1
Choose the word closest in meaning to CAPRICIOUS.
Correct answer: B. Fickle
A capricious person changes mood or mind suddenly, like a fickle one.
hard
IBPS PO/MT Preliminary Practice Paper 2
Practice paper100 MCQs60 minutesPublished 27 October 2026
A second full 100-question practice paper in the official IBPS PO preliminary pattern, with all-new questions: 30 on English Language, 35 on Quantitative Aptitude and 35 on Reasoning Ability.
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 ABATE.
Correct answer: B. Lessen
When a storm or crisis abates, it becomes less intense.
medium - 3
Choose the word closest in meaning to MUNDANE.
Correct answer: A. Ordinary
Mundane means dull and ordinary, part of everyday life.
medium - 4
Choose the word closest in meaning to VIGILANT.
Correct answer: B. Watchful
A vigilant person keeps careful watch for danger, for example against online fraud.
easy - 5
Choose the word closest in meaning to INCESSANT.
Correct answer: B. Continuous
Incessant means never stopping, as in incessant rain.
medium - 6
Choose the word opposite in meaning to ADVERSE.
Correct answer: B. Favourable
Adverse conditions work against you; favourable conditions help you.
medium - 7
Choose the word opposite in meaning to MITIGATE.
Correct answer: C. Aggravate
To mitigate is to make less severe; to aggravate is to make worse.
hard - 8
Choose the word opposite in meaning to PROFOUND.
Correct answer: B. Superficial
Profound means deep; superficial means on the surface only.
medium - 9
Choose the word opposite in meaning to DETERIORATE.
Correct answer: C. Improve
To deteriorate is to get worse; to improve is to get better.
easy - 10
Choose the word opposite in meaning to BENEVOLENT.
Correct answer: B. Malevolent
Benevolent means wishing good to others; malevolent means wishing harm.
medium - 11
Fill in the blank: The RBI kept the repo rate ___ in its latest policy review.
Correct answer: A. unchanged
"Kept the rate unchanged" means it was not raised or cut.
easy - 12
Fill in the blank: The customer filed a ___ about the failed UPI transaction.
Correct answer: B. complaint
After "a", a noun is needed: a complaint. "Complain" is the verb.
easy - 13
Fill in the blank: High inflation ___ the purchasing power of money.
Correct answer: A. erodes
To erode is to wear away gradually; inflation reduces what each rupee can buy.
medium - 14
Fill in the blank: The company ___ its profits to expand into new markets.
Correct answer: A. reinvested
The sentence needs a past-tense verb with a direct object: reinvested its profits.
medium - 15
Fill in the blank: All employees must ___ with the new security rules.
Correct answer: A. comply
To comply with rules is to obey them.
easy - 16
Spot the error: "The information (A) / you gave me (B) / were very useful. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: C. (C)
"Information" is uncountable and singular: the information was very useful.
medium - 17
Spot the error: "No sooner did he see (A) / the police when (B) / he ran away. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: B. (B)
"No sooner" is followed by "than", not "when".
medium - 18
Spot the error: "She was (A) / angry upon me (B) / for being late. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: B. (B)
We are angry with a person and angry at or about a thing.
medium - 19
Spot the error: "The cost of (A) / these phones (B) / have risen sharply. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: C. (C)
The subject is "the cost" (singular), so the verb is "has risen".
medium - 20
Spot the error: "We should respect (A) / our elders and (B) / obey to them. (C) / No error (D)"
Correct answer: C. (C)
"Obey" takes a direct object without "to": obey them.
easy - 21
Improve the sentence: "He told that he was ill."
Correct answer: A. He said that he was ill.
"Tell" needs a person after it (told me); without one, use "said".
medium - 22
Improve the sentence: "The manager made me to wait."
Correct answer: A. made me wait
"Make" in the active voice is followed by the bare infinitive: made me wait.
medium - 23
Improve the sentence: "Let him and I go to the bank."
Correct answer: A. Let him and me go
"Let" takes object pronouns: let him and me go.
medium - 24
Improve the sentence: "I have been to Mumbai last year."
Correct answer: A. I went to Mumbai last year.
A finished past time (last year) needs the simple past, not the present perfect.
medium - 25
The idiom "to throw in the towel" means:
Correct answer: B. to give up
Example: "After three failed attempts, he threw in the towel."
easy - 26
The idiom "to hit the sack" means:
Correct answer: A. to go to bed
Example: "I'm tired; I'm going to hit the sack."
easy - 27
The idiom "back to the drawing board" means:
Correct answer: B. to start planning again after a failure
Example: "The client rejected the design, so it's back to the drawing board."
easy - 28
One word for "the amount paid regularly to an insurance company to keep a policy active":
Correct answer: A. Premium
The policyholder pays premiums; the insurer pays a claim when the insured event happens.
easy - 29
One word for "a person appointed to carry out the instructions in a will":
Correct answer: A. Executor
An executor carries out a will; a beneficiary is someone who receives something under it.
hard - 30
In lending, "collateral" refers to:
Correct answer: B. an asset pledged as security for a loan
If the borrower fails to repay, the lender can recover money from the collateral, such as gold or property.
medium
Quantitative Aptitude
- 31
What is 16% of 240?
Correct answer: A. 38.4
16% of 240 = 16 × 240 ÷ 100 = 38.4.
easy - 32
A 150 m long train runs at 108 km/h. How long will it take to cross a 180 m long platform?
Correct answer: D. 11 seconds
Speed = 108 × 5/18 = 30 m/s. Distance = 150 + 180 = 330 m. Time = 11 seconds.
medium - 33
A boat goes at 10 km/h in still water and the stream flows at 2 km/h. How long does it take to row 24 km downstream?
Correct answer: C. 2 hours
Downstream speed = 10 + 2 = 12 km/h. Time = 24 ÷ 12 = 2 hours.
medium - 34
The average of 8 numbers is 30. When one more number is added, the average rises by 6. What is the new number?
Correct answer: A. 84
New total = 36 × 9 = 324; old total = 240. New number = 84.
medium - 35
A father is 3 times as old as his son, who is 14 years old. How old will the father be in 7 years?
Correct answer: B. 49 years
Father's age now = 3 × 14 = 42. In 7 years he will be 49.
easy - 36
What is the LCM of 12 and 20?
Correct answer: D. 60
12 = 4 × 3 and 20 = 4 × 5, so the LCM = 4 × 3 × 5 = 60. (Their HCF is 4.)
easy - 37
Simplify: 60 + 6 × 2 − 8
Correct answer: A. 64
Multiply first: 6 × 2 = 12. Then 60 + 12 − 8 = 64.
easy - 38
What is the square root of 961?
Correct answer: D. 31
31 × 31 = 961, so the square root of 961 is 31. Tip: a square ending in 1 has a root ending in 1 or 9.
easy - 39
A rectangular field is 25 m long and 8 m wide. What is its perimeter?
Correct answer: D. 66 m
Perimeter = 2 × (25 + 8) = 66 m.
easy - 40
The price of a product rises from ₹1,200 to ₹1,680. By what percent must it now be reduced to return to ₹1,200?
Correct answer: D. 28.57%
It must fall by ₹480 on ₹1,680: 480 ÷ 1,680 × 100 = 28.57%. The percentage is smaller than 40% because the base is larger.
hard - 41
What is 35% of 750?
Correct answer: C. 262.5
35% of 750 = 35 × 750 ÷ 100 = 262.5.
easy - 42
Find the simple interest on ₹8,000 at 10% per annum for 4 years.
Correct answer: C. ₹3,200
SI = P × R × T ÷ 100 = 8,000 × 10 × 4 ÷ 100 = ₹3,200.
easy - 43
A 300 m long train runs at 54 km/h. How long will it take to cross a pole?
Correct answer: C. 20 seconds
Speed = 54 × 5/18 = 15 m/s. Distance = 300 m. Time = 20 seconds.
medium - 44
The average of 5 numbers is 31. When one more number is added, the average rises by 13. What is the new number?
Correct answer: A. 109
New total = 44 × 6 = 264; old total = 155. New number = 109.
medium - 45
A father is 4 times as old as his son, who is 14 years old. How old will the father be in 7 years?
Correct answer: D. 63 years
Father's age now = 4 × 14 = 56. In 7 years he will be 63.
easy - 46
What is the LCM of 36 and 48?
Correct answer: D. 144
36 = 12 × 3 and 48 = 12 × 4, so the LCM = 12 × 3 × 4 = 144. (Their HCF is 12.)
easy - 47
Simplify: 32 + 9 × 5 − 5
Correct answer: D. 72
Multiply first: 9 × 5 = 45. Then 32 + 45 − 5 = 72.
easy - 48
What is the square root of 289?
Correct answer: A. 17
17 × 17 = 289, so the square root of 289 is 17. Tip: a square ending in 9 has a root ending in 3 or 7.
easy - 49
A car travels at 60 km/h for 2.5 hours. What distance does it cover?
Correct answer: B. 150 km
Distance = speed × time = 60 × 2.5 = 150 km.
easy - 50
The price of a product rises from ₹500 to ₹700. By what percent must it now be reduced to return to ₹500?
Correct answer: D. 28.57%
It must fall by ₹200 on ₹700: 200 ÷ 700 × 100 = 28.57%. The percentage is smaller than 40% because the base is larger.
hard - 51
What is 35% of 360?
Correct answer: C. 126
35% of 360 = 35 × 360 ÷ 100 = 126.
easy - 52
A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹1,200 and sells it for ₹1,320. What is the profit percentage?
Correct answer: D. 10%
Profit = ₹120. Profit % = 120 ÷ 1,200 × 100 = 10% (always on the cost price).
easy - 53
An item marked ₹5,000 is sold at a discount of 12%. What is the selling price?
Correct answer: B. ₹4,400
Discount = 12% of 5,000 = ₹600. Selling price = ₹4,400.
easy - 54
The average of 6 numbers is 32. When one more number is added, the average rises by 14. What is the new number?
Correct answer: D. 130
New total = 46 × 7 = 322; old total = 192. New number = 130.
medium - 55
₹1,600 is divided between two people in the ratio 3 : 5. What is the larger share?
Correct answer: A. ₹1,000
One part = 1,600 ÷ 8 = ₹200. Larger share = 5 parts = ₹1,000.
easy - 56
A father is 4 times as old as his son, who is 12 years old. How old will the father be in 6 years?
Correct answer: B. 54 years
Father's age now = 4 × 12 = 48. In 6 years he will be 54.
easy - 57
Simplify: 29 + 8 × 4 − 7
Correct answer: C. 54
Multiply first: 8 × 4 = 32. Then 29 + 32 − 7 = 54.
easy - 58
A rectangular field is 30 m long and 10 m wide. What is its perimeter?
Correct answer: D. 80 m
Perimeter = 2 × (30 + 10) = 80 m.
easy - 59
The price of a product rises from ₹1,500 to ₹1,875. By what percent must it now be reduced to return to ₹1,500?
Correct answer: D. 20%
It must fall by ₹375 on ₹1,875: 375 ÷ 1,875 × 100 = 20%. The percentage is smaller than 25% because the base is larger.
hard - 60
A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹400 and sells it for ₹460. What is the profit percentage?
Correct answer: D. 15%
Profit = ₹60. Profit % = 60 ÷ 400 × 100 = 15% (always on the cost price).
easy - 61
An item marked ₹1,500 is sold at a discount of 15%. What is the selling price?
Correct answer: B. ₹1,275
Discount = 15% of 1,500 = ₹225. Selling price = ₹1,275.
easy - 62
Find the simple interest on ₹6,000 at 5% per annum for 2 years.
Correct answer: C. ₹600
SI = P × R × T ÷ 100 = 6,000 × 5 × 2 ÷ 100 = ₹600.
easy - 63
Find the compound interest on ₹10,000 for 2 years at 10% per annum, compounded annually.
Correct answer: C. ₹2,100
Amount = 10,000 × (1 + 10/100)² = ₹12,100. CI = ₹2,100.
medium - 64
A 180 m long train runs at 72 km/h. How long will it take to cross a 180 m long platform?
Correct answer: A. 18 seconds
Speed = 72 × 5/18 = 20 m/s. Distance = 180 + 180 = 360 m. Time = 18 seconds.
medium - 65
The average of 6 numbers is 26. When one more number is added, the average rises by 14. What is the new number?
Correct answer: C. 124
New total = 40 × 7 = 280; old total = 156. New number = 124.
medium
Reasoning Ability
- 66
Find the next term: 21, 30, 39, 48, 57, ?
Correct answer: A. 66
The terms increase by 9, so the next term is 57 + 9 = 66.
easy - 67
Find the next term: 7, 16, 34, 70, 142, ?
Correct answer: D. 286
Each term is double the previous one plus 2: 142 × 2 + 2 = 286.
medium - 68
Find the next term: 10, 12, 16, 22, 30, 40, ?
Correct answer: C. 52
The differences grow by 2 each time (2, 4, 6 …), so the next difference is 12: 40 + 12 = 52.
medium - 69
What comes next in the series: C, F, I, L, O, ?
Correct answer: B. R
Each letter moves 3 places forward: O + 3 = R.
medium - 70
In a certain code, FRIEND is written as EQHDMC. How is BRIDGE written in that code?
Correct answer: C. AQHCFD
Each letter is moved 1 place back (F → E), so BRIDGE becomes AQHCFD.
medium - 71
If MILK = 45 (sum of the letters' positions in the alphabet), then FISH = ?
Correct answer: B. 42
F = 6, I = 9, S = 19, H = 8; total 42.
medium - 72
Find the odd number out: 21, 49, 84, 107
Correct answer: A. 107
21, 49, 84 are multiples of 7; 107 is not.
easy - 73
4 : 20 :: 10 : ?
Correct answer: D. 110
The rule is 20 = 4 × 5, so 10 gives 110.
medium - 74
In a row, Kavya is 9th from the left and 16th from the right. How many people are in the row?
Correct answer: A. 24
Total = 9 + 16 − 1 = 24.
easy - 75
In a class of 49 students, Imran's rank from the top is 17th. What is his rank from the bottom?
Correct answer: B. 33rd
Rank from bottom = 49 − 17 + 1 = 33.
easy - 76
Neha walks 5 km South, then turns left and walks 12 km. How far is she from her starting point?
Correct answer: B. 13 km
The two walks are at right angles, so the distance is √(5² + 12²) = √169 = 13 km.
medium - 77
What is the angle between the hands of a clock at 10:50?
Correct answer: A. 25°
Angle = |30 × 10 − 5.5 × 50| = 25°.
hard - 78
19 August 2023 was a Saturday. What day of the week was 25 September 2023?
Correct answer: B. Monday
The second date is 37 days later. 37 = 5 weeks + 2 days, so count 2 days on from Saturday: Monday.
hard - 79
Find the next term: 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, ?
Correct answer: C. 20
The terms increase by 3, so the next term is 17 + 3 = 20.
easy - 80
Find the next term: 3, 8, 15, 24, 35, ?
Correct answer: D. 48
The terms are n² − 1 for n = 2, 3, 4 …, so the next is 7² − 1 = 48.
medium - 81
Find the next term: 16, 17, 21, 28, 38, 51, ?
Correct answer: C. 67
The differences grow by 3 each time (1, 4, 7 …), so the next difference is 16: 51 + 16 = 67.
medium - 82
In a certain code, CANDLE is written as ECPFNG. How is SILVER written in that code?
Correct answer: B. UKNXGT
Each letter is moved 2 places forward (C → E), so SILVER becomes UKNXGT.
medium - 83
If RICE = 35 (sum of the letters' positions in the alphabet), then LAMP = ?
Correct answer: A. 42
L = 12, A = 1, M = 13, P = 16; total 42.
medium - 84
Find the odd number out: 27, 72, 99, 118
Correct answer: A. 118
27, 72, 99 are multiples of 9; 118 is not.
easy - 85
5 : 30 :: 9 : ?
Correct answer: B. 90
The rule is 30 = 5 × 6, so 9 gives 90.
medium - 86
In a row, Kavya is 6th from the left and 9th from the right. How many people are in the row?
Correct answer: B. 14
Total = 6 + 9 − 1 = 14.
easy - 87
In a class of 45 students, Imran's rank from the top is 23rd. What is his rank from the bottom?
Correct answer: D. 23rd
Rank from bottom = 45 − 23 + 1 = 23.
easy - 88
What is the angle between the hands of a clock at 11:50?
Correct answer: B. 55°
Angle = |30 × 11 − 5.5 × 50| = 55°.
hard - 89
2 April 2018 was a Monday. What day of the week was 26 July 2018?
Correct answer: D. Thursday
The second date is 115 days later. 115 = 16 weeks + 3 days, so count 3 days on from Monday: Thursday.
hard - 90
Find the next term: 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, ?
Correct answer: B. 29
The terms increase by 3, so the next term is 26 + 3 = 29.
easy - 91
What comes next in the series: A, E, I, M, Q, ?
Correct answer: A. U
Each letter moves 4 places forward: Q + 4 = U.
medium - 92
In a certain code, FOREST is written as IRUHVW. How is BRIDGE written in that code?
Correct answer: D. EULGJH
Each letter is moved 3 places forward (F → I), so BRIDGE becomes EULGJH.
medium - 93
If KING = 41 (sum of the letters' positions in the alphabet), then DOOR = ?
Correct answer: B. 52
D = 4, O = 15, O = 15, R = 18; total 52.
medium - 94
4 : 17 :: 9 : ?
Correct answer: D. 82
The rule is 17 = 4² + 1, so 9 gives 82.
medium - 95
In a row, Kavya is 16th from the left and 7th from the right. How many people are in the row?
Correct answer: B. 22
Total = 16 + 7 − 1 = 22.
easy - 96
In a class of 46 students, Imran's rank from the top is 22nd. What is his rank from the bottom?
Correct answer: B. 25th
Rank from bottom = 46 − 22 + 1 = 25.
easy - 97
Neha walks 8 km West, then turns right and walks 15 km. How far is she from her starting point?
Correct answer: A. 17 km
The two walks are at right angles, so the distance is √(8² + 15²) = √289 = 17 km.
medium - 98
What is the angle between the hands of a clock at 2:20?
Correct answer: C. 50°
Angle = |30 × 2 − 5.5 × 20| = 50°.
hard - 99
13 April 2016 was a Wednesday. What day of the week was 2 May 2016?
Correct answer: B. Monday
The second date is 19 days later. 19 = 2 weeks + 5 days, so count 5 days on from Wednesday: Monday.
hard - 100
Find the next term: 17, 23, 29, 35, 41, ?
Correct answer: B. 47
The terms increase by 6, so the next term is 41 + 6 = 47.
easy