SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage, Last 5 Years Topics Wise Questions Trends
Quick Overview
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SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage is one of the most useful things to analyse before starting serious preparation for the SBI Clerk Mains examination. Instead of preparing every chapter with the same priority, candidates can study the SBI Clerk Mains Topic Wise Questions asked in previous exams and identify the areas that have appeared repeatedly.
For candidates preparing for SBI Clerk Mains 2026, this article provides a detailed analysis of the SBI Clerk Mains Last 5 Years Trend, section-wise question distribution, recurring topics, important chapters and the expected priority of topics for the upcoming examination.
Important: SBI officially announces the section-wise exam pattern, number of questions, marks and duration. However, it does not publish an official topic-wise question distribution. Therefore, previous-year topic-wise counts mentioned below are based on memory-based papers and candidate-reported exam analyses. Exact questions can vary from one shift or recruitment cycle to another.
SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage 2026 Overview
The SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage analysis shows that the examination has remained broadly focused on four core areas—General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | SBI Clerk / Junior Associate Mains 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | State Bank of India |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Total Questions | 190 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Total Duration | 2 Hours 40 Minutes |
| Sectional Timing | Yes |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th of marks assigned to a question for every wrong answer |
| Mains Exam Date | Tentatively November 2026 |
| Topic-wise Weightage | Not officially fixed; varies by exam/shift |
SBI Clerk Mains 2026 Official Exam Pattern
Before analysing the SBI Clerk Mains Previous Year Question Trend, candidates must understand the official exam structure. According to the latest SBI Junior Associate 2026 notification, the Mains examination consists of 190 objective questions carrying 200 marks.
| Section | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 Minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 Hours 40 Minutes |
Student Alert: The latest notification states that there are no minimum qualifying marks prescribed for individual subjects. Candidates have to achieve the required aggregate score decided by SBI. The Mains score plays the decisive role in preparation of the merit list, while the Local Language Proficiency Test, wherever applicable, is qualifying in nature.

SBI Clerk Mains Last 5 Years Trend – How We Have Compared the Papers
There is an important point candidates should understand while checking the SBI Clerk Mains Last 5 Years Trend. SBI recruitment cycle names and the actual calendar dates of the Mains examination do not always fall in the same year.
For example, a recruitment cycle may start in one year while the Mains examination is conducted in the next calendar year. Therefore, comparing recruitment cycles is more accurate than blindly comparing only calendar-year labels.
| Recruitment Cycle | Mains Examination Reference | Used for Trend Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Cycle | October 2021 | Yes |
| 2022 Cycle | 15 January 2023 | Yes |
| 2023-24 Cycle | 25 February / 4 March 2024 | Yes |
| 2024-25 Cycle | 10 & 12 April 2025 | Yes |
| 2025-26 Cycle | 21 November 2025 | Yes |
This approach gives students a much clearer picture of the real SBI Clerk Mains Weightage and the direction in which the paper is moving.
SBI Clerk Mains Subject Wise Weightage
The official SBI Clerk Mains Subject Wise Weightage is fixed at section level, but topic-level distribution changes. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude carries the highest marks per 50 questions because this section is worth 60 marks, while GA, Quant and English together contribute another 140 marks.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Share of Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 30% |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 25% |
| General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 25% |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 20% |
SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage for Quantitative Aptitude
The Quant section has repeatedly tested candidates through a combination of Data Interpretation, Arithmetic and calculation-based miscellaneous topics. A look at the SBI Clerk Mains Topic Wise Questions from recent papers shows that DI has remained one of the biggest components of Quant.
SBI Clerk Mains Quant Last 5 Years Question Trend
| Cycle | Major DI Trend | Arithmetic Trend | Other Important Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Around 20 questions in reported shifts | Roughly 12-23 depending on shift | Approximation, Q1-Q2, Series, Data Sufficiency |
| 2022 Cycle / Jan 2023 Mains | Around 23-25 in major reported shifts | Around 8-12 | Approximation, Quadratic Equation, DS, Quantity Comparison |
| 2023-24 Cycle | Around 19-20+ depending on shift | Around 12-16 | Number Series, Quantity Comparison, Quadratic Equation, DS |
| 2024-25 Cycle | Multiple DI sets, approximately 16-20 | Approximately 6-11 in reported shifts | Approximation, Series, Quadratic Equation, Quantity Comparison |
| 2025-26 Cycle | Around 16-19 in reported shifts | Around 10-12 | Series, Approximation, Quadratic Equation, Data Sufficiency |
Most Important Quant Topics for SBI Clerk Mains 2026
| Topic | 2026 Preparation Priority | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Very High | Repeated heavily across previous papers |
| Arithmetic | Very High | Regularly contributes a substantial number of questions |
| Approximation | High | Frequently reported |
| Number Series | High | Wrong, missing and new-pattern series have appeared |
| Quadratic Equation | High | Normal and new-pattern questions seen |
| Data Sufficiency | High | Repeated in multiple cycles |
| Quantity Comparison | Medium to High | Appears regularly but count changes |
Trend Verdict: Candidates looking for the most important part of SBI Clerk Mains Weightage in Quant should not prepare DI as a single chapter. Practice table DI, line graph, bar graph, pie chart, caselet, missing DI and arithmetic-based DI separately.
SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage for Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
Reasoning is one of the most dynamic sections of the examination. The SBI Clerk Mains Previous Year Question Trend indicates that SBI frequently experiments with puzzle formats, coding patterns and logical reasoning questions.
SBI Clerk Mains Reasoning Last 5 Years Trend
| Topic | Typical Recent Trend | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | Approximately 15-22 questions in many reported papers | Very High |
| Logical / Critical Reasoning | Often around 5-12 questions | Very High |
| New Pattern Coding | Usually around 3-5 when asked | High |
| Machine Input Output | Frequently 4-5; pattern can change | High |
| Data Sufficiency | Commonly around 3-5 | High |
| Coded Syllogism / Inequality | Generally small but recurring set | Medium to High |
| Blood Relation / Direction | Direct or coded form | Medium to High |
| Step/Conditional Series | Seen in recent new-pattern papers | High |
The strongest conclusion from the SBI Clerk Mains Last 5 Years Trend is that candidates cannot depend only on conventional seating arrangements. SBI has used variables, classifications, dates, months, designations, floors, boxes, directions and other conditions to make puzzles more analytical.
Reasoning Topics You Should Not Skip
- Puzzles and Seating Arrangement: Linear, circular, floor-flat, box, month-date, designation and variable-based sets.
- Critical Reasoning: Assumption, inference, conclusion, course of action, cause-effect and statement-based reasoning.
- Machine Input Output: Both conventional and new-pattern arrangements.
- New Pattern Coding: Rule-based and condition-based coding.
- Data Sufficiency: Especially puzzle, direction, ranking and relation-based questions.
SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage for English Language
English is not simply a grammar section anymore. The SBI Clerk Mains Exam Analysis of previous papers shows a strong emphasis on reading comprehension, contextual vocabulary, sentence structure and new-pattern language questions.
English Last 5 Years Question Trend
| Topic | Observed Trend | 2026 Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Usually around 10-15 questions across reported papers | Very High |
| Para Jumble / Sentence Rearrangement | Regularly appears in different formats | High |
| Phrase Replacement | Recurring grammar-context topic | High |
| Error Detection | Direct and new-pattern formats | High |
| Word Usage / Word Swap | Frequently tested | High |
| Cloze Test / Fillers | Varies significantly between shifts | High |
| Connectors / Starters | Appeared in multiple recent papers | Medium to High |
| Vocabulary in Context | Often integrated with RC or sentence questions | High |
Reading Comprehension is one of the most stable areas in the entire SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage. Two RC sets or a large combined RC contribution has been common in several recent papers.
However, candidates should not prepare English by memorising an expected number of questions. SBI regularly changes formats between Word Swap, Word Usage, Starters, Connectors, Phrase Replacement, Cloze Test and sentence-based questions.
SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage for General/Financial Awareness
The General/Financial Awareness section contains 50 questions for 50 marks and has a sectional duration of only 35 minutes. Unlike Quant and Reasoning, this section does not require lengthy calculations, which makes strong preparation extremely valuable.
Past SBI Clerk Mains Exam Analysis reports show repeated emphasis on:
- National and International Current Affairs
- Banking Awareness
- RBI-related developments
- Financial Awareness
- Government Schemes
- Reports and Indexes
- Appointments
- Economy and financial data
- Sports and awards
- International organisations
- Static facts connected with current events
GA Trend for SBI Clerk Mains 2026
Unlike Quant or Reasoning, giving a fixed chapter-wise number for GA would be misleading. Candidate memory after the exam is often incomplete and many questions overlap categories. For example, an RBI question can simultaneously be classified as current affairs, banking awareness and financial awareness.
Therefore, for SBI Clerk Mains 2026, candidates should prepare current affairs comprehensively and combine them with banking and financial concepts instead of relying only on a fixed “20 questions from Current Affairs” type prediction.
SBI Clerk Mains Important Topics for 2026
Based on the SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage and recurring patterns from previous papers, the following can be treated as the highest-priority SBI Clerk Mains Important Topics.
| Section | Highest Priority Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data Interpretation, Arithmetic, Approximation, Series, Quadratic Equation, Data Sufficiency |
| Reasoning | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Logical Reasoning, New Pattern Coding, Machine Input Output, Data Sufficiency |
| English | Reading Comprehension, Error Detection, Phrase Replacement, Para/Sentence Rearrangement, Word Usage, Cloze Test |
| General/Financial Awareness | Current Affairs, Banking Awareness, RBI, Economy, Government Schemes, Reports & Indexes |

What Does SBI Clerk Mains Previous Year Question Trend Tell Us?
The SBI Clerk Mains Previous Year Question Trend gives five major lessons:
- DI remains a core part of Quantitative Aptitude. The format changes, but data-based questions have remained highly relevant.
- Arithmetic cannot be ignored. Profit & Loss, Percentage, Time & Work, Ratio, Average, Partnership, SI-CI and related application problems remain useful for both direct Arithmetic and DI.
- Puzzles alone are not enough for Reasoning. Logical/Critical Reasoning, Coding, Input Output and Data Sufficiency can decide the final score.
- Reading Comprehension is a consistent English priority. Candidates should build reading speed along with contextual vocabulary.
- GA can become a major scoring advantage. Strong current and banking awareness can save valuable time compared with calculation-heavy sections.
SBI Clerk Mains Weightage – Topics That Have Remained Consistent
If we compare the SBI Clerk Mains Weightage over recent recruitment cycles, certain topics have shown much greater consistency than others.
| Topic | Consistency | Preparation Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Very High | Must Master |
| Arithmetic | Very High | Must Master |
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | Very High | Must Master |
| Logical/Critical Reasoning | High | Strong Practice Required |
| Reading Comprehension | Very High | Must Master |
| Contextual Grammar & Vocabulary | High | Regular Practice Required |
| Current + Banking Awareness | Very High | Daily Preparation + Revision |
Expected SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage 2026
No one can provide an official chapter-wise distribution before the examination. SBI has not announced any fixed topic-wise breakup for SBI Clerk Mains 2026. Therefore, the table below should be treated as a preparation-priority estimate based on recurring trends, not as a guaranteed prediction.
| Section | Likely High-Weightage Area | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Quant | DI + Arithmetic | ★★★★★ |
| Reasoning | Puzzles/Seating + Logical Reasoning | ★★★★★ |
| English | RC + Contextual Grammar/Vocabulary | ★★★★★ |
| GA | Current Affairs + Banking/Financial Awareness | ★★★★★ |
| Quant | Series, Approximation, Quadratic, DS | ★★★★☆ |
| Reasoning | Coding, Input Output, Data Sufficiency | ★★★★☆ |
| English | Para Jumble, Phrase Replacement, Cloze, Error Detection | ★★★★☆ |
How to Use SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage for Preparation?
The purpose of checking SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage is not to skip low-weightage chapters. It should be used to decide how much practice time each topic deserves.
1. Complete High-Frequency Topics First
Finish DI, Arithmetic, Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and core GA preparation before spending excessive time on rare question types.
2. Practice Mixed Mains-Level Sets
SBI Mains does not always test chapters independently. DI can include Arithmetic concepts, puzzles can contain multiple variables and English questions can combine grammar with contextual vocabulary.
3. Analyse Previous Year Papers
Do not simply solve the paper and check the score. Record which chapters consumed the most time, where accuracy dropped and which new patterns appeared.
4. Attempt Sectional Tests
Since the official Mains examination has separate sectional timings, practice each subject under the same time pressure—35 minutes for GA, 35 minutes for English and 45 minutes each for Quant and Reasoning & Computer Aptitude.
5. Do Not Blindly Follow Exact Question Predictions
The SBI Clerk Mains Exam Analysis proves that the broad trend remains relatively stable while individual question types can change sharply. Prepare topics by priority, but keep the syllabus broad enough to handle surprises.
SBI Clerk Mains 2026 Preparation Priority
For SBI Clerk Mains 2026, students can use the following order while revising:
- Quant: DI → Arithmetic → Approximation/Series → Quadratic → Data Sufficiency → Quantity Comparison.
- Reasoning: Puzzle/Seating → Logical Reasoning → Coding → Input Output → Data Sufficiency → Miscellaneous coded topics.
- English: RC → Grammar in Context → Vocabulary in Context → Para/Sentence Rearrangement → Cloze/Fillers.
- GA: Current Affairs → Banking/RBI → Economy → Government Schemes → Reports/Indexes → Static linked with news.
Final Analysis of SBI Clerk Mains Last 5 Years Trend
The biggest takeaway from the SBI Clerk Mains Last 5 Years Trend is that SBI maintains a stable section-level pattern but frequently changes the internal composition and difficulty of individual topics.
For Quant, DI and Arithmetic remain the backbone. For Reasoning, Puzzles, Seating Arrangement and Logical Reasoning deserve maximum attention. In English, Reading Comprehension and contextual language questions have remained highly important, while in General/Financial Awareness, candidates need a strong combination of Current Affairs, Banking, RBI and Financial Awareness.
Candidates should use the SBI Clerk Mains Subject Wise Weightage and previous-year analysis as a preparation guide rather than an exact prediction of the upcoming paper. A balanced strategy built around high-frequency topics, regular mocks, previous-year questions and strong accuracy will be much more effective for SBI Clerk Mains 2026.
Accuracy Note: The SBI Clerk Mains 2026 exam pattern and tentative examination schedule used in this article have been checked against the official SBI Junior Associate 2026 notification. Historical topic-wise counts are memory-based trends and should not be treated as an official or guaranteed question distribution.
Official Source:
State Bank of India – Current Openings
Related SBI Clerk Guides
If you are checking SBI Clerk Posting rules, you should also understand the latest notification, eligibility conditions and State-wise vacancies before choosing your State/UT. Explore these important SBI Clerk guides on ExamTune:
1. SBI Clerk Notification 2026:
Check recruitment updates, selection process, exam pattern, important dates and application rules.
Read SBI Clerk Notification →
2. SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria:
Check age limit, educational qualification, nationality and local-language requirements before applying.
Check SBI Clerk Eligibility →
3. SBI Clerk Vacancy:
Check State-wise and category-wise SBI Clerk vacancies before deciding your preferred State/UT.
Check SBI Clerk Vacancy →
ExamTune Tip: Before selecting a State for SBI Clerk, compare the vacancy, local-language requirement, eligibility conditions and SBI Clerk Posting rules together. A higher vacancy count alone should not decide your State preference.
SBI Current Openings – Junior Associates 2026, Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17
Previous SBI Junior Associate Detailed Advertisement (archive reference)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage?
SBI Clerk Mains Topic-wise Weightage shows how frequently different topics are asked in each section of the Mains exam. It helps candidates identify high-priority chapters for preparation.
Why should candidates analyse the last 5 years of SBI Clerk Mains question trends? Answer: Anal
Analysing the last 5 years helps candidates understand recurring topics, changing question patterns, difficulty levels, and areas that usually carry higher weightage.
Which sections are included in SBI Clerk Mains?
SBI Clerk Mains generally includes General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude.
Which topics are important in SBI Clerk Mains Reasoning Ability?
Puzzles, seating arrangement, logical reasoning, data sufficiency, coding-decoding, input-output, and miscellaneous reasoning questions are among the important areas.
Which Quantitative Aptitude topics have high weightage in SBI Clerk Mains?
Data Interpretation, arithmetic word problems, number series, quadratic equations, data sufficiency, and quantity comparison are commonly important topics.
What are the important English topics for SBI Clerk Mains?
Reading Comprehension, cloze test, para jumbles, sentence rearrangement, error detection, fillers, vocabulary, and phrase replacement are important English topics.
Is General Awareness important for SBI Clerk Mains?
Yes. General and Financial Awareness is an important scoring section. Candidates should focus on current affairs, banking awareness, financial awareness, RBI-related updates, and important government schemes.
Does SBI Clerk Mains topic-wise weightage remain the same every year?
No. The exact number of questions from each topic can change every year. Previous-year trends should be used to understand patterns rather than as a fixed prediction.
How should candidates use SBI Clerk Mains last 5 years question trends for preparation?
Candidates should first complete frequently asked and high-weightage topics, practise previous-year questions, attempt sectional tests, and then use mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
Are previous-year questions enough to prepare for SBI Clerk Mains?
Previous-year questions are extremely useful for understanding the exam trend, but candidates should also practise latest-pattern questions, current affairs, sectional tests, and full-length mock tests for complete preparation.
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