1
Choose the word closest in meaning to CONCISE.
Correct answer: B. Brief
A concise answer gives the information in few words.
easy
IBPS Clerk (CSA) Preliminary Practice Paper 1
Practice paper100 MCQs60 minutesPublished 27 October 2026
A full 100-question practice paper in the official IBPS Clerk (CSA) preliminary pattern: 30 questions on English Language, 35 on Numerical Ability and 35 on Reasoning Ability, with answers and explanations.
Written by our editorial team in the official pattern of the IBPS Clerk (CSA) Preliminary written test. This is not a past paper: the questions are our own, and every answer was checked against reliable sources.
English Language
- 2
Choose the word closest in meaning to ELOQUENT.
Correct answer: A. Fluent and expressive
An eloquent speaker uses language clearly and persuasively.
medium - 3
Choose the word closest in meaning to METHODICAL.
Correct answer: A. Systematic
A methodical person works in an orderly, step-by-step way.
medium - 4
Choose the word closest in meaning to RESILIENT.
Correct answer: B. Quick to recover
A resilient person or economy bounces back quickly after difficulty.
medium - 5
Choose the word closest in meaning to FEASIBLE.
Correct answer: B. Practicable
A feasible plan can be carried out in practice.
medium - 6
Choose the word opposite in meaning to GENUINE.
Correct answer: B. Fake
Genuine means real or authentic; fake is its opposite.
easy - 7
Choose the word opposite in meaning to RIGID.
Correct answer: C. Flexible
Rigid means unable to bend or change; flexible means able to adapt.
easy - 8
Choose the word opposite in meaning to REVEAL.
Correct answer: C. Conceal
To reveal is to make known; to conceal is to hide.
easy - 9
Choose the word opposite in meaning to OPTIMISTIC.
Correct answer: C. Pessimistic
An optimistic person expects good outcomes; a pessimistic person expects bad ones.
easy - 10
In banking, the opposite of DEPOSIT (money) is to:
Correct answer: B. Withdraw
You deposit money into an account and withdraw money from it.
easy - 11
Fill in the blank: Please ___ the form before the last date.
Correct answer: B. submit
After "please" a request takes the base form of the verb: please submit.
easy - 12
Fill in the blank: The bank ___ a new branch in our town last month.
Correct answer: C. opened
"Last month" is a finished past time, so the simple past is used: opened.
easy - 13
Fill in the blank: Customers must keep their ATM PIN ___.
Correct answer: B. confidential
Confidential means secret or private. Confident means sure of oneself.
medium - 14
Fill in the blank: The loan was ___ after the documents were verified.
Correct answer: A. sanctioned
A passive verb is needed: the loan was sanctioned (approved).
easy - 15
Fill in the blank: She is eligible ___ the scholarship scheme.
Correct answer: B. for
"Eligible" is followed by "for" (or "to" + verb, as in eligible to apply).
easy - 16
Spot the error: "One of the cashier (A) / is on leave (B) / today. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: A. (A)
"One of" is followed by a plural noun: one of the cashiers.
easy - 17
Spot the error: "The manager, along with his staff, (A) / were present (B) / at the meeting. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: B. (B)
With "along with", the verb agrees with the first subject, "the manager": was present.
medium - 18
Spot the error: "She is (A) / more intelligent than (B) / any student in her class. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: C. (C)
When comparing someone with the rest of their own group, use "any other": than any other student.
medium - 19
Spot the error: "He has (A) / lesser money (B) / than his brother. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: B. (B)
The comparative of "little" for quantity is "less": less money.
medium - 20
Spot the error: "I have seen (A) / him yesterday (B) / at the market. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: A. (A)
A finished past time (yesterday) needs the simple past: I saw him yesterday.
medium - 21
Improve the sentence: "The meeting was postponed for next week."
Correct answer: A. postponed to next week
Something is postponed to (or until) a later time.
medium - 22
Improve the sentence: "He is the most cleverest boy in the class."
Correct answer: A. the cleverest boy
Don't combine "most" with "-est": say the cleverest (or the most clever).
easy - 23
Improve the sentence: "We discussed about the new policy."
Correct answer: A. We discussed the new policy.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
medium - 24
The idiom "to call it a day" means:
Correct answer: A. to stop working for now
Example: "After ten hours of work, the team called it a day."
easy - 25
The idiom "to be on cloud nine" means:
Correct answer: A. to be extremely happy
Example: "She was on cloud nine after clearing the exam."
easy - 26
The idiom "to cut corners" means:
Correct answer: B. to do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or money
Example: "The builder cut corners, and the wall cracked within a year."
medium - 27
One word for "a person who is unable to pay their debts":
Correct answer: A. Insolvent
Insolvent means unable to pay debts; solvent means able to pay them.
medium - 28
One word for "the money paid for a journey by bus, train or taxi":
Correct answer: B. Fare
A fare is paid for a journey; a toll is paid to use a road or bridge.
easy - 29
In banking, a "nominee" is:
Correct answer: B. the person named to receive the money in an account if the account holder dies
Adding a nominee makes it easier for the family to claim the money after the holder's death.
easy - 30
In loans, EMI stands for:
Correct answer: A. Equated Monthly Instalment
An EMI is a fixed monthly payment that covers both interest and part of the principal.
easy
Numerical Ability
- 31
What is 35% of 240?
Correct answer: D. 84
35% of 240 = 35 × 240 ÷ 100 = 84.
easy - 32
Two successive discounts of 20% and 10% are equal to a single discount of:
Correct answer: C. 28%
On ₹100: after 20% off it is ₹80; 10% off that leaves ₹72. Single discount = 28%.
medium - 33
Find the compound interest on ₹5,000 for 2 years at 5% per annum, compounded annually.
Correct answer: B. ₹512.50
Amount = 5,000 × (1 + 5/100)² = ₹5512.5. CI = ₹512.50.
medium - 34
A can finish a job in 15 days and B in 30 days. Working together, how many days will they take?
Correct answer: C. 10 days
Together they do 1/15 + 1/30 = 1/10 of the job per day, so they need 10 days.
easy - 35
A pipe fills a tank in 6 hours and an outlet empties it in 18 hours. If both are opened, how long will the tank take to fill?
Correct answer: D. 9 hours
Net rate = 1/6 − 1/18 = 1/9 per hour, so it takes 9 hours.
medium - 36
A 150 m long train runs at 54 km/h. How long will it take to cross a pole?
Correct answer: D. 10 seconds
Speed = 54 × 5/18 = 15 m/s. Distance = 150 m. Time = 10 seconds.
medium - 37
The average of 8 numbers is 28. When one more number is added, the average rises by 7. What is the new number?
Correct answer: D. 91
New total = 35 × 9 = 315; old total = 224. New number = 91.
medium - 38
₹3,000 is divided between two people in the ratio 5 : 7. What is the larger share?
Correct answer: C. ₹1,750
One part = 3,000 ÷ 12 = ₹250. Larger share = 7 parts = ₹1,750.
easy - 39
A father is 3 times as old as his son, who is 8 years old. How old will the father be in 8 years?
Correct answer: B. 32 years
Father's age now = 3 × 8 = 24. In 8 years he will be 32.
easy - 40
What is the LCM of 27 and 36?
Correct answer: C. 108
27 = 9 × 3 and 36 = 9 × 4, so the LCM = 9 × 3 × 4 = 108. (Their HCF is 9.)
easy - 41
Simplify: 54 + 8 × 4 − 4
Correct answer: C. 82
Multiply first: 8 × 4 = 32. Then 54 + 32 − 4 = 82.
easy - 42
Find the area of a circle with radius 7 cm (π = 22/7).
Correct answer: C. 154 cm²
Area = πr² = 22/7 × 7 × 7 = 154 cm².
easy - 43
A rectangular field is 26 m long and 10 m wide. What is its perimeter?
Correct answer: B. 72 m
Perimeter = 2 × (26 + 10) = 72 m.
easy - 44
A car travels at 48 km/h for 3.5 hours. What distance does it cover?
Correct answer: D. 168 km
Distance = speed × time = 48 × 3.5 = 168 km.
easy - 45
The price of a product rises from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100. By what percent must it now be reduced to return to ₹1,500?
Correct answer: A. 28.57%
It must fall by ₹600 on ₹2,100: 600 ÷ 2,100 × 100 = 28.57%. The percentage is smaller than 40% because the base is larger.
hard - 46
What is 24% of 600?
Correct answer: B. 144
24% of 600 = 24 × 600 ÷ 100 = 144.
easy - 47
A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹800 and sells it for ₹1,040. What is the profit percentage?
Correct answer: C. 30%
Profit = ₹240. Profit % = 240 ÷ 800 × 100 = 30% (always on the cost price).
easy - 48
An item marked ₹4,000 is sold at a discount of 25%. What is the selling price?
Correct answer: C. ₹3,000
Discount = 25% of 4,000 = ₹1,000. Selling price = ₹3,000.
easy - 49
Find the simple interest on ₹12,500 at 6% per annum for 5 years.
Correct answer: A. ₹3,750
SI = P × R × T ÷ 100 = 12,500 × 6 × 5 ÷ 100 = ₹3,750.
easy - 50
Find the compound interest on ₹20,000 for 2 years at 20% per annum, compounded annually.
Correct answer: D. ₹8,800
Amount = 20,000 × (1 + 20/100)² = ₹28,800. CI = ₹8,800.
medium - 51
A 240 m long train runs at 54 km/h. How long will it take to cross a pole?
Correct answer: B. 16 seconds
Speed = 54 × 5/18 = 15 m/s. Distance = 240 m. Time = 16 seconds.
medium - 52
The average of 5 numbers is 34. When one more number is added, the average rises by 9. What is the new number?
Correct answer: D. 88
New total = 43 × 6 = 258; old total = 170. New number = 88.
medium - 53
A father is 4 times as old as his son, who is 13 years old. How old will the father be in 5 years?
Correct answer: D. 57 years
Father's age now = 4 × 13 = 52. In 5 years he will be 57.
easy - 54
What is the LCM of 24 and 36?
Correct answer: A. 72
24 = 12 × 2 and 36 = 12 × 3, so the LCM = 12 × 2 × 3 = 72. (Their HCF is 12.)
easy - 55
Simplify: 57 + 9 × 4 − 6
Correct answer: D. 87
Multiply first: 9 × 4 = 36. Then 57 + 36 − 6 = 87.
easy - 56
What is the square root of 400?
Correct answer: D. 20
20 × 20 = 400, so the square root of 400 is 20. Tip: a square ending in 0 has a root ending in 0.
easy - 57
A rectangular field is 18 m long and 11 m wide. What is its perimeter?
Correct answer: C. 58 m
Perimeter = 2 × (18 + 11) = 58 m.
easy - 58
A car travels at 40 km/h for 3 hours. What distance does it cover?
Correct answer: D. 120 km
Distance = speed × time = 40 × 3 = 120 km.
easy - 59
The price of a product rises from ₹1,200 to ₹1,440. By what percent must it now be reduced to return to ₹1,200?
Correct answer: D. 16.67%
It must fall by ₹240 on ₹1,440: 240 ÷ 1,440 × 100 = 16.67%. The percentage is smaller than 20% because the base is larger.
hard - 60
What is 24% of 750?
Correct answer: D. 180
24% of 750 = 24 × 750 ÷ 100 = 180.
easy - 61
Find the simple interest on ₹6,000 at 10% per annum for 4 years.
Correct answer: D. ₹2,400
SI = P × R × T ÷ 100 = 6,000 × 10 × 4 ÷ 100 = ₹2,400.
easy - 62
Find the compound interest on ₹20,000 for 2 years at 5% per annum, compounded annually.
Correct answer: C. ₹2,050
Amount = 20,000 × (1 + 5/100)² = ₹22,050. CI = ₹2,050.
medium - 63
A 150 m long train runs at 72 km/h. How long will it take to cross a pole?
Correct answer: C. 7.5 seconds
Speed = 72 × 5/18 = 20 m/s. Distance = 150 m. Time = 7.5 seconds.
medium - 64
A boat goes at 15 km/h in still water and the stream flows at 3 km/h. How long does it take to row 36 km downstream?
Correct answer: D. 2 hours
Downstream speed = 15 + 3 = 18 km/h. Time = 36 ÷ 18 = 2 hours.
medium - 65
The average of 8 numbers is 20. When one more number is added, the average rises by 8. What is the new number?
Correct answer: B. 92
New total = 28 × 9 = 252; old total = 160. New number = 92.
medium
Reasoning Ability
- 66
Find the next term: 17, 26, 35, 44, 53, ?
Correct answer: A. 62
The terms increase by 9, so the next term is 53 + 9 = 62.
easy - 67
Find the next term: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ?
Correct answer: A. 64
Each term is 2 times the previous one: 32 × 2 = 64.
easy - 68
Find the next term: 15, 24, 35, 48, 63, ?
Correct answer: B. 80
The terms are n² − 1 for n = 4, 5, 6 …, so the next is 9² − 1 = 80.
medium - 69
Find the next term: 12, 14, 19, 27, 38, 52, ?
Correct answer: B. 69
The differences grow by 3 each time (2, 5, 8 …), so the next difference is 17: 52 + 17 = 69.
medium - 70
In a certain code, WINTER is written as XJOUFS. How is MARKET written in that code?
Correct answer: D. NBSLFU
Each letter is moved 1 place forward (W → X), so MARKET becomes NBSLFU.
medium - 71
If SAND = 38 (sum of the letters' positions in the alphabet), then DOOR = ?
Correct answer: D. 52
D = 4, O = 15, O = 15, R = 18; total 52.
medium - 72
Find the odd number out: 27, 72, 99, 138
Correct answer: D. 138
27, 72, 99 are multiples of 9; 138 is not.
easy - 73
3 : 10 :: 9 : ?
Correct answer: C. 82
The rule is 10 = 3² + 1, so 9 gives 82.
medium - 74
In a row, Kavya is 14th from the left and 6th from the right. How many people are in the row?
Correct answer: D. 19
Total = 14 + 6 − 1 = 19.
easy - 75
In a class of 60 students, Imran's rank from the top is 19th. What is his rank from the bottom?
Correct answer: A. 42nd
Rank from bottom = 60 − 19 + 1 = 42.
easy - 76
Neha walks 12 km North, then turns right and walks 16 km. How far is she from her starting point?
Correct answer: C. 20 km
The two walks are at right angles, so the distance is √(12² + 16²) = √400 = 20 km.
medium - 77
What is the angle between the hands of a clock at 11:20?
Correct answer: B. 140°
Angle = |30 × 11 − 5.5 × 20| = 220°, so the smaller angle is 360° − 220° = 140°.
hard - 78
7 September 2023 was a Thursday. What day of the week was 30 November 2023?
Correct answer: B. Thursday
The second date is 84 days later. 84 = 12 weeks + 0 days, so count 0 days on from Thursday: Thursday.
hard - 79
Find the next term: 3, 9, 27, 81, 243, ?
Correct answer: A. 729
Each term is 3 times the previous one: 243 × 3 = 729.
easy - 80
Find the next term: 26, 37, 50, 65, 82, ?
Correct answer: A. 101
The terms are n² + 1 for n = 5, 6, 7 …, so the next is 10² + 1 = 101.
medium - 81
In a certain code, WINTER is written as UGLRCP. How is CANDLE written in that code?
Correct answer: B. AYLBJC
Each letter is moved 2 places back (W → U), so CANDLE becomes AYLBJC.
medium - 82
If KING = 41 (sum of the letters' positions in the alphabet), then LAMP = ?
Correct answer: D. 42
L = 12, A = 1, M = 13, P = 16; total 42.
medium - 83
Find the odd number out: 24, 36, 72, 86
Correct answer: A. 86
24, 36, 72 are multiples of 6; 86 is not.
easy - 84
3 : 12 :: 4 : ?
Correct answer: B. 20
The rule is 12 = 3 × 4, so 4 gives 20.
medium - 85
In a row, Kavya is 20th from the left and 6th from the right. How many people are in the row?
Correct answer: A. 25
Total = 20 + 6 − 1 = 25.
easy - 86
In a class of 32 students, Imran's rank from the top is 18th. What is his rank from the bottom?
Correct answer: C. 15th
Rank from bottom = 32 − 18 + 1 = 15.
easy - 87
Neha walks 12 km North, then turns left and walks 16 km. How far is she from her starting point?
Correct answer: A. 20 km
The two walks are at right angles, so the distance is √(12² + 16²) = √400 = 20 km.
medium - 88
What is the angle between the hands of a clock at 9:20?
Correct answer: B. 160°
Angle = |30 × 9 − 5.5 × 20| = 160°.
hard - 89
24 September 2018 was a Monday. What day of the week was 8 November 2018?
Correct answer: D. Thursday
The second date is 45 days later. 45 = 6 weeks + 3 days, so count 3 days on from Monday: Thursday.
hard - 90
Find the next term: 28, 34, 40, 46, 52, ?
Correct answer: B. 58
The terms increase by 6, so the next term is 52 + 6 = 58.
easy - 91
Find the next term: 24, 35, 48, 63, 80, ?
Correct answer: A. 99
The terms are n² − 1 for n = 5, 6, 7 …, so the next is 10² − 1 = 99.
medium - 92
Find the next term: 19, 23, 29, 37, 47, 59, ?
Correct answer: B. 73
The differences grow by 2 each time (4, 6, 8 …), so the next difference is 14: 59 + 14 = 73.
medium - 93
What comes next in the series: B, D, F, H, J, ?
Correct answer: C. L
Each letter moves 2 places forward: J + 2 = L.
medium - 94
In a certain code, SILVER is written as VLOYHU. How is CANDLE written in that code?
Correct answer: A. FDQGOH
Each letter is moved 3 places forward (S → V), so CANDLE becomes FDQGOH.
medium - 95
If GOLD = 38 (sum of the letters' positions in the alphabet), then SAND = ?
Correct answer: B. 38
S = 19, A = 1, N = 14, D = 4; total 38.
medium - 96
Find the odd number out: 121, 144, 146, 169
Correct answer: D. 146
121, 144, 169 are perfect squares; 146 is not.
easy - 97
5 : 30 :: 4 : ?
Correct answer: B. 20
The rule is 30 = 5 × 6, so 4 gives 20.
medium - 98
In a row, Kavya is 13th from the left and 25th from the right. How many people are in the row?
Correct answer: C. 37
Total = 13 + 25 − 1 = 37.
easy - 99
In a class of 32 students, Imran's rank from the top is 11th. What is his rank from the bottom?
Correct answer: B. 22nd
Rank from bottom = 32 − 11 + 1 = 22.
easy - 100
Neha walks 6 km West, then turns right and walks 8 km. How far is she from her starting point?
Correct answer: B. 10 km
The two walks are at right angles, so the distance is √(6² + 8²) = √100 = 10 km.
medium