Last-minute tips and Strategy for the Quant Section - IBPS PO 2025 (Prelim and Main)

Last-minute tips and Strategy for the Quant Section – IBPS PO 2025 (Prelim and Main)

 

The Quantitative Aptitude section of the IBPS PO 2025 Prelim exam comprises 35 questions, and the marks allotted are 30. The total time allotted for the Quantitative Aptitude Section is 20 minutes, after which the test-taker will not be allowed to go back to this part of the exam. One must utilise these 20 minutes effectively and efficiently. Besides getting a competitive score overall, one must clear the sectional cut-off in the Prelim exam to qualify for the Main exam.

The section of the IBPS PO 2025 Main exam known as Data Analysis and Interpretation comprises 35 questions, with a maximum of 50 marks. There MAY be a variable marking scheme in this exam. For this section, 45 minutes is allotted. There are minimum qualifying marks for individual tests in the Main exam.

There is a negative marking scheme in both the Prelim and the Main exams, where 1/4th of the marks assigned for a question are deducted for each wrongly marked response.

Candidates should focus on the following question types for the Prelim exam:

  • Simplifications

  • Approximations

  • Number Series (missing and wrong numbers)

  • Quadratic Comparison

  • Data Interpretation

  • Individual quant questions on Arithmetic

In addition to the above question types, the following are important for the Main examination.

  • Data Sufficiency (important for the Main exam; very rarely asked in the Prelim exam)

  • Data Comparison (important for the Main exam, sometimes asked in the Prelim exam) 

  • Caselets/tables/graphs based on Arithmetic topics like Profit and Loss, Partnership, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Mensuration, and Probability.

  • Match the values in column I and column II (based on Arithmetic topics).

  • Condition-based questions on Number Series and Quadratic Equations.

Data Interpretation: In the Prelim exam, about 10 – 17 questions were asked, and in the Main exam, 10 – 19 questions were asked from this area in the last three years.

In the Prelim exam, questions on Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Caselets, and Single Pie charts are usually asked. In 2024, there were 15 questions across various slots on data interpretation.

In the Main exam, question types include a combination of graphs. Caselet-based questions have been asked almost every year in the last three years. Questions based on caselets should be attempted towards the end.

In the last three years, each year, five questions based on missing data table, Condition-based Number series, and Data Sufficiency (Three Statements) were given. One must be thorough with basic concepts of Quantitative Ability to attempt these question types accurately.

Simplifications & Approximations:

Questions based on Simplifications and Approximations are asked quite frequently in the Prelim exam and are usually 5 to 6 in number. However, in the Main exam, these questions are rare. They are easy to solve and hence, students should not skip them.

To answer questions on Simplifications & Approximations and Data Interpretation, students should learn and practice the following:

  • Multiplication Tables (20 X 20)

  • Squares of the first 25 Natural numbers

  • Cubes of the first 20 Natural numbers

  • Powers of 2 (up to 12)

  • Powers of 3 (up to 7)

  • Fraction / Reciprocal values (up to 12)

  • Complements of 100

  • BODMAS

  • Rules of Indices

  • Basic percentage concepts

Arithmetic Questions:

Questions given here, though, test one’s knowledge of fundamental concepts but on some occasions, one requires a deep understanding to answer a question. These questions are important for both the Prelim and the Main examinations.

In the Prelim exams, a minimum of 8 questions and a maximum of 13 questions, based on Arithmetic, have been asked in the last three years.

In the Main exam, a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 19 questions, based on Arithmetic, which includes questions on caselets, have been asked in the last three years. Significantly, caselets based on arithmetic topics like Partnerships, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Averages, Mixtures and Alligations, and Mensuration were asked from 2022 to 2024.

Important topics include – Ages, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Partnership, Time & Work, Trains, Boats & Streams, Mensuration, Simple & Compound Interest, Averages, Mixtures & Alligations, Permutations and Combinations, Probability, etc.

Number Series: Generally, there are five questions on Number Series (missing or wrong numbers). These are important for both the Prelim and the Main examinations. In the Prelim exam, these questions are easy. In the Main exam, the questions based on Condition-based Number Series were asked, which were difficult to solve.

Quadratic Comparison: Questions on Quadratic comparisons appear in both the Prelim and Main exams. The questions asked in the Prelim Exam are easy, so candidates must attempt them. However, in the Main exam, these questions are time-consuming but doable.

Data Sufficiency & Data Comparison: These questions are a regular feature in the Main exam. Questions based on Data Sufficiency can be based on two or three statements.

Questions based on Data Comparison involve comparing two quantities or three quantities. These questions demand a thorough understanding of the basics and are tricky to solve. At times, both these question types can be asked in the Prelim exam as well, but their difficulty level would certainly be much lower, keeping in mind the basic nature of the exam. But in the last three years, no questions were asked on Data Sufficiency and Data Comparison in the Prelim exam.

The following table presents a topic-wise split of question types asked in the IBPS (PO) Prelim and Main exams in the years 2024, 2023 & 2022. [This data is based on feedback given by T.I.M.E. students who appeared for such exams earlier]

Area

(Quantitative Aptitude)

 

IBPS PO Prelim 2024

(Inclusive of all slots)

IBPS PO Prelim 2023

(Inclusive of all slots)

IBPS PO Prelim 2022

(Inclusive of all slots)

Overall

(Inclusive of all slots)

Data Interpretation

13 – 17

(Table, Pie chart, Bar/Line graph, Caselet)

10 – 12

(Table, Double Pie chart, Bar graph)

10 – 12

(Table, Pie chart, Bar graph)

10 – 17 (Line graph, Pie chart + table, Pie chart, Bar + Table, Table, Caselet)

Number Series

0 – 5 (Missing/ Wrong)

5 – 6 (Missing/ Wrong)

5 – 6 (Missing / Wrong)

5 – 6 (Missing / Wrong)

Arithmetic

10 – 13

12 – 13

12 – 13

10 – 13

Quadratic Equations

5 – 6

5 – 6

6

5 – 6

Simplifications/ Approximations

0 - 5

0 - 5

0 - 5

0-5

Data Sufficiency

0

0

0

0

Data Comparison

0

0

0

0

Total

35 questions

(35 Marks)

35 questions

(35 Marks)

35 questions (35 Marks)

35 questions (35 Marks)

 


Area

(Data Analysis & Interpretation)

IBPS PO Main 2024

IBPS PO Main 2023

IBPS PO Main 2022

Overall

Data Interpretation

23 (Table+Line(Arith) – 4 Q’s; Caselet - 5 Q’s + 4 Q’s; Line + Pie Chart – 5 Q’s; Caselet(Arith) – 5 Q’s)

16 (Pie Chart Ds Based - 3 Q's; Table - 3Q's(Time and Distance), Table - 5Q's, Line Graph - 5 Q's;)

10 (Two Pie-5Q, Table-5Q)

10 – 23

 

Condition-based Number Series


5

5

2 - 3

2 – 5

Arithmetic

 

 

 

 

3

 

Caselet - 3 Q's (Time and Distance); Mensuration Caselet - 2 Q's)

15 - 19 (TW Caselet-3, Boats and Stream Caselet-4, Partnership Caselet-2, Profit and Loss Caselet-2, Mensuration Caselet-3, Individual Quest-5)

3 – 19 (Arithmetic topic based caselets)

Quadratic Equations

2

 

3 Condition Based

2 – 3 Condition Based

2 – 3 Condition Based

Data Sufficiency

2

2 – 3 (3 statements)

2 – 3 (3 statements)

2 – 5 (3 statements)

Data Comparison

0

2 – 3

0

0 – 3

Total

35 questions

(60 Marks)

35 questions

(60 Marks)

35 questions (60 Marks)

35 questions (60 Marks)


Strategy & Time Management:

To maximise your score and manage time effectively, we recommend the following plan for attempting questions.

It is advisable to attempt questions on Simplifications & Approximations, Number Series, Quadratic Comparisons, individual questions on Arithmetic, Data Comparisons and Data Sufficiency first, before moving on to those on Data Interpretation.

Questions on Data Interpretation should be targeted at the end. Among these questions, Caselet-based questions should be attempted last.

Some useful Tips:

  • Going through the Analyses of previous years’ papers will help you understand what topics were asked in the exams, the weightage of questions from each topic, the pattern of questions, etc.

  • Whether a sectional time limit is specified or not, time management, speed, and accuracy play an important role in helping you clear your exams. Work on your speed and accuracy.

  • Practice questions daily. This will give you an edge over others who are appearing for the exams.

  • Tracking your performance regularly helps you identify the areas/topics in which you are weak and need to boost your preparation.

  • Answering the questions in a particular sequence, to maximise your attempts and your score, is very important. See the order given above.

  • Take ample online tests, topic-wise as well as Mock Tests – these will help you understand your preparation levels and also assist you in time management so that when you go for the actual exam, you attempt it with confidence.