SBI Clerk Prelims and Mains Cut-Off Trends (2020-2024): Complete Guide for SBI Clerk 2025 Aspirants

 

The SBI Clerk exam, one of the most sought-after exams in the banking sector, has become increasingly competitive over the years. Every year, thousands of candidates appear for the Prelims and Mains exams with the goal of securing a position at one of India’s leading public sector banks.

One of the key aspects of preparing for the SBI Clerk exam is understanding the cut-off trends from previous years. These trends help aspirants gauge the difficulty level of the exam, the competition, and the marks they need to secure to move to the next stage. In this blog, we’ll analyze the SBI Clerk Prelims and Mains cut-off trends from 2020 to 2024, so you can better plan your preparation for SBI Clerk 2025.

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1. Understanding SBI Clerk Cut-Offs: What You Need to Know

Before we dive into the specific cut-off trends, let's first understand what cut-offs are and how they are calculated for the SBI Clerk exam.

• Prelims Cut-Off: The minimum marks required to qualify for the Mains exam. The Prelims exam is objective in nature and has three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.

• Mains Cut-Off: After clearing the Prelims, candidates need to secure the minimum marks in the Mains exam, which consists of multiple sections including General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude, and the Descriptive Test.

Note: Both sectional and overall cut-offs must be cleared to move to the next stage.

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2. SBI Clerk Prelims and Mains Cut-Off Trends (2020-2024)

Let's analyze the SBI Clerk cut-offs over the past five years to understand the changing trends and how the cut-offs for 2025 might look.

SBI Clerk 2020 Cut-Off Trends

• Prelims Cut-Off (2020):

  • General: 71-75

  • SC/ST/OBC: 65-70

  • EWS: 69-72

• Mains Cut-Off (2020):

  • General: 93-98

  • SC/ST/OBC: 86-90

  • EWS: 89-92

Analysis: In 2020, the cut-offs for both Prelims and Mains were slightly higher, reflecting a highly competitive environment. There was an increase in the number of applicants, which resulted in tough competition.

SBI Clerk 2021 Cut-Off Trends

• Prelims Cut-Off (2021):

  • General: 76-79

  • SC/ST/OBC: 69-74

  • EWS: 73-77

• Mains Cut-Off (2021):

  • General: 96-100

  • SC/ST/OBC: 88-93

  • EWS: 92-97

Analysis: The cut-offs in 2021 showed a slight increase due to the higher number of applicants and a moderate increase in exam difficulty. The competition intensified as more candidates competed for fewer vacancies.

SBI Clerk 2022 Cut-Off Trends

• Prelims Cut-Off (2022):

  • General: 70-73

  • SC/ST/OBC: 64-68

  • EWS: 68-72

• Mains Cut-Off (2022):

  • General: 90-94

  • SC/ST/OBC: 85-89

  • EWS: 89-92

Analysis: The cut-offs slightly dropped in 2022 compared to the previous year. This could be due to a lower number of applicants and a slightly easier exam. However, competition remained fierce, and candidates still had to perform well across all sections.

SBI Clerk 2023 Cut-Off Trends

• Prelims Cut-Off (2023):

  • General: 72-76

  • SC/ST/OBC: 65-70

  • EWS: 71-75

• Mains Cut-Off (2023):

  • General: 95-100

  • SC/ST/OBC: 89-92

  • EWS: 92-96

Analysis: The cut-offs for 2023 were slightly higher than those for 2022, indicating a moderate increase in exam difficulty. The competition remained intense, and candidates needed to be well-prepared to clear the sectional and overall cut-offs.

SBI Clerk 2024 Expected Cut-Off Trends

• Prelims Cut-Off (2024):

  • General: 74-78 (Expected)

  • SC/ST/OBC: 68-72 (Expected)

  • EWS: 72-76 (Expected)

• Mains Cut-Off (2024):

  • General: 98-103 (Expected)

  • SC/ST/OBC: 91-94 (Expected)

  • EWS: 94-98 (Expected)

Analysis: Based on previous trends, it is expected that the 2024 cut-offs will be slightly higher due to an increase in exam difficulty and a higher number of applicants. Candidates will need to focus on improving their overall and sectional performance to secure a spot.

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3. Factors Affecting SBI Clerk Cut-Offs

Several factors impact the SBI Clerk cut-offs, and understanding these can help candidates better prepare:

• Number of Vacancies: An increase in vacancies generally results in a lower cut-off, while fewer vacancies push the cut-off higher.

• Difficulty Level of the Exam: If the exam is more difficult, the cut-off tends to be lower. Conversely, an easier exam could lead to higher cut-offs.

• Number of Candidates: A higher number of candidates results in more competition and consequently, higher cut-offs.

• Normalization Process: The exam is conducted in multiple shifts, and the scores are normalized. This helps maintain fairness and can slightly affect the cut-offs.

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4. How to Tackle the SBI Clerk Cut-Offs in 2025

Understanding the SBI Clerk 2025 cut-offs is crucial, but what matters most is how you prepare to tackle these cut-offs. Here are some tips:

A. Improve Your Time Management

• Prelims: Focus on answering easy questions first in Reasoning and Numerical Ability to gain speed and accuracy.

• Mains: Allocate enough time for General/Financial Awareness and Descriptive Writing, which can significantly impact your overall score.

B. Focus on Sectional Cut-Offs

• Each section has a minimum qualifying score, so ensure you practice regularly in each section. For example, if Quantitative Aptitude is your weak spot, practice it every day until you are confident.

C. Stay Updated on Current Affairs

• General/Financial Awareness plays a significant role in both Prelims and Mains. Regularly read newspapers, follow news apps, and stay updated with the latest banking and financial news.

D. Take Regular Mock Tests

• Taking regular mock tests will help you simulate the real exam environment, improve your time management, and track your progress. Ensure you analyze your mistakes after every test.

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5. Conclusion: Preparing for SBI Clerk 2025 Cut-Offs

The SBI Clerk cut-off trends from 2020 to 2024 reveal a steady increase in competition and changes in exam difficulty levels. To clear the SBI Clerk 2025 exam, candidates need to focus on time management, sectional cut-offs, staying updated on current affairs, and taking mock tests regularly.

By understanding these trends and preparing strategically, you can aim for a high score that not only helps you clear the cut-offs but also secures you a position in the final list.

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