Preparing for the SBI Clerk 2025 exam? You’re in the right place! The State Bank of India (SBI) conducts this exam to recruit Junior Associates (Clerks) every year. With competition getting tougher, knowing the SBI Clerk syllabus and exam pattern is crucial. This guide breaks down the Prelims and Mains syllabus, key subjects, and expert tips to help you strategize. Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or reappearing, this article covers everything—exam structure, important topics, and preparation tricks—backed by real success stories and expert insights. Let’s dive in!
Key Highlights 🔍
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Exam Name | SBI Clerk 2025 |
| Posts | Junior Associate (Clerk) |
| Exam Levels | Prelims & Mains |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Language Test → Final Merit |
| Prelims Marks | 100 (1-hour duration) |
| Mains Marks | 200 (2-hour 40-min duration) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.25 marks deduction per wrong answer) |
| Official Website | sbi.co.in |
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2025: Prelims & Mains 📝
1. Prelims Exam Pattern
The SBI Clerk Prelims is a screening test—only qualifying candidates move to Mains.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
🔹 Key Point: No sectional cutoff, but overall cutoff applies. Speed and accuracy matter!
2. Mains Exam Pattern
The Mains exam is more detailed and decides final selection.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 mins |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 mins |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 mins |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hrs 40 mins |
🔹 Pro Tip: Computer Aptitude (10-12 questions) is part of Reasoning in Mains.
SBI Clerk Syllabus 2025: Subject-Wise Breakdown 📖
1. English Language (Prelims & Mains)
This section tests grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 10-12 Qs |
| Cloze Test | 5-7 Qs |
| Error Detection | 5-6 Qs |
| Para Jumbles | 4-5 Qs |
| Phrase Replacement | 3-4 Qs |
🔹 Expert Insight:
“Focus on RC and grammar rules. Practicing daily passages improves speed.”
— Neha Singh, Banking Coach (8+ years exp.)
2. Quantitative Aptitude (Prelims & Mains)
Covers arithmetic, algebra, and data interpretation.
| Topic | Prelims Weightage | Mains Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Simplification | 10-12 Qs | 5-7 Qs |
| Data Interpretation | 5-7 Qs | 10-12 Qs |
| Number Series | 3-5 Qs | 4-6 Qs |
| Profit & Loss | 2-3 Qs | 3-4 Qs |
🔹 Real-Life Example:
Rahul, a 2024 qualifier, says: “DI and number series were scoring. I practiced 10 sets daily.”
3. Reasoning Ability (Prelims & Mains)
Tests logic, puzzles, and analytical skills.
| Topic | Prelims Weightage | Mains Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | 10-12 Qs | 15-20 Qs |
| Syllogism | 3-5 Qs | 4-6 Qs |
| Inequality | 4-5 Qs | 5-7 Qs |
🔹 Pro Tip: Puzzles (floor-based, scheduling) are high-scoring but time-consuming.
4. General/Financial Awareness (Mains Only)
Covers banking, current affairs, and static GK.
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Banking Terms | 10-12 Qs |
| Recent RBI Policies | 5-7 Qs |
| Government Schemes | 8-10 Qs |
🔹 Data-Backed Insight:
“60% of GA questions in 2024 came from last 6 months’ news.” (Source: SBI Clerk 2024 Analysis)
How to Prepare for SBI Clerk 2025? 🚀
1. Study Plan for Prelims
| Week | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Basics of Quant & Reasoning |
| 3-4 | Speed Practice & Mock Tests |
| 5-6 | Full-Length Prelims Papers |
2. Mains Preparation Strategy
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Daily Newspaper Reading | 30 mins |
| Weekly GK Quizzes | 2-3 Tests |
| Mock Tests (Sectional + Full) | 3-4 per week |
🔹 Expert Tip:
“Revise banking terms like NPA, RTGS, and KYC—they’re repeated every year.”
— Ajay Verma, Ex-SBI PO (12 years exp.)
Final Thoughts
Cracking SBI Clerk 2025 requires smart preparation, not just hard work. Focus on high-weightage topics, take regular mocks, and stay updated with current affairs. With the right strategy, you’ll ace both Prelims and Mains! 🎯
Need a detailed month-wise plan? Drop a comment below! 👇
Meera Patel is an education consultant specializing in exam results and admit cards. With a Master’s in Education and 6+ years of experience, Meera loves helping students achieve their goals. She enjoys reading and practicing meditation.
