State Bank of India (SBI) defines the SBI Clerk syllabus for Prelims and Mains exams separately. The syllabus for SBI Clerk exam (Prelims & Mains) contains the name of topics to be prepared for each section.
SBI Clerk Prelims question paper consists of three sections – Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude and English Language. On the other hand, the SBI Clerk Mains exam has four sections, namely:
- Finance & General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General English
- General Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
Hence, applicants must get a hang of the section-wise SBI Clerk syllabus to inch closer towards success. As the competition is cutthroat, candidates should gear up with an effective SBI Clerk preparation plan to get an edge over their counterparts. Go through the exam pattern and complete SBI Clerk syllabus for Prelims and Mains in this article.
SBI Clerk Syllabus 2022 – Major Highlights
- SBI Clerk 2022 recruitment process is segregated into three phases – Prelims, Mains and Local Language Test (if applicable)
- The SBI Clerk Prelims exam includes 100 MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) which the candidates need to answer in 60 minutes
- The SBI Clerk Mains question paper is divided into four sections and consists of 190 MCQs, which are to be solved in 160 minutes
- Both Prelims and Mains exams are held online
- Local language Test is mandatory for those candidates who qualify Mains exam but are unable to provide a local language proficiency proof (testifying that they have studied their local/regional language at class 10th level)
Read More : SBI Clerk Exam Pattern – Prelims & Mains Paper Pattern, Syllabus
SBI Clerk Syllabus – Preliminary Exam
Section wise syllabus of SBI Clerk Prelims is mentioned below:
SBI Clerk Syllabus for Prelims
| Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning Ability | English Language |
| Equation and Algebra | Puzzle | Reading Comprehension |
| Data Interpretation | Seating Arrangement | Fill in the Blanks |
| Work and Time | Blood Relations | Synonyms and Antonyms |
| Volume & Surface area | Direction Test | Sentence Rearrangement |
| Upstream and Downstream | Syllogism | Sentence Correction |
| Time & Distance | Coding-Decoding | Cloze Test |
| Simplification | Input-Output | Idioms and Phrases |
| Surds & Indices | Order and Ranking | Vocabulary |
| Stock & Shares | Statement and Assumptions | |
| Simple Interest and Compound Interest | Inequalities | |
| Sequence & Series | Alphanumeric Series | |
| Ratio & Proportion, Percentage | Data Sufficiency | |
| Profit and Loss | ||
| Probability | ||
| Permutation and Combination | ||
| Averages | ||
| Partnership | ||
| Number Systems | ||
| Mixtures and Alligations | ||
| Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere |
SBI Clerk Syllabus – Mains Exam
Go through the below-given table to get a hang of section-wise SBI Clerk Mains syllabus:
SBI Clerk Syllabus for Mains
| General English | Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning Ability | Finance and General Awareness |
| Reading Comprehension | Data Interpretation | Puzzle | Current Affairs |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | Data Sufficiency | Machine Output | Static General Awareness |
| Sentence Rearrangement | Profit and Loss | Syllogism | Banking and Financial Terms |
| Sentence Correction | Mensuration | Direction Test | Important Abbreviations |
| Fillers | Simple and Compound Interest | Blood Relation | Banking Awareness |
| Cloze Test | Mixtures and Allegations | Coding and Decoding | Fiscal and Monetary Policy |
| Idioms and Phrases | Permutation and Combination | Statement and Assumptions | Important Government schemes |
| Vocabulary | Work, Time and Distance | Order and Ranking | Awards and Honours |
| Miscellaneous | Number series | Linear Arrangement | Indian Constitution |
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2022
SBI Clerk exam pattern basically explains the mode of test, type and number of questions in the exam, test duration, section-wise marks distribution, total marks, negative marking, time allotted for each section, etc. The structure of Prelims and Mains exams is different. Check out the tables below to understand the exam layout of SBI Clerk Prelims & Mains:
SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern (Section-wise Questions, Marks and Time Allotted)
| Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted | Sectional Time Limit (in minutes) |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 |
SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern (Section-wise Questions, Marks and Time Allotted)
| Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted | *Sectional Time Limit (in minutes) |
| Reasoning Ability | 50 | 60 | 45 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 35 |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 160 |
*There is no sectional time limit applicable in SBI Mains. The time duration for each section mentioned in the table above is based on expert opinion.
SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus – Expected Number of Questions per Topic
As per the expert recommendations, certain anticipated topics and number of questions in SBI Clerk Prelims exam are highlighted in the below given tables that contain section wise data:
Topic-wise Weightage of Questions in Reasoning Ability
| Reasoning Section- Topics | Expected Number of Questions |
| Puzzle | 10 |
| Seating Arrangement | 5 to 10 |
| Blood Relations | 2 |
| Direction Test | 2 to 3 |
| Syllogism | 3 to 4 |
| Coding-Decoding | 1 to 2 |
| Input-Output | 0 to 5 |
| Order and Ranking | 1 to 2 |
| Statement and Assumptions | 2 to 3 |
| Inequalities | 1 to 2 |
| Alphanumeric Series | 2 to 3 |
| Data Sufficiency | 1 to 3 |
Topic-wise Weightage of Questions in Quantitative Aptitude
| Quantitative Aptitude Section – Topics | Expected Number of Questions |
| Equation and Algebra | 3 |
| Data Interpretation | 15 |
| Work and Time | 2 |
| Volume & Surface area | 3 |
| Upstream and Downstream | 1 to 2 |
| Time & Distance | 2 |
| Simplification | 5 |
| Surds & Indices | 1 to 2 |
| Stock & Shares | 1 to 2 |
| Simple Interest and Compound Interest | 1 to 2 |
| Sequence & Series | 5 |
| Ratio & Proportion, Percentage | 3 |
| Profit and Loss | 2 |
| Probability | 5 |
| Permutation and Combination | 5 |
| Averages | 2 |
| Partnership | 1 to 2 |
| Number Systems | 2 to 3 |
| Mixtures and Alligations | 1 to 2 |
| Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | 1 to 2 |
Topic-wise Weightage of Questions in English Language
| English Section – Topics | Expected Number of Questions |
| Reading Comprehension | 10 to 15 |
| Fill in the Blanks | 5 to 10 |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | 4 to 5 |
| Sentence Rearrangement | 5 |
| Sentence Correction | 5 to 10 |
| Cloze Test | 5 to 7 |
| Idioms and Phrases | 1 to 2 |
| Vocabulary | 1 to 2 |
General Preparation Tips for SBI Clerk Exam
SBI Clerk is one of the most competitive bank examinations in the country, and to stand out in the competition, candidates need to follow certain tricks and tips as mentioned below:
- Go through the SBI Clerk syllabus and paper pattern for Prelims and Mains exam to devise a holistic preparation plan
- Solve mock tests to understand the nature of questions and UI (User Interface) of SBI Clerk Exam
- Work on your time management skills through speed tests and sample papers and try to root out your weak points
- Make a proper time table and strategize the preparation plan for each section systematically
- Identify your strengths and weakness while solving the mock tests and work on them
- Revise the important topics on a frequent basis
Recommended Books for SBI Clerk Exam Preparation
Candidates can refer to the below given books for SBI Clerk exam preparation:
SBI Clerk Preparation Books for Reasoning Ability
| Name of Book | Publisher/Author |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S Agarwal |
| How To Prepare For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | Arun Sharma |
| Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey |
| How to prepare for Logical Reasoning | Arun Sharma |
SBI Clerk Preparation Books for English Language
| Name of Book | Publisher/Author |
| Objective General English | R.S Agarwal |
| English Grammar and Composition | Wren and Martin |
SBI Clerk Preparation Books for Quantitative Aptitude
| Name of Book | Publisher/Author |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S Agarwal |
| Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | Disha Experts |
| Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Arihant Publications |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | Abhijit Guha |
SBI Clerk Preparation Books for General Awareness
| Name of Book | Publisher/Author |
| India Year Book by Publications Department, Government of India | – |
| Banking Awareness | B.K Raut and S.R. Behera |
| Daily Newspaper for current affairs | – |
SBI Clerk Syllabus – Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs
✔️ How many sections do I need to prepare for as per the SBI Clerk syllabus for Prelims?
As per the SBI Clerk syllabus, Prelims exam includes three sections namely English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability.
✔️ What is the marking scheme of SBI Clerk Mains exam?
As per the marking scheme of SBI Clerk Mains exam, every question carries a different weightage of marks. Simply speaking, for each wrong answer, 1/4th of the total marks of question will be deducted. No penalty is there for unattempted questions.
✔️ What are the important topics in the Reasoning Ability section of the SBI Clerk Prelims exam?
As suggested by the experts, some important topics in Reasoning Ability section of SBI Clerk Prelims exam include Puzzle, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Input-Output, Inequalities, Statement and Assumptions, Order and Ranking, Data Sufficiency and Alphanumeric Series.
✔️ What are the recommended books for the General Awareness section of the SBI Clerk exam?
To effectively prepare the SBI Clerk syllabus for the General Awareness section, candidates must read reputable newspapers and watch national news channels to remain up-to-date with the current happenings. Moreover, books like Banking Awareness by B.K Raut and S.R. Behera and India Year Book by the Publications Department, Government of India are recommended for the preparation of General Awareness section in SBI Clerk exam.
