IBPS PO exam is just a few months away. Data sufficiency questions usually appear in the reasoning section of IBPS PO examination. These questions are different from other questions in the sense that they offer a unique blend of quants and reasoning section. Let us have a look at how to prepare for Data Sufficiency questions for IBPS PO in this blog post. You can also read about how to solve Data interpretations of IBPS PO exam.
Candidates can prepare for IBPS PO online to enhance their scores. The most important point to be noted is that aspirants must not assume data. Taking IBPS PO mock tests will help to reduce silly mistakes while taking the exam.
Aspirants must refrain from solving the entire question. The questions ask aspirants to determine whether the data given is sufficient to solve the problem. Once that is established, it is important to move on to the next question. Aspirants can take a look at previous year papers of IBPS PO to gather some basic idea about these questions.
Data sufficiency questions for IBPS PO:
Data sufficiency questions for IBPS PO check a candidate’s ability to make sense of the data given. Unlike conventional questions, these questions test one’s ability to think.
Let us have a look at some Data sufficiency questions for IBPS PO to get the hang of these questions.
Choose A as answer if statement A alone is sufficient to answer the question.
Choose B as answer if statement B alone is sufficient to answer the question.
If both the statements A and B are required to answer the question, choose C as the answer.
Choose D as answer if both the statements A and B together are insufficient to answer the question.
Have a distinction between data given in question and statements:
1) Ravi invests some amount in a bank. What is the rate of interest ‘r’ if the bank compounds the principal annually?
A)The principal doubles in a period of 3 years.
B)Ravi invests Rs. 20,000.
According to the first statement, p(1+r)^3 = 2p => (1+r)^3 = 2
From this equation, ‘r’ can be determined. Statement A alone is sufficient to answer.
From statement B, 20000(1+r)^n = Amount. Since there are 3 unknowns, the equation cannot be solved. Statement B is insufficient to answer the question.
A is the right answer.
One of the common mistakes that students make is that they carry data from statement A while solving using statement B unconsciously. Hence, aspirants must be clear with the data the question provides and the data the statements provide.
Avoid superfluous data:
2)What is the %age change in the area of the rectangle?
A)The length was initially twice the breadth. Initial length = 7.7m. The length was increased to thrice the breadth.
B)The length was initially equal to 8m. It increases to thrice the value of breadth of the rectangle.
From statement A, l = 2b => Area = 2b^2
Finally, l = 3b => Area = 3b^2
We can calculate the percentage change in the area using these data.
Statement A alone is sufficient to answer the question.
One of the mistakes that aspirants make is that they feel they have to use all the data given in the question. As it turns out, l = 7.7m is not at all needed to answer the question. Beware of superfluous and redundant data.
From statement B, l = 8m. Area = 8b.
Final length = 3b. => Final area = 3b^2.
Statement B is insufficient to answer the question.
A is the right answer.
Don’t jump to conclusions:
3)What is the value of angle C, provided ABC is a triangle.
A)Angles A, B, and C are in arithmetic progression. Angle C is the largest angle in the triangle.
B)If AB is made the diameter of a circle, angle C will be the angle subtended by AB on the circumference.
From A, A, B,and C are in arithmetic progression. => a-d+a+a+d =180
3a = 180 => a =60 degrees.
This is the point at which most aspirants falter. On seeing a = 60 degrees and the word A.P, they conclude that ABC must be a 30-60-90 triangle and angle C must be 90 degrees since it is the largest angle.
However, we only know that a = 60 degrees. The other 2 angles are 60-d and 60+d. ‘d’ can be any value.
Hence, statement A is insufficient to answer the question.
Statement B states that had AB been the diameter, C would be the angle subtended by it on the circumference. We know that angle subtended by diameter on circumference = 90 degrees. Hence, statement B alone is sufficient to answer the question.
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Attention to detail:
4)What is the volume of the cone?
A)The radius of the frustum is 2m.
B)The ratio of radius to the height of the cone is 2.
Statement A gives the radius of the frustum. From this, the volume of frustum cannot be determined. Similarly, using statement B, we cannot determine the volume of the cone.
Combining statements A and B, we cannot get any information regarding the volumes. Hence, both statements A and B together are insufficient to answer the question. Option D is the right answer.
Had the question asked for the volume of Frustum, it could have been solved since the ratio of height to the radius of cone and frustum will be the same (Similar triangles). Hence, it is essential to pay attention to what the question asks for.
Never assume data:
Let us wind it up with the last question.
What is the area of the triangle?
A)Two of the sides of the triangle are 6 and 8.
B)The sides of the triangle are in AP.
Clearly, statement B is insufficient to answer the question.
Statement A gives a hint of a Pythagorean triplet. But it cannot be ascertained that the third side will be 10.
Combining statement A and B, we know that 6,8 are 2 sides and the third side differs from one of the sides by 2. This is a point where most aspirants falter. They assume the triplet (6,8,10) and mark option C.
A point to note is that (4,6,8) is also a valid triangle. Hence, we cannot answer the question even after combining both the statements. Option D is the right answer.
Never assume any information that the question does not give you.
We hope that this blog on Data sufficiency questions for IBPS PO would have provided some clarity for aspirants regarding the questions. Also read about Quantitative section tips for IBPS PO exam.
Some of our other useful blogs:
Number series questions for IBPS PO
Study plan for IBPS PO
