SBI Clerk 2026 Preparation Tips, Study Plan & Strategy

SBI Clerk study plan for beginners should focus on knowing the topics given in the syllabus. They should understand the exam pattern. Candidates must also attempt mock tests. Learn from the mistakes. 

The tips and tricks to score 80 marks in SBI Clerk exam are given below:

• Avoid learning new topics and focus on revising already covered concepts
• Solve previous years' question papers to get familiar with the exam pattern
• Attempt at least one full-length mock test to assess time management
• Read all instructions carefully before attempting the exam
• Stay calm and confident, and attempt easier questions first

The prelims and Mains exams of SBI Clerk are conducted online. The prelims exam is conducted in four shifts. The mains exam is held in two shifts. Total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The mains exam carries 200 marks.

SBI Clerk is a highly competitive exam conducted by SBI. To crack the exam, candidates need to prepare well. SBI Clerk mock test provides a realistic exam-like environment and help candidates gauge their strengths and weaknesses. The mock tests are designed by experienced subject matter experts and are based on the latest SBI Clerk exam pattern and syllabus. By attempting these tests, candidates can identify their areas of improvement and work on them to enhance their performance.

Candidates can choose the books for SBI Clerk exam that have covered the entire syllabus. The language of books should be written in simple language. Total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The mains exam carries 200 marks.

The Quantitative Aptitude section carries questions from Simplification, Number Series, Data Sufficiency, Data Interpretation, Quadratic Equation, Time & Distance, Work, Profit & Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Percentages, etc. Quantitative Aptitude section appears in both prelims and Mains exams. Candidates can refer to the following books for this section:

• Magical Book on Quicker Mathematics by M Tyra
• Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma
• Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal

SBI Clerk exam is conducted for recruitment of candidates for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales). SBI PO exam is conducted for the recruitment of probationary officers. SBI Clerk syllabus is divided into prelims and Mains exams. SBI PO syllabus is divided into prelims exam, Mains exam, psychometric test, group exercises and interview. The difficulty level of SBI PO is easier than SBI Clerk.

In the General Awareness section of SBI Clerk exam, candidates need to cover Current Affairs Static General Awareness, Banking, and Financial Terms, Banking Awareness, Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Important Government Schemes, Awards, and Honours, etc. To prepare this section, candidates need to be thorough with the Current Affairs of past six months or one year. Candidates should read newspapers to know the important national and international events. SBI Clerk syllabus for General Awareness is given below:

• Current Affairs – news on the banking industry, awards, and honours, books, and authors, latest appointments, obituaries, new schemes of central and state governments, sports, etc.
• Static GK – country-capital, country-currency, headquarters of financial organizations (of insurance companies), constituencies of ministers, dance forms, nuclear and thermal power stations
• Banking/Financial terms
• Static Awareness
• Banking and Financial Awareness

There are many books available in the market, however, candidates must choose those books that have covered the entire syllabus. For Quant, candidates can refer to Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Agarwal. For Reasoning, candidates can refer to A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Agarwal. For English candidates can refer to English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin. For the General Awareness section, candidates can refer to Banking Awareness by B K Raut and SR Behera.

SBI Clerk exam comprises prelims and Mains exams. Total marks allotted to test are 100. Total marks for the mains test are 200. Candidates qualifying the mains exam are also required to appear for LPT. Prelims marks are not counted for the final merit list.

The basic salary of SBI Clerk is INR 17,900. After three years, basic salary is INR 20,900. Again, after three years, the minimum pay is INR 24,590. After certain period, the salary reaches upto INR 47,920.

In the General Awareness section of SBI Clerk exam, candidates need to cover Current Affairs Static General Awareness, Banking, and Financial Terms, Banking Awareness, Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Important Government Schemes, Awards, and Honours, etc. To prepare this section, candidates need to be thorough with the Current Affairs of past six months or one year. Candidates should read newspapers to know the important national and international events. SBI Clerk syllabus for General Awareness is given below:

• Current Affairs – news on the banking industry, awards, and honours, books, and authors, latest appointments, obituaries, new schemes of central and state governments, sports, etc.
• Static GK – country-capital, country-currency, headquarters of financial organizations (of insurance companies), constituencies of ministers, dance forms, nuclear and thermal power stations
• Banking/Financial terms
• Static Awareness
• Banking and Financial Awareness

Candidates are required to score a minimum percentage marks on aggregate (For SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates, 5% relaxation available thereon). Minimum qualifying marks on aggregate will be as decided by the bank. No minimum qualifying marks for individual subject are prescribed. Section wise marks will not be maintained.

There is a negative marking in the SBI Clerk exam. 1/4th mark assigned to a particular question is deducted as a penalty for wrong answers. For correct answers in the exam, candidates score one mark. The total marks of candidates are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers. The corrected scores obtained by each candidate in different sessions of the exam are normalised using the equi-percentile method. Scores upto two decimal points are taken for the purpose of calculations. The marks of candidates are calculated as per marking scheme. Candidates should attempt maximum number of questions to secure the desired score in the exam.

The revised payscale of SBI Clerk is INR 17,900-1000/3-20,900-1230/3-24,590-1490/4-30,550-1730/7-42,600-3270/1-45,930-1990/1-47,920. Earlier, the payscale was INR 11,765-655/ 3-13,730-815/ 3-16,175-980/ 4-20,095-1145/7-28,110-2120/ 1-30,230-1310/1-31,450.

The total starting emoluments given to the Junior Associates in the metro city such as Mumbai are around INR 29,000 per month, inclusive of DA and other allowances as per the current rate. Besides, two additional increments are given to newly recruited graduate Junior Associates. Earlier, the total starting emoluments for metro cities was INR 26,000. Allowances also vary depending on the place of posting. Candidates are eligible for reimbursement of various perquisites, Provident Fund, Pension under New Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution Benefit), Medical, Leave-Fare, and other facilities as per the requirement of the bank.

The difficulty level of the prelims exam is usually easy. The English and Reasoning sections are easy, whereas, Maths section is easy to moderate. The Mains exam paper is usually moderate. The difficulty level of the English Language section is easy, Quant section is moderate, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude section is moderate and General/Financial Awareness section is moderate. The prelims exam of SBI Clerk carries questions from Reasoning, English Language and Quantitative Aptitude. The total marks allotted to the test are 100. The mains exam of SBI Clerk carries questions from General/ Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. The total marks allotted to the test are 200. Candidates qualifying the mains exam are called for Language Proficiency Test.