SBI Clerk Backlog Prelims Exam Analysis 16 September 2026 Shift 1, Questions Asked & Difficulty Level

SBI Clerk Backlog Prelims Exam Analysis for 16 September 2026 Shift 1 shows that the overall paper was reported as Easy to Moderate based on candidate feedback and memory-based reviews. The paper contained 100 questions across English Language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability. Simplification, Data Interpretation and Arithmetic dominated Numerical Ability, while puzzles and seating arrangements carried substantial weight in Reasoning.

The examination was part of SBI’s separate Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16. Candidates should note that the topic-wise questions and good-attempt ranges below are memory-based estimates and have not been officially released by SBI.

SBI Clerk Backlog Prelims Exam Analysis 2026: Shift 1 Overview

The Shift 1 paper followed the official SBI Clerk preliminary examination structure of 100 questions for 100 marks with a total duration of 60 minutes.

SBI Clerk Backlog Shift 1 Difficulty Level

The overall difficulty level reported for SBI Clerk Backlog Prelims Shift 1 was Easy to Moderate. The assessment below is based on candidate feedback and memory-based paper reviews, not an official difficulty classification issued by SBI.

SBI Clerk Backlog Prelims Shift 1 Good Attempts

Candidate-feedback estimates place overall good attempts roughly in the 74–83 range with strong accuracy. This should not be treated as an official cutoff, qualifying score or guaranteed safe score. Different post-exam analyses reported slightly different ranges.

Important: Good attempts are only a post-exam reference. Actual performance depends on accuracy, marks obtained, state/category competition and SBI’s final shortlisting process.

SBI Clerk Backlog Prelims Exam Analysis: Questions Asked in Shift 1

The memory-based Shift 1 analysis shows a conventional SBI Clerk Prelims mix. Numerical Ability was dominated by Simplification, DI and Arithmetic, while Reasoning had substantial puzzle and seating-arrangement weightage.

SBI Clerk Backlog Shift 1 Numerical Ability Analysis

Numerical Ability had 35 questions, with Simplification carrying the highest individual topic weightage. A total of 12 questions were reported from three Data Interpretation sets and 11 from Arithmetic.

Quant takeaway: 23 of the 35 questions came from Simplification and Arithmetic alone, while DI contributed another 12 questions. This made calculation speed and question selection particularly important within the 20-minute sectional timer.

SBI Clerk Backlog Shift 1 Reasoning Ability Analysis

Reasoning Ability contained a strong mix of puzzles, seating arrangements and short standalone reasoning questions. Sequence-based, day-based and parallel-row arrangements were among the important question types reported.

Reasoning takeaway: Puzzle and seating-arrangement sets accounted for a substantial portion of the section. Candidates who identified the more manageable sets early had a better opportunity to protect both speed and accuracy.

SBI Clerk Backlog Shift 1 English Language Analysis

English Language had 30 questions covering comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and sentence arrangement. Reading Comprehension had the largest reported individual share.

English takeaway: Reading Comprehension, Error Detection and Para Jumble together represented a major part of the section. Candidates therefore needed both reading speed and command over basic grammar.

Official SBI Clerk Backlog Prelims Exam Pattern

The official SBI notification prescribes 100 questions for 100 marks in the preliminary examination. Each of the three sections has a separate 20-minute timer.

SBI specifies a penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect answer. The official notification also states that no minimum qualifying marks are prescribed separately for an individual test or for the aggregate score in Prelims.

What Does Shift 1 Tell Students About the Paper?

The most useful lesson from the 16 September Shift 1 paper is that preparation should not depend on one particular puzzle, DI format or English question type. The section-wise timer makes question selection almost as important as solving ability.

• Numerical Ability: Build fast calculation skills because Simplification, DI and Arithmetic together covered the section.
• Reasoning: Practise different puzzle structures instead of preparing only one seating-arrangement format.
• English: Balance RC practice with grammar, vocabulary and rearrangement questions.
• Accuracy: Do not chase an attempt number at the cost of accuracy because incorrect answers attract negative marking.

SBI Clerk Backlog Shift 1 Analysis: Important Note

SBI officially publishes the recruitment notification, examination structure, call-letter updates, results and other recruitment notices. Shift-wise difficulty levels, good attempts and recalled questions are generally compiled from candidate feedback after the examination.

Therefore, students should not interpret the 74–83 good-attempt range as an official SBI cutoff. The official result and subsequent recruitment updates should be checked through SBI Careers.

What Happens After SBI Clerk Backlog Prelims?

Candidates shortlisted from the Preliminary Examination move to the Main Examination. Under the official Special Recruitment Drive notification, the selection process consists of the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and the test of the specified opted local language, where applicable.

The official notification indicated October/November 2026 as the tentative period for the Main Examination. Candidates should rely on SBI Careers for the exact Main Exam date and call-letter update.

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Official SBI Clerk Backlog Recruitment Links

• SBI Clerk Backlog Recruitment – Official Updates
  
• SBI Careers Official Website