Important Topics for SBI Clerk Prelims 2025

Author at PW
August 06, 2025
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Important Topics for SBI Clerk Prelims 2025:- The SBI Clerk Prelims 2025 was conducted on 22 February, 27 February, 28 February, and 1 March 2025, and for those aiming to appear in 2026, a well-structured preparation strategy is very important. With increasing competition, candidates must focus on the important topics for SBI Clerk Prelims to maximise their chances of success. Analysing the question trends from the SBI Clerk Prelims 2025 can help identify the most important topics for SBI Clerk, helping with a targeted approach to studying.

The exam primarily tests Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language, making it crucial to strengthen these sections through regular practice and mock tests. Time management and accuracy also play an important role in scoring well. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the important topics for SBI Clerk Prelims, along with expert preparation tips to help you build a strong foundation. Start your preparation early and stay consistent to enhance your performance in the SBI Clerk Prelims 2026.

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SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern

The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam is the first step toward securing a banking career, and understanding its pattern is essential for effective preparation. The exam consists of three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability, each with a specific weightage and time limit. Check out the SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern.

Section

Number of Questions

Maximum Marks

Time Duration

English Language

30

30

20 minutes

Numerical Ability

35

35

20 minutes

Reasoning Ability

35

35

20 minutes

Total

100

100

60 minutes

  • Each correct answer carries 1 mark – This means for every question you answer correctly, you will gain one mark. Since the exam consists of 100 questions, the maximum possible score is 100 marks.

  • 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer – If you select an incorrect option, one-fourth of a mark (0.25) will be deducted from your total score. 

  • No penalty for unanswered questions – If you are unsure about a question, it’s often better to leave it unanswered rather than making a random guess.

  • The exam is conducted in online mode – The SBI Clerk Prelims is a computer-based test (CBT), meaning candidates will answer questions on a computer screen at designated exam centres. 

  • Separate time limits for each section – The exam is divided into three sections (English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability), and each section has a fixed 20-minute time limit. Candidates cannot switch between sections once the time for a particular section is over.

Important Topics for SBI Clerk Prelims 2025-26

The SBI Clerk Prelims is one of the most competitive banking exams, and preparing for it requires a clear understanding of the most important topics for SBI Clerk. The exam consists of three sections—English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. To maximise your score, it’s essential to focus on the SBI Clerk Prelims important topics and practice regularly. Check below for the Important Topics for SBI Clerk Prelims 2025-26:- 

Important Topics for SBI Clerk Prelims: English

Banking English Language section is designed to test your proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Check out the important topics below:- 

Topic

Key Focus Areas

Reading Comprehension

Identifying main ideas, inference-based questions, synonyms & antonyms, tone of the passage

Cloze Test

Choosing correct words based on context and grammar rules

Error Detection

Spotting grammatical mistakes, tense errors, subject-verb agreement

Sentence Rearrangement

Arranging sentences logically to form a coherent paragraph

Fill in the Blanks

Vocabulary-based questions focusing on contextual word usage

Para Jumbles

Logical arrangement of sentences to form a meaningful passage

Word Swap / Word Usage

Identifying correct word placements in a sentence

Important Topics for SBI Clerk Prelims: Quantitative Aptitude

It includes questions that require strong calculation speed, problem-solving ability, and conceptual understanding. Mastering the most important topics for SBI Clerk Prelims in this section is key to securing high marks, as it involves both simple and complex mathematical problems.

Topic

Key Focus Areas

Simplification & Approximation

BODMAS rule, fractions, percentages, basic calculations

Number Series

Identifying missing or incorrect numbers in a sequence

Data Interpretation (DI)

Bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, tabular DI

Quadratic Equations

Finding roots and comparing values efficiently

Arithmetic Problems

Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed, Time & Distance, Ratio & Proportion

Percentage & Average

Basic percentage calculations and averages

Check Out: Quantitative Aptitude Book For All Banking Exams 

Important Topics for SBI Clerk Prelims: Reasoning Ability

Banking Exam Reasoning Ability section is one of the trickiest parts of the exam, as it examines your logical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving ability. Most of the questions in this section involve puzzles and pattern-based problems, making regular practice essential. Check out the table below for Important Topics for SBI Clerk Prelims:- 

Topic

Key Focus Areas

Puzzles & Seating Arrangement

Circular, linear, floor-based puzzles, arrangement of people or objects

Syllogism

Logical conclusions based on given statements

Blood Relations

Family tree-based problems, relation identification

Inequalities

Mathematical and coded inequalities

Alphanumeric Series

Finding patterns in letters, numbers, and symbols

Coding-Decoding

Letter shifting, pattern-based coding

Direction Sense

Distance-based movement, directions and angles

SBI Clerk Prelims Preparation Tips

Go through  the SBI Clerk Prelims Preparation Tips:- 

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Before starting your preparation, it is important to have a clear understanding of the exam structure and SBI Clerk syllabus. Knowing the weightage of different topics helps in prioritising your study plan.

  • Go through the latest exam pattern and syllabus to identify the SBI Clerk Prelims important topics.

  • Analyse previous years' papers to understand question trends and difficulty levels.

2. Focus on Important Topics

Not all topics carry equal weight, so focusing on the most important topics for SBI Clerk can help maximise your score. Each section has certain high-scoring areas that need extra attention.

  • In English Language, focus on reading comprehension, error spotting, and sentence rearrangement.

  • In Quantitative Aptitude, prioritise simplification, number series, and data interpretation. Check the detailed important topics above.

3. Strengthen Your Reasoning Skills

The reasoning section can be challenging, as it requires logical thinking and quick decision-making. Mastering the important reasoning topics for SBI Clerk is key to scoring well.

  • Regularly practise puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, and syllogisms.

  • Improve your speed and accuracy by solving daily reasoning quizzes and sectional tests.

4. Improve Your Quantitative Aptitude

Maths can be time-consuming, so having a strong understanding of concepts and shortcuts is very important.

  • Learn mental maths tricks and approximation techniques to improve calculation speed.

  • Focus on key topics like percentages, profit and loss, and simplification for quick scoring.

5. Develop Strong English Language Skills

A strong foundation in English is essential, as this section tests vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.

  • Read newspapers and editorials daily to enhance comprehension skills and vocabulary.

  • Practice cloze tests, para jumbles, and sentence corrections to improve grammar and sentence structure.

6. Attempt Mock Tests Regularly

Mock tests are an excellent way to help boost your preparation level and improve time management.

  • Attempt full-length mock tests at least twice a week and analyse your mistakes.

  • Focus on weak areas and adjust your strategy based on performance in mocks.

7. Choose the Right Study Material

Using the right resources is essential for effective preparation. A good SBI Clerk Prelims book can make a significant difference.

Banking Books for 2025-26 Exam Preparation

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Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability and English Language Combo Set of 3 Books

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Read More: SBI Clerk 2025 Previous Year's Question Paper PDF with Solutions

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam FAQs

1. How many sections are there in the SBI Clerk Prelims exam?

The SBI Clerk Prelims exam consists of three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability, each with a specific time limit.

2. What are the important topics for SBI Clerk Prelims?

The most important topics for SBI Clerk Prelims include Reading Comprehension, Error Spotting, and Cloze Test in English; Simplification, Data Interpretation, and Number Series in Quantitative Aptitude; and Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, and Syllogisms in Reasoning Ability.

3. Is there a negative marking in SBI Clerk Prelims?

Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer. However, there is no penalty for unanswered questions, so avoid blind guessing.

4. How much time is allotted for each section in SBI Clerk Prelims?

The total duration of the exam is 1 hour, divided as follows:

  • English Language – 20 minutes

  • Quantitative Aptitude – 20 minutes

  • Reasoning Ability – 20 minutes

5. What are the most important reasoning topics for SBI Clerk?

The important reasoning topics for SBI Clerk include Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations, Syllogisms, and Direction Sense. Candidates should focus on speed and accuracy while solving these questions.

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Important Topics for SBI Clerk Prelims 2025