SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2 Aug 2026 Shift 1 & 2, Check Difficulty Level & Good Attempts
SBI PO 2026 Prelims exam was conducted by the State Bank of India on 1 and 2 August across four shifts on each day, for aspirants competing for 1500 Probationary Officer vacancies. Admit cards were released on 22 July, and roughly 12.14 lakh candidates have applied this cycle. This article lays out the confirmed exam pattern, shift schedule, and negative marking rules ahead of the papers.
Also Check: SBI PO Prelims Question Paper 2026 Out (Memory-Based), Download Answer PDF
SBI PO Prelims 2026 Shift Timings (August 2)
Reporting time and gate closing vary by shift, and the exact slot for each candidate is printed on the individual admit card, though the shifts follow a common daily window.
| Shift | Exam Time |
|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM |
| Shift 4 | 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
Candidates should reach the centre at least an hour before their reporting time for biometric and document verification, since entry closes strictly at gate closing time.
SBI PO 2026 Exam Pattern
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 consists of three sections-English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability-with a sectional timing of 20 minutes each.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026, August 2, Shift 2: Good Attempts and Difficulty Level
SBI PO Prelims Shift 2 examination for August 2, 2026, has been concluded. Based on the initial feedback received from candidates, the overall difficulty level of the examination was Easy to Moderate, while the expected number of good attempts ranged between 74 and 82 questions.
SBI PO 2026 Shift 2 Paper Sequence
The sections appeared in the following order:
English Language → Quantitative Aptitude → Reasoning Ability
SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 – August 2, Shift 2
| Section | Total Questions | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 22–25 | Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 22–24 | Moderate |
| English Language | 40 | 30–33 | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | 100 | 74–82 | Easy to Moderate |
SBI PO Prelims English Language Analysis 2026 – August 2, Shift 2
The English Language section consisted of 40 questions. The detailed topic-wise distribution will be updated shortly after complete feedback is collected from candidates who appeared in Shift 2.
| Topics | No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading comprehension | 10 |
| Para Jumbles | 5 |
| Error Spotting | 5 |
| Word swap | 4 |
| Match the column | 1 |
| Word usage (get around) | 1 |
| Sentence improvement | 3 |
| Double Fillers | 5 |
| Cloze Test (A to F) | 6 |
| Total | 40 |
SBI PO Prelims Quantitative Aptitude Analysis 2026 – August 2, Shift 2
The Quantitative Aptitude section contained 30 questions. The exact topic-wise number of questions will be updated after receiving detailed responses from candidates.
| Topic | No. of Questions | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Line Graph DI | 5 | attempts – correct, incorrect |
| Table + Bar Graph DI | 5 | toys manufactured – sold, unsold |
| Caselet DI | 5 | 3 Hospitals – Male and Female |
| Quadratic equation | 3 | – |
| Arithmetic problems | 12 | – |
| Total | 30 |
SBI PO Prelims Reasoning Ability Analysis 2026 – August 2, Shift 2
The Reasoning Ability section included 30 questions. The detailed distribution of questions across puzzles, seating arrangements and other reasoning topics will be updated shortly.
| Topic | No. of Questions | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Linear seating | 5 | 8 persons – facing north and south |
| Designation puzzle | 5 | 9 persons |
| Stack-based puzzle | 5 | 7 persons |
| Month & date puzzle | 5 | 10 persons – 5 months, 2 dates |
| Order and ranking | 3 | – |
| Age-based puzzle | 5 | – |
| Misc. | 2 | number based |
| Total | 30 | – |
SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026, August 2, Shift 1: Good Attempts and Difficulty Level
SBI PO Prelims Shift 1 examination for August 2, 2026, has been concluded. Based on the feedback received from candidates who appeared in the examination, the overall difficulty level of the paper was Easy to Moderate. The expected number of good attempts ranged between 74 and 82 questions.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 – August 2, Shift 1
| Section | Total Questions | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 22–25 | Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 22–24 | Moderate |
| English Language | 40 | 30–33 | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | 100 | 74–82 | Easy to Moderate |
SBI PO Prelims English Language Analysis 2026 – August 2, Shift 1
The English Language section consisted of 40 questions and was rated Easy to Moderate. Reading Comprehension carried the highest weightage, followed by Para Jumbles, Cloze Test and Error Detection.
| Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension – Environmental Clauses | 10 |
| Para Jumbles – Five Sentences, AI-Based | 5 |
| Cloze Test | 5 |
| Error Detection | 5 |
| Phrase Replacement | 4 |
| Sentence Rearrangement | 3 |
| Idiom Usage | 2 |
| Direct and Indirect Inference | 2 |
| Column-Based Questions | 2 |
| Double Fillers | 2 |
| Total | 40 |
SBI PO Prelims Quantitative Aptitude Analysis 2026 – August 2, Shift 1
The Quantitative Aptitude section included 30 questions and was considered Moderate in difficulty. Data Interpretation and arithmetic-based questions formed a major portion of the section.
| Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Wrong Number Series | 3 |
| Data Interpretation – Bar Graph and Table | 6 |
| Data Interpretation – Pie Chart | 5 |
| Data Interpretation – Caselet Table | 5 |
| Arithmetic and Approximation-Based Questions | 11 |
| Total | 30 |
SBI PO Prelims Reasoning Ability Analysis 2026 – August 2, Shift 1
The Reasoning Ability section contained 30 questions and was rated Moderate. Most questions were based on puzzles and seating arrangements, including parallel-row, year-based, box-based, month-and-date and floor-based puzzles.
| Topic | Number of Questions | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pair Formation | 1 | Pair-Based Question |
| Meaningful Word | 1 | Word Formation |
| Syllogism | 3 | Standard Syllogism |
| Parallel-Row Puzzle | 5 | Seating Arrangement |
| Year-Based Puzzle | 5 | Based on the Year 2025 |
| Box-Based Puzzle | 5 | Seven Boxes with Variables |
| Month and Date Puzzle | 5 | Dates 9 and 16 across January, February and March, with Variables |
| Floor-Based Puzzle | 5 | Ten-Person Arrangement |
| Total | 30 | Complete Reasoning Section |
SBI PO 2026 Difficulty Level (Available)
Difficulty depends on the actual SBI PO 2026 paper set in each shift, so this cannot be rated before the exam happens. Section-wise ratings will replace the placeholders here once shifts are conducted.
| Section | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | To be updated | To be updated |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Moderate | Moderate | To be updated | To be updated |
| Reasoning Ability | Moderate | Moderate | To be updated | To be updated |
| Overall | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | To be updated | To be updated |
SBI PO 2026 Prelims Overview
SBI PO 2026 Prelims covers three sections in a single sitting of one hour, with the confirmed structural details released alongside the notification and admit card.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SBI PO Prelims 2026 |
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India |
| Exam Dates | 1 and 2 August 2026 |
| Shifts | 4 shifts each day |
| Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 60 minutes (20 minutes per section) |
| Sections | English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer, no penalty for unattempted |
| Nature | Qualifying, not counted in final merit |
| Selection Stages | Prelims, Mains, Group Exercise and Interview |
| Vacancies | 1500 Probationary Officer posts |
SBI PO Prelims Cutoff Trend (Last 5 Years)
SBI PO 2026 cutoff will be available only after the exam and result process. The actual SBI PO Prelims Cutoff (out of 100) from the last five cycles is included here for reference.
| Category | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 66.75 | 61.75 | 59.25 | 59.50 | 63.00 |
| OBC | 65.50 | 60.50 | 59.25 | 58.25 | 61.25 |
| EWS | 64.50 | 60.25 | 59.25 | 59.50 | 62.75 |
| SC | 59.25 | 55.00 | 53.00 | 52.50 | 54.75 |
| ST | 51.50 | 49.00 | 47.50 | 47.75 | 49.25 |
SBI PO 2026 Cutoff (Current Cycle)
| Category | Expected Cutoff |
|---|---|
| General | To be updated |
| OBC | To be updated |
| EWS | To be updated |
| SC | To be updated |
| ST | To be updated |
SBI PO Prelims Good Attempts Trend (Previous Cycles)
A look at how good attempts actually played out in earlier SBI PO Prelims cycles, for context while shift data for 2026 is awaited.
| Cycle | English | Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning Ability | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Aug 4, Shift 1) | 25 to 30 | 17 to 20 | 22 to 25 | 64 to 75 |
| 2021 (Nov 21, average across shifts) | 23 to 26 | 22 to 25 | 25 to 27 | 66 to 72 |
SBI PO 2026 Exam Day Guidelines
A few instructions candidates should keep in mind heading into the shifts on 1 and 2 August for SBI PO Prelims 2026.
- Reach the exam centre at least one hour before the reporting time printed on the admit card, since gate entry closes strictly at that time.
- Carry a printed SBI PO Admit Card 2026 along with a valid original photo ID, matching the name on the registration.
- Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices and other electronic gadgets are not allowed inside the centre.
- Cooperate with biometric verification and frisking at the entrance, since these steps take time on a busy shift day.
- Confirm the allotted shift, centre and reporting time on the individual admit card rather than relying on a general shift table.
Preparation Strategy for the Remaining Time
With the exam only a day or two away, the focus should shift from learning new topics to sharpening what is already known.
- Attempt one full-length mock per remaining shift slot to build a fixed section order and stick to it on the actual day.
- Revise formulas for profit and loss, simple and compound interest and quadratic equations rather than starting new Quantitative Aptitude topics.
- Go over frequently seen puzzle types (box-based, floor based, circular) instead of practising unfamiliar reasoning formats.
- Keep English preparation limited to timed Reading Comprehension and Cloze Test practice for speed.
- Sleep and travel planning matter as much as revision for whichever shift is allotted, especially for afternoon and evening slots.
Also Check: SBI PO 2026 Study Plan
SBI PO 2026 Prelims brings a familiar three-section, one-hour format for 1500 vacancies, with the same 40, 30, 30 question split and 0.25 negative marking that recent cycles have used. Difficulty, good attempts and cutoff for this specific sitting cannot be set until shifts are actually conducted, so the confirmed pattern and past years' trend above are what aspirants have to plan around for now. Aspirants should treat the coming shifts as a qualifying screen only, since Prelims marks are not carried into the final merit list. Checking the admit card details and reaching the centre early matters as much as revision at this stage.
| Relevant Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| SBI PO Question Paper 2025 | SBI PO Syllabus | SBI PO Admit Card |
| SBI PO Previous Year Papers | SBI PO Selection Process | SBI PO Salary |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 FAQs
Ques: When is the SBI PO Prelims exam in 2026?
Ans: SBI PO Prelims 2026 is scheduled for 1 and 2 August 2026, conducted in four shifts on each day across centres nationwide.
Ques: How many questions are asked in SBI PO Prelims 2026?
Ans: SBI PO Prelims 2026 has 100 questions worth 100 marks, split as 40 in English Language, 30 in Quantitative Aptitude and 30 in Reasoning Ability, within a 60 minute duration.
Ques: Is there negative marking in SBI PO Prelims 2026?
Ans: Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in SBI PO Prelims 2026. No marks are deducted for questions left unattempted.
Ques: What is the expected difficulty level of SBI PO Prelims 2026?
Ans: The difficulty level for this sitting will only be known once shifts are conducted on 1 and 2 August. Recent cycles have generally been rated moderate overall, with Reasoning varying the most across shifts.
Ques: What has the SBI PO Prelims cutoff trend looked like in recent years?
Ans: The General category Prelims cutoff has ranged between roughly 59 and 67 marks out of 100 over the last five cycles, with 2025 recording the highest figure at 66.75.
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