SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026: Shift 1 Review
The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 for 16 September Shift 1 gives candidates a clear view of the paper. Here, candidates can check the difficulty level, good attempts, questions asked, topic-wise distribution and exam pattern.
The SBI Clerk Prelims exam for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) backlog vacancies took place on 16 September 2026.
According to candidate feedback, Shift 1 had an overall Easy to Moderate level. English Language was comparatively easy. Meanwhile, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability required better speed and time management.
Therefore, candidates preparing for upcoming banking exams can use this analysis to understand the latest question trend. In addition, it can help them identify the topics that need more practice.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 Overview
First, candidates should check the main highlights of the exam.
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Exam | SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Vacancy Type | Backlog Vacancies |
| Exam Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Shifts | Shift 1, Shift 2 and Shift 3 |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Total Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Sections | English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 mark per wrong answer |
| Shift 1 Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Question Sequence | English → Numerical Ability → Reasoning Ability |
Overall, the exam mainly tested speed, accuracy and basic concepts. Therefore, candidates needed a balanced approach instead of focusing only on the number of attempts.
SBI Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026
The SBI Clerk backlog exam on 16 September had three shifts.
| Shift | Exam Timing |
|---|
| Shift 1 | 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM |
However, candidates should always follow the reporting time printed on their admit card. They should also read all exam-day instructions before reaching the centre.
SBI Clerk Prelims Shift 1 Difficulty Level 2026
Candidate feedback suggests that SBI Clerk Prelims Shift 1 had an overall Easy to Moderate difficulty level.
English Language was the easier section. In contrast, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability included some questions that required more time.
The section-wise level is given below.
| Section | Difficulty Level |
|---|
| English Language | Easy |
| Numerical Ability | Easy to Moderate |
| Reasoning Ability | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | Easy to Moderate |
As a result, candidates with good accuracy and time management could attempt a large part of the paper.
SBI Clerk Prelims Good Attempts 2026
The SBI Clerk Prelims good attempts for Shift 1 depend on candidate feedback and the overall paper level.
| Section | Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|
| English Language | 30 | 25–28 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 23–26 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 26–29 |
| Overall | 100 | 74–83 |
Therefore, candidates considered around 74 to 83 attempts a reasonable range when combined with good accuracy.
However, good attempts do not represent the official cut-off.
The final score can depend on several factors, such as:
- Number of correct answers
- Number of wrong answers
- Overall competition
- State-wise cut-off
- Candidate performance
- Recruitment rules
Therefore, candidates should wait for the official cut-off and result before estimating their final selection chances.
SBI Clerk Shift 1 Exam Analysis 2026: Section Wise
The SBI Clerk Prelims paper contains three sections:
- English Language
- Numerical Ability
- Reasoning Ability
Moreover, each section gets a separate 20-minute time limit.
Therefore, candidates must manage each section carefully. They cannot use the unused time of one section in another section.
Now, check the detailed SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 below.
SBI Clerk Reasoning Ability Exam Analysis 2026
The Reasoning Ability section included 35 questions. Candidate feedback placed its level in the Easy to Moderate range.
Most importantly, puzzles and seating arrangements carried a large share of the section. Therefore, candidates who had practised different puzzle types had an advantage.
SBI Clerk Reasoning Questions Asked
| Topic | Approx. Questions | Difficulty |
|---|
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | 18 | Easy to Moderate |
| Syllogism | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Inequality | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Alphanumeric/Number Series | 5 | Easy to Moderate |
| Blood Relation/Direction | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Number Based | 1 | Easy |
| Meaningful Word | 1 | Easy |
| Odd One Out | 1 | Easy |
| Total | 35 | Easy to Moderate |
Puzzles and Seating Arrangement
Puzzles and seating arrangements contributed around 18 questions.
Candidates shared the following puzzle sets:
- Sequence-based puzzle – 5 questions
- Monday to Sunday day-based puzzle – 5 questions
- Height comparison puzzle – 3 questions
- Parallel-row arrangement with 10 persons – 5 questions
Therefore, puzzles had high weightage in the section.
However, candidates needed to choose their puzzle sets carefully. For example, solving an easier set first could save valuable time.
Reasoning Preparation Takeaway
Based on the Shift 1 trend, candidates should focus on:
- Seating arrangements
- Day-based puzzles
- Sequence puzzles
- Comparison puzzles
- Syllogism
- Inequality
- Alphanumeric series
- Blood relations
- Direction questions
In addition, candidates should practise under a timer. As a result, they can improve both speed and accuracy.
SBI Clerk Numerical Ability Exam Analysis 2026
The Numerical Ability section included 35 questions.
Overall, candidates found this section Easy to Moderate. However, arithmetic questions took more time than many other topics.
The section mainly covered simplification, arithmetic and Data Interpretation.
SBI Clerk Numerical Ability Questions Asked
| Topic | Approx. Questions | Difficulty |
|---|
| Simplification/Approximation | 12 | Easy to Moderate |
| Table-Based DI | 6 | Easy to Moderate |
| Bar Graph DI | 3 | Easy |
| Arithmetic | 11 | Moderate |
| Caselet DI – SI & CI | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 35 | Easy to Moderate |
Simplification and Approximation
Simplification and approximation had a strong presence in the paper.
Candidates reported around 12 questions from this area.
Therefore, strong calculation skills helped candidates solve these questions faster. Moreover, regular practice could reduce calculation errors.
Data Interpretation
The paper included different Data Interpretation formats, such as:
- Table-based DI
- Bar Graph DI
- Caselet DI
In addition, the caselet set included concepts related to Simple Interest and Compound Interest.
Therefore, candidates should practise both direct calculations and case-based DI questions.
Arithmetic
Candidates reported around 11 arithmetic questions.
In comparison with other topics, arithmetic required more time. Therefore, candidates needed to avoid getting stuck on a difficult question.
Instead, they could first solve easier questions and return to lengthy problems if time remained.
Numerical Ability Preparation Takeaway
Candidates should focus on:
- Simplification
- Approximation
- Arithmetic
- Percentage
- Profit and Loss
- Simple Interest
- Compound Interest
- Data Interpretation
Moreover, daily calculation practice can improve speed. As a result, candidates can attempt more questions without reducing accuracy.
SBI Clerk English Language Exam Analysis 2026
The English Language section included 30 questions.
According to candidate feedback, English was the easiest section of Shift 1.
The paper covered reading, grammar, vocabulary and sentence-based questions. Therefore, candidates with good reading skills could move through this section quickly.
SBI Clerk English Questions Asked
| Topic | Approx. Questions | Difficulty |
|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 9 | Easy |
| Error Detection | 5 | Easy |
| Column Based | 1 | Easy |
| Word Usage | 1 | Easy to Moderate |
| Para Jumble | 5 | Easy |
| Phrase Replacement | 3 | Easy |
| Misspelt Words | 4 | Easy |
| Sentence Rearrangement | 2 | Easy |
| Total | 30 | Easy |
Reading Comprehension Topics
Candidates shared Reading Comprehension topics linked to:
- A bio-company and tomato-related theme
- Fashion products such as shoes and bags
In addition, the paper included vocabulary questions.
Candidates mentioned words connected with:
Moreover, candidates also reported a filler-based question.
Overall, English offered a good scoring opportunity. Therefore, candidates with strong grammar and reading skills could attempt a high number of questions.
English Preparation Takeaway
Candidates should regularly practise:
- Reading comprehension
- Error detection
- Para jumbles
- Phrase replacement
- Sentence rearrangement
- Vocabulary
- Spelling-based questions
In addition, reading English articles can improve vocabulary. It can also increase reading speed and help candidates understand passages faster.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 contains 100 questions for 100 marks.
Candidates get 60 minutes for the complete test. However, SBI gives only 20 minutes to each section.
| 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 |
Therefore, time management plays a major role in the exam.
For example, candidates cannot transfer unused English time to Reasoning or Numerical Ability. As a result, they must complete each section within its fixed time.
SBI Clerk Prelims Negative Marking 2026
Candidates should also understand the marking system.
SBI deducts 0.25 mark for every wrong answer. Therefore, random guessing can lower the final score.
Keep these points in mind:
- The paper contains 100 questions.
- The maximum score is 100 marks.
- Each correct answer gives 1 mark.
- Each wrong answer costs 0.25 mark.
- Unanswered questions do not add marks.
For example, four wrong answers can reduce the score by one full mark.
Therefore, candidates should focus on accuracy rather than attempting every question.
What Does SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 Show?
The Shift 1 analysis highlights some clear trends.
First, puzzles and seating arrangements held major importance in Reasoning Ability.
Second, Numerical Ability included a strong mix of simplification, arithmetic and Data Interpretation.
Meanwhile, English remained a scoring section for candidates with strong reading, vocabulary and grammar skills.
Therefore, candidates preparing for similar banking exams should build both speed and accuracy.
How to Prepare Based on SBI Clerk Shift 1 Analysis
Candidates can use the Shift 1 trend to improve their study plan.
For Reasoning Ability
Focus on:
- Puzzles
- Seating arrangements
- Inequality
- Syllogism
- Blood relations
- Number series
First, solve easier questions. Then, move to longer puzzle sets.
Moreover, regular timed practice can help improve decision-making during the exam.
For Numerical Ability
Practise:
- Simplification
- Approximation
- Data Interpretation
- Arithmetic
- Interest-based questions
In addition, practise mental calculations every day. As a result, you can reduce the time needed for basic calculations.
For English Language
Concentrate on:
- Reading comprehension
- Grammar rules
- Vocabulary
- Para jumbles
- Error detection
- Sentence rearrangement
Moreover, regular reading can improve both speed and understanding. Therefore, candidates should include short English articles in their daily routine.
