SBI Clerk Exam Analysis 2026: Prelims Shift Review, Questions & Attempts
Quick Overview
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SBI Clerk Prelims Memory Based Question Paper 2026
Memory-based questions should be added only after sufficient candidate feedback and verification.
SBI Clerk Exam Analysis 2026 for the Preliminary Examination being conducted on 26 and 27 September is available here with the latest shift-wise review, difficulty level, good attempts and questions reported by candidates. The 26 September Shift 1 examination has concluded, and initial candidate feedback places the overall paper in the Easy to Moderate range. Detailed topic-wise question counts should be treated as provisional until sufficient candidate feedback is available.
SBI Clerk Exam Analysis 2026: Quick Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Recruiting Organisation | State Bank of India |
| Regular Recruitment Advertisement | CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 |
| Exam Dates | 26 and 27 September 2026 |
| Mode | Online |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Sections | English Language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability |
| 26 September Shift 1 Level | Easy to Moderate – based on initial candidate feedback |
Important: The 26–27 September regular SBI Clerk examination should not be confused with the separate Junior Associate Special Recruitment Drive for backlog vacancies whose preliminary examination was held earlier in September.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 – Shift-Wise Live Status
The table below tracks the regular SBI Clerk Prelims examination. Detailed analysis should be added only after sufficient candidate feedback is received for the respective shift.
| Date | Shift | Status | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 September 2026 | Shift 1 | Completed | Easy to Moderate – Initial Feedback |
| 26 September 2026 | Shift 2 | Awaited | To Be Updated |
| 26 September 2026 | Shift 3 | Awaited | To Be Updated |
| 26 September 2026 | Shift 4 | Awaited | To Be Updated |
| 27 September 2026 | Shift 1 | Upcoming | To Be Updated |
| 27 September 2026 | Shift 2 | Upcoming | To Be Updated |
| 27 September 2026 | Shift 3 | Upcoming | To Be Updated |
| 27 September 2026 | Shift 4 | Upcoming | To Be Updated |
SBI Clerk Exam Analysis 2026: 26 September Shift 1
The SBI Clerk Prelims Shift 1 examination on 26 September has concluded. Based on the initial feedback available after the examination, the overall paper was reported to be Easy to Moderate. Candidates should remember that difficulty is subjective and can vary according to preparation level, question selection and accuracy.
Exact topic-wise question counts and good-attempt figures should be updated only after multiple candidate responses are available. This prevents early estimates from being presented as confirmed exam data.
SBI Clerk Prelims Shift 1 Difficulty Level
| Section | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| English Language | Easy to Moderate (Based on initial candidate feedback) |
| Numerical Ability | Easy to Moderate (Based on initial candidate feedback) |
| Reasoning Ability | Easy to Moderate (Based on initial candidate feedback) |
| Overall | Easy to Moderate – Initial Feedback |
SBI Clerk Prelims Good Attempts 2026
Good attempts are not an official SBI figure. They are estimates prepared from candidate feedback after considering the paper level and the number of questions students report attempting accurately.
| Section | Good Attempts | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | verified range | Easy to moderate |
| Numerical Ability | verified range | Easy to moderate |
| Reasoning Ability | verified range | Easy to moderate |
| Overall | verified overall range | Easy to moderate |
SBI Clerk Questions Asked 2026 – Shift 1
The questions reported from Shift 1 are being compiled from candidate feedback. Instead of publishing unverified memory-based counts immediately after the examination, this section should be updated when multiple responses confirm the topic distribution.
SBI Clerk Reasoning Ability Analysis 2026
Reasoning Ability contains 35 questions for 35 marks with a sectional time limit of 20 minutes. The confirmed Shift 1 topic-wise distribution will be updated here after verification.
| Topic | Questions Asked |
|---|---|
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Syllogism | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Inequality | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Series / Alphanumeric Series | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Direction / Blood Relation | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Miscellaneous | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Total | 35 |
SBI Clerk Numerical Ability Analysis 2026
Numerical Ability contains 35 questions for 35 marks. Candidates get 20 minutes for this section. Exact Shift 1 topic counts will be added after the memory-based reports are sufficiently consistent.
| Topic | Questions Asked |
|---|---|
| Simplification / Approximation | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Data Interpretation | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Arithmetic | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Number-Based Questions | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Other Topics | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Total | 35 |
SBI Clerk English Language Analysis 2026
English Language contains 30 questions for 30 marks with 20 minutes available for the section. The detailed Shift 1 distribution is being verified from candidate feedback.
| Topic | Questions Asked |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Error / Grammar-Based Questions | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Fillers / Vocabulary | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Sentence Arrangement / Para-Based Questions | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Other Questions | Candidate Feedback Awaited |
| Total | 30 |
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
SBI Clerk Prelims contains 100 objective questions carrying 100 marks. Each of the three sections has a separate 20-minute timer.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
There is a penalty for incorrect answers in the objective test. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for a wrong answer. Candidates should therefore compare attempts together with accuracy rather than looking only at the total number attempted.
How to Use SBI Clerk Shift Analysis for the Next Shift
Candidates appearing in a later shift should use the analysis as a trend indicator rather than a prediction of their exact paper. Different shifts can contain different question sets and may vary slightly in difficulty.
- Do not chase an attempt target at the cost of accuracy.
- Use the earlier shift to identify the broad paper level.
- Revise calculation techniques before Numerical Ability.
- Do not spend excessive time on one puzzle or DI set.
- Respect the separate sectional timer.
- Avoid changing your entire strategy immediately before the examination.
Good Attempts vs SBI Clerk Cut Off: Know the Difference
Good attempts and cut-off are not the same thing. Good attempts are unofficial estimates based on candidate feedback. The cut-off is determined through the official recruitment process and is known only when SBI releases the relevant result/score information.
A candidate attempting fewer questions with strong accuracy can score more than a candidate who attempts more questions but makes several errors because incorrect responses attract negative marking.
What After SBI Clerk Prelims 2026?
Candidates shortlisted after the Preliminary Examination move to the Main Examination. Prelims should therefore be treated as the screening stage. Candidates who have completed their examination should begin Mains preparation instead of waiting for the Prelims result.
Mains preparation should include Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General English and General/Financial Awareness according to the applicable SBI exam pattern.
ExamTune Expert Advice After the Prelims
Write down the number of questions you attempted in each section immediately after the examination while the details are fresh. Do not repeatedly change your estimated score based on different websites’ “safe attempt” ranges. Start Mains preparation and wait for official SBI updates for the result and cut-off.
Reviewed for Quant-related analysis by Arun Singh Rawat – Quantitative Aptitude Faculty, 11+ years of teaching experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is SBI Clerk Prelims 2026?
26 and 27 September 2026.
How was SBI Clerk Shift 1?
Easy to Moderate.
How many questions are in Prelims?
100 questions.
What are the total marks?
100 marks.
What is the exam duration?
60 minutes.
How many English questions are asked?
30 questions.
How many Reasoning questions are asked?
35 questions
How many Numerical Ability questions are asked?
35 questions
Is there negative marking?
Yes, 1/4 mark per wrong answer.
Are good attempts the cut-off?
No, good attempts are unofficial estimates.
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