Previous year questions · IBPS Clerk - Prelims

IBPS Clerk - Prelims Reasoning Ability — Previous Year Questions

260 Reasoning Ability questions asked in past IBPS Clerk - Prelims papers, split into 26 timed practice sets — every question with its answer and explanation.

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About IBPS Clerk - Prelims Reasoning Ability previous year questions

This page collects every Reasoning Ability question that has appeared in past IBPS Clerk - Prelims papers on AajExam — 260 questions in total, organised into 26 short, timed practice sets. Each question is shown with its four options, the correct answer, and an explanation of the reasoning, so you can use the page either as a self-test or as a revision reference. Why previous year questions are the highest-value Reasoning Ability preparation you can do for IBPS Clerk - Prelims: recruitment boards reuse a stable pool of concepts across cycles. The wording changes, the underlying idea rarely does. Working through a few hundred genuine past Reasoning Ability questions teaches you which sub-topics the paper actually rewards, how the examiner likes to frame distractors, and roughly how long each question type should take — none of which a syllabus document can tell you. How to use this page: attempt questions in blocks of ten without looking at the answers, then review every question you got wrong or guessed. Read the explanation for the concept, not just the answer letter. When a concept keeps catching you out, open the related topic page linked below and drill that single area before returning here. Repeat across the full bank, and track how your accuracy on the second pass compares with your first — a 15-20% improvement is normal and is the clearest sign your preparation is working. What is in this bank: the questions are transcribed from actual IBPS Clerk - Prelims question papers, kept in the original order and wording, with solutions written by subject specialists. Sets are free to attempt, work on mobile, and need no login to read. If you would rather practise a complete paper end to end under exam conditions, the full IBPS Clerk - Prelims previous-year papers are linked below as well.

Reasoning Ability PYQs asked in IBPS Clerk - Prelims

A sample of 30 questions from the full bank of 260. Try each one before opening the solution — the remaining questions are in the timed practice sets below.

Q1.The musician's soulful performance and heartfelt lyrics connection with the audience. severed
- A.forged
- B.ramify
- C.disrupted
- D.disenchanted
- E._________________ a deep emotional
Show answer
Answer: B. ramify
Q2.The sudden economic downturn _________________ a wave of uncertainty among investors and business owners. ignited
- A.alleviated
- B.fortified
- C.depleted
- D.fostered
- E.Directions (96-100): Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is ‘No error’, the answer is (e). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).
Show answer
Answer: A. alleviated
Q3.In the pond, the (A)/ small guppy flapped (B)/ his tailfin back and forth (C)/ to swim next to the bigger fish.(D)
- A.A
- B.B
- C.C
- D.D
- E.No Error
Show answer
Answer: C. C
Q4.Since the police has not (A)/ given a statement yet, the (B)/ reporter can only make a (C)/ conjecture about the crisis (D).
- A.A
- B.B
- C.C
- D.D
- E.No Error
Show answer
Answer: A. A
Q5.An oculist is a (A)/ medical professional who (B)/ specializes in diseases associated (C)/ for the eyes (D).
- A.A
- B.B
- C.C
- D.D
- E.No Error
Show answer
Answer: D. D
Q6.The investor sold all (A)/ of his stocks after having (B)/ a premonition about (C)/ the market crashes (D).
- A.A
- B.B
- C.C
- D.D
- E.No Error
Show answer
Answer: D. D
Q7.If logical minds do not (A)/ prevail, a major war will (B)/ break out between the two (C)/ largest gangs in the city (D). A
- A.B
- B.C
- C.D
- D.No Error
- E.SolutionsSolutions
Show answer
Answer: E. SolutionsSolutions
Q8.Find the odd one out? DGJE KNQL UXZU CFID
- A.MPSN
- B.Direction (67-70): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below:
- C.A certain number of persons sit in a row and all of them face towards the north. Q sits second to the right of M. Two persons sit between J and Q. W sits second to the right of J and sits third from the extreme right end. Five persons sit between W and S. The number of persons sits to the left of S is same as the number of persons sits to the right of W. K is the only neighbour of P. K sits to the right of J.
- D.Adda247 | No. 1 APP for Banking & SSC Preparation
- E.1515[[IMG:image5.jpeg]
Show answer
Answer: C. A certain number of persons sit in a row and all of them face towards the north. Q sits second to the right of M. Two persons sit between J and Q. W sits second to the right of J and sits third from the extreme right end. Five persons sit between W and S. The number of persons sits to the left of S is same as the number of persons sits to the right of W. K is the only neighbour of P. K sits to the right of J.
Q9.How many persons sit in the row? 15 15
- A.13
- B.11
- C.10
- D.15
- E.17
Show answer
Answer: B. 11
Q10.What is the position of Q with respect to W?
- A.Fourth to the left
- B.Fifth to the right
- C.Second to the right
- D.Fifth to the left
- E.Third to the left
Show answer
Answer: D. Fifth to the left
Q11.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G Which of the following element is 3rd from the right of the element which is 11th from the left end?
- A.M
- B.I
- C.A
- D.6
- E.R
Show answer
Answer: E. R
Q12.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G How many such numbers are there in the above arrangement, each of which is immediately preceded by a consonant and also immediately followed by a consonant?
- A.Three
- B.One
- C.Two
- D.Four
- E.None of these
Show answer
Answer: C. Two
Q13.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G If in the number 485794362, 1 is added to each of the digit which is placed at even position and 1 is subtracted from each of the digit which is placed at odd position then how many digits are repeating in the number thus formed?
- A.Only 5
- B.Both 1 & 2
- C.Only 8
- D.Both 1 & 7
- E.None of these
Show answer
Answer: A. Only 5
Q14.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G Find the odd one out?
- A.BEH
- B.JMP
- C.TWZ
- D.CFI
- E.KOP
Show answer
Answer: A. BEH
Q15.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G QUANTITATIVE APTITUDEQUANTITATIVE APTITUDE QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE 33Direction (36-45) : Find the value of (?) in the following questions 3 3 √124+? +169 = 18
- A.34
- B.31
- C.33
- D.35
- E.32
Show answer
Answer: B. 31
Q16.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G 136 ÷ 22 ×? = 17% of 500 ÷ 10
- A.0.75
- B.1.33
- C.0.25
- D.1.66
- E.0.5
Show answer
Answer: C. 0.25
Q17.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G 115 ÷ 5 + 12 × 6 =? +64 ÷ 4 − 35
- A.114
- B.118
- C.108
- D.116
- E.111
Show answer
Answer: E. 111
Q18.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G 41% of 600 − 250 =? −77% of 900
- A.693
- B.675
- C.684
- D.679
- E.689
Show answer
Answer: B. 675
Q19.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G Adda247 | No. 1 APP for Banking & SSC Preparation 360 = 73 + 33 ? 43. (2744)1/3 + (18)2 − 121 = ? −69 × 5
- A.3.4
- B.4.3
- C.3.1
- D.3.6
- E.3.9
Show answer
Answer: C. 3.1
Q20.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G 41.41.1 3 2 5 41. 41. − + 4 =? +
- A.658
- B.568
- C.666
- D.656
- E.562
Show answer
Answer: A. 658
Q21.Direction (21-25): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: Eight persons i.e. F, J, K, M, N, P, S and V are sitting around a square table. Four of them are sitting at the corners and remaining are sitting at the middle side of the table. The persons sitting at the corners faces away from the center and the persons sitting at the middle sides of the table faces towards the center. All the information is not necessarily in the same order. F sits at the middle side of the table. N sits at the immediate left of V. Two persons sit between F and J. V sits at the immediate right of J. Three persons sit between S and N. M is an immediate neighbor of S. M is not an immediate neighbor of J. P faces inside. Four of the following five are alike in a certain way and hence form a group, which of the following does not belong to the group?
- A.S
- B.F
- C.J
- D.K
- E.N
Show answer
Answer: B. F
Q22.Direction (21-25): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: Eight persons i.e. F, J, K, M, N, P, S and V are sitting around a square table. Four of them are sitting at the corners and remaining are sitting at the middle side of the table. The persons sitting at the corners faces away from the center and the persons sitting at the middle sides of the table faces towards the center. All the information is not necessarily in the same order. F sits at the middle side of the table. N sits at the immediate left of V. Two persons sit between F and J. V sits at the immediate right of J. Three persons sit between S and N. M is an immediate neighbor of S. M is not an immediate neighbor of J. P faces inside.
- A.P sits second to the left of V
- B.N is an immediate neighbor of S
- C.Two persons sit between P and V
- D.M sits opposite to N
- E.J sits opposite to K.
Show answer
Answer: C. Two persons sit between P and V
Q23.Direction (21-25): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: Eight persons i.e. F, J, K, M, N, P, S and V are sitting around a square table. Four of them are sitting at the corners and remaining are sitting at the middle side of the table. The persons sitting at the corners faces away from the center and the persons sitting at the middle sides of the table faces towards the center. All the information is not necessarily in the same order. F sits at the middle side of the table. N sits at the immediate left of V. Two persons sit between F and J. V sits at the immediate right of J. Three persons sit between S and N. M is an immediate neighbor of S. M is not an immediate neighbor of J. P faces inside. Who among the following is sitting second to the left of M?
- A.P
- B.V
- C.J
- D.F
- E.None of these
Show answer
Answer: E. None of these
Q24.Direction (21-25): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: Eight persons i.e. F, J, K, M, N, P, S and V are sitting around a square table. Four of them are sitting at the corners and remaining are sitting at the middle side of the table. The persons sitting at the corners faces away from the center and the persons sitting at the middle sides of the table faces towards the center. All the information is not necessarily in the same order. F sits at the middle side of the table. N sits at the immediate left of V. Two persons sit between F and J. V sits at the immediate right of J. Three persons sit between S and N. M is an immediate neighbor of S. M is not an immediate neighbor of J. P faces inside. Who among the following is sitting opposite to P?
- A.V
- B.J
- C.F
- D.M
- E.None of these
Show answer
Answer: A. V
Q25.Direction (26-28): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: There are seven members in a family of three generation. A is mother of P. P is brother of G. K is married to G. S is aunt of M. K is child of L. S is sister of K.
- A.Grand daughter
- B.Grand son
- C.Son-in-law
- D.Daughter-in-law
- E.Can’t be determined
Show answer
Answer: E. Can’t be determined
Q26.Direction (26-28): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: There are seven members in a family of three generation. A is mother of P. P is brother of G. K is married to G. S is aunt of M. K is child of L. S is sister of K. If A is married to R , then how R is related to M?
- A.Grand father
- B.Brother-in-law
- C.Uncle
- D.None of these
- E.Can’t be
Show answer
Answer: D. None of these
Q27.Direction (26-28): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: There are seven members in a family of three generation. A is mother of P. P is brother of G. K is married to G. S is aunt of M. K is child of L. S is sister of K. determined How S is related to G?
- A.Sister
- B.Sister-in-law
- C.Aunt
- D.Mother-in-law
- E.None of these
Show answer
Answer: B. Sister-in-law
Q28.Direction (26-28): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: There are seven members in a family of three generation. A is mother of P. P is brother of G. K is married to G. S is aunt of M. K is child of L. S is sister of K. If it is possible to make only one meaningful word with the 2nd , 5th, 8th and 9th letters of the word ‘TRANSLATION’ which would be the second letter of the word from the left? If more than one such word can be formed give ‘Y’ as the answer. If no such word can be formed, give ‘Z’ as your answer.
- A.Y
- B.S
- C.T
- D.Z
- E.R
Show answer
Answer: E. R
Q29.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G If all the numbers are remove from the series, then which of the following element is 10th from the left end?
- A.R
- B.F
- C.M
- D.B
- E.U
Show answer
Answer: A. R
Q30.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G How many alphabets according to the English dictionary are between the elements which is 7th from the left end and 9th from the right end?
- A.Five
- B.Three
- C.Seven
- D.Ten
- E.Eight
Show answer
Answer: C. Seven

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many IBPS Clerk - Prelims Reasoning Ability previous year questions are available?

260 Reasoning Ability questions from past IBPS Clerk - Prelims papers are available on AajExam, split into 26 practice sets. New questions are added as fresh papers are released.

Are the answers and explanations free?

Yes. Every question on this page shows its correct answer and explanation free of charge, and you do not need an account to read them. A free account only adds attempt tracking and performance analytics.

Do IBPS Clerk - Prelims repeat questions from previous years?

Exact repeats do occur, but the more reliable pattern is conceptual: the same Reasoning Ability sub-topics reappear cycle after cycle with reworded questions. That is why working through past questions raises your score more reliably than reading theory alone.

How should I use these questions in my IBPS Clerk - Prelims preparation?

Attempt a set of ten cold, review every wrong and guessed question with its explanation, then drill the weak sub-topic on its topic page before moving on. Revisit the same set after a few days — your second-attempt accuracy is the honest measure of whether the concept stuck.

IBPS Clerk - Prelims Reasoning Ability practice sets

Each set is a timed 10-question drill drawn from the same question bank.

About IBPS Clerk - Prelims Reasoning Ability previous year questions

Reasoning Ability PYQs asked in IBPS Clerk - Prelims

Q1.The musician's soulful performance and heartfelt lyrics connection with the audience. severed

Q2.The sudden economic downturn _________________ a wave of uncertainty among investors and business owners. ignited

Q3.In the pond, the (A)/ small guppy flapped (B)/ his tailfin back and forth (C)/ to swim next to the bigger fish.(D)

Q4.Since the police has not (A)/ given a statement yet, the (B)/ reporter can only make a (C)/ conjecture about the crisis (D).

Q5.An oculist is a (A)/ medical professional who (B)/ specializes in diseases associated (C)/ for the eyes (D).

Q6.The investor sold all (A)/ of his stocks after having (B)/ a premonition about (C)/ the market crashes (D).

Q7.If logical minds do not (A)/ prevail, a major war will (B)/ break out between the two (C)/ largest gangs in the city (D). A

Q8.Find the odd one out? DGJE KNQL UXZU CFID

Q9.How many persons sit in the row? 15 15

Q10.What is the position of Q with respect to W?

Q11.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G Which of the following element is 3rd from the right of the element which is 11th from the left end?

Q14.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G Find the odd one out?

Q16.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G 136 ÷ 22 ×? = 17% of 500 ÷ 10

Q17.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G 115 ÷ 5 + 12 × 6 =? +64 ÷ 4 − 35

Q18.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G 41% of 600 − 250 =? −77% of 900

Q19.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G Adda247 | No. 1 APP for Banking & SSC Preparation 360 = 73 + 33 ? 43. (2744)1/3 + (18)2 − 121 = ? −69 × 5

Q20.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G 41.41.1 3 2 5 41. 41. − + 4 =? +

Q25.Direction (26-28): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below: There are seven members in a family of three generation. A is mother of P. P is brother of G. K is married to G. S is aunt of M. K is child of L. S is sister of K.

Q29.Directions (30-33): These questions are based on the following arrangement. Study the arrangement carefully to answer these questions. R Q D 8 H 9 L O P T E F M 6 I A 7 J 5 4 B U 2 G If all the numbers are remove from the series, then which of the following element is 10th from the left end?

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