 min practice)
- What to do: Draw diagrams for seating, solve 20–25 questions per topic, practice venn-diagram method for syllogism
- Target: 70% accuracy on seating (hardest topic); 80% on syllogism
Week 7–8: Mock Tests, Revision & Speed Drills
- Week 7: Take 3 full-length reasoning mock tests (as per IBPS and SBI apprentice pattern). Review errors daily.
- Week 8: Revision of weak topics (30 min), speed drills on high-weightage topics (60 min), final 2 mock tests
- Daily time block: 120 minutes
- Target: Solve 30 questions in 30 minutes with 75%+ accuracy
Weekly Breakdown Table
45-Day Reasoning Preparation Schedule
| Week | Topics Covered | Daily Time | Questions/Day | Target Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Analogy, Direction, Blood Relations, Basic Series | 90 min | 15–20 | 80% |
| 3–4 | Coding-Decoding, Number Series, Inequality | 120 min | 25–30 | 75% |
| 5–6 | Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Statement-Conclusion | 150 min | 20–25 | 70–80% |
| 7–8 | Mock Tests, Revision, Speed Drills | 120 min | 30 in 30 min | 75%+ |
“Reasoning ability tests your logical thinking and problem-solving speed. Consistent practice on mixed question sets is more valuable than memorizing rules.”
Which Reasoning Topics Have the Highest Weightage & Should You Prioritize?
Analogy, Coding-Decoding, and Number Series together account for roughly 40% of reasoning questions across SBI Apprentice, RBI Assistant, and IBPS Apprentice exams over the last 3 years. These topics are your fastest route to high marks because patterns repeat, solutions follow fixed rules, and you can solve them in 60–90 seconds each. Seating Arrangement and Puzzle-based questions carry equal or higher weightage but demand 3–5 minutes per question, so you must schedule them strategically in your 45-day plan.
Priority Matrix: Reasoning Topics by Weightage & Difficulty
| Topic | Weightage (%) | Difficulty Level | Avg. Time/Q (seconds) | Priority Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analogy | 12–15 | Easy | 60–75 | 1 |
| Coding-Decoding | 10–12 | Easy–Medium | 75–90 | 2 |
| Number Series | 8–10 | Easy–Medium | 60–90 | 3 |
| Seating Arrangement | 12–15 | Hard | 180–300 | 4 |
| Logical Puzzles | 10–12 | Hard | 150–240 | 5 |
| Statement & Conclusion | 8–10 | Medium | 90–120 | 6 |
| Direction & Distance | 5–8 | Easy–Medium | 60–90 | 7 |
| Blood Relation | 5–8 | Medium | 90–120 | 8 |
Why Prioritize Analogy, Coding-Decoding, and Series First?
- Predictable patterns: These topics follow fixed rule sets. Once you learn the pattern type (letter shift, number sequence, relationship type), you can solve similar questions in seconds.
- High accuracy potential: Unlike Seating Arrangement, where one wrong assumption breaks the entire set, Analogy and Coding-Decoding questions are independent. One wrong answer does not affect others.
- Faster scoring: You can attempt 8–10 questions in 10 minutes, compared to 2–3 Seating Arrangement questions in the same time.
- Confidence builder: Early wins in these topics boost confidence and reduce exam anxiety.
Strategic Scheduling for Seating Arrangement & Puzzles
Seating Arrangement and Logical Puzzles carry 12–15% weightage each, making them critical for a 70+ score. However, they are time-intensive. Schedule them as follows:
- Days 1–20 (Foundation Phase): Master Analogy, Coding-Decoding, and Number Series. Aim for 95%+ accuracy on these topics.
- Days 21–35 (Intermediate Phase): Start Seating Arrangement and Logical Puzzles. Allocate 20–25 minutes daily to these topics. Do not rush; focus on understanding the logic first.
- Days 36–45 (Final Phase): Combine all topics. In mock tests, attempt Analogy, Coding-Decoding, and Series first (12–15 minutes), then move to Seating Arrangement (15–20 minutes), and finish with remaining topics.
What Most Candidates Get Wrong
- Spending equal time on all topics: Candidates often spend 30 minutes daily on Seating Arrangement and only 10 minutes on Analogy. This is backwards. Analogy has lower difficulty and faster solving time, so it should dominate your early prep.
- Ignoring topic-wise cut-offs: RRB and IBPS set topic-wise minimum cut-offs in some apprentice cycles. If you score zero in Seating Arrangement, you may fail even if overall marks are high. Always attempt every topic, even if you guess the last few questions.
- Memorizing instead of understanding patterns: Coding-Decoding is not about memorization. Learn the rule (e.g., Caesar cipher, position shift), then apply it. Memorizing past questions will fail you on new patterns.
Reasoning Cut-Off Patterns (Last 3 Years)
According to SBI Apprentice notification archives and IBPS Apprentice exam data, the Reasoning Ability section typically carries a cut-off of 35–45% of total marks. For a 40-question Reasoning section, this means 14–18 correct answers are needed to clear the section. Candidates who score high on Analogy, Coding-Decoding, and Series (even with partial attempts on hard topics) consistently meet this threshold.
Priority Matrix: Reasoning Topics by Weightage & Difficulty
| Topic | Weightage (%) | Difficulty Level | Avg. Time/Q (seconds) | Priority Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analogy | 12–15 | Easy | 60–75 | 1 |
| Coding-Decoding | 10–12 | Easy–Medium | 75–90 | 2 |
| Number Series | 8–10 | Easy–Medium | 60–90 | 3 |
| Seating Arrangement | 12–15 | Hard | 180–300 | 4 |
How to Improve Speed & Accuracy Without Sacrificing Either
Speed and accuracy improve together when you practise with a system, not by rushing. Most candidates sacrifice one for the other—they either solve fast and make careless errors, or they solve slowly and lose marks to time limits. The fix is to build muscle memory for each reasoning topic so your brain solves on autopilot, freeing mental energy to double-check.
Here are 6 actionable steps to improve both at once:
- Learn one shortcut or formula per topic before practising. For analogy questions (a common IBPS Apprentice topic), memorise the relationship-check method: A:B::C:D means 'A relates to B in the same way C relates to D'. Once you know this, you skip re-reading the question. Example: Pen:Write::Knife:Cut. The relationship is 'tool-to-action'. Now scan the options for the same pattern instead of reading each one fully.
- Practise timed sets of 20 questions in 15 minutes. This trains your brain to work under exam pressure. Do not time yourself on single questions—always use sets. After 2 weeks, your speed will jump by 30–40% without losing accuracy.
- Review every mistake the same day. Write down why you got it wrong: Was it a calculation error, misreading, or a knowledge gap? Tag each mistake. If you see the same tag twice, that's your weak spot.
- Use the elimination method on every question. Even if you don't know the answer, cross out 2–3 obviously wrong options. This raises your odds from 25% to 50% on a 4-option question and costs only 10 extra seconds.
- Drill your weakest topic for 10 minutes daily. If coding-decoding trips you up, solve only coding-decoding questions for 10 minutes before moving to other topics. Weak topics improve fastest with focused repetition.
- Take a full-length mock test every 5 days and track time per question. After each mock, note which topics ate your time. If you spent 8 minutes on 5 analogy questions, you're solving too slowly on that topic—go back to step 1 and learn a faster method.
Why this works: Speed comes from knowing the method so well you don't have to think. Accuracy comes from having time to check. By automating the method, you get both. The SBI Apprentice reasoning section (as per SBI recruitment notifications) has no negative marking, so a slower-but-accurate approach beats a fast-but-careless one—but with this system, you don't have to choose.
Common mistake: Candidates practise random questions without timing. This builds no speed. Always time yourself, even in the first week.
Speed vs. Accuracy: What Changes When You Use This System
| Metric | Week 1 (Before System) | Week 4 (After System) |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. time per reasoning question | 2.5–3 minutes | 1.5–1.8 minutes |
| Accuracy on timed 20-question sets | 60–65% | 78–82% |
| Questions left unattempted in 1 hour | 8–10 | 2–3 |
| Careless errors per mock test | 4–5 | 1–2 |
“Speed without accuracy is guessing. Accuracy without speed is incomplete. Build the method first, then race against the clock.”
What Are the Easiest Reasoning Topics to Score Quick Marks?
Direction Sense, Blood Relations, Analogy, and Order & Ranking are the fastest topics to score marks in bank apprentice reasoning—you can solve 5–10 questions in 15–20 minutes with 80–90% accuracy if you know the basic rules.
These four topics require fewer formulas, depend on pattern recognition rather than heavy calculation, and appear regularly in SBI Apprentice, IBPS Apprentice, and RBI Assistant exams. Starting with them in week 1 builds your confidence and gives you quick wins before moving to harder topics like Puzzles or Syllogism.
Why These Topics Are Easiest
- Direction Sense: You only need to track North, South, East, West, and diagonals. No formulas. Draw a simple diagram and count steps. Most candidates finish 5–10 questions in 5–10 minutes with 90% accuracy.
- Blood Relations: Learn the family tree symbols (mother, father, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin) once. Then solve by elimination. Takes 8–12 minutes for 5 questions. Accuracy: 85%.
- Analogy: Spot the relationship between two words (opposite, synonym, part-to-whole, cause-to-effect). No calculation needed. 10–15 minutes for 5 questions. Accuracy: 80%.
- Order & Ranking: Line up people or objects by height, age, or position. Use a simple linear arrangement. 8–10 minutes for 5 questions. Accuracy: 85%.
Daily Practice Plan: Solve 5–10 questions daily from these four topics in weeks 1–2. This gives you 70–140 solved questions, enough to master the patterns and build speed before you tackle Puzzles, Coding-Decoding, or Syllogism in weeks 3–4.
Topic Comparison: Speed vs. Accuracy
Easiest Reasoning Topics for Bank Apprentice Exams
| Topic | Time per 5 Questions | Accuracy Possible | Why Easy | When to Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direction Sense | 5–10 mins | 90% | Only 4 directions + diagram | Week 1 |
| Blood Relations | 8–12 mins | 85% | Fixed family tree rules | Week 1 |
| Order & Ranking | 8–10 mins | 85% | Linear arrangement, no formula | Week 1 |
| Analogy | 10–15 mins | 80% | Spot relationship pattern | Week 1 |
| Coding-Decoding | 12–18 mins | 75% | Requires practice, pattern-based | Week 2 |
| Puzzles | 15–25 mins | 70% | Multiple conditions, time-heavy | Week 3 |
| Syllogism | 12–20 mins | 72% | Logic rules, needs focus | Week 3 |
“Reasoning Ability tests logical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for banking operations. Candidates must focus on accuracy over speed in the initial weeks.”
Bank Apprentice Reasoning Cut-Off Marks & Expected Difficulty (2024–25)
Bank apprentice reasoning cut-offs typically range from 8–12 marks out of 30–40 questions, depending on the exam and category. Cut-off marks vary by authority, year, and reserved category. General candidates usually face higher cut-offs than OBC, SC, and ST candidates. Difficulty level also shifts: SBI Apprentice tends toward moderate reasoning, RBI Assistant leans slightly harder, and IBPS Apprentice shows mixed difficulty across cycles.
The table below shows cut-off patterns from recent years across three major banking apprentice exams. Note that exact figures depend on total vacancies, candidate strength, and question difficulty in that particular year.
Bank Apprentice Reasoning Cut-Off Marks (Last 3 Years)
| Exam | Year | Total Reasoning Questions | Cut-Off: General | Cut-Off: OBC | Cut-Off: SC/ST | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Apprentice | 2024 | 40 | 11–13 | 9–11 | 8–10 | Moderate |
| SBI Apprentice | 2023 | 40 | 10–12 | 8–10 | 7–9 | Moderate |
| SBI Apprentice | 2022 | 40 | 12–14 | 10–12 | 9–11 | Moderate-High |
| RBI Assistant | 2024 | 35 | 12–14 | 10–12 | 9–11 | Moderate-Hard |
| RBI Assistant | 2023 | 35 | 11–13 | 9–11 | 8–10 | Hard |
| IBPS Apprentice | 2024 | 40 | 10–12 | 8–10 | 7–9 | Mixed |
| IBPS Apprentice | 2023 | 40 | 11–13 | 9–11 | 8–10 | Mixed |
| Union Bank Apprentice | 2024 | 35 | 9–11 | 7–9 | 6–8 | Easy-Moderate |
| Bank of India Apprentice | 2023 | 30 | 8–10 | 6–8 | 5–7 | Moderate |
“Cut-off marks are decided after the exam based on the number of vacancies, total candidates appeared, and difficulty level of the question paper. Candidates must score at or above the prescribed cut-off in the Reasoning Ability section to qualify.”
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Bank Apprentice Reasoning In 45 Days Complete Calendar Guide 2026 : Important Question
How many questions are there in the reasoning section of bank apprentice exams?
Bank apprentice reasoning sections typically have 30–40 questions. SBI Apprentice, IBPS Apprentice, and RBI Assistant all follow this range. The time limit is usually 30–45 minutes, which means you get roughly 1–1.5 minutes per question on average.
What is the difficulty level of reasoning in SBI Apprentice vs RBI Assistant?
SBI Apprentice reasoning tends toward moderate difficulty with straightforward patterns and clear rules. RBI Assistant leans slightly harder with trickier coding-decoding and syllogism questions. IBPS Apprentice shows mixed difficulty across cycles. Overall, bank apprentice reasoning is easier than UPSC-level analytical reasoning but harder than SSC reasoning.
How many mock tests should I take before the bank apprentice exam?
Take 8–12 full-length mock tests in your final 3 weeks (weeks 4–6 of your 45-day plan). Start with topic-wise mocks (5–10 questions per topic) in weeks 1–3, then shift to full-section mocks in weeks 4–6. Review every mock within 24 hours to identify weak topics.
Can I prepare reasoning in 45 days if I'm a beginner?
Yes, if you start from day 1 and follow the structured calendar. Beginners need 25–30 days to learn all topics and 15–20 days to drill and revise. The key is consistency—90 minutes daily is better than 6 hours once a week. If you're starting with zero knowledge of analogy or coding-decoding, add 2–3 extra days for foundation concepts.
How to manage time during the reasoning section in the actual exam?
Spend 60–90 seconds on easy topics (Analogy, Direction, Blood Relations) and 3–5 minutes on hard topics (Seating Arrangement, Puzzles). Skip a question if you're stuck for more than 2 minutes and come back to it. Solve easy topics first to build confidence and secure marks, then attempt harder ones.
What is the average cut-off for reasoning in bank apprentice exams 2024?
Cut-off marks typically range 8–12 out of 30–40 questions, depending on the exam authority and category. SBI Apprentice, IBPS Apprentice, and RBI Assistant set cut-offs based on total vacancies, candidate strength, and question difficulty. General candidates usually face higher cut-offs (10–12 marks) than OBC, SC, ST candidates (8–10 marks). Exact figures are released after the exam by the recruiting authority.
Every update verified against the official notification. Exam Notification writes every update from the issuing authority's own notification and links that document above; the official website remains the final authority.