If you are preparing for the RRB Exams, you must have come across discussions about the difficulty level of IBPS RRB Clerk Mains. This phase of the exam is often regarded as challenging and requires thorough preparation to obtain the minimum qualifying marks. To prepare effectively for this exam, you cannot underestimate the significance of IBPS RRB previous year question papers. These papers serve as invaluable resources to help you identify trending topics, assess the difficulty level, determine safe attempts, and gain a deep understanding of the exam pattern.
 
In this article, we will explore the key insights that can be derived from these papers and provide guidance on how to effectively utilize IBPS RRB Previous Year Papers for a well-rounded exam preparation strategy.


Exploring the Historical Evolution of IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) are scheduled commercial banks in India that are controlled by the government and operate at the regional level in several Indian states. These banks are under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The RRBs were established to provide fundamental banking and financial services to rural communities. However, RRBs also have urban branches.
 
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts an online exam every year to recruit office Assistants to 43 Regional Rural Banks (RRB) of the country. Every year the institute announces a huge number of RRB Clerk positions for various Regional Rural Banks across India. IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam is the second phase of the recruitment process. IBPS RRB Clerk 2023 exam is a great opportunity for banking aspirants aspiring for a stable career in the banking sector.



Uncovering the Advanced Concepts Tested in IBPS RRB Clerk Mains

The IBPS RRB Clerk Mains or the second round of the selection process for RRB Clerk is divided into five sections: Reasoning, Computer Knowledge, English Language, General Awareness, and Quantitative Aptitude. With a composite time of 2 hours for all sections combined, you have the flexibility to allocate your time based on your capabilities, as there is no sectional time limit. The following table will give you a clear understanding of the IBPS RRB clerk mains exam pattern:

 


S.No Name of the Test Number of Questions Maximum Marks Duration
1. Reasoning Ability 40 50 Composite time of 2 hours
2. Computer Knowledge 40 20
3. General Awareness 40 40
4. English / Hindi Language 40 40
5. Quantitative Aptitude 40 50
  Total 200 200  

Scoring well in this round is crucial as the marks obtained here are considered for the final merit evaluation. To score well in the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the advanced topics that are likely to be asked in each section. By familiarizing yourself with these topics, you can prepare more effectively and improve your overall score in this round.

The following table will provide a complete overview of the advanced topics covered in the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam:

 
List of Advanced Concepts Tested in IBPS RRB Clerk Mains  
Reasoning Ability Computer Knowledge
 
General Awareness
 
Language Test Quantitative Aptitude  
 
Logical Reasoning
 
 
Puzzles
Direction sense
Blood Relation
Coded Inequality
Coding-Decoding
Machine Input Output
Data-Sufficiency
Seating Arrangement
 
 
Critical Reasoning
 
Statement and Assumptions
Statement and Inference
Cause and Effect
Course of Action
Strength of Argument
Statement and Conclusion
 
 
History of Computer     
Networking      
MS Word & MS Excel
Modern-day technology
Basic computer fundamentals            
Computer abbreviations
Security Tools & their Functionalities
 
 
Current Affairs
 
Banking News
National and International News
Economic and Financial News
Awards and honors
Books and authors
Latest appointments
Obituaries
New schemes
 
Static GK
 
Names of Country-capital, currency,
Headquarters of Financial Organizations
Constituencies of Ministers,
Dance forms
Important Dates
Banking/Financial terms
 
 
English Language
 
 
Reading Comprehension
Cloze Test
Para jumbles
Miscellaneous
Fill in the blanks
Multiple Meaning
Error Spotting
Paragraph Completion
 
 
Hindi Language
 
 
गद्यांश
गद्यांश में रिक्त स्थानों की पूर्ति
त्रुटि का पता लगाना
शब्द त्रुटी या वर्तनी त्रुटी
समानार्थक और विलोम शब्द
रिक्त स्थानों की पूर्ति करें
वाक्यांश के लिए एक शब्द
समानार्थी शब्द
विलोम शब्द
मुहावरे -लोकोक्तियाँ.
 
 
Wrong/New Pattern Number Series
High-level Data Sufficiency
Data Interpretation
Caselet DI
Time & Distance, Work
Boat and Streams
Partnership
Profit & Loss
Simple and Compound Interest
Mixture and Allegations
Ratio & Proportion
Percentage
 
           


IBPS RRB 2023 Notifications

 

 


 

 

Decoding the Complex Problem-solving Strategies in IBPS RRB Clerk Mains

Unlike the IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims exam, the questions asked in the RRB Clerk Mains exam are often indirect and complex. The exam requires not only a thorough understanding of the subject matter but also the ability to apply critical thinking and analytical skills to solve intricate problems.
 
For Example: In IBPS RRB clerk prelims, you are given basic seating arrangements of 1-2 variables. However, in IBPS RRB clerk mains, these variables can increase to 3 along with that the seated persons can be facing outside. This would make the puzzle time-consuming and difficult to answer accurately. Apart from this, other complex questions such as data sufficiency, coded relationship, etc. are asked in this phase.
 
To excel in this phase, it is essential to practice solving complex problems and develop a strategic approach to tackle them efficiently. With a strong problem-solving mindset, candidates can confidently face the indirect and complex questions in the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains exam.

 

Mastering the Art of Critical Thinking for IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam

IBPS RRB Clerk mains phase thoroughly evaluates your skills required to thrive in a banking job. Critical thinking plays a key role in the banking sector as it involves analyzing complex situations, making sound decisions, and finding innovative solutions.
 
By mastering critical thinking, you can effectively analyze and interpret data, assess risks, identify patterns, and exercise logical reasoning. These skills are crucial for handling diverse challenges that arise in the banking job and empower you to navigate through challenging phases with confidence ensuring your suitability for the demands of a banking career.
 
 
Here are some tips to master the Art of Critical Thinking for the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam


1. Watch video lectures: By attending video classes on the Smartkeeda YouTube channel, you can learn different reasoning techniques and problem-solving methods. These classes provide valuable insights and strategies to enhance critical thinking abilities, which are essential for tackling complex questions in the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam.
 
• Watch Critical Reasoning video lectures here!

 
2. Discuss with peers: Engaging in discussions with peers or study groups allows you to exchange perspectives and analyze different viewpoints. This collaborative approach helps in sharpening critical thinking skills by considering multiple points of view and developing a deeper understanding of the concept.
 
3. Practice with Topic Tests: Smartkeeda offers beginner to advance level topic tests on logical reasoning, critical reasoning, and other important topics asked in IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam. By attempting these tests, you can improve your critical thinking skills in specific areas. These tests provide targeted practice, enabling you to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and the detailed explanations in the solution part can help you improve your critical thinking abilities.
 
• Click here to attempt Critical Reasoning Topic Tests!

 
4. Attempt Mock Tests: Regularly attempting mock tests is crucial for mastering any topic with confidence as Mock tests simulate the actual exam environment, enabling you to immerse yourself in a setting that closely resembles the real examination. By participating in mock tests, you can expose your mind to the challenges experienced during the actual IBPS RRB Clerk Exam and feel the examination pressure
 
• Attempt full-length IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Mock Test Here!

 

Analyzing the Trending Topics in Recent IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exams

Analyzing the trending topics in IBPS clerk mains previous year papers can be highly beneficial as it allows you to identify the areas where you should focus your efforts to maximize your score in the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam. After carefully examining the memory-based questions from IBPS RRB previous year papers and topics, we have listed the important topics asked in IBPS RRB Clerk 2022. By understanding this, you can prioritize the concepts that have higher chances of appearing in the upcoming exam.
 

Reasoning Ability

In the Reasoning Ability section of the IBPS RRB Clerk 2022 Mains Exam, the maximum number of questions were asked from puzzles and seating arrangements. Therefore, developing a strong grasp of puzzles and seating arrangement concepts is crucial to navigating through this section successfully. The following were the trending topics of the IBPS RRB Clerk 2022 Mains Exam:

• Number Based Puzzle
• Circular seating arrangement (Facing Centre)
• Linear Seating Arrangement (South-North)
• Day-Based Puzzle (Mon to Saturday) – 2 Variable
• Post-wise Puzzle – 2 Variable
• Flat based puzzle


 

Quantitative Aptitude

By analyzing the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains previous year papers, we found that the level of the Quantitative Aptitude section was somewhat moderate. This was primarily due to the presence of a good number of Data Interpretation (DI) questions that required considerable calculation.
 

Topic No. of Questions  Level
Data Interpretation 15 Moderate
Miscellaneous 10 Moderate
Quadratic Equation 05 Easy to Moderate
Data Sufficiency 05 Moderate
Missing Number Series 05 Easy to Moderate
Total 40 Moderate



English Language
 

As per the IBPS RRB Clerk main previous year papers, the English language section emerged as the most scoring section. It required candidates to possess strong comprehension skills to secure a good score. To excel in this section, candidates needed to have a sound understanding of grammar rules, vocabulary usage, and effective reading strategies. Therefore, the ability to comprehend passages accurately can help you achieve a high score in the English section of the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam.
 

 

Topics No. of Questions Level
Reading Comprehension 08 Moderate 
Misspelt Words 05 Easy
Multiple meaning 06-07 Moderate
Error Detection 07 Easy to Moderate
Para Jumble 07 Difficult
Double fill in the blanks 06-07 Moderate 
Total 40 Easy to Moderate
 


 

General Awareness

In the IBPS RRB Clerk 2022 Mains Exam, the General Knowledge/General Awareness section featured questions of an Easy to Moderate level. The majority of the questions focused on current affairs, with an emphasis on the events and updates from the last 4-6 months.



After gaining a thorough understanding of the syllabus and trending topics of the IBPS RRB Clerk Exam, it becomes crucial to develop a comprehensive study plan. By crafting a well-structured study plan, you can optimize your efforts and achieve a good score on the exam.  This plan should include various key elements that are essential for effective preparation including:

• Full-length RRB Clerk Mains Mock test
• Complete Mock test analysis
• Noting down weak areas
• Attempting Topic tests for weak topics
• Attempting Sectional Test to develop speed
• Full-length Reattempt of difficult mocks
• Current affairs mock drills
• Banking Awareness & Computer aptitude quizzes


By integrating these elements into your study plan, you can establish an effective preparation strategy that can help you excel in the IBPS RRB Clerk mains exam.
 

Mastering the Quantitative Aptitude Section with Advanced Techniques

Mastering the Quantitative Aptitude section in the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam can be a challenging task, as it often emerges as one of the most time-consuming topics. However, you can overcome this challenge and excel in the Quantitative Aptitude section by discovering advanced techniques at Smartkeeda.
 
One effective strategy is to attempt Smartkeeda Sectional tests specifically designed for the Quantitative Aptitude section of the IBPS Clerk mains exam. These tests provide targeted practice and enable you to assess your proficiency in various topics. After attempting these sectional tests, you can access the solutions for difficult questions, and learn advanced techniques to solve those questions developed by our content experts. If you encounter any difficulty in understanding the solutions, rest assured that our doubt experts are available 24x7 to provide you with the necessary assistance.
 
By analyzing and understanding these advanced techniques, you can enhance your problem-solving skills, improve your speed, and approach quantitative questions with greater efficiency and accuracy. With consistent practice and application of these advanced techniques, you can significantly improve your performance in the Quantitative Aptitude section of the IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Exam.

• Attempt IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Sectional Test for Quantitative Aptitude here!
 


Author : Anjali

Hi, I am Anjali, a Probationary officer at a leading Public Sector Bank. With a passion for helping aspiring bankers, I have embarked on a journey to share my knowledge and insights through informative blogs. Having successfully cleared various bank exams myself, including IBPS PO XII, I understand the challenges and the importance of effective preparation. Through my blogs, I aim to provide valuable tips, strategies, and resources specifically tailored for bank exams, empowering the aspirants to achieve their dream of a successful banking career.


FAQ’s


8+8 (previous year + current year) mocks are included in the RRB clerk mains mock test series by Smartkeeda. These mocks are specifically designed to assess and enhance your score in the IBPS RRB clerk mains exam.

Yes, there is a negative marking in the IBPS RRB Clerk Exam. For every incorrect answer, one-fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty.

No, there is no interview round in the IBPS RRB Clerk Exam. The selection process consists of the Preliminary Exam and the Mains Exam.

Yes, the Smartkeeda RRB Clerk Test Series can be a valuable resource to help you clear the IBPS RRB Clerk Exam. In addition to providing high-quality mock tests, we offer detailed analysis and feedback after each test. This analysis allows you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, understand the areas where you need improvement, and devise a focused study plan accordingly.