The IBPS RRB Clerk Mains exam has consistently tested candidates across Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge. Analyzing the last three years’ papers (2022–2024) helps aspirants identify high-frequency topics, question patterns, and actionable strategies for preparation.
IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Analysis Trend of Last 3 Years (2022–2024)
The IBPS RRB Clerk Mains exam has maintained a consistent structure over the last three years, while incorporating subtle shifts in question patterns and topics. By analyzing trends from 2022 to 2024, aspirants can identify high-frequency areas, recurring question types, and emerging topics across Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge.
1. Reasoning Ability Trends
Reasoning continues to be puzzle-dominated, with 5–6 major puzzle sets contributing 20–30 questions
- Core puzzles/arrangements appear every year: Floor/Flat, Month/Day, Designation, Box, Linear, Circular, and Uncertain persons.
- Syllogism, Direction–Distance, Blood Relation are consistent but in small numbers (1–5 Qs).
- New-age elements like Chinese or condition-based coding and Data Sufficiency are emerging since 2023.
- Prepare 6–7 puzzle types thoroughly, as they form the backbone of the reasoning section.
| Year | Key Puzzle/Arrangement Types | Questions from Puzzles |
Other Major Topics (Qs)
|
| 2022 | Sequencing; Circular (11, facing center); Linear (9, N/S); Day–Color; Designation–City; Uncertain persons | 25–30 |
Direction & Distance – 4; Inequality – 5; Blood Relation – 1
|
| 2023 | Box-based (10 boxes); Floor–Flat (3×2, cities); Designation/Post (9 posts); Circle (8, in/out); Month-based (Mar–Sep) | 25 |
Syllogism – 3–4; Direction & Distance – 1–2; Blood Relation – 3; Chinese Coding – 5; Word-based – 1; Uncertain line – 1
|
| 2024 | Floor–Flat; Age-based; Month-based; Uncertain persons; Linear (9, N/S); Circular | 30 (6 sets + uncertain) |
Syllogism – 3; Data Sufficiency – 2; Condition-based Coding – 4; Number-based – 1; Pair formation – 1
|
2. Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability Trends
The QA section maintains a stable structure: 3 sets of DI + Arithmetic + 1–2 small topics (series/approx/simplification).
- DI questions have slightly increased (18 in 2024 vs 15 earlier).
- Arithmetic remains stable at 10–12 questions; focus on P&L, SI/CI, TSD, Time & Work, Partnership, Mensuration, Ratio & Percentage.
- Series/Approx/Simplification are always 8–10 combined, with the flavor changing yearly:
- 2022: Quadratic + Missing series
- 2023: Approx + Missing series + 1 Quadratic
- 2024: Simplification + Wrong number series
| Year | DI Pattern | Series / Approx. / Other |
Arithmetic Focus
|
| 2022 | Caselet – 5; Tabular – 5; Pie + Line – 5 | Missing Series – 5; Quadratic – 5 |
10 Qs: Percentage, P&L, Mixtures, S-T-D, Partnership, Train, Mensuration
|
| 2023 | Line Graph – 5–6; Tabular (Business/Economy) – 5; Total DI – 15 | Approx – 5; Missing Series – 5; Quadratic – 1 |
10 Qs: Avg, Percentage, TSD, CI/SI, P&L, Time & Work, Partnership, Age, Mensuration
|
| 2024 | Line Graph – 6; Tabular – 6; Caselet – 6 | Wrong Number Series – 4; Simplification – 6 |
12 Qs: Same core Arithmetic chapters
|
3. English Language Trends
English remains Easy to Moderate, with a consistent mix of RC, grammar, vocab, and rearrangement/jumble questions.
- RC is always 10–12 questions, generally on general topics like environment or social themes.
- Grammar (Error Detection) is fixed at 5 questions.
- Vocab & fillers combined contribute 15–20 questions.
- Rearrangement/Para-based questions are 9–10 per year.
| Year | RC | Grammar & Error | Vocab / Word-based | Rearrangement / Para Types | Other |
| 2022 | 12 Qs; single RC | Error Detection – 5 | Misspelt – 2; Fillers – 6; Cloze – 6 | Sentence Rearrangement – 5 |
4 new-type questions
|
| 2023 | 10 Qs; Nature & Environment | Error Detection – 5 | Syn/Ant – 6; Fillers – 5; Word Swap – 5 | Sentence Rearrangement – 4; Para Jumbles – 5 | Easy–Moderate |
| 2024 | 10 Qs RC | Error Detection – 5 | Cloze – 5; Vocab – 3; Inappropriate word – 5; Word usage – 2; Idioms – 1 | Para Jumble – 5; Para Completion – 4 |
Moderate but student-friendly
|
4. General Awareness Trends
GA is highly dynamic, but core areas remain stable: banking & regulatory awareness, government schemes, appointments, awards, and current affairs (last 4–6 months).
- Strong emphasis on banking/financial awareness: RBI terms, D-SIBs, KYC, scheduled/foreign banks, insurance, CEO/MD appointments.
- Government schemes & committees, international summits, awards, and sports are consistent.
- Current affairs from the last 4–6 months dominate, sometimes clustered heavily in a single month.
| Year | Focus Areas |
| 2022 |
Days & Events; Schemes (PMEGP, IGSRY, DDUGKY); Banking & RBI terms; Important posts; Sports & International bodies
|
| 2023 |
Intl/National Affairs (G20, BRICS, UNGA); Banking & economy; Awards & sports; Polity & offices
|
| 2024 |
GST Council; Scheme/insurance (Jeevan Raksha); Abbreviations; Awards; Sports; 40% questions from April
|
5. Computer Knowledge Trends
Computer Knowledge is considered the easiest section, with high repeat value.
- MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint features) and shortcut keys are highly repeated.
- Basic hardware/memory, input/output devices, and storage hierarchy are frequent.
- Internet & Networking, along with cybersecurity concepts (virus, phishing, hacking), are regularly tested.
| Year | Focus Areas |
| 2022 |
Networking, Shortcut keys, MS Office, Internet
|
| 2023 |
Basics (RAM, storage units, input devices), History (Babbage), OS, MS Office features, UPI Apps, Printers, Modem
|
| 2024 |
MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Shortcut keys, Internet, Cybersecurity, Networking fundamentals
|
Key Areas for IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Preparation
The IBPS RRB Clerk Mains exam follows a fairly consistent pattern across sections, with some shifts in topics each year. Understanding high-frequency areas and recurring question types can help candidates prioritize their preparation and maximize scoring potential. The following actionable insights highlight what to focus on in each section.
Puzzle-heavy Reasoning, DI-focused Quant, and current affairs-rich GA are the scoring sections. English and Computer sections are moderate but predictable; regular practice ensures speed and accuracy.
- Reasoning: Master 6–7 core puzzle types, plus basic Syllogism, Direction-Distance, and Blood Relation. Include practice for new coding/Data Sufficiency.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Focus on DI sets and 10–12 Arithmetic questions, while practicing changing patterns in series, approximation, or simplification.
- English Language: RC + Error Detection + Vocab + Rearrangement/Para-based questions dominate. Stick to 10–12 RCs, 5 grammar, 15–20 vocab/fillers, 9–10 rearrangements.
- General Awareness: Prioritize banking awareness, schemes, international summits, awards, and sports, especially latest 4–6 months.
- Computer Knowledge: Focus on MS Office, shortcut keys, basic hardware, networking, Internet, and cyber security.
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