Tricks to Solve Data Sufficiency Questions in SBI Clerk-Mains Exam 2021!

Data Sufficiency is an essential part of the SBI Clerk Mains Exam, which is associated with both the RA (Reasoning Ability) and QA (Quantitative Aptitude) sections. If practiced well, Data Sufficiency can help you gulp good marks, so you cannot and should not take the risk of skipping the questions.

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These questions check your knowledge of Mathematical concepts directly, or indirectly. And here’s where many candidates commit mistakes! Most of them lose marks as they try to make a guess to answer the questions, and avoid solving them carefully.

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In this article, we supply you with the data sufficiency questions for reasoning ability and the approach we should follow while solving Data Sufficiency questions.

Let us learn the tips and tricks and the approach to solving Data Sufficiency questions!

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Concept of Data Sufficiency

In questions based on Data Sufficiency, you will be asked to check whether the given information is followed by a few statements or conditions and a few options where you have to answer which one of them shall be necessary to answer the question asked, or not. You need to choose a unique answer to the question asked. More than one answer is not allowed.

It may sound complex, as the data sufficiency questions may take time to get solved because of many confusing options, but good practice can ensure mastery over it.  

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Tricks To Solve Data Sufficiency Questions in SBI Clerk Exam 2021

We are providing you with some major tricks that can help you to solve the data sufficiency questions while preparing for the exam and at the time of the actual Exam

Here are the tricks you should immediately take into account to train your mind to quickly choose options:

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1.      Read the complete question carefully

You need to read the complete the entire question carefully, before jumping for an option. Although, sometimes you can find a question or two that you can just solve verbally, reading this long question quickly yet carefully is necessary to make the choice accurate.

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2.      Check all the statements one after another

You should always check all the statements, every point, one by one, and lastly, and if required, combine the two statements to get the required answer. To make it easy, try solving the answer with the first condition given, and then add on to the next conditions given the question in order to get the correct answer.

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3.      Say no to final answer

Mostly, you will need to answer with only that condition that will satisfy your requirements to meet the answer to the given question. So, don’t waste your time in finding the final answer.

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4.      Make no assumptions

Avoid making any assumptions. The information that you will receive in the question is going to be the only fact that needs to be considered while answering the question. Nothing more, nothing less.

Take-home point: Do not make any wild guesses or assumptions while solving Data Sufficiency questions.

Read: Topper’s secrets of Scoring 80+ Marks in SBI Clerk Exam 2021

Here are some examples of Data Sufficiency Questions with answers:

Example-1

What is the distance between Chandigarh and Delhi?

Karnal is 130 km from Chandigarh.

Delhi is 120 km from Karnal.

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Solution: After taking a quick look at both the above-mentioned statements, we may infer that a correct answer can be obtained just by combining the two statements.

However, this answer is based on two assumptions, that Chandigarh, Karnal, and Delhi are located in a straight line and Karnal is located between Chandigarh and Delhi.

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So, even if it says that these 3 cities are located in a straight line, then still we have 2 possible answers to this question, even after combining the two statements. And those answers are 250 km and 10 km. And, as we are not getting any unique answer even after combining the two statements, so the answer will be the 5th option.

Note: Don’t forget that these sorts of questions are made as a trap to test your skill.

Example-2

The question consists of three statements numbered “I, II and III” given below it. You have to decide whether the data provided in the statements are sufficient to answer the question.

The average income of ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ is Rs. 35000. Income of ‘A’ and ‘C’ are equal. ‘A’ spends 65% of his income. Find the savings of ‘B’.

Statement I: The expenditure of ‘C’ is Rs. 4000 more than that of ‘A’. The savings of ‘B’ is 10% of the expenditure of ‘C’.

Statement II: The expenditure of ‘B’ is Rs. 22000

Statement III: ‘A’ spends Rs. 26000.

a.) The data in statements I and III together are sufficient to answer the question while data in statement II alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

b.) The data in statements II and III together are sufficient to answer the question while data in statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

c.) The data in either of the two statements together are sufficient to answer the question.

d.) The data in all three statements together is not sufficient to answer the question.

e.) The data in all three statements together are necessary to answer the question.

Answer: c)

Solution:

Let the income of ‘A’ and ‘C’ be Rs. x

Income of ‘B’ = Rs. (3 × 35000 – 2x)

Therefore, expenditure of ‘A’ = Rs. 0.65x

Statement I:

Expenditure of ‘C’ = Rs. (0.65x + 4000)

Savings of ‘B’ = Rs. 0.1(0.65x + 4000)

So, data in statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

Statement II:

Expenditure of ‘B’ = Rs. 22000

So, data in statement II alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

Statement III:

Expenditure of ‘A’ = Rs. 26000

So, data in statement III alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

Combining statement I and II:

105000 – 2x – 0.1(0.65x + 4000) = 22000

Or, 2.065x = 82600

Or, x = Rs. 40000

Therefore, savings of ‘B’ = 0.1(65x + 4000) = Rs. 3000

Therefore, data in statement I and II together is sufficient to answer the question.

Combining statements I and III:

0.65x = 26000

Or, x = 26000/0.65 = Rs. 40000

Savings of ‘B’ = 0.1(0.65x + 4000) = Rs. 3000

Therefore, data in statements I and III together is sufficient to answer the question.

Combining statements II and III:

0.65x = 26000

Or, x = 26000/0.65 = Rs. 40000

Therefore, income of ‘B’ = (105000 – 2x) = Rs. 25000

Therefore, savings of ‘B’ = 25000 – 22000 = Rs. 3000

Therefore, data in statement II and III together is sufficient to answer the question.

Therefore, data in either of the two statements together is sufficient to answer the question.

Hence, option c.

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Example-3

The question consists of three statements numbered “I, II and III” given below it. You have to decide whether the data provided in the statements are sufficient to answer the question.

A bag contains balls of three different colours red, green, and yellow. Find the number of green balls in the bag.

Statement-I: The number of yellow balls is 50% less than the number of green balls in the bag, and number of red balls are 4 less than the number of green balls.

Statement-II: The average number of each colour ball in the bag is 12.

Statement-III: The probability of drawing a yellow ball from the bag is (2/9).

a.) The data in statement-I and Statement-II together are sufficient to answer the question, while the data in statement III alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

b.) The data in statement-II and Statement-III together are sufficient to answer the question, while the data in statement-I alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

c.) The data in statement-I and Statement-III together are sufficient to answer the question, while the data in statement-II alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

d.) The data given in all the three statements I, II and III together are necessary to answer the question.

e.) Either option (a) or option (c)

Answer: e)

Solution:

Statement I, II, and III alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

Combining statement-I and Statement-II:

Let the number of green balls be ‘x’.

Number of yellow balls = 0.5x

Number of red balls = (x – 4)

Total number of balls in the bag = 12 × 3 = 36

So, x + 0.5x + x – 4 = 36

2.5x = 40

x = 16

So, number of green balls in the bag = 16

Combining statement-II and Statement-III:

Total number of balls in the bag = 12 × 3 = 36

Number of yellow balls = 2/9 × 36 = 8

So, the number of green balls cannot be determined.

Combining statement-I and Statement-III:

Let the number of green balls be ‘x’.

Number of yellow balls = 0.5x

Number of red balls = (x – 4)

So, 0.5x/(2.5x – 4) = 2/9

x = 16

Hence, option e.

Example-4

The question consists of three statements numbered “I, II, and III” given below it. You have to decide whether the data provided in the statements are sufficient to answer the question.

A shopkeeper sold an article. Find the selling price of the article.

Statement I: The selling price of an article is 40% more than the cost price of the article. The marked price of an article is Rs. 360 more than the selling price after giving a discount of Rs. 30%.

Statement II: The cost price of the article is Rs. 600 and the discount given by the shopkeeper is 30%. The profit earned by the shopkeeper is Rs. 240.

Statement III: Profit made by the shopkeeper is 40%. If the article was sold at Rs. 48 more, then the shopkeeper would have earned 48% profit.

a.) The data in statement I alone are sufficient to answer the question, while the data in statement II or statement III alone are not sufficient to answer the question

b.) The data in statement II alone are sufficient to answer the question, while the data in statement I or statement III alone are not sufficient to answer the question

c.) The data in statement III alone are sufficient to answer the question, while the data in statement I or statement II alone are not sufficient to answer the question

d.) Data in statement I alone or in statement II alone or in statement III alone are sufficient to answer the question.

e.) Data in either statement I alone or in statement II and statement III together are sufficient to answer the question.

Answer: d)

Solution:

Statement I:

Let, cost price be Rs. x

Then, selling price = Rs. 1.4x

Marked price = Rs. 1.4x + 360

So, 70% of (1.4x + 360) = 1.4x

49x/50 + 252 = 7x/5

21x/50 = 252

x = 600

Selling price = 1.4x = Rs. 840

So, data in statement I alone is sufficient to answer the question.

Statement II:

Cost price of article = Rs. 600

Profit earned = Rs. 240

Selling price of the article = 600 + 240 = Rs. 840

So, data in statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question.

Statement III:

Let cost price = Rs. x

So, 148% of x – 140% of x = 48

148x/100 – 140x/100 = 48

8x = 4800

x = 600

Selling price = 140% of 600 = Rs. 840

So, data in statement III alone is sufficient to answer the question.

Hence, option d.

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Conclusion

Now you should have clearly understood both the pattern and the tricks to solve the Data Sufficiency questions. You will be able to solve the questions systematically by following the step-by-step approach mentioned above. In addition, you should try to solve previous year’s data sufficiency questions and attempt as many Mock Tests as possible, to expose yourself to a variety of Data Sufficiency questions. Data Sufficiency questions may play a very crucial role in getting you good marks in the overall SBI Clerk Exam 2021.

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