Study Material — 11 PYQs (2024–2024) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
SBI Clerk Data Sufficiency — Reasoning is a frequently tested subtopic — 11 previous year questions from 2024–2024 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
SBI Clerk Data Sufficiency — Reasoning — Past Exam Questions
11 questions from actual SBI Clerk papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12024Previous Year Pattern
In a Data Sufficiency question, we need to determine: 'How many children does Rajesh have?'
Statement I: Rajesh has more children than his brother Amit.
Statement II: Rajesh has 3 children.
Which statement(s) is/are sufficient to answer the question?
Exam Q 22024Previous Year Pattern
Statements:
I. Rajesh is taller than Priya.
II. Priya is taller than Anita.
Question: Is Rajesh taller than Anita?
A) Yes, definitely
B) No, definitely not
C) Cannot be determined
D) Yes, but only if Rajesh is also taller than Karan
Exam Q 32024Previous Year Pattern
Statements:
I. All teachers are educated.
II. Some educated people are not doctors.
Question: Can we conclude that some teachers are not doctors?
A) Yes, the conclusion definitely follows
B) No, the conclusion does not follow
C) Yes, the conclusion probably follows
D) Cannot be determined from the given statements
Exam Q 42024Previous Year Pattern
Statements:
I. No politician is honest.
II. Some honest people are rich.
Question: Can we conclude that some rich people are not politicians?
A) Yes, definitely
B) No, the conclusion does not follow
C) Yes, but only probably
D) Cannot be determined
Exam Q 52024Previous Year Pattern
Statements:
I. All flowers are plants.
II. Some plants are green.
III. All green things are beautiful.
Question: Can we conclude that all flowers are beautiful?
A) Yes, definitely
B) No, the conclusion does not follow
C) Yes, but only if all flowers are green
D) Cannot be determined
Exam Q 62024Previous Year Pattern
Statements:
I. All doctors are professionals.
II. Rajesh is a professional.
Question: Is Rajesh a doctor?
A) Yes, definitely
B) No, definitely not
C) Cannot be determined
D) Yes, but only if Rajesh is also educated
Exam Q 72024Previous Year Pattern
In a Data Sufficiency question, we need to determine: 'How many people attended the meeting?' Statement I: The number of people who attended is 15 more than those who didn't attend. Statement II: The total capacity of the hall is 80, and 60% of it was occupied.
Exam Q 82024Previous Year Pattern
Determine: 'Is A taller than C?' Statement I: A is taller than B, and B is taller than C. Statement II: A is 10 cm taller than C.
Exam Q 92024Previous Year Pattern
Determine: 'What is the age of Priya?' Statement I: Priya's age is twice Rahul's age, and Rahul is 5 years older than Simran. Statement II: The sum of Priya's and Simran's ages is 35 years.
Exam Q 102024Previous Year Pattern
Determine: 'Is the number even?' Statement I: The number is divisible by 4. Statement II: The number is divisible by 2 but not by 8.
Exam Q 112024Previous Year Pattern
Determine: 'How many students passed the exam?' Statement I: 70% of students passed, and 30% failed. Statement II: The number of students who failed is 12.
Concept Notes
Data Sufficiency — Reasoning— Rules & Concept
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Data Sufficiency is a unique question type where you don't solve the problem completely. Instead, you determine whether the given information is enough to answer the question. Think of it as being a detective - you need to check if the clues are sufficient to solve the case. In SSC CGL, data sufficiency questions typically provide a question followed by two statements (I and II). Your job is to decide which combination of statements can answer the question. The standard answer choices are:
A) Statement I alone is sufficient B) Statement II alone is sufficient
C) Both statements together are sufficient D) Neither statement is sufficient
E) Each statement alone is sufficient Key Rules: Never assume information not given. Don't make calculations unless necessary - just check if calculation is possible. Focus on 'Can I solve?' not 'What is the answer?'. Remember that 'sufficient' means you can find a unique answer, not multiple possibilities.
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL asks 2-3 data sufficiency questions per paper. Common topics include ages, profit-loss, time-work, geometry, and number problems. Questions often test logical thinking more than mathematical computation.
Powerful Shortcut: Use the SCAN method - S(can I solve with Statement I alone?), C(an I solve with Statement II alone?), A(re both needed together?), N(ot sufficient even together?). This systematic approach prevents confusion and saves time.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Check Statement I alone
Statement I gives us: Ram = Shyam + 5
This has two unknowns but only one equation. We cannot find Ram's exact age.
Statement I alone: NOT SUFFICIENT
2
Step 2
Check Statement II alone
Statement II gives us: Ram + 10 = 2 × (Shyam's current age)
Again, two unknowns, one equation. Cannot find exact ages.
Statement II alone: NOT SUFFICIENT
3
Step 3
Check both statements together
From I: Ram = Shyam + 5, so Shyam = Ram - 5
From II: Ram + 10 = 2 × Shyam
Substituting: Ram + 10 = 2(Ram - 5)
Ram + 10 = 2Ram - 10
20 = Ram
Both statements together give us Ram's age as 20 years.
Answer: C) Both statements together are sufficient
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students often try to solve the complete problem instead of just checking sufficiency. This wastes time and can lead to wrong conclusions. Another trap is assuming obvious information that isn't stated - stick strictly to what's given.
Remember: In data sufficiency, your goal is to be a judge, not a calculator.
Judge whether the evidence is enough to reach a verdict.
Key Points to Remember
Data sufficiency tests whether given information is enough to answer the question, not the actual answer
Standard format includes a question followed by two statements I and II
Five answer choices cover all combinations of statement sufficiency
Never assume information that is not explicitly provided in the statements
Focus on 'Can I solve?' rather than 'What is the solution?'
Use SCAN method: check Statement I alone, Statement II alone, both together, neither sufficient
Sufficient means you can find one unique answer, not multiple possibilities
Most common topics are ages, profit-loss, time-work, and basic geometry problems
Exam-Specific Tips
SSC CGL includes 2-3 data sufficiency questions per reasoning section
Standard answer choices are always A, B, C, D, E representing different statement combinations
Data sufficiency questions carry same marks as other logical reasoning questions
Age-related problems appear in 40% of data sufficiency questions in SSC exams
Time allocation should be maximum 2 minutes per data sufficiency question
Geometry-based data sufficiency questions often involve finding area or perimeter
Number theory problems frequently test concepts of even, odd, and prime numbers
60-Second Revision — Data Sufficiency — Reasoning
Remember: Judge sufficiency, don't calculate the actual answer unless necessary
Formula: Use SCAN method to systematically check each statement combination
Trap: Never assume information not explicitly stated in the problem
Strategy: If one statement alone works, don't waste time checking combinations
Focus: Look for unique answer possibility, not multiple solutions
Time tip: Spend maximum 2 minutes per question using elimination method