The IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Exam 2024 is an important gateway for candidates aspiring to work in various Regional Rural Banks across India. The exam tests a candidate’s aptitude and reasoning ability through a variety of questions. On 2nd January 2024, the Shift 1 of the IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims was conducted, and it provided insights into the patterns, difficulty levels, and question types that candidates can expect in future shifts.
In this blog, we will conduct a thorough analysis of the IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Exam 2024, focusing on the questions asked, the level of difficulty, and the good attempts for the first shift. This blog will help candidates strategize their approach, revise essential topics, and understand the exam’s overall structure. We will also present the analysis in tables for easy reference.
The IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Exam 2024 is conducted to recruit candidates for the position of Clerk in various Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across the country. The exam consists of two primary sections: Reasoning Ability and Numerical Ability. These sections assess the candidate’s proficiency in logical reasoning and quantitative aptitude, which are essential for day-to-day banking tasks.
The IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims is the first stage of the selection process, followed by the Main Exam and Interview (in some cases). A candidate must clear the Prelims to appear for the Main Exam.
The IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Exam follows a specific pattern designed to assess a candidate’s basic aptitude and reasoning skills. The pattern is as follows:
Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Reasoning Ability | 40 | 40 | 45 minutes |
Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | 45 minutes |
Total | 80 | 80 | 45 minutes |
The Shift 1 of the IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Exam on 2nd January 2024 had a moderate level of difficulty. The Reasoning Ability section was slightly more challenging than the Numerical Ability section, with the majority of the candidates reporting a moderate-to-difficult exam experience.
Let’s now take a closer look at the questions asked in both sections of the exam.
The Reasoning Ability section was composed of a variety of question types designed to test candidates’ logical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities. Here’s a breakdown of the types of questions that appeared in this section:
Type of Question | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
---|---|---|---|
Sitting Arrangement | 10 (Circular & Linear) | Moderate | Focused on complex conditions and multiple variables. |
Blood Relations | 5 | Easy to Moderate | Required understanding of family relationships. |
Direction Sense | 5 | Easy | Simple calculations on direction movement. |
Coding-Decoding | 5 | Moderate | Pattern-based decoding questions. |
Alphanumeric Series | 5 | Moderate | Series patterns involving numbers and alphabets. |
Inequality | 5 | Easy | Quick calculations on symbol relations. |
Total | 40 | Moderate | Logical and well-distributed question types. |
The Numerical Ability section focused on basic arithmetic and quantitative aptitude. The questions were primarily based on simplification, data interpretation, and word problems. Here’s a breakdown:
Type of Question | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
---|---|---|---|
Simplification/Approximation | 10 | Easy | Quick calculations involving basic operations. |
Number Series | 5 | Moderate | Pattern recognition involving numbers. |
Data Interpretation (DI) | 10 | Moderate | Includes tables, bar graphs, and percentage-based questions. |
Arithmetic Word Problems | 10 | Moderate | Involves percentage, profit & loss, time & work, etc. |
Ratio & Proportion | 5 | Easy to Moderate | Basic calculations involving ratios. |
Total | 40 | Moderate | A mix of easy and moderately difficult questions. |
Based on feedback from candidates who appeared for Shift 1, the overall difficulty level of the exam was rated as moderate. Below is a detailed analysis of the difficulty level for each section.
Section | Difficulty Level | Key Points |
---|---|---|
Reasoning Ability | Moderate | The puzzles and sitting arrangements took more time, but were manageable. |
Numerical Ability | Moderate | DI and word problems increased the difficulty, but the section was manageable for well-prepared candidates. |
Overall | Moderate | Balanced mix of easy and moderate questions, but time management was crucial. |
The term good attempts refers to the number of questions a candidate can reasonably attempt with accuracy within the given time. For the Shift 1 of the IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Exam 2024, the good attempts are as follows:
Section | Good Attempts (Range) |
---|---|
Reasoning Ability | 28-34 |
Numerical Ability | 30-35 |
Total | 60-70 |
These are the ranges of good attempts based on the difficulty of the exam. Candidates who attempted 60 or more questions with high accuracy can expect to perform well in the exam.
The cut-off for any IBPS exam is determined by factors like the difficulty level of the paper, the number of candidates, and the overall performance of the candidates. Based on the difficulty level and the analysis of the good attempts, here is an estimated cut-off for the Shift 1 (02 Jan 2024):
Category | Expected Cut-off Range |
---|---|
General Category | 70-75 |
OBC Category | 65-70 |
SC Category | 60-65 |
ST Category | 55-60 |
EWS Category | 68-73 |
These are estimated figures, and the actual cut-off may vary depending on various factors like the number of candidates appearing and the difficulty of the paper in subsequent shifts.
As the IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Exam continues through multiple shifts, candidates can improve their preparation using these strategies:
Time Management: Practice time-bound mock tests to ensure you can attempt all questions within the 45-minute time limit.Focus on Weak Areas: If you find the Reasoning Ability or Numerical Ability sections difficult, dedicate more time to practicing puzzles, number series, and data interpretation.Revise Key Topics: Focus on topics like Blood Relations, Simplification, Time and Work, and Profit and Loss, as these are commonly asked.Mock Tests: Take at least 2-3 mock tests each week and analyze your mistakes to improve your accuracy.Stay Calm and Positive: Stay focused during the exam and don’t panic. If you don’t know the answer to a question, skip it and come back later.
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