SBI Clerk pre exam analysis 2026 is now one of the most searched topics across India. As of February 2026, the prelims cycle is either ongoing or around the corner (as per the official calendar). This page combines live student feedback (where available) and memory-based expected trends. It helps you measure performance and prepare smartly.

Outside many exam centres, you can almost feel the tension in the air. Parents whisper prayers. Candidates revise formulas in the winter sunlight. The clock ticks loudly in the computer lab. Inside, the paper tests speed, calmness and accuracy. Let’s break it down clearly so you can see where you stand.

Important Note: This SBI Clerk prelims analysis 2026 uses early feedback and previous year trends. Official cutoffs may vary based on vacancies, state competition and final difficulty level.

Quick Snapshot – Overall Difficulty & Safe Zone (Early Trend)

Based on early patterns and memory-based reporting:

• Overall Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
  
• Quantitative Aptitude: Moderate, calculation-heavy
  
• Reasoning Ability: Easy to Moderate, puzzle-dominant
  
• English Language: Easy and scoring
  

Safe Attempts Guidance (More Realistic Benchmarks)

SBI Clerk prelims cutoffs are historically high. Candidates targeting competitive states should aim high.

Category	Safer Attempt Range (High Competition States)
General	75–82
OBC	70–78
EWS	73–80
SC	60–68
ST	55–63

If you attempted 75+ with strong accuracy, you are in a strong zone for competitive states. If your attempts range around 65–70, your state plays a major role.

Accuracy above 90% remains critical.

SBI Clerk Pre Exam Analysis 2026 – Shift-Wise Review

Since the exam cycle runs in multiple shifts, difficulty may feel slightly different across sessions.

Shift 1 – Balanced Start

Early feedback suggests Shift 1 followed a predictable structure. English boosted confidence early. Reasoning included two standard puzzles and inequality questions.

Quant included one DI set and arithmetic questions on percentage and time-work. Calculations required steady hands.

• Overall: Easy–Moderate
  
• Quant: Moderate
  
• Reasoning: Easy–Moderate
  
• English: Easy
  

Candidates who maintained tempo performed well.

Shift 2 – Smooth English, Calculation Pressure

Shift 2 maintained stability in Reasoning. English included a straightforward reading comprehension on banking awareness.

Quant showed heavier arithmetic distribution, with at least one calculation-intensive DI.

• Overall: Moderate
  
• Quant: Moderate
  
• Reasoning: Easy
  
• English: Easy
  

Time management mattered more than difficulty here.

Shift 3 – Slightly Faster Pace

Memory inputs suggest this shift felt slightly more comfortable. Arithmetic outweighed DI. English remained scoring.

Candidates who practiced mock tests found this shift manageable.

• Overall: Easy–Moderate
  
• Good potential attempts: Higher than average
  

Shift 4 – Controlled but Tight Timing

DI reappeared prominently. Candidates needed quick approximation skills. Reasoning stayed stable. English once again acted as a scoring section.

• Overall: Moderate
  
• Quant: Moderate to Moderate-High
  

Quant largely determined the safe score range across most shifts.

Section-Wise SBI Clerk Prelims Analysis 2026

Reasoning Ability – Pattern Continues

Reasoning followed a familiar SBI format. Seating arrangement puzzles and floor-based puzzles formed the core. Syllogism and inequality appeared consistently.

Candidates who chose the easiest puzzle first saved valuable minutes. Many who stuck to the first puzzle lost time unnecessarily.

Strong reasoning attempts range between 28–33 with good practice.

Quantitative Aptitude – The Real Decider

In this SBI Clerk pre exam analysis 2026, Quantitative Aptitude clearly shapes competition.

Expected pattern includes:

• 1 Data Interpretation set
  
• 8–12 arithmetic questions
  
• Quadratic equations
  
• Approximation
  

Arithmetic topics typically include ratio, percentage, profit & loss and time & work.

One personal observation from previous cycles: overconfidence in DI often reduces speed. Scan all quant questions first before committing five minutes to a single DI set.

Target attempts: 23–27 with accuracy.

English Language – Scoring Opportunity

English remains consistent across cycles.

You may expect:

• 1 Reading Comprehension
  
• Error Detection
  
• Cloze Test
  
• Para Jumble
  

If you read newspapers regularly, this section feels like a smooth road after a traffic jam in Quant.

Safe attempts typically stay between 24–28.

State-Wise SBI Clerk Prelims Cutoff Trend (Previous Year Reference)

Cutoffs vary widely depending on state competition.

State	2023 Gen Cutoff	2024 Gen Cutoff	Competition Level
Uttar Pradesh	81.25	80.75	Very High
Delhi	79.75	81.00	High
Rajasthan	80.50	78.25	High
Bihar	79.50	82.50	Very High
Maharashtra	71.25	74.00	Moderate
Tamil Nadu	68.00	70.50	Moderate

These are reference values from previous prelim cycles. Final 2026 cutoff depends on vacancies and performance distribution.

This table helps you understand why 75+ attempts are often considered safer in high-density states.

How to Interpret Your Attempt Range

If You Attempted 75–82:

You are in a strong position in most states if accuracy remains high.

If You Attempted 68–74:

Your selection depends heavily on state cutoff and accuracy percentage.

If You Attempted Below 65:

Begin Mains preparation but stay mentally flexible about results.

Prelims are only the gateway. Think of them as crossing the first toll plaza on a long highway.

Accuracy vs Attempt – What Matters More?

Many candidates make 80 attempts but with careless errors. A student attempting 76 with 95% accuracy often scores higher.

Accuracy acts like the foundation of a temple. Without it, even large attempts collapse.

What Should You Do Now?

Do not wait for results.

Start preparing for Mains immediately:

• Advanced puzzles
  
• Data Sufficiency
  
• General Awareness
  
• Banking awareness updates
  

The gap between prelims and mains often feels short. Momentum matters.

Final Thoughts

This updated SBI Clerk pre exam analysis 2026 combines realistic benchmarks, state-wise trends and early shift observations. The exam continues to reward calm strategy more than aggressive guessing.

Competitive exams in India feel like standing in a crowded railway station—you must watch the signal carefully and board the right train at the right time.

Now pause and think: did you stay composed when the timer showed five minutes left?

If you kept calm and focused on accuracy, that itself is a small win.

FAQs – SBI Clerk Pre Exam Analysis 2026