Reasoning and Computer Aptitude
What this section tests
Reasoning and Computer Aptitude in the Federal Bank PO exam mixes puzzle-based logic with everyday computer literacy. The reasoning half typically includes circular and linear seating, floor and box puzzles, scheduling, syllogisms, inequalities, coded blood relations, direction sense, and input–output. The computer half tests hardware, operating systems, MS Office, networking, database basics, and cyber safety rather than programming.
Core rules
- In circular arrangements, fix one person and mark the facing direction; if people face the centre, “left” is clockwise.
- For syllogism, draw the minimum Venn diagram that satisfies the statements. “Only a few A are B” means some A are B and some A are not B.
- In inequality chains, combine only same-direction statements: from P > Q and Q ≥ R, you get P > R.
- In input–output, verify the transformation on each step; do not infer the final arrangement from one line.
- Computer facts: RAM is volatile and ROM is non-volatile; cache is faster than RAM; phishing uses fraudulent messages, while pharming redirects users through corrupted DNS.
Worked example
Statements: P > Q ≥ R = S; T ≤ R. Conclusions: I. P > S. II. T ≤ Q. From P > Q ≥ R = S, P > S, so I follows. From T ≤ R and R ≤ Q, T ≤ Q, so II follows. Both conclusions follow.
Traps that cost marks
Mixing “either–or” with “neither” in syllogism; assuming a clockwise arrangement when the question says facing outward; ignoring “only a few”; and confusing RAM with storage. In computer questions, read whether the ask is about a device, a protocol, or a threat.