Blood relation and family tree questions in SBI PO Prelims consistently rank among the top three time-consuming question types — not because they're conceptually hard, but because most aspirants have no drawing system.
According to SBI PO 2024 paper analysis, family tree questions appear in sets of 4–5 questions, each sharing one passage. Solving the tree correctly once means free marks for the entire set. Getting it wrong means losing all 4–5 in one go.
The fastest solving techniques come down to one principle: build the tree visually in under 30 seconds, then answer all questions in seconds.
- Family tree questions appear as 4–5 question sets in SBI PO Prelims Reasoning
- The Generation Grid method (rows = generations, columns = siblings) eliminates confusion
- Use symbols consistently: square = male, circle = female, horizontal line = married, vertical line = child
- Always decode gender clues first before drawing any relationship
- Two weeks of set-based practice (3 full puzzles/day) is sufficient for full accuracy
Source: SBI PO 2024 official exam notification and paper pattern — sbi.co.in
The Generation Grid: Your Fastest Drawing System
Most aspirants draw family trees randomly, mixing generations on the same horizontal level. This single mistake causes wrong relationship mapping and wasted time re-drawing mid-question.
The Generation Grid fixes this permanently. Draw your tree in strict horizontal rows:
- Row 1 (top): Grandparents generation
- Row 2 (middle): Parents generation
- Row 3 (bottom): Children/current generation
Karan from Ahmedabad cleared SBI PO 2024 after adopting this method: "I used to redraw the tree three times per puzzle. The grid approach meant one clean draw, and I finished each set in under 90 seconds."
Read the entire passage once and underline every gender clue — pronouns (he/she), relationship words (brother/sister, husband/wife). Then assign symbols before drawing a single line. This 10-second step prevents the most common error: assigning the wrong gender mid-tree and having to restart.
The 3 Relationship Shortcuts That Save the Most Time
Shortcut 1: The "Through Whom" Rule
When asked "How is A related to B?", trace the path through a common anchor (usually the person mentioned most). Don't jump between branches — follow one clean vertical/horizontal path.
Shortcut 2: Opposite Gender Flip
If you know the relationship for a male, the female equivalent is automatic:
- Brother ↔ Sister
- Son ↔ Daughter
- Uncle ↔ Aunt
- Nephew ↔ Niece
Shortcut 3: Generation Count for Distant Relations
Count generation gaps first. A person two rows above you is always a grandparent-level relation, regardless of how complex the passage sounds.
SBI PO Family Tree Question Types at a Glance
| Question Type | Frequency | Time Target |
|---|---|---|
| Direct relation (A is B's ___) | High | 15 seconds |
| Mixed gender puzzle set | High | 90 seconds total set |
| Coded relations (+ means son of) | Medium | 45 seconds |
| Number of members in family | Medium | 30 seconds |
| Two-family combined puzzle | Low (Mains) | 2 minutes |
Source: SBI PO 2022–2024 paper analysis, bankersadda.com
Your Action Plan: 2-Week Mastery Schedule
Week 1: Practice standalone relation questions (20/day). Focus on gender decoding and symbol consistency. No timed pressure yet.
Week 2: Shift to full puzzle sets (3 complete sets/day). Time each set. Target: under 2 minutes per 4-question set by Day 14.
In our analysis of 500+ PrepGrind students, those who practiced full sets (not individual questions) improved their family tree accuracy from 58% to 91% within two weeks.
People Also Search For
1. How to score 70 marks in SBI PO prelims?
To score around 70 marks, candidates should focus on high-accuracy attempts and smart time management. Regular mock test practice, quick revision of formulas, and strong basics in reasoning and quantitative aptitude are essential. Improving English comprehension and analysing mistakes after each test helps boost performance. Consistency in preparation is important due to high competition.
2. Are there any tricks to solve blood relation questions in reasoning?
Yes, candidates can solve blood relation questions easily by drawing simple family trees or diagrams. Understanding relation symbols like father, mother, sibling, and generation levels helps avoid confusion. Practising coded and puzzle-based relation questions improves speed. Regular revision strengthens logical thinking and accuracy.
3. How to solve seating arrangement questions in bank exams?
Candidates should first understand the arrangement type such as linear, circular, or square seating. Writing clues step by step and creating rough diagrams helps in solving complex puzzles. Avoid assumptions and verify all conditions before finalising the arrangement. Daily puzzle practice improves speed and confidence.
4. How to solve direction sense questions in reasoning?
Direction questions can be solved by drawing rough sketches and following each movement carefully. Knowing basic concepts like left-right turns, distance calculation, and final direction identification is important. Practising different patterns improves accuracy. Time management helps in solving such questions quickly in exams.
5. What is the table method in syllogism reasoning?
The table method involves organising statements and conclusions in a structured format to check logical relationships. It helps candidates identify valid and invalid conclusions quickly. Understanding concepts like "all," "some," and "no" is essential for correct application. Regular practice improves reasoning speed and performance.
Conclusion: Your Next Step
Family tree questions reward students who have a drawing system, not just reasoning ability. Build your Generation Grid, decode gender first, and use the three relationship shortcuts — these habits turn a 3-minute struggle into a 90-second point collection.
Ready to master SBI PO Reasoning completely? Explore PrepGrind's SBI PO Reasoning module — with 200+ family tree puzzle sets, timed mock drills, and step-by-step video solutions designed by Bank PO toppers.