SBI Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern: Questions, Marks, Duration & Negative Marking
SBI Clerk 2026 exam pattern — number of questions, marks per question, duration, negative marking scheme, section-wise split, and tips to maximise your score within the time limit.
Reviewed by: StudyRoadmap Editorial · Last verified: 2026-04-24
SBI Clerk 2026 exam pattern
Preliminary Exam (100 marks, 1 hour): Reasoning (35 questions), Numerical Ability (35 questions), English Language (30 questions) — each section has separate timing. Main Exam (200 marks, 2 hours 40 min): Reasoning (50 questions), General/Economic Awareness (50 questions), Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions), English Language (40 questions) — plus English Descriptive Test (Letter and Essay, 50 marks). Negative marking of 0.25 in both Prelims and Mains. Both exams are conducted online. Candidates must clear each stage to proceed to the next.
Subjects in this exam
- Reasoning: 10 topics
- Quantitative Aptitude: 15 topics
- English: 8 topics
- General Awareness: 10 topics