IBPS PO 2025 previous year paper practice · PYQ-pattern set

IBPS PO 2025 PYQ-pattern questions

Showing 10 of the 14 PYQ-pattern questions in this set — freshly worded in that year's pattern, not the original questions. Answers and solutions open under each question.

1. Q1 · Reading Comprehension

   Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows: The rapid expansion of digital banking has transformed the financial landscape, enabling customers to perform transactions with unprecedented ease. However, this convenience comes with cybersecurity challenges that banks must address proactively. Financial institutions are investing heavily in advanced encryption technologies and multi-factor authentication systems to safeguard customer data. Despite these efforts, the sophistication of cyber threats continues to evolve, requiring constant vigilance and innovation in security protocols. According to the passage, what is the primary concern arising from digital banking expansion?

   • A. Lack of customer interest in digital services
   • B. The evolving sophistication of cybersecurity threats
   • C. Insufficient investment in technology infrastructure
   • D. Difficulty in performing banking transactions
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   The passage explicitly states that despite banks' security efforts, 'the sophistication of cyber threats continues to evolve,' making cybersecurity the primary concern.

2. Q2 · Fill in the Blanks

   Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word from the options given. The government's decision to __________ the interest rates has positively impacted the housing loan sector.

   • A. escalate
   • B. reduce
   • C. abandon
   • D. fluctuate
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   A 'positive impact' on housing loans would result from lower interest rates, making 'reduce' the most appropriate choice.

3. Q3 · Match the Columns / Sentence Connector

   In the following question, two columns are given, each containing three phrases. Column I has phrases A, B, and C; Column II has phrases D, E, and F. A phrase from Column I may or may not connect with a phrase from Column II to make a grammatically and contextually correct sentence. Choose the option that represents the correct matches. Column I: A. The government has announced a new initiative B. Despite numerous warnings from experts C. The central bank's monetary policy Column II: D. to boost digital literacy in rural areas. E. the authorities failed to prevent the disaster. F. will be reviewed in the upcoming quarterly meeting.

   • A. A-D and B-E
   • B. B-D and C-F
   • C. A-F and C-D
   • D. A-D, B-E, and C-F
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   A connects with D ('initiative to boost digital literacy'), B connects with E ('despite warnings...failed to prevent'), and C connects with F ('policy will be reviewed'), making all three matches grammatically and contextually correct.

4. Q4 · Quadratic Equations

   In the following question, two equations are given. You need to solve both the equations and determine the relation between x and y. I. x² - 15x + 56 = 0 II. y² - 18y + 80 = 0

   • A. x > y
   • B. x < y
   • C. x ≥ y
   • D. x ≤ y
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   Equation I: x² - 15x + 56 = 0 gives x = 7 or x = 8. Equation II: y² - 18y + 80 = 0 gives y = 8 or y = 10. Comparing all values, x can be equal to or less than y, so x ≤ y.

5. Q5 · Seating Arrangement

   Eight persons P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W are sitting around a circular table facing the center. P sits third to the left of Q. R sits second to the right of S. T sits immediately to the left of U. V does not sit adjacent to Q. Who sits second to the right of P?

   • A. R
   • B. S
   • C. T
   • D. Cannot be determined
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   Given clues do not uniquely fix all positions; multiple arrangements are possible consistent with the conditions provided, hence the answer cannot be uniquely determined.

6. Q6 · Data Sufficiency

   Among five friends P, Q, R, S, and T, who is the tallest? Statement I: Q is taller than R and T but shorter than P. Statement II: S is taller than P.

   • A. Statement I alone is sufficient
   • B. Statement II alone is sufficient
   • C. Both statements together are sufficient
   • D. Both statements together are not sufficient
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   Statement I gives P > Q > R,T but doesn't tell about S. Statement II gives S > P. Combining: S > P > Q > R,T, so S is tallest. Both needed.

7. Q7 · Alphabet Test

   Directions: Study the following five words carefully: GATE HOPE WIND ROCK SAND If the first and third letters of each word are interchanged, how many meaningful English words will be formed?

   • A. None
   • B. One
   • C. Two
   • D. Three
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Interchanging first and third letters: GATE→TAGE (no), HOPE→POHE (no), WIND→NIWD (no), ROCK→CORK (valid word), SAND→NASD (no). Only one meaningful word (CORK) is formed.

8. Q8 · Word Swap / Word Usage

   In the following sentence, four words are given in bold. These words may or may not be in their correct positions. Choose the option with the correct arrangement of words to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. If no rearrangement is required, select option (D). The government's decision to implement (A) stringent measures has been widely appreciated (B) by economists who believe it will curtail (C) inflation and restore (D) investor confidence.

   • A. A-C
   • B. B-D
   • C. A-D
   • D. No rearrangement required
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   All words are correctly placed in the sentence. 'Implement' refers to putting measures into effect, 'appreciated' means valued, 'curtail' means reduce, and 'restore' means bring back.

9. Q9 · Arithmetic

   A shopkeeper marks an article at ₹1,800 and offers a discount of 15%. If he still makes a profit of 19%, what is the cost price of the article?

   • A. ₹1,200
   • B. ₹1,285
   • C. ₹1,350
   • D. ₹1,400
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Selling price = 1800 × 0.85 = ₹1,530. If SP = CP × 1.19, then CP = 1530 ÷ 1.19 = ₹1,285.

10. Q10 · Alphanumeric / Number Series

    Directions: Study the following alphanumeric series: M 4 @ T K 7 # 9 R 2 $ P 5 L 6 & D 3 Q 8. How many symbols are there in the series which are immediately preceded by a number and immediately followed by a consonant?

    • A. None
    • B. One
    • C. Two
    • D. Three
    Answer and solution

    Answer: D

    Symbols are @, #, $, &. @ is preceded by 4 and followed by T (consonant)✓; # preceded by 7 but followed by 9 (number)✗; $ preceded by 2 and followed by P✓; & preceded by 6 and followed by D✓. Total three.