The SBI Clerk syllabus for the Prelims and Mains exams includes Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, and English Language. Additionally, General Awareness and Computer Aptitude are included in the Mains stage. Aspiring candidates for the SBI Clerk 2026 exam must master these topics, the exam pattern, and the marking scheme to succeed.
SBI Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026
This guide details the SBI Clerk Syllabus for both Prelims and Mains, covering the latest exam patterns, topic-wise weightage, and proven preparation strategies. We have also provided a downloadable syllabus PDF to help you streamline your study plan effectively.
| SBI Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026- Overview | |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| No. of Questions | Prelims- 100 Mains- 190 |
| Exam Duration | Prelims- 1 hour Mains- 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Negative Marking | ¼th mark (0.25 marks) |
| Selection Process | Prelims > Mains > Local Language Proficiency Test |
SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026
The State Bank of India follows a rigorous two-stage recruitment process for the Junior Associate position. Candidates must clear both the Prelims and Mains online tests, followed by the mandatory Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). While the LLPT is qualifying in nature, the marks obtained in the Mains examination are critical for the final selection.
- Stage 1- Preliminary Exam
- Stage 2- Mains Exam
- Stage 3- Local Language Proficiency Test (Qualifying)
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026
Before diving into the syllabus, it is essential to understand the test structure. You can review the SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 for both rounds detailed below.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The Prelims exam comprises three sections totaling 100 questions: English (30), Numerical Ability (35), and Reasoning (35). Each correct answer awards 1 mark, while an incorrect response incurs a penalty of 0.25 marks.
| SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 | ||||
| SNo. | Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes | |
SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The Mains exam features 190 questions across four sections, carrying a total of 200 marks. Candidates have 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete the test, with a negative marking of 0.25 (1/4th) for each wrong answer.
| SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026 | ||||
| S No. | Section | No. of Question | Total Marks | Duration |
| 1. | General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| 2. | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| 3. | Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| 4. | General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hours 40 minutes | |
Note: A negative marking of 1/4th (0.25) applies to every incorrect answer in both the Prelims and Mains examinations.
SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2026
The SBI Clerk preliminary syllabus evaluates candidates on Reasoning, Numerical Ability, and English Language. Focusing on these core subjects is vital to securing high marks and advancing to the Mains stage. Check the comprehensive subject-wise breakdown below.
Numerical Ability Syllabus
- Data Interpretation (Bar, Line, Pie, Tabular)
- Data Sufficiency
- Quadratic Equation
- Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere
- Approximation
- Missing Number Series
- Simplification
- Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns
- Problems on Ages
- Average, Ratio, Percentage, Profit & Loss
- Simple Interest & Compound Interest
- Speed, Distance & Time
- Permutation & Combination
- Boat & Stream
- Probability
- Partnership
- Mixture & Allegation
Reasoning Syllabus
- Blood Relations
- Input Output
- Data Sufficiency
- Coded Inequalities
- Seating Arrangement (Circular/Triangular/Square/Rectangular)
- Logical Reasoning
- Alphanumeric Series
- Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test
- Puzzle
- Tabulation
- Syllogism
- Meaningful Word
- Odd One Out
- Coding Decoding
- Direction & Distance
- Letter/Digit/Mix Series
- Pair Formation
- Inequality
- Order & Ranking
English Language Syllabus
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Para jumbles
- Miscellaneous
- Fill in the blanks/Fillers
- Multiple Meaning
- Paragraph Completion
- Error Detection
- Misspelt
- Word/Sentence Rearrangement
- Single Fillers
- Match the Column
- Para Jumble
- Word Usage
- Word Swap
- Column-Based Sentence
- Phrase Repacements
SBI Clerk Prelims High Scoring Topics
Based on a thorough analysis of previous years' question papers, we have identified the high-priority topics that candidates should prioritize during their preparation.
| English Language | |
| Topics | No. of Questions |
| Reading Comprehension | 7 to 10 questions |
| Cloze Test | 5 to 6 questions |
| Error Detection | 4 to 5 questions |
| Para Jumbles | 4 to 5 questions |
| Numerical Ability | |
| Topics | No. of Questions |
| Data Interpretation | 5 to 10 questions |
| Number Series | 5 questions |
| Simplification | 10 to 15 questions |
| Arithemetic | 10 to 15 questions |
| Reasoning Ability | |
| Topics | No. of Questions |
| Puzzle & Seating Arrangements | 12-16 questions |
| Syllogism | 3 to 5 questions |
| Coding-Decoding | 4 to 5 questions |
| Direction & Distance | 3 to 5 questions |
SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus 2026
The SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2026 covers four key sections: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and General/Financial Awareness. The complete syllabus is provided below.
| Quantitative Aptitude | General English |
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| General/Financial Awareness | Reasoning Ability | Computer Aptitude |
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Which topics are most important for the SBI Clerk 2026 Mains?
Ans- Top priority topics include Data Interpretation and Quadratic Equations (Quant), Advanced Puzzles (Reasoning), Reading Comprehension and Cloze Tests (English), Banking Awareness and Current Affairs (General Awareness), and MS Office and Networking (Computer Aptitude).
SBI Clerk Syllabus PDF Download
Download the complete SBI Clerk Prelims & Mains syllabus PDF via the link below for offline study and reference. This document includes a comprehensive breakdown of all essential exam topics.
Click here to download the SBI Clerk Syllabus PDF
SBI Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test
Candidates who pass both the Prelims and Mains but did not study the specific local language of their applied state during their 10th or 12th grade must undergo the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). This is a qualifying assessment, and the details are outlined below.
| Test Pattern | Section | No. of Passages | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
| Non- Verbal Test | Objective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| 3 | 15 | 15 | ||
| Verbal Test | Subjective | -- | -- | 20 |
Are LLPT scores included in the final merit list?
Ans- No, the LLPT is strictly a qualifying test, and these scores do not contribute to the final selection process.
Exam Preparation Tips
Beyond mastering the syllabus, familiarity with previous year question types is crucial. To assist with your revision, our experts have developed an SBI Clerk Mock Test 2026, which we strongly recommend all candidates complete before the actual exam.
FAQs
The SBI Clerk Prelims covers English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning, while the Mains includes Quantitative Aptitude, General English, General/Financial Awareness, and Reasoning & Computer Aptitude.
No, the selection for the SBI Clerk post is based solely on the Mains Examination marks; there is no personal interview round.
Difficulty is subjective based on preparation. Historically, the SBI Clerk Prelims difficulty ranges from easy to moderate, while the Mains exam generally falls into the moderate category.
LLPT stands for Local Language Proficiency Test. It is a mandatory qualifying test for those who did not study the state-specific local language during their 10th or 12th-grade education.
The SBI Clerk Mains exam comprises 190 questions for a total of 200 marks, to be completed in a duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes.
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