Before starting your preparation for any competitive exam, it gives you an edge to know the type of questions asked in the exam. Many students get stuck not because they didn’t study well, but because they didn’t study right. They weren’t even familiar with the exam pattern and types of questions. The RRB Clerk Exam is not just about what you know. It’s also about how fast and smartly you can apply it. In this article we will be discussing the exam pattern and the types of questions asked in the RRB Clerk Exam.
IBPS RRB Clerk Exam Pattern
Before diving into question types, let’s quickly understand the exam structure. The IBPS RRB Clerk exam is conducted in two stages: Prelims and Mains.
Preliminary Exam
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 40 | 45 minutes (composite) |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | |
| Total | 80 | 80 | 45 minutes |
Mains Exam
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 50 | 2 hours (composite) |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 50 | |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | |
| English / Hindi | 40 | 40 | |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | 20 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 hours |
Subject-wise Breakdown and Question Types
Here we have given a subject-wise breakdown of the questions for a better understanding. You can find the topic and the kind of questions asked in the exam.
Reasoning Ability
In both Prelims and Mains, reasoning is considered a scoring section, but only if you’ve practiced the types of questions well. Puzzles usually make up 40-50% of this section, so mastering different puzzle patterns is a must.
| Topic | What Kind of Questions Are Asked? |
|---|---|
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | Linear, circular, and floor-based puzzles with 5–6 conditions. Mostly asked in sets of 5 questions. |
| Syllogism | Statements followed by conclusions; you have to determine which conclusions logically follow. |
| Inequality | Questions with >, <, =, ≥, ≤ symbols between variables; check the validity of given conclusions. |
| Coding-Decoding | Based on patterns, letter shifting, or symbolic logic. Sometimes includes sentence-based formats. |
| Blood Relations | Family-based logical connections — e.g., “A is the mother of B, how is B related to C?” |
| Direction Sense | Problems with directions and distance — e.g., a person moves north, then right; where are they now? |
| Alphanumeric Series | Series with letters, numbers, or symbols; often asked as “find the odd one out” or next in the series. |
| Order and Ranking | Questions around position-based logic — e.g., “A is taller than B but shorter than C…” etc. |
Numerical Ability
This section checks your number game. Questions are mostly concept-based but can feel tricky if your calculation speed is slow.
| Topic | What Kind of Questions Are Asked? |
|---|---|
| Simplification / Approximation | Questions based on BODMAS, fractions, percentages. Aim: solve fast with mental math tricks. |
| Number Series (Missing/Wrong) | Identify the pattern (addition, multiplication, squares, etc.) and find the missing or wrong number. |
| Data Interpretation (DI) | Tables, bar graphs, and pie charts – calculate averages, ratios, percentages based on given data. |
| Quadratic Equations | Two-variable equations given – compare values of x and y to determine the correct relationship. |
| Arithmetic Word Problems | Real-life application-based questions – includes topics like Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Simple/Compound Interest, Boats & Streams, and more. |
General Awareness
General awareness is only a part of the Mains exam and often makes the difference between selection and rejection.
| Topic | What Kind of Questions Are Asked? |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs (Last 6 Months) | Questions from recent national & international news, sports, awards, books, defense, etc. |
| Banking Awareness | Banking terms (Repo Rate, NPA), RBI functions, financial institutions, recent banking-related news. |
| Static GK | Fixed facts like currencies, capitals, national parks, dams, and Indian geography/polity basics. |
| Government Schemes | Questions on recently launched central and state schemes — focus on name, ministry, and purpose. |
| Important Appointments, Summits, & Days | Questions on who was appointed where, recent global summits, and important dates like “World Health Day.” |
English/Hindi Language
You can choose between English or Hindi in the Mains exam. The questions test your comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.
| Topic | What Kind of Questions Are Asked? |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | A short passage with blanks. You have to choose the most appropriate word for each blank. |
| Cloze Test | Identify grammatical errors in a sentence. Based on subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, etc. |
| Error Spotting | Sentences are jumbled, you have to rearrange them to form a meaningful paragraph. |
| Para Jumbles | Sentences are jumbled; you have to rearrange them to form a meaningful paragraph. |
| Fill in the Blanks | Single/double blanks in sentences to test vocabulary, grammar, and context understanding. |
Computer Knowledge
Computer knowledge is often underrated but gives a good score boost in Mains. You can easily prepare this section in 5–7 days with short notes and MCQs.
| Topic | What Kind of Questions Are Asked? |
|---|---|
| Basics of Computer Hardware & Software | Questions on input-output devices, CPU, memory types, and basic software vs. hardware differences. |
| MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | Features, shortcut keys, commonly used commands, ribbon tools, and formulas (mostly Excel-related). |
| Internet & Networking Basics | Questions on browsers, search engines, IP addresses, email protocols, and basic terms like LAN/WAN. |
| Operating Systems | Features of OS (Windows/Linux), functions of OS, types of OS – real-time, batch processing, etc. |
| Keyboard Shortcuts & Abbreviations | CTRL+C, CTRL+V, F1–F12 keys, and full forms like HTTP, RAM, URL, etc. |
| Cyber Security Basics | Basic awareness about phishing, firewalls, antivirus, strong passwords, and malware types. |
Conclusion
Preparing for the IBPS RRB Clerk exam might feel like a big task at first, but once you understand what kind of questions are asked and how each section works, it honestly becomes way more manageable. Each subject has its own importance, and once you start solving mocks and practicing regularly, you will build both speed and accuracy.
IBPS RRB Clerk Other Article
| IBPS RRB Clerk Exam Pattern | IBPS RRB Clerk Syllabus |
| IBPS RRB Clerk Salary | IBPS RRB Clerk Cut Off |
| IBPS RRB Clerk Previous Year Paper |
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FAQs
The Prelims has two sections: Reasoning Ability and Numerical Ability, each carrying 40 marks.
The Mains exam has 200 questions in total, covering Reasoning, Quant, English/Hindi, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge.
The level is usually easy to moderate, but due to the competition and time pressure, accuracy and speed are key
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