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SBI Clerk Previous Year Question Paper - Previous Notes Hub

Preparing for the SBI Clerk exam can be an overwhelming process due to the vast syllabus and intense competition. One of the most effective strategies to ensure success in this exam is to solve SBI Clerk previous year question papers. By working through past papers, candidates can familiarize themselves with the exam format, types of questions asked, and gain a clearer understanding of the important topics to focus on.

Not only do these papers provide a practical insight into the real exam experience, but they also help in developing time management skills. As the SBI Clerk exam is time-bound, mastering the ability to answer questions efficiently within the given time is essential for securing a higher score. Previous year papers also highlight trends, showing which topics have been frequently tested over the years, helping you strategize your preparation accordingly.

SBI Clerk Previous Year Question Paper - Previous Notes Hub 

How SBI Clerk Previous Year Papers Benefit Your Preparation

  1. Understand Exam Pattern and Structure: By consistently solving previous year papers, aspirants get accustomed to the exam's structure and difficulty level. The SBI Clerk Prelims and Mains exam each have distinct patterns, and understanding the specifics of each will boost confidence on exam day.

  2. Identify Important Topics: Going through these papers can help in recognizing repeated questions and common topics. While the exam pattern might vary slightly each year, there are certain topics, especially in Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability, that are consistently important.

  3. Improve Speed and Accuracy: Regularly solving previous year question papers allows candidates to track their speed and accuracy. Time management is key in the SBI Clerk exam, as you will have limited time to attempt a large number of questions. Practicing under timed conditions replicates the actual exam environment, preparing you for pressure situations.

  4. Assess Your Preparation Level: After completing a set of previous year question papers, you can evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Identifying areas where you struggle allows you to focus more on them, leading to a balanced preparation strategy.

SBI Clerk Exam Pattern Overview

The SBI Clerk exam is divided into two major stages: Preliminary Exam and Main Exam. Here is a quick overview of both stages:

SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern

SectionNo. of QuestionTotal MarksDuration
English Language303020 minutes
Numerical Ability353520 minutes
Reasoning353520 minutes
Total10010060 minutes

SBI Clerk Main Exam Pattern 


SectionNo. of QuestionTotal MarksDuration
General English404035 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude505045 minutes
Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude506045 minutes
General/Financial Awareness505035 minutes
Total1902002 hours 40 minutes

How to Use SBI Clerk Previous Year Question Papers Effectively

  1. Simulate Real Exam Conditions: When solving previous year papers, ensure that you simulate real exam conditions. This means timing yourself strictly and avoiding any distractions. Practicing in this manner will give you a sense of how to manage stress and pressure during the actual exam.

  2. Analyze Your Performance: After solving each paper, spend time analyzing your performance. Identify the sections where you performed well and the areas that need improvement. This will help in refining your preparation strategy.

  3. Focus on High-Weightage Topics: Based on your analysis of previous year papers, it is clear that certain topics in the Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude sections have a higher weightage than others. Concentrate more on these areas while continuing to review other sections to maintain a balanced preparation.

  4. Revise Regularly: After solving each paper, revisit the concepts and formulas that were difficult. Consistent revision is crucial in retaining what you’ve learned.

Commonly Asked Topics in SBI Clerk Exam

Here are some of the most frequently tested topics in the SBI Clerk exam, based on previous year papers:

  • Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, Number Series, Data Interpretation, Quadratic Equations, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Permutation & Combination, Probability.

  • Reasoning Ability: Syllogism, Puzzle & Seating Arrangement, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Inequalities, Input-Output, Logical Reasoning.

  • English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Spotting, Sentence Rearrangement, Para Jumbles, Fillers.

  • General Awareness: Banking Awareness, Current Affairs, Static General Knowledge, Economic News, Financial & Banking Terms.

Where to Find SBI Clerk Previous Year Question Papers?

To enhance your preparation, it’s important to have access to genuine and accurate previous year question papers. The following sources are reliable for obtaining these papers:

  • Official SBI Website: The official State Bank of India website often provides official question papers and sample tests.

  • Online Educational Platforms: Websites such as Gradeup, Oliveboard, and Testbook offer compiled sets of previous year papers along with mock tests.

  • Books: Several publishers offer dedicated books that contain a collection of SBI Clerk past papers, including those from Arihant and Kiran’s.

Key Tips for SBI Clerk Exam Preparation

  1. Stay Updated with Current Affairs: For the General/ Financial Awareness section, stay updated with the latest banking news, current affairs, and financial terms. Reading newspapers daily and following relevant news channels can be a significant advantage.

  2. Use Mock Tests: While previous year papers are extremely useful, also incorporate mock tests into your routine. Mock tests will give you a broader range of questions and will simulate the real exam environment even more rigorously.

  3. Build Vocabulary: For the English Language section, focus on improving vocabulary and grammar. Reading articles, novels, or even editorials in newspapers will be helpful in strengthening your command over the language.

  4. Focus on Accuracy and Speed: The key to acing the SBI Clerk exam is to ensure both speed and accuracy. Mismanaged time can lead to skipped questions, and inaccurate answers can decrease your score due to negative marking.

SBI Clerk Prelims Previous Year Question Paper PDF with Solution
SubjectQuestion PaperSolution PDF
SBI Clerk 2022 Prelims Question Paper & Solution
SBI Clerk 2022 PrelimsClick to DownloadClick to Download
SBI Clerk 2021 Prelims Question Paper & Solution
SBI Clerk 2021 PrelimsClick to DownloadClick to Download
SBI Clerk 2020 Prelims Question Paper & Solution
Reasoning AbilityClick to DownloadClick to Download
Quantitative AptitudeClick to DownloadClick to Download
English LanguageClick to DownloadClick to Download
SBI Clerk 2019 Prelims Question Paper & Solution
Reasoning AbilityClick to DownloadClick to Download
Quantitative AptitudeClick to DownloadClick to Download
English LanguageClick to Download Click to Download 
SBI Clerk 2018 Prelims Question Paper & Solution
Reasoning AbilityClick to DownloadClick to Download
Quantitative AptitudeClick to DownloadClick to Download
English LanguageClick to DownloadClick to Download
SBI Clerk 2016 Prelims Question Paper & Solution
Reasoning AbilityClick to DownloadClick to Download
Quantitative AptitudeClick to DownloadClick to Download
English LanguageClick to DownloadClick to Download


SBI Clerk Mains Previous Year Question Paper PDF with Solution
YearQuestion Paper PDFSolution PDF
SBI Clerk Mains 2021Click to DownloadClick to Download
SBI Clerk Mains 2020Click to DownloadClick to Download
SBI Clerk Mains 2019Click to DownloadClick to Download
SBI Clerk Mains 2018Click to DownloadClick to Download
SBI Clerk Mains 2016Click to DownloadClick to Download

FAQ: SBI Clerk Previous Year Question Paper

1. Why is solving SBI Clerk previous year question papers important?

Solving previous year question papers helps candidates understand the exam pattern, identify commonly asked topics, and practice time management. It also helps in assessing strengths and weaknesses to focus on areas requiring more attention.

2. Where can I find the SBI Clerk previous year question papers?

You can find them on the official SBI website, on various online educational platforms like Gradeup, Oliveboard, Testbook, or in books published by Arihant and Kiran’s that compile past papers.

3. Are previous year questions repeated in the SBI Clerk exam?

While the exact questions may not be repeated, similar patterns, topics, and types of questions often appear. Practicing previous papers helps familiarize with these recurring formats.

4. How many SBI Clerk previous year question papers should I solve before the exam?

It’s advisable to solve at least 5-10 years of previous papers to get a comprehensive understanding of the exam trends and question types. Additionally, incorporating mock tests is recommended for broader practice.

5. Can solving previous year question papers help improve speed and accuracy?

Yes, solving papers under timed conditions helps improve your speed and accuracy, both of which are essential for succeeding in the time-bound SBI Clerk exam.

6. What is the pattern of the SBI Clerk exam?

The exam is conducted in two stages: Preliminary Exam and Main Exam. The Prelims consist of three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The Mains covers additional areas such as General/Financial Awareness and Computer Aptitude.

7. What are the most frequently asked topics in the SBI Clerk exam?

For Quantitative Aptitude, topics like Simplification, Number Series, and Data Interpretation are common. In Reasoning, expect Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, and Syllogism. In the English Language section, focus on Reading Comprehension and Error Spotting.

8. Is there negative marking in the SBI Clerk exam?

Yes, there is a negative marking system. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted.

9. Can I clear the SBI Clerk exam by just solving previous year question papers?

Solving previous year papers is an essential part of preparation, but it should be supplemented with mock tests, studying from books, and keeping up with current affairs, especially for the General Awareness section.

10. What is the best time to start solving previous year papers?

You should start solving previous year papers after completing a significant portion of the syllabus. This allows you to gauge how well you can apply the concepts you’ve learned under exam conditions.

Conclusion :

Preparing for the SBI Clerk exam requires consistent effort, thorough practice, and a solid understanding of the exam pattern. By solving SBI Clerk previous year question papers, candidates can get a real sense of what to expect in the exam, hone their skills, and increase their chances of success.

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