1
Choose the word closest in meaning to AMELIORATE.
Correct answer: B. Improve
To ameliorate is to make something bad better, for example "measures to ameliorate poverty".
hard
IBPS PO/MT Preliminary Practice Paper 1
Practice paper100 MCQs60 minutesPublished 27 October 2026
A full 100-question practice paper in the official IBPS PO preliminary pattern: 30 questions on English Language, 35 on Quantitative Aptitude and 35 on Reasoning Ability, with answers and explanations.
Written by our editorial team in the official pattern of the IBPS PO/MT 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 ARDUOUS.
Correct answer: B. Difficult and tiring
An arduous task needs a lot of effort, such as an arduous climb.
medium - 3
Choose the word closest in meaning to CONCUR.
Correct answer: A. Agree
To concur is to agree: "The committee concurred with the proposal."
medium - 4
Choose the word closest in meaning to PRAGMATIC.
Correct answer: B. Practical
A pragmatic approach deals with things in a sensible, realistic way.
medium - 5
Choose the word closest in meaning to TENACIOUS.
Correct answer: A. Persistent
A tenacious person keeps going and does not give up easily.
medium - 6
Choose the word opposite in meaning to OPULENT.
Correct answer: C. Poor
Opulent means rich and luxurious; poor is the opposite.
medium - 7
Choose the word opposite in meaning to TRANSIENT.
Correct answer: C. Permanent
Transient means lasting only a short time; permanent means lasting for ever.
medium - 8
Choose the word opposite in meaning to LETHARGIC.
Correct answer: B. Energetic
Lethargic means lacking energy; energetic is its opposite.
easy - 9
Choose the word opposite in meaning to MAGNANIMOUS.
Correct answer: B. Petty
Magnanimous means generous and forgiving; petty means small-minded and mean.
hard - 10
Choose the word opposite in meaning to FRUGAL.
Correct answer: C. Extravagant
A frugal person spends little; an extravagant person spends too much.
medium - 11
Fill in the blank: The RBI announced a ___ in the repo rate to encourage borrowing.
Correct answer: B. reduction
After the article "a", a noun is needed: a reduction.
easy - 12
Fill in the blank: The manager was ___ by the team's results and praised everyone.
Correct answer: A. impressed
"Impressed" describes how a person feels; "impressive" describes the thing that causes the feeling.
easy - 13
Fill in the blank: Despite the heavy rain, the match ___ as planned.
Correct answer: B. continued
"Despite" signals contrast: in spite of rain, the match went on (continued).
easy - 14
Fill in the blank: She has a ___ for languages and speaks five fluently.
Correct answer: A. flair
A flair is a natural talent. A flare is a sudden blaze of light.
medium - 15
Fill in the blank: Investors ___ caution as the markets remained volatile.
Correct answer: A. exercised
To exercise caution means to be careful. Exorcise means to drive out evil spirits.
medium - 16
Spot the error: "The number of customers (A) / have increased (B) / sharply this year. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: B. (B)
"The number of" is singular: "The number of customers has increased." ("A number of" takes a plural verb.)
medium - 17
Spot the error: "If he would have studied (A) / he would have (B) / passed the exam. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: A. (A)
The if-clause of an unreal past condition takes the past perfect: "If he had studied, he would have passed."
medium - 18
Spot the error: "Neither the manager nor (A) / his assistants (B) / was present at the meeting. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: C. (C)
With neither…nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, "assistants", so it should be "were present".
medium - 19
Spot the error: "The furniture (A) / in the new branch (B) / are very expensive. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: C. (C)
"Furniture" is uncountable and takes a singular verb: "is very expensive".
medium - 20
Spot the error: "Please return (A) / the documents (B) / back to the office. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: C. (C)
"Return" already means "give back", so "back" is redundant.
medium - 21
Improve the underlined part: "He insisted to pay the bill." (to pay)
Correct answer: A. on paying
"Insist" is followed by "on" and the -ing form: He insisted on paying the bill.
medium - 22
Improve the sentence: "Unless you do not work hard, you will fail."
Correct answer: A. Unless you work hard, you will fail.
"Unless" already means "if not", so adding "not" makes a double negative.
medium - 23
Improve the underlined part: "The bank closes at 5 p.m. everyday." (everyday)
Correct answer: A. every day
"Everyday" is an adjective (everyday life). The adverb phrase meaning "each day" is two words: every day.
medium - 24
Improve the underlined part: "He is senior than me in service." (senior than me)
Correct answer: A. senior to me
"Senior" takes "to": He is senior to me.
easy - 25
The idiom "at the eleventh hour" means:
Correct answer: B. at the last possible moment
Example: "The loan was approved at the eleventh hour."
easy - 26
The idiom "to make ends meet" means:
Correct answer: B. to manage to live on a limited income
Example: "With rising prices, many families struggle to make ends meet."
easy - 27
The idiom "a blessing in disguise" means:
Correct answer: B. something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good
Example: "Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise; I met an old friend."
easy - 28
One word for "a person who lends money at very high interest":
Correct answer: B. Usurer
A usurer charges excessive interest; a debtor is someone who owes money.
hard - 29
One word for "a regular payment made to a person after retirement":
Correct answer: B. Pension
A pension is paid regularly after retirement; a bonus is an extra one-time payment.
easy - 30
In finance, "liquidity" refers to:
Correct answer: B. how easily an asset can be turned into cash
Cash is the most liquid asset; land and buildings are much less liquid.
medium
Quantitative Aptitude
- 31
What is 12% of 480?
Correct answer: C. 57.6
12% of 480 = 12 × 480 ÷ 100 = 57.6.
easy - 32
A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹500 and sells it for ₹575. What is the profit percentage?
Correct answer: A. 15%
Profit = ₹75. Profit % = 75 ÷ 500 × 100 = 15% (always on the cost price).
easy - 33
An item marked ₹2,400 is sold at a discount of 20%. What is the selling price?
Correct answer: D. ₹1,920
Discount = 20% of 2,400 = ₹480. Selling price = ₹1,920.
easy - 34
Find the simple interest on ₹7,500 at 6% per annum for 5 years.
Correct answer: D. ₹2,250
SI = P × R × T ÷ 100 = 7,500 × 6 × 5 ÷ 100 = ₹2,250.
easy - 35
Find the compound interest on ₹8,000 for 2 years at 10% per annum, compounded annually.
Correct answer: B. ₹1,680
Amount = 8,000 × (1 + 10/100)² = ₹9,680. CI = ₹1,680.
medium - 36
A can finish a job in 6 days and B in 12 days. Working together, how many days will they take?
Correct answer: C. 4 days
Together they do 1/6 + 1/12 = 1/4 of the job per day, so they need 4 days.
easy - 37
A pipe fills a tank in 4 hours and an outlet empties it in 12 hours. If both are opened, how long will the tank take to fill?
Correct answer: D. 6 hours
Net rate = 1/4 − 1/12 = 1/6 per hour, so it takes 6 hours.
medium - 38
A 180 m long train runs at 90 km/h. How long will it take to cross a 250 m long platform?
Correct answer: B. 17.2 seconds
Speed = 90 × 5/18 = 25 m/s. Distance = 180 + 250 = 430 m. Time = 17.2 seconds.
medium - 39
A boat goes at 12 km/h in still water and the stream flows at 4 km/h. How long does it take to row 48 km downstream?
Correct answer: A. 3 hours
Downstream speed = 12 + 4 = 16 km/h. Time = 48 ÷ 16 = 3 hours.
medium - 40
The average of 7 numbers is 23. When one more number is added, the average rises by 12. What is the new number?
Correct answer: D. 119
New total = 35 × 8 = 280; old total = 161. New number = 119.
medium - 41
₹3,600 is divided between two people in the ratio 5 : 7. What is the larger share?
Correct answer: B. ₹2,100
One part = 3,600 ÷ 12 = ₹300. Larger share = 7 parts = ₹2,100.
easy - 42
A father is 4 times as old as his son, who is 14 years old. How old will the father be in 6 years?
Correct answer: D. 62 years
Father's age now = 4 × 14 = 56. In 6 years he will be 62.
easy - 43
What is the LCM of 40 and 56?
Correct answer: C. 280
40 = 8 × 5 and 56 = 8 × 7, so the LCM = 8 × 5 × 7 = 280. (Their HCF is 8.)
easy - 44
Simplify: 43 + 9 × 5 − 8
Correct answer: B. 80
Multiply first: 9 × 5 = 45. Then 43 + 45 − 8 = 80.
easy - 45
What is the square root of 841?
Correct answer: C. 29
29 × 29 = 841, so the square root of 841 is 29. Tip: a square ending in 1 has a root ending in 1 or 9.
easy - 46
Find the area of a circle with radius 35 cm (π = 22/7).
Correct answer: D. 3,850 cm²
Area = πr² = 22/7 × 35 × 35 = 3,850 cm².
easy - 47
A rectangular field is 17 m long and 9 m wide. What is its perimeter?
Correct answer: C. 52 m
Perimeter = 2 × (17 + 9) = 52 m.
easy - 48
A car travels at 48 km/h for 4 hours. What distance does it cover?
Correct answer: A. 192 km
Distance = speed × time = 48 × 4 = 192 km.
easy - 49
The price of a product rises from ₹500 to ₹550. By what percent must it now be reduced to return to ₹500?
Correct answer: C. 9.09%
It must fall by ₹50 on ₹550: 50 ÷ 550 × 100 = 9.09%. The percentage is smaller than 10% because the base is larger.
hard - 50
What is 15% of 750?
Correct answer: D. 112.5
15% of 750 = 15 × 750 ÷ 100 = 112.5.
easy - 51
A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹640 and sells it for ₹736. What is the profit percentage?
Correct answer: D. 15%
Profit = ₹96. Profit % = 96 ÷ 640 × 100 = 15% (always on the cost price).
easy - 52
An item marked ₹4,000 is sold at a discount of 20%. What is the selling price?
Correct answer: A. ₹3,200
Discount = 20% of 4,000 = ₹800. Selling price = ₹3,200.
easy - 53
Two successive discounts of 20% and 25% are equal to a single discount of:
Correct answer: B. 40%
On ₹100: after 20% off it is ₹80; 25% off that leaves ₹60. Single discount = 40%.
medium - 54
Find the simple interest on ₹7,500 at 5% per annum for 2 years.
Correct answer: C. ₹750
SI = P × R × T ÷ 100 = 7,500 × 5 × 2 ÷ 100 = ₹750.
easy - 55
Find the compound interest on ₹16,000 for 2 years at 20% per annum, compounded annually.
Correct answer: D. ₹7,040
Amount = 16,000 × (1 + 20/100)² = ₹23,040. CI = ₹7,040.
medium - 56
A can finish a job in 10 days and B in 15 days. Working together, how many days will they take?
Correct answer: A. 6 days
Together they do 1/10 + 1/15 = 1/6 of the job per day, so they need 6 days.
easy - 57
A pipe fills a tank in 5 hours and an outlet empties it in 20 hours. If both are opened, how long will the tank take to fill?
Correct answer: C. 6.67 hours
Net rate = 1/5 − 1/20 = 1/6.67 per hour, so it takes 6.67 hours.
medium - 58
A 300 m long train runs at 54 km/h. How long will it take to cross a 180 m long platform?
Correct answer: B. 32 seconds
Speed = 54 × 5/18 = 15 m/s. Distance = 300 + 180 = 480 m. Time = 32 seconds.
medium - 59
The average of 6 numbers is 21. When one more number is added, the average rises by 6. What is the new number?
Correct answer: A. 63
New total = 27 × 7 = 189; old total = 126. New number = 63.
medium - 60
₹2,000 is divided between two people in the ratio 3 : 5. What is the larger share?
Correct answer: C. ₹1,250
One part = 2,000 ÷ 8 = ₹250. Larger share = 5 parts = ₹1,250.
easy - 61
A father is 4 times as old as his son, who is 12 years old. How old will the father be in 8 years?
Correct answer: B. 56 years
Father's age now = 4 × 12 = 48. In 8 years he will be 56.
easy - 62
What is the LCM of 18 and 24?
Correct answer: B. 72
18 = 6 × 3 and 24 = 6 × 4, so the LCM = 6 × 3 × 4 = 72. (Their HCF is 6.)
easy - 63
Simplify: 57 + 8 × 2 − 6
Correct answer: A. 67
Multiply first: 8 × 2 = 16. Then 57 + 16 − 6 = 67.
easy - 64
What is the square root of 729?
Correct answer: A. 27
27 × 27 = 729, so the square root of 729 is 27. Tip: a square ending in 9 has a root ending in 3 or 7.
easy - 65
A rectangular field is 23 m long and 8 m wide. What is its perimeter?
Correct answer: C. 62 m
Perimeter = 2 × (23 + 8) = 62 m.
easy
Reasoning Ability
- 66
Find the next term: 20, 29, 38, 47, 56, ?
Correct answer: B. 65
The terms increase by 9, so the next term is 56 + 9 = 65.
easy - 67
Find the next term: 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, ?
Correct answer: C. 96
Each term is 2 times the previous one: 48 × 2 = 96.
easy - 68
Find the next term: 30, 41, 54, 69, 86, ?
Correct answer: D. 105
The terms are n² + 5 for n = 5, 6, 7 …, so the next is 10² + 5 = 105.
medium - 69
Find the next term: 4, 9, 19, 39, 79, ?
Correct answer: C. 159
Each term is double the previous one plus 1: 79 × 2 + 1 = 159.
medium - 70
Find the next term: 18, 22, 29, 39, 52, 68, ?
Correct answer: C. 87
The differences grow by 3 each time (4, 7, 10 …), so the next difference is 19: 68 + 19 = 87.
medium - 71
What comes next in the series: A, D, G, J, M, ?
Correct answer: A. P
Each letter moves 3 places forward: M + 3 = P.
medium - 72
In a certain code, FOREST is written as GPSFTU. How is PLANET written in that code?
Correct answer: D. QMBOFU
Each letter is moved 1 place forward (F → G), so PLANET becomes QMBOFU.
medium - 73
Find the odd number out: 25, 36, 38, 49
Correct answer: C. 38
25, 36, 49 are perfect squares; 38 is not.
easy - 74
8 : 65 :: 12 : ?
Correct answer: D. 145
The rule is 65 = 8² + 1, so 12 gives 145.
medium - 75
In a row, Kavya is 19th from the left and 19th from the right. How many people are in the row?
Correct answer: C. 37
Total = 19 + 19 − 1 = 37.
easy - 76
In a class of 38 students, Imran's rank from the top is 22nd. What is his rank from the bottom?
Correct answer: A. 17th
Rank from bottom = 38 − 22 + 1 = 17.
easy - 77
Neha walks 12 km South, 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 - 78
What is the angle between the hands of a clock at 5:00?
Correct answer: D. 150°
Angle = |30 × 5 − 5.5 × 0| = 150°.
hard - 79
5 February 2005 was a Saturday. What day of the week was 24 March 2005?
Correct answer: A. Thursday
The second date is 47 days later. 47 = 6 weeks + 5 days, so count 5 days on from Saturday: Thursday.
hard - 80
Find the next term: 16, 25, 34, 43, 52, ?
Correct answer: C. 61
The terms increase by 9, so the next term is 52 + 9 = 61.
easy - 81
Find the next term: 5, 10, 17, 26, 37, ?
Correct answer: A. 50
The terms are n² + 1 for n = 2, 3, 4 …, so the next is 7² + 1 = 50.
medium - 82
Find the next term: 4, 10, 22, 46, 94, ?
Correct answer: B. 190
Each term is double the previous one plus 2: 94 × 2 + 2 = 190.
medium - 83
Find the next term: 8, 11, 17, 26, 38, 53, ?
Correct answer: D. 71
The differences grow by 3 each time (3, 6, 9 …), so the next difference is 18: 53 + 18 = 71.
medium - 84
What comes next in the series: E, G, I, K, M, ?
Correct answer: B. O
Each letter moves 2 places forward: M + 2 = O.
medium - 85
In a certain code, FOREST is written as IRUHVW. How is MARKET written in that code?
Correct answer: D. PDUNHW
Each letter is moved 3 places forward (F → I), so MARKET becomes PDUNHW.
medium - 86
If BOOK = 43 (sum of the letters' positions in the alphabet), then RICE = ?
Correct answer: B. 35
R = 18, I = 9, C = 3, E = 5; total 35.
medium - 87
Find the odd number out: 49, 64, 67, 81
Correct answer: D. 67
49, 64, 81 are perfect squares; 67 is not.
easy - 88
5 : 125 :: 12 : ?
Correct answer: A. 1,728
The rule is 125 = 5³, so 12 gives 1728.
medium - 89
In a row, Kavya is 13th from the left and 21st from the right. How many people are in the row?
Correct answer: C. 33
Total = 13 + 21 − 1 = 33.
easy - 90
In a class of 37 students, Imran's rank from the top is 11th. What is his rank from the bottom?
Correct answer: A. 27th
Rank from bottom = 37 − 11 + 1 = 27.
easy - 91
Neha walks 9 km West, then turns left and walks 12 km. How far is she from her starting point?
Correct answer: A. 15 km
The two walks are at right angles, so the distance is √(9² + 12²) = √225 = 15 km.
medium - 92
What is the angle between the hands of a clock at 8:00?
Correct answer: D. 120°
Angle = |30 × 8 − 5.5 × 0| = 240°, so the smaller angle is 360° − 240° = 120°.
hard - 93
3 November 2016 was a Thursday. What day of the week was 28 February 2017?
Correct answer: D. Tuesday
The second date is 117 days later. 117 = 16 weeks + 5 days, so count 5 days on from Thursday: Tuesday.
hard - 94
Find the next term: 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, ?
Correct answer: C. 46
The terms increase by 6, so the next term is 40 + 6 = 46.
easy - 95
Find the next term: 5, 15, 45, 135, 405, ?
Correct answer: D. 1,215
Each term is 3 times the previous one: 405 × 3 = 1215.
easy - 96
Find the next term: 5, 11, 23, 47, 95, ?
Correct answer: D. 191
Each term is double the previous one plus 1: 95 × 2 + 1 = 191.
medium - 97
Find the next term: 15, 17, 22, 30, 41, 55, ?
Correct answer: B. 72
The differences grow by 3 each time (2, 5, 8 …), so the next difference is 17: 55 + 17 = 72.
medium - 98
What comes next in the series: A, C, E, G, I, ?
Correct answer: B. K
Each letter moves 2 places forward: I + 2 = K.
medium - 99
In a certain code, TICKET is written as SHBJDS. How is FRIEND written in that code?
Correct answer: C. EQHDMC
Each letter is moved 1 place back (T → S), so FRIEND becomes EQHDMC.
medium - 100
If ROAD = 38 (sum of the letters' positions in the alphabet), then GOLD = ?
Correct answer: B. 38
G = 7, O = 15, L = 12, D = 4; total 38.
medium