Find the comprehensive SBI Clerk Exam Analysis 2026 for all shifts in this report. We provide a deep dive into the 26 September 2026 Shift 1 Prelims exam, including expert evaluation of difficulty levels, candidate-reported good attempts, and complete sectional breakdowns.
The State Bank of India (SBI) is conducting the SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 on the 26th and 27th of September across multiple shifts. This recruitment drive aims to fill 9,766 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) vacancies in branches nationwide.
Our SBI Clerk Shift 1 Exam Analysis 2026 is based on direct feedback from candidates who completed the paper. This guide outlines the overall difficulty, section-specific trends, frequently asked questions, estimated good attempts, and the distribution of topics per section.
Detailed SBI Clerk Shift 1 Exam Analysis (26 September 2026)
The official SBI Clerk Prelims paper structure comprises 100 questions worth 100 marks: 30 for English Language and 35 each for Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability, with a total time allotment of 60 minutes. As the examination concludes on 26-27 September, we have updated this analysis to reflect the actual difficulty level and candidate performance metrics.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 – Highlights
- Exam Name: SBI Clerk Prelims 2026
- Conducting Authority: State Bank of India
- Position: Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales)
- Exam Dates: 26th and 27th September 2026
- Test Sequence: English ⇒ Numerical Ability ⇒ Reasoning
- Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Total Questions: 100
- Maximum Marks: 100
- Total Duration: 60 Minutes
- Sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability
- Exam Schedule: 4 shifts daily
SBI Clerk Shift 1 Difficulty Level (2026)
The overall difficulty level for the SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 is determined by aggregating student feedback from across all shifts. Note that difficulty may fluctuate between shifts due to varying question sets and topic emphasis.
| Section | Difficulty Level |
| English Language | Easy |
| Numerical Ability | Easy To Moderate |
| Reasoning Ability | Easy To Moderate |
| Overall | Easy To Moderate |
Estimated SBI Clerk Shift 1 Good Attempts
Good attempts for the SBI Clerk exam are calculated based on the average number of accurate questions solved by test-takers within the time limit. These figures are estimates and not official results, and they will vary based on the difficulty level of each specific shift.
| Section | Number of Questions | Good Attempts |
| English Language | 30 | 24-27 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 22-26 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 26-28 |
| Overall | 100 | 72-83 |
SBI Clerk Prelims Section-Wise Breakdown
To provide a comprehensive overview, we have broken down the performance analysis by section to help you understand the weightage and complexity of each subject.
Reasoning Ability: Sectional Analysis
The Reasoning Ability section carries 35 questions worth 35 marks. We have compiled a detailed topic-wise analysis based on real-time candidate feedback.
| Topic | Number of Questions |
| Uncertain No. of Persons (Not more than 14 person)- North Facing | 3 |
| Box-based puzzle (8) (Independent) | 5 |
| Month and Day Based Puzzle (Sept to Dec) (5, 26), (4*2) | 5 |
| Box based (Number) (8 boxes) | 5 |
| Syllogism (3*2) | 3 |
| Inequalities (Non comma) | 3 |
| Direction- Distance | 3 |
| Pair Formation (word) | 1 |
| Word Series | 5 |
| Odd One Out | 1 |
| Number based (3 letters word) | 1 |
English Language: Sectional Analysis
The English Language section comprises 30 questions totaling 30 marks. Explore our detailed topic-wise breakdown here.
| Topic | Number of Questions |
| Reading Comprehension (Cricketer named Ken’s story) | 8 |
| Phrase Replacement | 3-4 |
| Fill in the Blanks (Single fillers) | 3-4 |
| Sentence Based Error (5 sentences) | 4 |
| Word swap | 4 |
| Para Jumbles | 5 |
| Total | 30 |
Numerical Ability: Sectional Analysis
The Numerical Ability section consists of 35 questions worth 35 marks. This analysis evaluates the difficulty and frequency of questions across key topics like simplification, number series, arithmetic, data interpretation, and quadratic equations.
| Topic | Number of Questions |
| Simplification/Approximation | 11-12 |
| Data Interpretation (Table) (2 subjects: Eco/History) (5 rows, 2 columns) | 5 |
| Data Interpretation (Line-Graph) | 5 |
| Arithmetic (Simple) | 14-15 |
| Total | 35 |
Download SBI Clerk Admit Card 2026
Shift-Wise Analysis of SBI Clerk Prelims 2026
The SBI Clerk Prelims exam is spread across four shifts per day. We continuously update our shift-wise analysis to provide accurate insights based on the latest question trends and candidate feedback.
| Exam Date | Shift | Analysis Link |
| 26 September 2026 | Shift 2 | Check Here |
| 26 September 2026 | Shift 3 | To be updated |
| 26 September 2026 | Shift 4 | To be updated |
| 27 September 2026 | Shift 1 | To be updated |
| 27 September 2026 | Shift 2 | To be updated |
| 27 September 2026 | Shift 3 | To be updated |
| 27 September 2026 | Shift 4 | To be updated |
SBI Clerk Exam Shift Timings
The examination is conducted in four distinct shifts. Each session lasts for 60 minutes. Candidates are advised to arrive at the center early to complete biometric verification and entry formalities.
| Shift | Exam Timing |
|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM |
| Shift 4 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The Prelims paper consists of three main sections with a composite time limit of one hour. Note the penalty system: there is a negative marking of 0.25 (or 1/4th) of a mark for each incorrect answer.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Next Steps: After the SBI Clerk Prelims
Candidates who qualify in the Prelims will advance to the Main Examination. Selection for the Mains is based on Prelims performance, with approximately 20 times the total vacancies invited to the next stage.
The Mains exam consists of 190 questions worth 200 marks, covering General/Financial Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning & Computer Aptitude.