The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam 2026 for backlog vacancies was conducted on 16 September 2026, with Shift 1 held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 Shift 1 discusses candidate feedback and the questions/topics reported after the examination. Candidates who have their exam in upcoming shifts can go through the exam analysis to check the overall difficulty level, section-wise difficulty, good attempts, and topic-wise question distribution.
The backlog examination is being conducted in three shifts on 16 September 2026, with Shift 1 scheduled from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, Shift 2 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm and Shift 3 from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 16 Sept 2026
SBI Clerk (Backlog 16 Sept Exam) Sequence:
English Language ⇒ Quantitative Aptitude ⇒ Reasoning Ability
| SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026: Overview | |
| Exam | SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 |
| Recruitment | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Vacancy Type | Backlog Vacancies |
| Exam Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Shift | Shift 1, 2, 3 |
| Exam Timing | 9:00 am to 10:00 am 11:30 am to 12:30 pm 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm |
| Overall Level | Easy to Moderate |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Sections | English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning |
| Negative Marking | 1/4 mark for each wrong answer |
SBI Clerk Prelims Shift 1 Difficulty Level & Good Attempts
Based on the initial feedback received from candidates, the overall difficulty level of Shift 1 was Easy to Moderate. The paper followed the expected SBI Clerk Prelims pattern, with questions testing candidates primarily on speed, accuracy and basic concepts.
Good attempts are indicative and depend on accuracy and the eventual shift-wise/state-wise competition. They should not be treated as an official qualifying score.
| Section | Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts* |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | Easy | 25-28 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | Easy to Moderate | 23-26 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | Easy to Moderate | 26-29 |
| Overall | 100 | Easy to Moderate | 74-83 |
SBI Clerk Shift 1 Exam Analysis 2026: Section-wise Review
The Reasoning Ability section was reported to be Easy to Moderate. Candidates with good practice in puzzles and basic reasoning topics could attempt a substantial number of questions.
The section contained a mix of puzzles/seating arrangement, syllogism, inequality and miscellaneous reasoning questions.
- Sequence-based puzzle- 5 questions
- Day-based puzzle (Monday to Sunday)- 5 questions
- Comparison based puzzle (Height)- 3 questions
- Parallel Row Seating Arrangement (10 persons)- 5 questions
| 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 |
SBI Clerk Prelims Quantitative Aptitude Analysis 2026 Shift 1
The Numerical Ability section was Easy to Moderate. Questions from calculation-based topics were important, making speed and approximation skills useful.
| Topic | Approx. Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Simplification/Approximation | 12 | Easy to Moderate |
| Data Interpretation (Table Based) | 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 |
SBI Clerk Prelims English Language Analysis 2026 Shift 1
The English Language section was reported to be Easy overall. Candidates with regular practice in reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary-based questions could attempt most of the section.
Topic of RC- Bio Company-Tomato Based; Fashionable Product Shoes & Bag; Synonym – Formed & Choose; 1 Filler
| Topic | Approx. Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 9 | Easy |
| Error Detection (Traditional Based) | 5 | Easy |
| Column Based | 1 | Easy |
| Word Usage | 1 | Easy to Moderate |
| Para Jumble | 5 | Easy |
| Phrase Replacement | 3 | Easy |
| Misspelt | 4 | Easy |
| Sentence Rearrangement | 2 | Easy |
| Total | 30 | Easy |
SBI Clerk Prelims Shift 1 Exam Pattern 2026
The SBI Clerk Prelims paper consists of 100 questions for 100 marks, with a total test duration of 60 minutes. Candidates receive 20 minutes for each section, making sectional time management particularly important.
There is a negative marking of 0.25 mark for each incorrect answer.
| Section | No. of 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 |
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