The IBPS PO 2024 Mains Exam was held on 30th Nov 2024. The detailed analysis of the exam held in the afternoon slot is presented below.

It has been reported by our students, that this examination was moderate to difficult in terms of difficulty level. Questions in Reasoning, English, Data Analysis and Interpretation had variable marking scheme, the details of which are resented in the detailed analysis given below.

The snapshot of the exam pattern and duartion is given below:

The sections were presented in the following order in the examination.

• Reasoning and Computer Ability
• General / Economy / Banking Awareness
• English Language
• Data Analysis and Interpretation

The analysis of the above-mentioned session, as reported by our students, is given below.

(A) OBJECTIVE TEST:

I) Quantitative Aptitude:

According to feedback received from our students who appeared for this exam, this section can be rated as moderate to difficult and was quite time-consuming. There were twenty-five questions carrying 2 marks each and ten questions carrying 1 mark each.

There were five sets (about twenty questions) on Data Interpretation. The questions on Data Interpretation were lengthy and time-consuming.

Two Mark Questions:

• Pie chart + Line Graph (5 Q) – This set can be rated as difficult as it was difficult to interpret the variables.
• Caselet 1 (3 Q) – This set was based on three persons selling two products ‘Hats’ and ‘Caps’. This set was moderate to solve.
• Caselet 2 (3 Q) - This set was based on Chocolates and shops. The information presented was confusing and hence this set can be rated as difficult.
• Caselet 3 (4 Q) – This set was based on Mixtures and Alligations. This set can be rated as Moderate.
• Data Sufficiency, Data Comparisons and Number Series: There were three questions each on the Missing Number Series (3 Series with numbers and variables), and Data Sufficiency (3 Statements) and four questions on Data Comparison (3 Quantities). All these questions can be rated as moderate.

One Mark Questions:

• Line Graph and Table (5 Q) – This set contains the Cost Price of articles given in the table and the Line Graph contains Discount % and Profit %, This set involves a lot of calculations and hence can be rated as ‘Moderate’ in terms of difficulty level.
• Arithmetic Questions and Quadratic Comparisons: There were four questions on Arithmetic topics and one question on Quadratic Comparisons. The questions on Arithmetic topics were from Profit and Loss, Partnership, Simple and Compound Interest etc.

The topic-wise split, in a nutshell, of this section is given in the table below.

II) Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude:

This section has been labelled as 'Moderate to Difficult'. There were fifteen questions carrying 2 marks each and thirty questions carrying 1 mark each.

Two Mark Questions:

• Distribution (Days and Slots given) (5 Q) – Moderate to Difficult. (6 days and 50 slots).
• There were five questions on Input-Output, two questions on Data Sufficiency (3 Statements) and three questions on Direction Sense with Symbols. These questions were moderate.
  
  

One Mark Questions:

• Circular Arrangement + QBR (5 Q) – Moderate (Eight persons; some facing inside and some facing outside; Age)
• Two Row Distribution (4 Q) – Moderate
• Linear Arrangement + Quant-based Reasoning (5 Q) – Moderate to Difficult. This question has appeared in handouts and mock tests of T.I.M.E. material and T.I.M.E. students would have an edge over others in solving this question type.
• Comparisons + Quant-based Reasoning (3 Q) – Moderate
• Dice + Letter Arrangement (New Model Puzzle) (3 Q) – Moderate
• There were five questions on Critical Reasoning which can be rated as Moderate to Difficult.
• Though the name of the section is ‘Reasoning and Computer Ability’, there were no questions on Computers. In fact, for the last many years, no questions on Computers have been asked in this section.

There were no questions on Computer Aptitude in this section.

The topic-wise split, in a nutshell, of this section is given in the table below.

III) English Language:

This section can be rated as ‘Moderate’.

Two Mark Questions:

Match the Column (2 Q) New Model – Table I with Three Columns A, B, C and Table II with two columns P, Q were given. The column B was empty. One needs to connect columns A and C with B. The missing part in B is to be chosen from Table II (either from P or Q) (New Model)

Short Paragraph (3 Q) – A short paragraph with three questions was given. One question on Tone, one question on inference and one question on Filler were asked.

One Mark Questions:

PFQs with Third Sentence Fixed (5 Q) – Moderate. Seven sentences were given. The third sentence is in its correct position.

Word Usage (3 Q) – Easy to Moderate. A word is given followed by three statements in which the said word has been used. One needs to identify the sentence where the Word has been correctly used, making the sentence grammatically correct and meaningful.

Error Identification (3 Q) – Moderate. A sentence is divided into four parts. One has to identify the part with the error and its replacement from the options. The ‘No Error’ option was not present. (New Model)

Reading Comprehension (17 Q) – There were two RC passages with approximately seventeen questions. One passage was based on Work Culture. In one of the passages, one question on FIB was asked and in the other passage, one question on Phrase filler, finding the meaning of sentence in italics, one question on Word Rearrangement, and one question on True or False was asked.

The topic-wise split, in a nutshell, of this section is given in the table below.

IV) General Awareness:

This section too was the saving grace in the entire paper. This section can be rated as ‘Moderate’.

As reported by our students, about 25 to 26 questions were on Current Affairs (based on recent events and a few questions from May to Aug events as well), 6 to 8 questions on Banking Awareness and Economy and a few questions on Static GK. Thus, students who are regularly following current affairs could have easily attempted 30+ questions.

(B) Descriptive Test:

This section was conducted for 25 marks, with a time limit of 30 minutes, and comprised Letter and Essay Writing. There were three topics for writing essays and three for letters, and the test-taker had to pick one topic from each of these to write on.

Essay topics (Choose anyone) (250 words):

1. Climatic Changes and Difficulties faced by Agriculture Sector. How can we improve Agriculture Productivity?

2. Development and Innovation in Technology

3. Hectic Work Culture

Letter Writing (Choose anyone) (150 words):

1. Letter to the Police Station regarding the Noise caused by neighbours

2. Letter to the Head of the OTT platform regarding the inclusion of Animation of Educational content.

OVERALL SUMMARY:

The Reasoning and Data Analysis & Interpretation sections were moderate to difficult while the English and General/Economy/Banking Awareness sections were moderate.