The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam 2025 began on 27 September, and Shift 1 was the first opportunity for candidates to experience the actual paper pattern and difficulty level. With thousands of aspirants appearing across the country, the first shift set the tone for the rest of the exam days. Based on feedback from candidates and expert observations, here is a detailed section-wise analysis of the exam along with the types of questions asked and the overall difficulty level.
Overall Difficulty Level of the Exam
The overall difficulty level of the SBI Clerk 2025 Shift 1 exam was reported to be moderate. Candidates found the paper to be well-balanced with a mix of easy and slightly tricky questions. Time management played a crucial role in maximizing attempts as each section had a fixed time limit. The exam followed the expected pattern with no major surprises, which helped well-prepared candidates perform confidently.
English Language Section Analysis
The English section in Shift 1 was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty. It included a reading comprehension passage that was based on a general topic and was easy to understand. The passage had questions related to vocabulary, inference, and direct information. Apart from comprehension, there were questions on error spotting, sentence rearrangement, and fill-in-the-blanks. The error spotting questions tested basic grammar rules and were straightforward. Sentence rearrangement required logical sequencing and understanding of sentence flow. Fill-in-the-blanks were vocabulary-based and tested contextual understanding. Candidates who had practiced regularly found this section scoring and less time-consuming.
Reasoning Ability Section Analysis
The reasoning section was moderate and required logical thinking and accuracy. It included puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogism, inequality, and coding-decoding. The puzzles and seating arrangement questions were slightly time-consuming but manageable for those who had practiced similar patterns. Syllogism questions were based on standard logic and did not involve complex statements. Inequality questions were direct and could be solved quickly. Coding-decoding involved letter and number patterns and required attention to detail. Overall, the reasoning section tested analytical skills and time management. Candidates who maintained a calm approach were able to attempt a good number of questions.
Numerical Ability Section Analysis
The numerical ability section was moderate and slightly calculative. It included simplification, number series, arithmetic, and data interpretation. Simplification questions were based on basic mathematical operations and could be solved quickly with good calculation speed. Number series questions involved identifying patterns and were a mix of missing and wrong number types. Arithmetic questions covered topics like percentage, profit and loss, time and work, and simple interest. Data interpretation was based on bar graphs and tables and required careful reading and calculation. Candidates who had a strong grasp of basic concepts and practiced regularly found this section manageable.
Types of Questions Asked
In the English section, the reading comprehension passage was based on a topic related to daily life and included questions on synonyms, antonyms, and inference. Error spotting questions focused on subject-verb agreement and article usage. Sentence rearrangement involved five jumbled sentences that needed to be arranged in a logical order. Fill-in-the-blanks tested vocabulary and context understanding.
In the reasoning section, there were two sets of puzzles including a linear seating arrangement and a box-based puzzle. Syllogism questions involved two statements with conclusions to be evaluated. Inequality questions were based on mathematical symbols and required determining the correct relation. Coding-decoding questions involved letter shifting and pattern recognition.
In the numerical ability section, simplification questions involved BODMAS rules and basic arithmetic. Number series questions required identifying the logic behind the sequence. Arithmetic questions were word problems based on real-life scenarios. Data interpretation involved calculating averages, ratios, and differences from the given data.
Good Attempts and Time Management
Based on the difficulty level and feedback from candidates, the number of good attempts in Shift 1 ranged between sixty-five to seventy-five questions. The English section had the highest number of good attempts due to its easier nature. Reasoning and numerical ability required more time and accuracy. Candidates who managed their time well and avoided spending too much time on any single question were able to maximize their attempts. Accuracy was important as negative marking could impact the overall score.
Conclusion
The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam 2025 Shift 1 held on 27 September was a well-structured paper with a moderate difficulty level. Each section tested different skills and required a balanced approach. Candidates who had prepared thoroughly and practiced mock tests found the exam manageable. The analysis of this shift provides valuable insights for those appearing in upcoming shifts and helps in refining preparation strategies. With a focus on accuracy and time management, candidates can improve their performance in the remaining shifts. The exam experience of Shift 1 sets a positive tone for the rest of the recruitment process.
Disclaimer
The exam analysis presented in this article is based on feedback from candidates and expert observations. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, the nature of questions, difficulty level, and good attempts may vary for each individual. This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not represent official data. For the most accurate and updated information, candidates are advised to refer to the official SBI website and recruitment notifications.
