The State Bank of India (SBI) Clerk examination is a competitive process designed to assess candidates for the Junior Associate position. The selection process comprises two main stages: the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination, followed by a Language Proficiency Test (LPT) for certain candidates.
Preliminary Examination:
The Preliminary Exam is an online objective test with a total duration of 1 hour, divided into three sections:
- Marking Scheme: Each correct answer awards 1 mark. There is a penalty for incorrect answers, with 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong response. Unattempted questions do not attract negative marking.
- Qualification: The Preliminary Exam serves as a qualifying stage. Marks obtained in this phase are not considered for the final merit list. Candidates must clear this stage to progress to the Main Examination.
Main Examination:
The Main Exam is also an online objective test, featuring four sections with a cumulative duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes:
- Marking Scheme: Similar to the Preliminary Exam, each incorrect answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks.
- Qualification: Candidates are required to achieve minimum aggregate marks, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PWD/XS candidates. The exact qualifying marks are determined by the bank. Marks obtained in the Main Examination are crucial for the final merit list, which is prepared state-wise and category-wise.
Language Proficiency Test (LPT):
Candidates who have not studied the specified local language in their 10th or 12th standard are required to undergo a Language Proficiency Test before joining. This test ensures that candidates are proficient in the local language of the state they have applied for.
Final Selection:
The final selection is based on the candidate's performance in the Main Examination, subject to qualifying the LPT (if applicable) and meeting other eligibility criteria. The Preliminary Examination scores are not considered in the final merit list.
For comprehensive details, including the latest updates and any changes to the exam pattern, candidates are advised to refer to the official SBI recruitment notifications and trusted educational resources.