Tips and tricks for RBI Assistant Preliminary Exam 2016

RBI Assistant Preliminary Exam 2016 is scheduled on 24th December 2016. Since numbered days are now left for this exam, we are going to share some tips and tricks that will be helpful in the RBI Assistant Preliminary Exam 2016.

Pattern of the Exam -

S. No.	Name of Subject	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
1.	English Language	30	30	Composite time of 1 hour
2.	Numerical Ability	35	35
3.	Reasoning Ability	35	35
	Total	100	100

Preliminary phase of RBI Assistant Exam has been introduced from this year. We are providing the tips keeping in mind trends followed by IBPS in this year’s exams.

English Language

This section will comprise of 30 questions with a total of 30 marks.

Reading Comprehension -

A good hold over Reading Comprehension is a must because 1 set of RC will be asked in the exam. Attempt this topic first if you come across a story based RC.
In order to save time, first try to go through the question and then through the passage. It will help you mark out the answer easily.
As far as the Synonyms / Antonyms questions are concerned, go through the sentence containing the concerned word first and then through the options provided.
Try to attempt the Vocabulary questions (Synonyms / Antonyms) first, if asked

Cloze Test -

This is another important topic for the Prelims.
Read the sentence first and then try to find the correct option by substituting the given options in the sentence. You should be able to eliminate incorrect options with the help of this approach.
If you feel stuck at some question then move on to the next one. Try and answer it and then go back to the previous question since all the sentences are logically connected.

Spotting Errors / Sentence Improvement -

Questions from this topic have been consistently asked in the IBPS exams.
While attempting these questions, go through the entire sentence first.
Look up for grammatical errors, in case the structure of the sentence seems fine to you.
Try to eliminate the options by going through the sentence properly.

Para Jumbles -

You may across questions from this topic as well so it’s better to be prepared.
While attempting this topic, first go through all the lines and try to understand the gist of the passage.
Try to look up the independent sentence which mostly forms the first sentence.
Find out the connecting sentences and try to arrange accordingly.

Numerical Ability

35 Questions will be asked from this topic with a total of 35 marks.

Data Interpretation -

This is a very important topic for the Prelims. You can expect 1-2 sets of DI in the exams. Majority of the questions asked in this topic are based on the following arithmetic - Ratios, Averages, Percentages.
If the basis of these topics are clear, attempting DI in the exam becomes comparatively easy.
Practice thoroughly so that you don’t have to spend too much time on calculations.

Number Series -

This is another important topic for the prelims phase. You can expect 5 questions from this topic.
Identifying patterns solely depends on how quickly you can categorise the series. This needs practice and after a while solving series questions becomes instinctive. Try to identify how the series grows, this should help you categorise your series.
If you fail to categorise a series into some category consider finding the special series in them. We have mentioned about Prime and Fibonacci numbers. There can be other types of number like Armstrong numbers etc.
Do not give much time to series, If you are not able to establish relation between terms in a minute, it’s better to leave the question as a new kind of series can consume a lot of time that can be used elsewhere.

Simplification / Approximation -

This is a major topic that has been asked in the prelims phase of various exams conducted by IBPS, so prepare this topic well.
Whenever an expression with multiple arithmetic operations is given, follow the BODMAS principle for calculating the final result.
Rather than calculating the exact value in terms of decimals, calculate the approximate values and then perform the operations.

Miscellaneous -

This consists of questions from the following topics - Age, Mixture Allegation, Partnership,Pipes and Cisterns, Profit Loss, Average, Boats & Stream, Compound/Simple Interest, Time & Work, Probability etc.
Questions from miscellaneous category are usually time consuming and it is advised to attempt them once you are done with the remaining topics of this section.

Reasoning Ability

This section comprises of 35 questions with a total of 35 marks.

Inequality -

This is an important topic for the prelims phase of the exam.
While solving these questions, remember that if similar sign is present between the variables, relationship can be established between them. For instance, A > B > C ≥ D ≥ E, here relationship can be determined for all the given variables.
However, make sure that the similar sign does not break while drawing answer from the conclusions provided. Take the above example, A > B > C ≥ D ≥ E, Here A > D or A > E would be correct but A ≥ D or A ≥ E would be wrong because the sign > breaks the continuity and is replaced by ≥ in the given statement.
Whenever the signs between the variables change for a given statement, relationship cannot be established unless a case of either/ or is given in the conclusion.
Look up the signs present among the various variables (in same direction or different) and then establish the relationship between the non - connected variables.

Coding Decoding -

You may come across questions from this topic as well.
Try to identify the pattern among the different alphabets of the word provided.
If possible, try to write down the sequence from A to Z on the rough sheet, this will help you look up the pattern easily.
In case of coded sentences, look up the common words among various sentences, this will help you spot the codes easily.

Puzzles / Seating Arrangement -

Questions from this topic will be asked in the prelims.
Do not be intimidated by the size or the language of the question.
Read the entire question carefully. Every detail required to form the arrangement is mentioned in the question, you just need to observe properly and implement all the facts logically.
Remember, even when combined with puzzles, the approach of the question will still remain the same as that of normal seating arrangement.
Consider all the possible scenarios which may be formed as per the given question. A lot of the possibilities will cancel out as you move forward with the question.

Syllogism -

You may face syllogism questions as well in the exam, so it would be better to have proper understanding of this topic as well.
Try to use the Venn Diagram approach while attempting these questions.
Do not assume any facts on your own here, stick completely to the information given in the question and proceed accordingly.

IBPS has been surprising the students in many of the exams. We advise you all not to panic if you come across any new question. Remember, they present the question in a different way, but the basics of that topic still remain the same. Process the questions calmly and if you still cannot figure it out, move on to next question.

All the best for your exams..

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