SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026

Last updated: 17 September 2026

Current official status: This pattern is verified from SBI Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 for the 2026–27 Junior Associate recruitment cycle. SBI Clerk has Prelims, Mains and a Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) where applicable. There is no interview.

The SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 explains the stage-wise questions, marks, sectional timing, negative marking and merit rules for the State Bank of India Junior Associate examination. Candidates should understand one crucial distinction: Prelims is a screening test, while the aggregate score in Mains determines state-wise and category-wise merit, subject to the local-language requirement.

Prelims qualification and shortlisting rules

• SBI prescribes no minimum qualifying marks for an individual Prelims test or for the aggregate Prelims score.
• Section-wise marks are not maintained.
• Approximately ten times the number of vacancies in each category may be shortlisted for Mains, subject to availability, in descending order of aggregate marks.
• Prelims marks are not added to the final merit list.

Mains qualification and merit rules

SBI decides the minimum aggregate qualifying percentage for Mains. SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, XS and DXS candidates receive a 5% relaxation in the prescribed aggregate qualifying marks. There is no individual-subject minimum and section-wise marks are not maintained. Final merit is prepared state-wise and category-wise from aggregate Mains marks, subject to eligibility and local-language qualification.

Eligible SBI-trained apprentices who satisfy the notification conditions receive a weightage of 2.5% of the maximum Mains marks, equal to 5 marks out of 200.

For every wrong answer in the objective tests, SBI deducts one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question. An unanswered question attracts no penalty. It is inaccurate to describe every deduction as exactly 0.25 marks because the Mains Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude section carries 60 marks for 50 questions.

Example: If a question carries 1 mark, a wrong response deducts 0.25 marks. If a question carries a different weight, the penalty is one-fourth of that assigned value.

No. Every section has a fixed independent time limit. Candidates can attempt questions only within the active section; when its allotted time ends, the examination moves to the next section. Mock practice should therefore follow the exact sectional clock instead of using only an unrestricted total timer.

No individual-test qualifying mark is prescribed. In Prelims, SBI specifies no minimum qualifying marks for individual tests or aggregate score. In Mains, SBI determines an aggregate qualifying standard but does not prescribe an individual-subject minimum. This official rule should not be confused with competitors’ references to a sectional cut-off.

Provisionally selected candidates who cannot produce a Class 10 or Class 12 certificate showing that they studied the opted local language must take the LLPT after provisional selection and before joining. Candidates with acceptable proof are exempt.

SBI determines the minimum qualifying marks for each LLPT component, with 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates. The notification does not specify LLPT duration or the number of verbal questions, so candidates should not rely on unsupported figures. Failure to demonstrate proficiency results in disqualification/no appointment.

English Language and General English are available in English only. Other objective sections are offered in English and the applicable state/UT language options listed by SBI for the circle selected in the application. Candidates should verify the exact language combination for their state in the current notification rather than relying on an old static list.

1. Preliminary Examination: screening stage; marks do not count in final merit.
2. Main Examination: aggregate marks determine merit, subject to qualifying standards.
3. Local Language Proficiency Test: applicable only when required; qualifying before joining.

There is no interview for SBI Clerk/Junior Associate recruitment.

Prelims approach

Practice three independently timed 20-minute blocks. Build accuracy first, then raise attempts. After each mock, classify errors as concept, calculation, reading or time-management mistakes and revise the weakest pattern before the next test.

Mains approach

Start General/Financial Awareness revision early, practise high-level Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning sets, and train for the 45-minute Reasoning & Computer block. Take sectional tests before full Mains mocks, review every incorrect and skipped question, and maintain a weekly error log.

Download Official Notification Visit SBI Careers Portal

Accuracy note: This page covers the main Junior Associate recruitment under CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 and does not mix details from the separate Special Recruitment Drive.