SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) Exam Pattern 2026
The full SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) exam pattern for 2026 — 3 stages, with the sections, question count, marks, duration and negative marking for each, as set by State Bank of India Central Recruitment & Promotion Department (CRPD). Then take a free SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) mock in the real pattern below.
Preliminary Examination (Phase I — qualifying / screening only)
- Mode
- Online objective test at SBI/IBPS test centres across India
- Sections
- English Language (30 Q, 30 marks, 20 min) · Numerical Ability (35 Q, 35 marks, 20 min) · Reasoning Ability (35 Q, 35 marks, 20 min)
- Questions
- 100 multiple-choice questions
- Marks
- 100 marks total
- Duration
- 60 minutes total (sectional timing of 20 minutes per section — strictly enforced)
- Negative marking
- 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer; no deduction for unattempted or review-only items
Prelims is purely a SCREENING test. Sectional cutoffs apply to each of the three sections AND a category cutoff applies. Typically about 10x the notified vacancy is shortlisted state-wise/circle-wise for Mains. Prelims marks do NOT carry forward into the final merit list.
Main Examination (Phase II — merit-deciding)
- Mode
- Online objective test at SBI/IBPS test centres across India
- Sections
- General/Financial Awareness (50 Q, 50 marks, 35 min) · General English (40 Q, 40 marks, 35 min) · Quantitative Aptitude (50 Q, 50 marks, 45 min) · Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (50 Q, 60 marks, 45 min)
- Questions
- 190 multiple-choice questions
- Marks
- 200 marks total
- Duration
- 2 hours 40 minutes total (sectional timing strictly enforced)
- Negative marking
- 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer; no deduction for unattempted items
Sectional cutoffs apply individually in Mains for each of the four sections AND an overall category cutoff applies. Mains score alone determines the final merit list (Prelims does NOT carry forward, and there is NO Group Exercise or Interview round for SBI Clerk).
Local Language Test (LLT)
- Mode
- Conducted at the time of joining at the allotted circle
- Sections
- Test of reading, writing, speaking and understanding of the official/local language of the state of allotment (Class X-level proficiency)
- Questions
- Not applicable — qualifying-only assessment
- Marks
- Qualifying (pass/fail)
- Duration
- Conducted at the allotment stage, before final joining
- Negative marking
- Not applicable
Candidates who studied the specified local language at Class X or above are usually exempt from LLT. Candidates failing LLT forfeit selection. Choose your preferred state of recruitment carefully at the application stage — the local language must be one you can read, write and converse in.
You know the pattern — now practise in it.
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