SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2025: Syllabus, Marking Scheme, Preparation

• Updated on 13 Sept, 2025 by Kollegeapply

SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2025: SBI Clerk exam is one of the most popular banking exams that allows students to get jobs in the State Bank of India (SBI), which is one of the most renowned public banks in India. SBI conducts this exam once a year, and this year it will be conducted on September 20, 21, and 27, 2025. The admit card will be released soon on the official website.

SBI Clerk exam covers both the prelims and mains exams. It includes questions from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English. There will be 100 questions for 100 marks, and candidates will have only 1 hour to complete the paper. This preliminary stage is only qualifying in nature, meaning the marks scored here are not added to the final merit list.

SBI Clerk mains exam pattern has questions from General/Financial Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, General English, and Reasoning Ability & and Computer Aptitude. SBI Clerk mains exam carries 200 marks for 190 questions, and candidates will get 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete the paper. The marks obtained in this stage are considered for the final merit list.

Table of Contents

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2025
SBI Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test
SBI Clerk Marking Scheme 2025
SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2025
SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus 2025
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2025: Book Recommendations
SBI Clerk Preparation 2025
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2025

The first stage is the Preliminary exam, held online and designed to filter candidates for the main round.

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
English Language	30	30	20 Minutes
Numerical Ability	35	35	20 Minutes
Reasoning Ability	35	35	20 Minutes
Total	100	100	1 Hour

SBI Clerk Prelims 2025 Highlights

Each section has a set time limit: candidates cannot move between sections during the exam.
All questions are multiple-choice (MCQ) and computer-based.
The question paper is available in English and Hindi, except for the English section which is only in English.
Candidates must complete all sections within one hour total.
This stage is only for qualifying. Marks do not add to the final merit score.
There is a penalty for marking an incorrect answer: 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong response.
There are no minimum qualifying marks in individual sections; however, cutoffs are applied overall, depending on the number of vacancies and candidate performance.

SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2025

Those who clear prelims will be eligible for the Mains examination, which is more challenging and determines the final merit rank.

Section	No. of Questions	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	2hr 40mins

SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2025 Highlights

It has sectional timing, making time management essential.
The main paper is also MCQ-based, bilingual, and organized online.
This stage is the only one used to determine the final recruitment and ranking of applicants.
0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer (negative marking applies).
No interview process for Clerical recruitment; Mains marks are final.
Candidates must score above the overall cutoff specified by SBI to be considered for the merit list.
The Reasoning Ability section in Mains includes a Computer Aptitude portion—questions on basic computer literacy are integrated here.

SBI Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test

After clearing the Main exam and being shortlisted, candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency in the local language of the state/UT they have applied for. This step enables SBI to ensure quality services across all regions.

If a candidate has studied the specified local language up to Class 10 or 12 and presents valid proof (marksheet or educational certificate), the language test can be waived.
Candidates who fail this test will not be finally appointed.
Language tests are typically practical, involving basic reading, writing, and verbal communication.

Exam Pattern	Section	No. of Passages	No. of Questions	Marks
Non-Verbal Test	Objective	3	15	15
Non-Verbal Test	Subjective	3	15	15
Verbal Test				20

SBI Clerk Marking Scheme 2025

Understanding the marking scheme is crucial for strategic planning:

+1 mark for every correct answer in both Prelims and Mains.
-0.25 mark for each wrong answer; unattempted questions get zero.
The system ensures accuracy and discourages guessing.
Final scores are normalised if multiple shifts are held, accounting for question paper difficulty variation.

SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2025

SBI Clerk Prelims exam syllabus includes Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, and English Language. The detailed syllabus is mentioned in the table below.

Particulars	Details
Reasoning Ability	Inequality Box-based Puzzle Floor-based Puzzle Linear row/Double row arrangement Day/Month/Year/Age-based Puzzle Comparison/Categorized/Uncertain Puzzle Blood Relation Direction and Distance Alphanumeric Series Syllogism Coding-Decoding Circular/Triangular/Square/Rectangular/ Seating arrangement Order & Ranking Miscellaneous
Numerical Ability	Simplification Approximation Missing Series Quadratic Equation Data Interpretation (Bar, Line, Pie, Tabular) Speed, Distance & Time Permutation & Combination Boat & Stream Mensuration Probability Partnership Mixture & Allegation Data Sufficiency Wrong Series Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns Problems with Ages Average, Ratio, Percentage, Profit & Loss Simple Interest & Compound Interest
English Language	Reading Comprehension Phrase Replacement Word Swap Idioms and Phrases Column-based Sentence Completion Fill in the Blanks Odd Sentence Out Para Jumbles Cloze Test Inference and Sentence Completion Sentence Connectors Paragraph Conclusion Phrasal Verb Questions Misspelled Words Error Detection Sentence-Level Errors Word Rearrangement Sentence Improvement Error Correction

SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus 2025

The Quant syllabus is similar to Prelims, but includes higher-difficulty questions and some additional topics. Here is the detailed syllabus of the SBI Clerk Mains exam 2025.

Sections	Topics
Quantitative Aptitude	Ratio, Proportion & Percentage Number System Average Data Sufficiency Mensuration Permutation & Combination Simplification and Approximation Basic Calculations Inequalities (Quadratic Equations, Quantity 1 & Quantity 2) Time and Work Speed, Time, and Distance Simple Interest and Compound Interest Data Interpretation (Bar Graph, Line Chart, Tabular, Caselet, Radar/Web, Pie Chart) Number Series Arithmetic Problems Volumes and Surface Areas Problems on L.C.M and H.C.F Quadratic Equations Probability Profit and Loss
General English	Reading Comprehension New Pattern Cloze Test Phrase Replacement Odd Sentence Out & Para Jumbles Sentence Completion Paragraph Conclusion Phrasal Verb Questions Connectors Column-based Sentence Completion Word Rearrangement Paragraph Completion New Pattern Para Jumbles Multiple Error Corrections
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude	Puzzles Seating Arrangements Direction Sense Blood Relation Syllogism Order and Ranking Coding-Decoding Machine Input-Output Inequalities Alpha-Numeric-Symbol Series Data Sufficiency Logical Reasoning, Statement, and Assumption Passage Inference Conclusion, Argument Resultant Series
General Awareness	National Current Affairs International Current Affairs State Current Affairs Sports News Central Government Schemes Agreements/MoUs Books & Authors Summits & Conferences Defense News Science & Technology News Banking & Insurance News Static General Knowledge Ranks, Reports, and Indexes Business & Economy News Important Days (Direct, Theme, Related Facts/News) Obituaries Key Appointments (National, International, Brand Ambassadors) Important Awards & Honours Union Budget Current Static Information Apps & Portals Static Banking Knowledge Committees & Councils RBI-Related News International Loans Abbreviations
Computer Awareness	Fundamentals of Computer Future of Computers Security Tools Networking Software & Hardware History of Computers Basic Knowledge of the Internet Computer Languages Computer Shortcut Keys Database Input and Output Devices MS Office

Check: SBI Clerk Syllabus 2025

SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2025: Book Recommendations

Choosing the right books for SBI Clerk exam 2025 is important for success. Here is a reliable list of books recommended by experts:

Sections	Book Recommendations
English Language	‘High School English Grammar and Composition’ (Wren & Martin) ‘Objective General English’ (Arihant Publications) ‘Word Power Made Easy’ (Norman Lewis)
Reasoning Ability	‘Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning’ (RS Aggarwal) ‘Analytical Reasoning’ (MK Pandey) ‘A New Approach To Reasoning: Verbal & Non-Verbal’ (BS Sijwali & Indu Sijwali)
Numerical/Quantitative Aptitude	‘Quantitative Aptitude’ (RS Aggarwal) ‘Data Interpretation’ (Arun Sharma) ‘Objective Mathematics for Competitive Exams’ (Tarun Goyal) ‘Fast Track Arithmetic’ (Rajesh Verma)
General/Financial Awareness	India Year Book Manorama Yearbook Lucent’s GK Book ‘Banking Awareness’ (Arihant Publications)
Computer Aptitude	‘Banking & Computer Aptitude’ (Adda247 Publications) ‘Computer Knowledge’ (Disha Publication) ‘Computer Awareness’ (Arihant Publication) ‘Objective Computer Knowledge & Literacy’ (Kiran Publication).

SBI Clerk Preparation 2025

SBI Clerk exam is considered one of the most competitive exams. A proper preparation strategy can help candidates crack this exam. Here are some preparation tips for candidates.

Plan daily study sessions for all subjects; start with fundamentals before moving to advanced topics.
Read newspapers and current affairs digests for General/Financial Awareness.
Attempt regular mock tests and previous year question papers. This improves speed and accuracy while revealing weak areas.
Revise weekly. Make concise notes for quick last-minute revision.
For the computer section, focus on basic components, operations, and software applications.
Remember to focus on accuracy and avoid random guessing due to the negative marking system.

SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs

What is the structure of the SBI clerk exam 2025 for recruitment?

The SBI clerk exam 2025 is conducted in three phases: Preliminary exam, Main exam, and Language Proficiency Test. Each phase of the SBI clerk exam 2025 has defined sections, marks distribution, and time limits as per the official guidelines.

Are previous years’ questions useful while preparing for the SBI clerk exam 2025?

Yes, practising previous years’ questions is highly beneficial for the SBI clerk exam 2025 preparation. It helps candidates understand exam patterns, topic weightage, and develop effective strategies for both Prelims and Mains.

How is the SBI clerk exam 2025 structured for the Mains examination?

The SBI clerk exam 2025 Mains features four sections: General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. It includes 190 questions for 200 marks, with a total time duration of 2 hours 40 minutes, distributed section-wise according to the SBI clerk exam 2025 pattern.

Is there negative marking in the SBI clerk exam 2025?

Yes, the SBI clerk exam 2025 applies a penalty of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains, following the official SBI clerk exam 2025 notification guidelines.

Which sections are included in the SBI clerk exam 2025 for Prelims?

The SBI clerk exam 2025 Prelims comprises three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. Candidates face 100 multiple-choice questions totalling 100 marks, with 20 minutes allocated for each section as part of the SBI clerk exam 2025 pattern.

Are there any sectional cutoffs in the SBI clerk exam 2025?

No, the SBI clerk exam 2025 does not have sectional cutoffs for either Prelims or Mains, but candidates must meet the overall aggregate cutoff marks as stipulated in the SBI clerk exam 2025 criteria.

What languages are available for the SBI clerk exam 2025?

Except for the English Language section, the SBI clerk exam 2025 is bilingual, offered in both English and Hindi. Additionally, in certain states, the SBI clerk exam 2025 allows local language options per regional requirements.

Does the SBI clerk exam 2025 require candidates to clear both Prelims and Mains to be shortlisted?

Yes, candidates must clear the Prelims stage of the SBI clerk exam 2025 to be eligible for the Mains exam. Only marks obtained in the Mains contribute to the final selection and merit list.

What is the question format in the SBI clerk exam 2025?

Both Prelims and Mains stages of the SBI clerk exam 2025 consist exclusively of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), administered through a computer-based online test.

How does the Language Proficiency Test fit into the SBI clerk exam 2025?

The Language Proficiency Test is the final phase of the SBI clerk exam 2025 for candidates who have not studied the specified local language at school. Those candidates must demonstrate literacy in reading, writing, and speaking the chosen regional language after qualifying for the Prelims and Mains.

How is time allotted to sections in the SBI clerk exam 2025?

Sectional timing is enforced strictly in the SBI clerk exam 2025. Prelims allow 20 minutes for each section, while the Mains exam allocates specific durations per section to maintain fairness and help candidates focus.

If there are any changes to the SBI clerk exam 2025, how will candidates know?

Any updates or changes to the SBI clerk exam 2025 pattern are officially announced on the SBI website and in the detailed annual notification PDFs. Candidates should regularly monitor these official channels.

What are the most important topics according to the SBI clerk exam 2025?

Key topics in the SBI clerk exam 2025 include puzzles, syllogism, data interpretation, reading comprehension, and banking awareness, which are heavily featured in recent exam papers and study guides.

Is the SBI clerk exam 2025 pattern the same for all states and categories?

The SBI clerk exam 2025 follows a uniform national pattern, but candidates must select one state/UT during application and meet local language requirements, which may vary slightly across regions.

How does negative marking affect scores in the SBI clerk exam 2025?

Negative marking in the SBI clerk exam 2025 penalises incorrect answers by deducting 0.25 marks each. Hence, guessing answers without confidence can reduce overall scores, making accuracy and time management crucial.