NABARD Grade (A & B) (Online) 2015 Pre-Exam Analysis (1st March, 2015 – Morning Slot)
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducted online examination for the recruitment of Grade ‘A’ and Grade ‘B’ Officers (various posts as given in the notification) across the country on 1st March 2015.
There were 200 questions in the paper, which had to be answered in 2 hours and 10 minutes (130 minutes). There were four sections in all - Reasoning, English Language and Computer Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness. All the other sections except English Language section were available bilingually, that is, in both English and Hindi. Each question had 5 options. There was negative marking of one-fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to that question for all the sections.
The pattern of the test was as follows:
| Section |
Total Questions |
Max. Marks |
Level of Difficulty |
Possible Attempts |
Possible Score> |
Approximate Time Taken (In Minutes) |
| Reasoning |
50 |
50 |
Moderate |
30-32 |
27-29 |
40 minutes |
| English Language and Computer Awareness |
60(30+30) |
60 |
Easy |
42-45 |
38-40 |
35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
50 |
50 |
Moderate |
30-32 |
26-28 |
40 minutes |
| General Awareness |
40 |
40 |
Moderate to Tough |
20-22 |
12-15 |
15 minutes |
| Total |
200 |
200 |
|
|
103-108 |
130 |
The details of the individual sections are given below:
Reasoning
This section primarily saw easy to moderate level of questions. A student should have attempted at least 30 questions. The questions were not time consuming. There were questions on Linear Arrangement, Circular Arrangement, Analytical Reasoning, Syllogism, Matrix Arrangement and Critical Reasoning. The detailed break up of questions is as follows –
| Topic |
Number of questions |
| Circular Arrangement |
6 |
| Sitting Arrangements (Linear) |
12 (6 + 6) |
| Matrix Arrangement |
6 |
| Syllogism |
6 |
| Input-Output |
6 |
| Mathematical Inequality |
5 |
| Critical Reasoning |
3 |
| Blood Relations |
2 |
| Data Sufficiency |
2 |
| Alphabetical Series |
1 |
| Quant Based |
1 |
English Language and Computer Awareness
There was one Reading Comprehension passage with 5 questions. The passage was an easy read and can be attempted easily. There were 5 questions each on sentence correction, Spot the error and Fill in the blanks (2 in each question). There was a cloze passage of 10 questions which was an easy take. The questions in this section were easier as compared to other banking examinations.
Among the computer awareness questions, all the questions were based on basic computers like operating system, internet, input / output devices etc.
This was the easiest section of the examination.
An attempt of 42 questions can be considered as a good attempt.
| Topic |
Number of questions |
| Reading Comprehensions |
5 |
| Cloze Test |
10 |
| Sentence Correction |
5 |
| Spot the Error |
5 |
| Fill in the Blanks |
5 |
| Sentence Completion |
5 |
Quantitative Aptitude
In general, this section was of moderate difficulty level. This section was mostly dominated by DI questions and a few quant questions which include questions of Arithmetic (time and work, CI/SI, percentage etc.), Number Series and Data Interpretation that include Pie Chart, Line Chart, Table etc. The DI questions were relatively less difficult in comparison to other IBPS Exams.
A well prepared would have attempted 30 questions easily in this section.
| Topic |
Number of questions |
| Data Interpretation - Line Graph |
6 |
| Data Interpretation – Caselet |
6 |
| Data Interpretation – Combinational (Pie Chart + Table) |
6 |
| Probability |
1 |
| Time and Work |
1 |
| Mensuration |
1 |
| Approximation |
5 |
| Partnership |
1 |
| Simple Interest / Compound Interest |
1 |
| Ages |
1 |
| Data Interpretation – Table |
6 |
| Mixture and Alligation |
1 |
| Averages |
1 |
| Pipes and Cisterns |
1 |
| Percentages |
1 |
| Comparison of Variables |
5 |
| Series – Missing number in between |
6 |
General Awareness
This section comprised questions of moderate to tough difficulty level primarily based on current affairs. A lot of questions were asked related persons like chief or chairman or various organizations. Besides that question based on RBI policy and update related to RBI were asked. An attempt of 20-22 questions can be considered as a good attempt.
Disclaimer:All information on cut-offs, analysis, answer key and scores are based on independent analysis and evaluation made by Career Launcher. We do not take responsibility for any decision that might be taken, based on this information.
All the best!
Team CL
