SBI PO 2024 previous year paper practice · PYQ-pattern set

SBI PO 2024 PYQ-pattern questions

Showing 10 of the 17 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 · Cloze Test

   In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate options. Financial literacy is _____(1)_____ for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their money. Without proper knowledge, people often _____(2)_____ to scams or make poor investment choices. Educational institutions must _____(3)_____ financial education as a core subject. Which word best fits blank (1)?

   • A. trivial
   • B. essential
   • C. optional
   • D. irrelevant
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   'Essential' correctly conveys that financial literacy is necessary and important for empowering individuals, fitting the positive context of the passage.

2. Q2 · Word Swap

   In the sentence below, two words are highlighted. Choose the option that represents the correct swap to make the sentence meaningful. The bank's decision to lower (A) interest rates has significantly (B) affected customer deposits, causing many to withdraw (C) their savings and invest (D) elsewhere. Which pair of words needs to be swapped?

   • A. A and B
   • B. C and D
   • C. B and C
   • D. No swap required
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   The sentence is already meaningful and grammatically correct. Lower interest rates logically lead to customers withdrawing deposits and investing elsewhere.

3. Q3 · Sentence Rearrangement / Para Jumbles

   Rearrange the sentences to form a meaningful paragraph. A. These measures have successfully reduced non-performing assets in several institutions. B. Consequently, the banking sector's overall health has shown improvement. C. Regulatory bodies have implemented stringent guidelines for loan recovery. D. Nevertheless, challenges remain in dealing with legacy bad loans. What is the correct sequence?

   • A. CABD
   • B. CBAD
   • C. DACB
   • D. ABCD
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   The logical flow is: C (introduction of guidelines) → A (positive result of these measures) → B (overall improvement) → D (contrasting persistent challenges).

4. Q4 · Idioms and Phrases

   Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the idiom: 'To hit the nail on the head'.

   • A. To cause physical harm
   • B. To describe something exactly right
   • C. To make a mistake
   • D. To work very hard
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   The idiom 'to hit the nail on the head' means to describe or identify something exactly correctly.

5. Q5 · Simplification and Approximation

   Simplify the following expression: (648 ÷ 18) + (15 × 8) – 72 = ?

   • A. 84
   • B. 92
   • C. 104
   • D. 64
   Answer and solution

   Answer: A

   648 ÷ 18 = 36, 15 × 8 = 120, so 36 + 120 - 72 = 84.

6. Q6 · Theme / Inference Detection

   Read the passage and identify its primary inference: 'Financial inclusion is pivotal for sustainable economic development. By ensuring access to banking and financial services for marginalized communities, economies can unlock untapped potential and reduce inequality.' What can be inferred from the passage?

   • A. Financial inclusion is optional for economic growth
   • B. Marginalized communities do not need banking services
   • C. Providing financial services to all can drive economic progress and fairness
   • D. Inequality is unrelated to access to financial services
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   The passage emphasizes that financial inclusion enables economic development and reduces inequality, supporting option C.

7. Q7 · Number System

   The sum of two consecutive even numbers is 74. What is the smaller number?

   • A. 34
   • B. 36
   • C. 38
   • D. 40
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Let the numbers be x and x+2. Then x + (x+2) = 74, so 2x = 72 and x = 36. The smaller number is 36.

8. Q8 · Arithmetic

   A train 150 m long passes a pole in 10 seconds. What is the speed of the train in km/h?

   • A. 45 km/h
   • B. 50 km/h
   • C. 54 km/h
   • D. 60 km/h
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   Speed = Distance/Time = 150m / 10s = 15 m/s. Convert to km/h: 15 × (18/5) = 54 km/h.

9. Q9 · Coding-Decoding

   In a certain code language: 'quick brown fox jumps' is coded as 'pa zi ku mo' 'fox runs very quick' is coded as 'mo st pa de' 'brown cat runs fast' is coded as 'zi lt st ne' What is the code for 'jumps'?

   • A. pa
   • B. ku
   • C. mo
   • D. zi
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Comparing the first two statements, 'quick' and 'fox' are common, coded as 'pa' and 'mo'. From statements 2 and 3, 'runs' is coded as 'st'. Thus in statement 1, 'jumps' must be 'ku'.

10. Q10 · Data Sufficiency

    What is the monthly salary of Ramesh? Statement I: Ramesh spends 25% of his salary on rent and 40% on groceries and savings. Statement II: The difference between Ramesh's expenditure on rent and groceries is Rs. 6000.

    • 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: D

    Statement I gives only percentages, not absolute values. Statement II gives a difference but doesn't specify rent vs groceries percentage individually. Even together, we cannot determine exact salary.