IBPS Clerk 2025 – Strategy and last-minute tips for the Numerical Ability / Quantitative Aptitude Section

This section of the IBPS Clerk 2025 Prelim exam comprises 35 questions that are to be attempted in 20 minutes. Till the year 2024, the IBPS Clerk Main exam comprises 50 questions that need to be attempted in 45 minutes, but in 2025, the IBPS Clerk Main exam comprises 35 questions that need to be attempted in 30 minutes. There is no change in the maximum marks of 50. This section is called ‘Numerical Ability’ in the Prelim exam and ‘Quantitative Aptitude’ in the Main exam.

There is a negative marking scheme, where 1/4th of the marks assigned for a question are deducted for each wrongly marked response. Each candidate will be required to obtain a minimum score in each test of the Online Prelim and Main Examination, and also a minimum total score to be decided by IBPS.

The students should focus on the following question types:

• Simplifications
• Approximations
• Number Series (Missing and Wrong Numbers)
• Data Interpretation
• Quadratic Comparisons
• Individual quant questions on Arithmetic
• Data Sufficiency (Important for Main exam; very rarely asked in Prelim exam)
• Data Comparison (Important for Main exam; very rarely asked in Prelim exam)

Data Interpretation:

Questions on Data Interpretation carry more weightage in the Main exam than in the Prelim exam. In the Prelim exam, questions on single graphs like Table, Bar Graph, Line Graph, and Single Pie chart are asked, whereas in the Main exam, question types include a combination of graphs like Table + Bar Graph, Table + Line graph, two pie charts, Caselet, etc. The questions based on the Caselet should be attempted at the end. In recent exams, questions based on Quant-based DI (Time & Distance, Averages, Mixtures and Allegations, Mensuration, etc) have also been asked. One must be thorough with the basic concepts of Quantitative Aptitude to attempt these question types accurately.

Simplifications & Approximations:

Questions based on Simplifications and Approximations are asked quite frequently in the Prelim exam and carry more weightage here than they do in the Main exam. In the main exam, about five questions can be posed. These questions 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 (20x20)
• 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
• Percentage concepts

Arithmetic Questions:

Questions here test the understanding of the fundamental concepts of a student. These questions are important for both the Prelim and the Main examinations.

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

Number Series:

Generally, there are five questions on Number Series (Missing & Wrong No.). These are important for both the Prelim and the Main examinations. In the mains exams, the pattern of number series is different from that of the Prelims and is of a higher level of difficulty.

Quadratic Comparisons:

There are five questions on Quadratic Comparisons in the Prelim exam in almost all the slots. At times, in the main exam, about 5 questions can be posed. These are easy to solve, and students should look to score maximum marks from this topic. However, in the mains exams, the presentation of questions is different from that of Prelims and is of a higher level of difficulty. It is more time-consuming.

Data Sufficiency & Data Comparison:

Questions based on Data Sufficiency & Data Comparisons are in general, a part of the Main exam. These questions demand a thorough understanding of the basics and are tricky to solve.

Topic-wise split of question types (IBPS Clerk Prelim 2024, 2023, 2022):

Topic	2024 Prelim	2023 Prelim	2022 Prelim	Overall
Simplifications	15	10	15	10 – 15
Number Series	5 (Missing)	5 (Missing)	5 (Missing)	5
Quadratic Comparisons	0	0	0	0
Data Interpretation	5 (Line Graph)	5	6	5 – 6
Individual Quant Questions	10	10	9	9 – 10
Total	35 Questions	35 Questions	35 Questions	35 Questions

The following table represents a topic-wise split of question types asked in the IBPS Clerk 2024, 2023, and 2022 main exams. [This is based on feedback given by T.I.M.E. students who have appeared for such exams earlier]

Topic	2024 Main	2023 Main	2022 Main	Overall (Comprising all slots)
Approximations	5	5	3	3-5
Quadratic Equations	5 (New pattern)	4 (New pattern)	4	4–5
Number Series	5 (Set-based)	5 (Set based) (2 + 3)	3 (Set-based)	3–5
Data Interpretation	20 (Bar graph, Pie + Table Caselets (Quant based))	20 (Pie Chart + Table - 5 Q's; Missing Table - 5Q's; Caselet - 5 Q’s; Pie Chart - 5 Q's)	20 (Missing Data Table - 5 Q's, Line Graph 5 Q's, Pie chart - 5 Q's; Caselet - 5 Q's)	20
Individual Quant Questions	9	10	17	9 – 17
Data Sufficiency	3 (3 statements)	3 (2 Statements)	3 (2 Statements)	3
Data Comparison	3 (2 quantity)	3 (2 Quantity comparison)	0	0 – 3
Total	50 Questions	50 Questions	50 Questions	50 Questions

Strategy & Time-Management:

To maximise the score and to manage time effectively, we recommend the below mentioned plan for attempting questions.

• First attempt: Simplifications & Approximations, Number Series, Quadratic Comparisons, Individual questions on Arithmetic, Data Comparisons and Data Sufficiency.
• Then attempt: Data Interpretation questions.
• Within Data Interpretation, attempt Quant-based DI and Caselet-based questions last.

Some useful Tips:

• Go through the analyses of previous years’ papers to 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.
• Practise questions daily. This will give you an edge over others who are appearing for these exams.
• Track your performance regularly to identify the areas/topics in which you are weak and need to boost your preparation.
• Answer the questions in a particular sequence to maximise your attempts and your score. 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 assist you in time management so that when you go for the actual exam, you give it a shot with confidence.

All the Best!!