The State Bank of India (SBI) conducted the SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2025 on April 10 and 12, 2025, to recruit 14,191 Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales). This article provides a detailed analysis of the exam, covering difficulty levels, section-wise breakdown, good attempts, expected cut-off marks, and preparation insights. Candidates can check updates and results on the official website, https://sbi.co.in/.
SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2025 Overview
The SBI Clerk Mains is the final written stage before the Language Proficiency Test (LPT), selecting candidates for clerical posts across India. The exam, held in two shifts daily (9:00 AM–11:40 AM and 2:30 PM–5:10 PM), tested 19.9 lakh applicants who cleared the prelims. Below is a summary:
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Vacancies | 14,191 |
| Exam Dates | April 10 & 12, 2025 |
| Result Release | Expected June 2025 |
| Exam Mode | Online (Objective) |
| Selection Stages | Prelims, Mains, Local Language Proficiency Test (Qualifying) |
SBI Clerk Mains 2025 Exam Pattern
The Mains exam comprised 190 multiple-choice questions for 200 marks, with a total duration of 2 hours 40 minutes. It included four sections, each with separate timings and a negative marking of 1/4th mark per wrong answer. The structure is:
- General/Financial Awareness: 50 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes.
- General English: 40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes.
- Quantitative Aptitude: 50 questions, 50 marks, 45 minutes.
- Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: 50 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes.
Overall Difficulty Level
Based on candidate feedback and expert reviews, the overall difficulty of the SBI Clerk Mains 2025 was Moderate. Shift 1 on April 10 was slightly tougher than Shift 2, with April 12 shifts aligning similarly. English and General Awareness were manageable, while Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude posed challenges due to complex puzzles and lengthy calculations.
Section-Wise SBI Clerk Mains Exam Analysis 2025
General/Financial Awareness
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Good Attempts: 32–38 questions
- Key Topics: Current affairs (January–April 2025), banking terms (e.g., NEFT, RTGS), financial schemes (PMJDY, Atal Pension), static GK (national parks, awards), budget 2025 highlights.
- Insights: Questions leaned heavily on recent events, with 60% focusing on financial awareness (e.g., RBI policies, bank mergers). Candidates who followed news from the last six months performed well.
General English
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Good Attempts: 30–35 questions
- Key Topics: Reading Comprehension (single set, e.g., “Workplace Productivity”), cloze test, para jumbles, error detection, sentence improvement, vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms).
- Insights: RC was straightforward, with 8–10 questions, including 2–3 on vocabulary. Grammar-based questions were doable but required careful reading to avoid traps.
Quantitative Aptitude
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Good Attempts: 28–34 questions
- Key Topics: Data Interpretation (tabular, bar graph, caselet), number series, quadratic equations, arithmetic (profit/loss, time & work, SI/CI), data sufficiency.
- Insights: DI sets (3–4 per shift) were calculation-intensive, eating up time. Arithmetic questions were moderate, but number series included tricky patterns, requiring quick pattern recognition.
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Good Attempts: 25–32 questions
- Key Topics: Puzzles (month-date based, linear seating, floor-flat), syllogism, coding-decoding, blood relations, logical reasoning, computer basics (MS Office, shortcuts).
- Insights: Puzzles dominated (20–25 questions), with complex variables (e.g., city-based puzzles). Computer questions were minimal (2–3), focusing on fundamentals. Logical reasoning required sharp analytical skills.
SBI Clerk Mains 2025 Expected Cut-Off Marks
Cut-offs vary by state and category, influenced by vacancies, exam difficulty, and normalization across shifts. Based on analysis, expected cut-offs (out of 200) for April 2025 are:
| Category | Expected Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| General | 88–98 |
| OBC | 82–92 |
| EWS | 85–95 |
| SC | 75–85 |
| ST | 65–75 |
- State-Wise Variations:
- Uttar Pradesh: 90–95 (General).
- Assam: 80–85 (General).
- Tamil Nadu: 85–90 (General).
Official cut-offs will be released with results, expected in June 2025, on https://sbi.co.in/.
Good Attempts for SBI Clerk Mains 2025
Good attempts reflect the number of questions candidates could accurately answer, considering difficulty and time constraints. Shift-wise averages (April 10, Shift 1):
| Section | Good Attempts |
|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 32–38 |
| General English | 30–35 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 28–34 |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 25–32 |
| Overall | 115–130 |
Shift 2 and April 12 shifts saw similar ranges, with slight variations in Reasoning difficulty.
What After SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2025
- Result Declaration: Expected in June 2025, available as a state-wise merit list on https://sbi.co.in/.
- Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT): Qualifying test for candidates opting for regional languages (e.g., Assamese, Tamil). Conducted post-result, it assesses reading, writing, and speaking skills.
- Final Selection: Based on Mains marks (no interview). Candidates clearing LPT join as Junior Associates, with a starting basic pay of ₹26,730.
Preparation Insights for Future Candidates
- General/Financial Awareness: Read newspapers (The Hindu, Economic Times) and revise banking terms. Focus on the last 6 months’ current affairs.
- English: Practice RC daily and strengthen grammar via online quizzes.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Master DI shortcuts and memorize tables up to 20, squares up to 30. Solve 2–3 mock tests daily.
- Reasoning: Prioritize puzzles (50% weightage). Practice time-bound sets to improve speed.
- Mock Tests: Attempt full-length tests to simulate exam conditions and refine time management.
I’m Khushboo Soni, a graduate of Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University. With over 5 years of experience in content writing and digital marketing, I’ve worked with reputed private institutions in the education sector. Currently, I’m an author at AGPN, focusing on content in education, personal development, and career growth. Passionate about writing, I stay updated with trends to ensure my content remains relevant and valuable.