SBI Clerk Prelims Analysis 2025: Shift 4 – An In-Depth Review

The State Bank of India (SBI) Clerk Prelims exam is one of the most awaited and competitive banking exams in the country. Each year, aspirants from all over India come together to compete for the position of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales). The 2025 SBI Clerk Prelims exam has garnered significant attention due to its challenging nature and the large number of candidates vying for the limited vacancies.

In this blog, we will be providing a detailed analysis of the 2025 SBI Clerk Prelims exam (Shift 4) based on the feedback from candidates who appeared in this particular shift. The analysis will cover the exam pattern, section-wise difficulty level, important topics, and overall strategy to help candidates understand the nuances of the exam better.

Exam Overview

The SBI Clerk Prelims exam consists of three main sections:

1. English Language
2. Numerical Ability
3. Reasoning Ability

The total duration of the exam is 60 minutes and the total number of questions is 100. Each section carries 35 questions, with each question worth 1 mark. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted as negative marking.

SBI Clerk Prelims 2025 – Shift 4 Analysis

1. English Language Section

The English Language section of Shift 4 was moderate in terms of difficulty, with a fair mix of questions. Most candidates reported that the questions were straightforward, but a few of them were tricky and required good reading comprehension skills.

• Number of Questions: 35
• Total Marks: 35
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Time Management: This section required careful time management, as candidates were expected to read and analyze passages quickly.

Key Highlights:

• The Reading Comprehension (RC) passage was on the topic of “Sustainability and its Importance in the Modern World”. The passage was moderate in length but had a few tricky questions based on details and inferences.
• There were 5 questions on Error Spotting, which were moderate in difficulty. Candidates needed a clear understanding of grammar rules to solve these questions quickly.
• Fill in the Blanks and Para Jumbles were moderately easy. Candidates who are well-versed in English grammar and vocabulary had an upper hand here.
• Cloze Test was based on “Impact of Technology on Communication”. The options were easy to eliminate, making this section more scoring.
• Miscellaneous Questions (such as synonyms, antonyms, and word usage) were relatively easy, and candidates could attempt these questions with confidence if they had a good vocabulary base.

Tips for English Language Section:

• Focus on improving reading speed and comprehension.
• Regular practice of RCs and grammar-based questions is recommended.
• Avoid spending too much time on difficult questions; move ahead and come back later if needed.

2. Numerical Ability Section

The Numerical Ability section in Shift 4 of the 2025 SBI Clerk Prelims exam was of moderate to difficult level. Candidates needed strong mathematical skills and quick calculation techniques to score well in this section.

• Number of Questions: 35
• Total Marks: 35
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
• Time Management: Speed and accuracy were crucial here, as candidates had to deal with several time-consuming questions.

Key Highlights:

• Data Interpretation (DI) questions were relatively complex, with Bar Graph and Tabular Data questions requiring a significant amount of time to solve. The questions had a moderate difficulty level.
• Number Series consisted of 5 questions, which were slightly tricky. Candidates had to identify patterns and solve them quickly.
• Simplification and Approximation were moderately easy and could be solved with basic math techniques.
• Quadratic Equations were asked with two variables and were of moderate difficulty.
• Arithmetic questions, such as those based on Time and Work, Profit and Loss, and Simple Interest, were time-consuming but doable if the candidate had a clear understanding of concepts.

Tips for Numerical Ability Section:

• Practice speed-math techniques to quickly solve questions like simplifications and approximations.
• Make sure to solve at least one DI set in every mock test to get comfortable with them.
• Prioritize easier questions to manage time efficiently.

3. Reasoning Ability Section

The Reasoning Ability section in Shift 4 was moderate in difficulty. This section required a good grasp of logical reasoning and pattern recognition skills. Candidates who were comfortable with puzzles and seating arrangements had an advantage.

• Number of Questions: 35
• Total Marks: 35
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Time Management: Reasoning questions, especially puzzles, can be time-consuming, so quick thinking and effective time management were essential.

Key Highlights:

• Seating Arrangement and Puzzles were dominant in this shift. The questions were moderately difficult and included circular arrangement, linear arrangement, and floor-based puzzles. Candidates had to spend some time analyzing the given data before solving.
• Syllogism was a straightforward question type, and candidates were able to attempt these questions with relative ease.
• Blood Relations, Direction Sense, and Ranking were also present in the exam and were moderate in difficulty.
• Coding-Decoding questions were of average difficulty, requiring a bit of logic to decode the given symbols.
• Input-Output was present in the exam but was not as difficult as the puzzles and seating arrangement.

Tips for Reasoning Ability Section:

• Focus on practicing puzzles regularly, as they can be time-consuming but scoring if solved accurately.
• Always start with easier questions such as syllogism, blood relations, and direction sense.
• For puzzles, make sure to draw diagrams to visualize the information clearly.

Overall Difficulty Level & Attempt Analysis

• Overall Difficulty Level: The overall difficulty level of the exam was moderate. Candidates could expect to attempt around 60-70 questions correctly if they had practiced well.
• Good Attempts: A score of 60-65 questions attempted with accuracy can be considered good, while 55-60 questions with reasonable accuracy may also lead to qualification in the next round.
• Time Management: Effective time management was the key. Candidates needed to balance speed and accuracy, particularly in sections like Numerical Ability and Reasoning.

Final Words

In conclusion, Shift 4 of the 2025 SBI Clerk Prelims exam was a mix of challenging and moderate-level questions, requiring candidates to remain calm and apply their reasoning and math skills effectively. A proper understanding of the syllabus, along with consistent practice, can go a long way in cracking the exam. Regularly taking mock tests, focusing on time management, and prioritizing sections based on strengths will ensure success in the upcoming stages of the SBI Clerk exam.

Stay positive and keep preparing with dedication. Good luck to all aspirants!