Labelled mock paper

IBPS Clerk 2017 Previous Year Question Paper

IBPS Clerk 2017 question paper was never officially released. Practise our labelled 2017 mock: 26 questions with answers, built on the reported pattern.

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No official IBPS Clerk 2017 paper was released.Practise the labelled mock paper built from that year's reported pattern.Open mock

The IBPS Clerk 2017 question paper was not officially published, so this page does not host it. Instead it has a clearly labelled mock paper with original questions modelled on the reported 2017 pattern, plus a timed attempt plan and an error-log routine. The IBPS Clerk exam covers English, Numeracy, Reasoning and Computer/GA.

Explore: IBPS Clerk hub · Syllabus & pattern · IBPS Clerk 2024 · How to use PYQs

No official paper released

IBPS did not publish the IBPS Clerk 2017 question paper. Practise the IBPS Clerk 2017 mock paper: original questions modelled on candidate reports, clearly labelled as a mock.

Why this year matters

2017 will not mirror every new question type, but it still trains selection, stamina, and the chapters that keep coming back. Sectional timing and cut-offs matter as much as raw accuracy. Track attempts per section, not just the total.

Count attempts and accuracy by section. A high raw score with a failed sectional cut-off is still a fail in the real exam.

Paper analysis

Snapshot of IBPS Clerk 2017

Archive Clerk.

2017 may feel differently paced than the newest cycle. Borrow stamina and theme lessons; do not copy obsolete section orders or marking quirks.

What this paper stresses

  • Puzzle / DI sets that should have been abandoned earlier.
  • English error-spotting under speed pressure.
  • Mains vs Prelims difficulty mismatch (especially SBI / RBI).
  • Sectional cut-off failures despite a decent overall.

What to extract before you move on

  • Sectional attempt targets that still clear cut-offs in mocks.
  • English miss taxonomy (grammar vs vocab vs RC).
  • Prelims vs Mains repair queues kept as separate lists.
  • Puzzle / DI patterns that beat you when you overstay.

How 2017 sits next to other years

Use 2017 only after IBPS Clerk 2024, IBPS Clerk 2023, IBPS Clerk 2022 are logged. Archive years are for frequency maps, not for predicting tomorrow’s cut-off.

Analyst note: IBPS did not publish the IBPS Clerk 2017 paper. The mock below is original practice in the reported pattern; treat coaching “memory-based” papers as unofficial reconstructions.

IBPS Clerk 2017 mock paper (Prelims, modelled on candidate reports)

This is a mock paper we wrote. The official 2017 paper was never released.The conducting body has not published it. These 26 questions are original, written by previousyearquestions.app to match what candidates and exam analyses reported about the 2017 exam: section mix, topics and difficulty. Use it to practise the pattern. The questions themselves are not from the real exam.

IBPS does not publish its Clerk question papers, so no official 2017 paper exists to host; the papers circulating online are coaching reconstructions from memory. This original mini-paper is modelled on candidate reports of the CWE Clerks-VII Preliminary exam held in December 2017.

What candidates reported about 2017

  • 100 questions in 60 minutes (English 30, Numerical 35, Reasoning 35) on a composite timer; sectional timing was introduced in the 2017 Mains, not the Prelims.
  • Conducted on 2, 3, 9 and 10 December 2017, four shifts a day; reviews of the early shifts rated the paper easy to moderate, with Quant the easiest section.
  • English moved away from cloze and para jumbles: a short RC (about 5 questions), around 15 error-spotting and spelling questions, and single/double fillers.
  • Numerical Ability had about 10 simplification, 5 number series, one DI set and about 15 arithmetic problems (SI/CI, speed, ages, work, profit and loss).
  • Reasoning had about 15 puzzle/arrangement questions, plus syllogism, inequality, coding-decoding, alphanumeric and word series.
  • +1 for a correct answer, −0.25 for a wrong one.

Suggested time: 17 minutes. The 2017 prelims gave 60 minutes for 100 questions on one composite timer. For this 26-question mock allow 17 minutes in total. Five options per question; +1 for a correct answer, −0.25 for a wrong answer.

English Language

Passage

In many hill districts, the nearest public library may be a full day's journey away. To close this gap, some state governments and voluntary groups have begun running mobile libraries: vans fitted with shelves that visit a fixed set of villages on a fixed day each week. The idea is not new, but its results are now being measured more carefully than before.

A survey of one such service found that children who borrowed at least one book a week read noticeably faster after a year than children who did not. The effect was strongest among first-generation learners, whose homes had few printed materials. Teachers also reported that pupils who used the van were more willing to speak in class.

The service has its problems. Roads are often closed during the monsoon, and books are sometimes returned damaged. Yet the organisers argue that a torn book is a small price compared with a child who never holds one. Their next aim is to add tablets loaded with lessons, so that the van can serve as a classroom when it stops.

  1. According to the survey, which children benefited most from the mobile library?

    1. Children living near the district town
    2. First-generation learners from homes with few printed materials
    3. Children who already owned many books
    4. Pupils who attended private schools
    5. Children who used tablets at home
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (First-generation learners from homes with few printed materials)

    The passage says the effect 'was strongest among first-generation learners, whose homes had few printed materials'.

  2. What is the organisers' attitude towards books being returned damaged?

    1. They plan to stop lending books in the monsoon
    2. They fine families for every damaged book
    3. They see it as a small cost compared with children never having books
    4. They want to replace all books with tablets
    5. They believe it shows the service has failed
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (They see it as a small cost compared with children never having books)

    The organisers 'argue that a torn book is a small price compared with a child who never holds one'.

Error spotting

Find the part of the sentence that has an error. If there is no error, choose (E).

  1. The number of customers / visiting the branch / have increased sharply / since the new ATM was installed.

    1. (A) The number of customers
    2. (B) visiting the branch
    3. (C) have increased sharply
    4. (D) since the new ATM was installed.
    5. (E) No error
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C ((C) have increased sharply)

    The subject is 'The number' (singular), so the verb should be 'has increased'.

  2. He insisted / on to pay / the entire bill / himself.

    1. (A) He insisted
    2. (B) on to pay
    3. (C) the entire bill
    4. (D) himself.
    5. (E) No error
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B ((B) on to pay)

    'Insist on' is followed by a gerund: 'on paying'.

Spelling error

  1. Which word in the sentence is misspelt? 'The accomodation provided to the trainees was comfortable and spacious.'

    1. accomodation
    2. trainees
    3. comfortable
    4. spacious
    5. All are correct
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: A (accomodation)

    The correct spelling is 'accommodation' (double c, double m).

Fillers

Choose the option that fills the blank(s) correctly.

  1. The new policy is ______ to reduce paperwork and ______ loan approvals.

    1. designed, speed up
    2. meant, slow down
    3. unlikely, hasten
    4. planned, delay
    5. forced, stop
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: A (designed, speed up)

    Reducing paperwork goes with faster approvals: 'designed to reduce paperwork and speed up loan approvals'. The other pairs contradict the aim.

  2. Though the task was ______, the team ______ it before the deadline.

    1. difficult, completed
    2. easy, finished
    3. lengthy, ignored
    4. difficult, failed
    5. simple, completed
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: A (difficult, completed)

    'Though' needs a contrast: a difficult task that was still completed in time.

  3. The auditor asked the clerk to ______ the figures before submitting the report.

    1. verify
    2. verity
    3. very
    4. vary
    5. verse
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: A (verify)

    Figures are checked, i.e. 'verified', before a report is submitted.

Numerical Ability

Simplification

What will come in place of the question mark (?)

  1. 1/3 of 2/5 of 3/4 of 1800 = ?

    1. 150
    2. 160
    3. 180
    4. 200
    5. 240
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (180)

    3/4 of 1800 = 1350; 2/5 of 1350 = 540; 1/3 of 540 = 180.

  2. 456 + 789 − 321 − ? = 640

    1. 274
    2. 284
    3. 294
    4. 304
    5. 314
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (284)

    456 + 789 − 321 = 924; 924 − 640 = 284.

  3. (?)² + 144 = 25% of 1600

    1. 12
    2. 14
    3. 16
    4. 18
    5. 20
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (16)

    25% of 1600 = 400; (?)² = 400 − 144 = 256, so ? = 16.

Number series

What will come in place of the question mark (?)

  1. 120, 60, 60, 90, 180, ?

    1. 270
    2. 360
    3. 400
    4. 450
    5. 540
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (450)

    Multipliers are ×0.5, ×1, ×1.5, ×2, ×2.5: 180 × 2.5 = 450.

  2. 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, ?

    1. 25
    2. 27
    3. 29
    4. 31
    5. 33
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (29)

    Consecutive prime numbers; the prime after 23 is 29.

Data interpretation

A company has 2,400 employees. The table shows the percentage of employees in each department.

DepartmentShare of employees
Sales30%
Operations25%
IT20%
HR10%
Finance15%

  1. How many more employees work in Sales than in Finance?

    1. 240
    2. 300
    3. 360
    4. 420
    5. 480
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (360)

    (30% − 15%) of 2400 = 15% of 2400 = 360.

  2. What is the ratio of employees in IT to the combined employees of HR and Finance?

    1. 2 : 3
    2. 4 : 5
    3. 5 : 4
    4. 3 : 4
    5. 1 : 1
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (4 : 5)

    IT = 20%, HR + Finance = 25%; 20 : 25 = 4 : 5.

Arithmetic

  1. What is the compound interest on ₹12,500 for 2 years at 8% per annum, compounded annually?

    1. ₹2,000
    2. ₹2,040
    3. ₹2,080
    4. ₹2,120
    5. ₹2,160
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (₹2,080)

    Amount = 12,500 × 1.08² = 14,580; CI = 14,580 − 12,500 = ₹2,080.

  2. A 240 m long train crosses a pole in 12 seconds. How long will it take to cross a 360 m long platform?

    1. 24 s
    2. 27 s
    3. 30 s
    4. 32 s
    5. 36 s
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (30 s)

    Speed = 240 ÷ 12 = 20 m/s. Distance to cross the platform = 240 + 360 = 600 m; time = 600 ÷ 20 = 30 s.

  3. The present ages of A and B are in the ratio 4 : 5. After 6 years the ratio will be 6 : 7. What is B's present age?

    1. 12 years
    2. 15 years
    3. 18 years
    4. 20 years
    5. 25 years
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (15 years)

    (4x + 6)/(5x + 6) = 6/7 gives 28x + 42 = 30x + 36, so x = 3 and B = 5 × 3 = 15 years.

Reasoning Ability

Puzzle

Six friends A, B, C, D, E and F sit around a circular table, all facing the centre.

B sits opposite A. D sits immediately to the right of A. A sits second to the right of E. F is an immediate neighbour of B.

  1. Who sits immediately to the left of A?

    1. B
    2. C
    3. D
    4. E
    5. F
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (C)

    Going clockwise from A (each person's left is the next seat clockwise when facing the centre): A, C, E, B, F, D. Place A. B is opposite A. D is immediately to A's right. A is second to the right of E, so E is second to A's left. That fills A, B, D, E; F must be next to B, so F takes the seat between B and D, and C takes the seat between A and E.

  2. Who sits opposite E?

    1. A
    2. B
    3. C
    4. D
    5. F
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: D (D)

    Going clockwise from A (each person's left is the next seat clockwise when facing the centre): A, C, E, B, F, D. E and D are three seats apart, i.e. opposite each other.

  3. Who sits opposite C?

    1. A
    2. B
    3. D
    4. E
    5. F
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: E (F)

    Going clockwise from A (each person's left is the next seat clockwise when facing the centre): A, C, E, B, F, D. C and F are three seats apart.

Syllogism and inequality

Decide which conclusion(s) definitely follow from the given statement(s).

  1. Statements: All pens are books. Some books are bags. Conclusions: I. Some bags are pens. II. Some books are pens.

    1. Only conclusion I follows
    2. Only conclusion II follows
    3. Either I or II follows
    4. Neither I nor II follows
    5. Both I and II follow
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (Only conclusion II follows)

    Pens lie wholly inside books, but the bags that are books need not include any pens, so I does not follow. Since all pens are books, some books are pens: II follows.

  2. Statement: X > Y ≤ Z, Z < W = V Conclusions: I. X > Z II. V > Y

    1. Only conclusion I follows
    2. Only conclusion II follows
    3. Either I or II follows
    4. Neither I nor II follows
    5. Both I and II follow
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (Only conclusion II follows)

    X > Y and Y ≤ Z do not relate X and Z, so I does not follow. V = W > Z ≥ Y gives V > Y, so II follows.

Miscellaneous

  1. In a code language, 'bank opens early' is written 'ta ri mo', 'early bird wins' is 'lu mo ka' and 'bank wins prize' is 'ka ta zo'. What is the code for 'opens'?

    1. ta
    2. ri
    3. mo
    4. ka
    5. zo
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: B (ri)

    'bank' is common to sentences 1 and 3 (code ta); 'early' to 1 and 2 (mo). The remaining word of sentence 1, 'opens', is 'ri'.

  2. How many pairs of letters in the word DRIVING have as many letters between them in the word as in the English alphabet (counting both directions)?

    1. None
    2. One
    3. Two
    4. Three
    5. More than three
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (Two)

    The pairs are R–N (R at position 2, N at 6; R and N are 4 apart in the alphabet) and I–G (the second I at position 5, G at 7; 2 apart). Total two.

  3. In a row of 40 students, Meena is 14th from the left end and Raj is 9th from the right end. How many students sit between them?

    1. 15
    2. 16
    3. 17
    4. 18
    5. 19
    Answer and explanation

    Answer: C (17)

    Raj is 40 − 9 + 1 = 32nd from the left. Students between = 32 − 14 − 1 = 17.

Reports this mock is modelled on

How to sit IBPS Clerk 2017

  1. Work through the mock paper above under exam timing. It follows the reported pattern, but the questions are our own.
  2. Sit the paper under current brochure rules (timers, negatives, NAT/MSQ norms), even if 2017’s interface looked different.
  3. When the clock ends, stop. Review should take at least as long as the attempt.
  4. Fill the error log the same day: section, topic, and miss type (concept, silly, time, or misread).
  5. Next session, repair only logged items. Then pick another year from the decade list.

Other years in this decade

FAQ

Where can I download the official IBPS Clerk 2017 question paper?

IBPS did not release it publicly. This page has a clearly labelled mock paper modelled on candidate reports instead.

What does the IBPS Clerk 2017 paper analysis include?

A year snapshot, what the paper stresses, what to extract into your error log, and how 2017 compares with neighbouring years on this hub.

How should I practise the IBPS Clerk 2017 previous year paper?

Open the official PDF, sit it timed under current brochure rules, fill an error log the same day, read the paper analysis, then move to another year in the decade list.

Is IBPS Clerk 2017 still useful if I finished newer papers?

Yes, for theme and weightage mining after your newest papers are logged. Skip deleted syllabus pockets.

Are memory-based IBPS Clerk 2017 papers reliable?

Treat memory-based sets as interim. Reconcile contested items with official keys or response sheets when the conducting body publishes them.

Where is the IBPS Clerk syllabus and pattern for this paper?

See the IBPS Clerk syllabus & pattern page on this hub, and always re-check the latest official brochure before exam day.