SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2025: The State Bank of India (SBI) has started the first day of its much-awaited Clerk Prelims Exam 2025 for the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) recruitment. With 6,589 vacancies announced and nearly 12 lakh applicants, the competition is naturally intense. To accommodate this huge number of candidates, the prelims exam is being conducted over three days-20th, 21st, and 27th September 2025 in multiple shifts.
This article presents a SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 of the shift held on 20 September 2025, including section-wise difficulty, good attempts, and key highlights. Separate sections have been left open below to add the details of later shifts as soon as they are completed.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2025: Shift 1 Key Highlights
- Exam Date: 20 September 2025 (Day 1)
- Shift 1 Timing: 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Reporting Time: 08:00 AM
- Gate Closing Time: 08:45 AM
Thousands of aspirants reported on time and went through smooth biometric verification and document checking. Most candidates found the overall arrangement well-managed.
The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam pattern remained exactly as per the official notification:
- English Language: 30 questions
- Reasoning Ability: 35 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude: 35 questions
- Total Duration: 60 minutes (20 minutes for each section)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer
Overall Difficulty Level for SBI Clerk Prelims Shift 1 (20 September 2025)
After interacting with candidates who appeared in the first shift, the overall difficulty level is rated Easy to Moderate. There were no surprises in the question pattern, and all topics followed the standard SBI Clerk Prelims syllabus.
| Section | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| English Language | Easy to Moderate |
| Reasoning Ability | Easy to Moderate |
| Quantitative Ability | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | Easy to Moderate |
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis: Good Attempts for Shift 1
Good attempts refer to the approximate number of questions that a candidate should ideally try to attempt with high accuracy to stay above the safe score range. Based on candidate feedback, the following estimates can be considered a benchmark:
| Section | No. of Questions | Good Attempts* |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 20–26 (expected) |
| Quantitative Ability | 35 | 21–25 (expected) |
| English Language | 30 | 20–25 (expected) |
| Overall | 100 | 60–65 (expected) |
*These numbers are indicative and may vary slightly after official analysis.
Section-Wise Analysis foe SBI Clerk Shieft 1 Paper
The SBI Clerk Prelims 2025 Shift 1 paper was well balanced across all three sections. Each section tested speed and accuracy with familiar topics, making the overall level easy to moderate. Here’s a quick look at how English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability performed in the exam.
1. English Language
The English section was simple and time-saving for many candidates. Reading Comprehension was straightforward, focusing on a daily-life topic. Cloze test, error spotting, and word replacement were easy. Vocabulary-based questions were direct.
Key Topics Covered:
- Reading Comprehension – 6-7 questions
- Para Jumble (Company-Based) – 4-5 questions
- Word Swap – 3-5 questions
- Single Fillers – 3-5 questions
- Miscellaneous (word replacement, fill-in-the-blanks, etc.) – 6-8 questions
2. Quantitative Aptitude
The Quant section had a mix of arithmetic and data interpretation. Calculations were basic, but speed was important to finish on time.
Notable Questions Asked:
- Data Interpretation: Bar Graph DI – 4-5 questions
- Simplification/Approximation – 10 to 12 questions
- Quadratic Equations – 3-5 questions
- Arithmetic Word Problems (Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Simple Interest, etc.) – Remaining questions
Candidates found simplification questions to be scoring and DI manageable.
3. Reasoning Ability
The reasoning section was logical yet approachable. Puzzles were easy and could be solved quickly with proper strategy.
Important Topics:
- Puzzle & Seating Arrangements: 14-16 questions
- Syllogism: 2 to 3 questions
- Inequality: 2 to 3 questions
- Word Series: 4 to 5 questions
- Direction Distance: 3 questions
- Word Formation: 1 question
- Miscellaneous (Number Series, Direction, etc.) – Remaining questions
Candidates who prepared well could comfortably attempt more than 25 questions.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2025: Paper Sequence
As per candidate feedback, the question sequence in Shift 1 was as follows:
English Language ⇒ Quantitative Aptitude ⇒ Reasoning Ability
This sequence allowed candidates to begin with a comparatively light section and build confidence.
Shift Timings for 20 September 2025
The exam is being conducted in four shifts today. Below are the official timings:
| Shift | Exam Time | Reporting Time | Gate Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 09:00 – 10:00 AM | 08:00 AM | 08:45 AM |
| 2 | 11:30 – 12:30 PM | 10:30 AM | 11:15 AM |
| 3 | 02:00 – 03:00 PM | 01:00 PM | 01:45 PM |
| 4 | 04:30 – 05:30 PM | 03:30 PM | 04:15 PM |
Note: Detailed analysis of Shift 2, Shift 3, and Shift 4 will be updated here as soon as each exam concludes.
Also Read: SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Timings 2025, Reporting Time and Shift Schedule
Important Points for Upcoming Shifts
- Carry your admit card, valid ID proof, and a passport-size photo.
- Arrive at the venue well before the gate closing time.
- Follow the instructions for biometric verification and frisking.
- Manage your time efficiently since each section is limited to 20 minutes.
Also Read: SBI Clerk Prelims Exam 2025 Begins : Last Minute Tips and Checklist
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2025: FAQs
Q1. What is the overall difficulty level of the SBI Clerk Prelims 2025 Shift 1?
A. The difficulty level of Shift 1 held on 20 September 2025 was Easy to Moderate as per candidate feedback.
Q2. How many questions were asked in the Quantitative Aptitude section?
A. A total of 35 questions were asked, including topics like Simplification, Bar Graph Data Interpretation, Quadratic Equations, and Arithmetic.
