What's Official
The State Bank of India has officially released the admit cards for the 2026 Junior Associate (Clerk) preliminary examination. This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 9,766 vacancies, comprising 7,680 regular positions and 1,444 backlog vacancies. With over 13.01 lakh candidates registered for this cycle, competition remains intense.
The preliminary examination is scheduled to take place on 26 and 27 September 2026 across various centers nationwide. Candidates must note that the call letter is a mandatory document for entry into the examination hall, and no candidate will be permitted to sit for the test without a printed hard copy and a valid photo identification.
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Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The SBI Clerk Prelims is a computer-based test conducted over a duration of 60 minutes. The paper is divided into three primary sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.
Each section has a sectional timing of 20 minutes. Candidates should be aware that the total test comprises 100 questions carrying 100 marks. There is a penalty of 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect answer, making accuracy as crucial as speed.
Tip
To maintain your speed during the 20-minute sectional limit, practice timed speed tests on Aspirant Arcade to mimic the actual exam interface.
Section-wise Priority Breakdown
- ▸Reasoning Ability: Focus on Puzzles and Seating Arrangement, as these typically account for 50-60% of the section marks.
- ▸Numerical Ability: Prioritize Data Interpretation (DI) and Simplification/Approximation. These are high-yield areas that can be solved quickly.
- ▸English Language: Reading Comprehension carries the maximum weightage. Strengthen your vocabulary and grammar basics to handle the cloze test and error detection questions.
30-Day Preparation Roadmap
Week 1: Focus on clearing conceptual gaps. Revisit the basics of algebra for math and syllogisms for reasoning.
Week 2: Shift to rigorous sectional practice. Utilize the analytics dashboard on Aspirant Arcade to identify your weak segments.
Week 3: Full-length mock tests are the priority. Attempt at least one full-length paper daily and analyze every error.
Week 4: Final revision. Go through short notes and memorized formulas. Do not start any new, complex topics during this phase.
Cutoff and Rank Expectation
The SBI Clerk Prelims cutoff is determined state-wise and category-wise. As an estimated trend, candidates should aim for an attempt rate that targets 5-10 marks above the previous year's state-specific cutoffs to remain in the safe zone.
Since the exam involves normalization across multiple shifts, your focus should be on maximizing net correct attempts rather than guessing, as negative marking can significantly hamper your final score.