SBI Clerk Exam Pattern: Two Phases, No Interview
Prelims screens, mains decides everything, and nobody interviews you. That shapes the whole strategy.
The SBI Clerk exam pattern has two objective phases and no interview. Prelims is a 100-question, 100-mark online screening test that is qualifying only. Mains is a 190-question, 200-mark objective test across four sections, and final merit is prepared state-wise from the mains score alone. Candidates who did not study their state's local language in class 10 also take a qualifying Language Proficiency Test after mains.
Both objective phases deduct 0.25 marks per wrong answer. With no interview to recover ground later, the pattern concentrates everything into one mains sitting, which is what makes its mechanics worth knowing precisely.
You save ₹350 today
- Prelims + mains mocks
- Speed drills
- Accuracy analytics
One payment, no subscription · Valid for 6 months
Phase I: Preliminary Examination
Online CBT (Objective), 60 minutes. Qualifying only; prelims marks are not counted in final selection.
English Language
Questions
30
Marks
30
Numerical Ability
Questions
35
Marks
35
Reasoning Ability
Questions
35
Marks
35
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
Phase II: Main Examination
Online CBT (Objective), 160 minutes (2 hours 40 minutes) across four sections. This score alone builds the merit list.
General / Financial Awareness
Questions
50
Marks
50
General English
Questions
40
Marks
40
Quantitative Aptitude
Questions
50
Marks
50
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
Questions
50
Marks
60
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| General English | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 |
How Selection Works Without an Interview
There is no interview in SBI Clerk. A state-wise merit list is prepared from mains marks only, so your rank depends on the candidates in your chosen state, not the national pool. Prelims exists purely to shortlist roughly 10 times the state's vacancies into mains.
The practical consequence: every mains mark is a merit mark. In an exam where cut-offs are demanding, the difference between selection and a year's wait routinely comes down to a handful of questions, which is why accuracy under negative marking matters as much as attempt count.
Real prelims-style questions. No signup.
The Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
- check_circleApplies only to candidates who did not study the state's specified local or official language in class 10.
- check_circleHeld after the mains result, as applicable.
- check_circlePass/fail and qualifying only; it adds nothing to merit but failing it disqualifies.
- check_circleReading and writing proficiency in the state's official language is what is verified.
Scoring Rules Worth Internalising
- check_circleNegative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer in both prelims and mains.
- check_circleNo penalty for questions left unattempted.
- check_circlePrelims marks do not carry into final selection.
- check_circleMerit is state-wise: you compete against your state's applicants, at your state's cut-off.
Pattern Details Are Per-Notification
Vacancies, fees, dates, cut-offs and eligibility thresholds are set per notification and change between cycles. Figures here reflect the 2025 cycle as last notified. Confirm the current notification on sbi.co.in before you act on them.
SBI Clerk Pattern FAQs
Is there an interview in SBI Clerk?expand_more
No. Selection is based only on the prelims (qualifying) and mains exams. The only step after mains is a qualifying Language Proficiency Test for candidates who did not study the local language in class 10.
Does the SBI Clerk prelims score count toward selection?expand_more
No. Prelims is a qualifying screening stage. Final merit is prepared state-wise using mains marks only.
Is there negative marking in SBI Clerk?expand_more
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both prelims and mains. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
How long is the SBI Clerk mains exam?expand_more
2 hours 40 minutes for 190 questions worth 200 marks, across General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude.
Next steps
Take a full SBI Clerk mock testSimulate the real timers and negative marking.