SBI Apprentice Exam Analysis 2026 (11 July Shift 1); Difficulty Level, Good Attempts, Section-Wise Review & Expected Cut Off

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The SBI Apprentice Exam 2026 was successfully conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI) on 11 July 2026 for the recruitment of 7,150+ Apprentice vacancies across India. The morning Shift 1 has now concluded, and the initial feedback received from candidates indicates that the overall paper was Easy to Moderate in difficulty.

Among all sections, Quantitative Aptitude was considered slightly more challenging, while General English, General & Financial Awareness, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude were largely manageable for most aspirants.

Since the examination is being held in multiple shifts, SBI will use score normalization to ensure fairness while preparing the final merit list. Candidates can now check the complete SBI Apprentice Exam Analysis 2026 for Shift 1, including the section-wise difficulty level, expected good attempts, important exam highlights, and what to expect from the upcoming stages of the selection process.

SBI Apprentice Exam Analysis 2026 (11 July) – Shift 1 Difficulty Level, Good Attempts & Complete Review
7,150 Apprentice Vacancies | Shift 1 Concluded — Overall Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
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Particulars Details
Conducting Body State Bank of India (SBI)
Recruitment Name Engagement of Apprentices Under the Apprentices Act, 1961
Advertisement Number CRPD/APPR/2026-27/07
Total Vacancies 7,150+ (Across India)
Exam Date 11 July 2026 (Single-Day, 2 Shifts)
Shift 1 Status Concluded — Overall Easy to Moderate
Shift 2 Status Ongoing/Awaited — Afternoon Shift
Official Website sbi.co.in / sbi.bank.in

SBI Apprentice Exam Analysis 2026 — Shift 1 (Morning) Overview
The State Bank of India conducted the first shift of the SBI Apprentice Exam 2026 in the morning today, 11 July 2026. Thousands of candidates appeared across exam centres nationwide for this single-day, two-shift examination that will fill more than 7,000 vacancies. The paper was conducted within 60 minutes, with each of the 4 sections strictly timed at 15 minutes each. Based on feedback shared by candidates who appeared in Shift 1, the exam has been analyzed in detail below to help remaining candidates (Shift 2) and future aspirants understand the paper’s nature.

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Shift 1 — Section-Wise Difficulty Level
Section Difficulty Level
General/Financial Awareness Easy to Moderate
General English Easy to Moderate
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude Easy to Moderate
Quantitative Aptitude Moderate
Overall Difficulty Level Easy to Moderate
Key Takeaway: Quantitative Aptitude was reported as the relatively toughest section in Shift 1, rated purely “Moderate,” while the remaining three sections (General/Financial Awareness, General English, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude) were all rated “Easy to Moderate.” This suggests candidates should have been able to attempt most sections comfortably, with Quant requiring slightly more time and calculation.

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Shift 2 (Afternoon) — Status
Update: The difficulty level and analysis for Shift 2 of the SBI Apprentice Exam 2026 will be updated once the afternoon shift concludes. Candidates appearing in Shift 2 can expect a broadly similar pattern to Shift 1, though exact question sets differ across shifts, and SBI applies score normalization to ensure fairness across sessions of varying difficulty.

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SBI Apprentice Exam Pattern 2026 (Confirmed & Used in Shift 1)
Section Questions / Marks / Duration
General English 25 Questions | 25 Marks | 15 Minutes
Quantitative Aptitude 25 Questions | 25 Marks | 15 Minutes
General & Financial Awareness 25 Questions | 25 Marks | 15 Minutes
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude 25 Questions | 25 Marks | 15 Minutes
Total 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 60 Minutes
Question Type Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions)
Negative Marking 0.25 Mark (1/4th) Deducted per Incorrect Answer
Important: Each section has its own strict 15-minute sectional timer — candidates cannot carry over unused time from one section to another. Use this exact marking scheme (+1 correct, -0.25 wrong) to self-calculate your expected score based on your recalled attempts.

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About SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
Eligibility (Educational) Bachelor’s Degree from a Recognized University/Institute
Age Limit (as on 01.04.2026) 20 to 28 Years (Relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD as per GoI Norms)
Nature of Engagement Apprenticeship under Apprentices Act, 1961 — NOT a Permanent Job
Training Duration 1 Year
Monthly Stipend ₹15,000/- (No Other Allowances/Benefits)

Complete Selection Process

  • Stage 1: Online Written Examination — 11 July 2026 (Today), 2 Shifts, 100 Marks
  • Stage 2: Local Language Proficiency Test — Qualifying Only (Exempted for candidates who studied the local language at 10th/12th level)
  • Stage 3: Document Verification & Medical Examination

Important Points

  • Written exam marks combined with clearing the Local Language Test determine final selection
  • Score normalization will be applied across Shift 1 and Shift 2 (and any further sessions) to ensure fairness, since difficulty can vary slightly between shifts
  • Apprenticeship does NOT guarantee permanent employment with SBI after the 1-year training period..

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What to Do After Appearing in the Exam

  • Use the marking scheme (+1 correct, -0.25 wrong) to calculate your estimated raw score based on questions you recall attempting
  • Keep in mind that final selection will be based on normalized scores, not raw scores, since the exam is conducted in multiple shifts
  • Watch for the official provisional answer key release on sbi.co.in/sbi.bank.in in the coming weeks
  • If you’re exempted from the Local Language Test (10th/12th level local language study), keep your certificates ready for document verification
  • If not exempted, start preparing for the Local Language Proficiency Test (reading, writing, speaking, understanding) for your chosen state/UT

Tips for Candidates Appearing in Shift 2

  • Based on Shift 1 feedback, expect the overall paper to be Easy to Moderate — but don’t get complacent, as question sets differ between shifts
  • Pay special attention to time management in Quantitative Aptitude, which was the relatively tougher section in Shift 1
  • Attempt General English, General/Financial Awareness, and Reasoning confidently first if they come naturally, then use remaining time wisely on Quant
  • Remember the 0.25 negative marking — avoid random guessing on questions you’re completely unsure about
  • Reach your exam centre well before reporting time with your admit card, valid photo ID, and a photocopy of your ID stapled to the admit card

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important links

Check SBI Apprentice Admit Card / Portal click here
Official Website (SBI) click here
notification 24 jobs click here
join telegram click here
join whatsapp channel click here
susbscribe on youtube click here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What was the overall difficulty level of SBI Apprentice Exam 2026 Shift 1?
Ans. The overall difficulty level was Easy to Moderate, based on candidate feedback.

Q2. Which section was the toughest in Shift 1?
Ans. Quantitative Aptitude was reported as relatively tougher, rated as “Moderate,” compared to the other three sections which were “Easy to Moderate.”

Q3. How many shifts is the SBI Apprentice Exam 2026 being conducted in?
Ans. The exam is being conducted in 2 shifts (morning and afternoon) on a single day, 11 July 2026.

Q4. What is the exam pattern for SBI Apprentice 2026?
Ans. 100 objective-type questions for 100 marks across 4 sections (General English, Quantitative Aptitude, General/Financial Awareness, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude), each with 25 questions/25 marks and a strict 15-minute sectional timer, totaling 60 minutes.

Q5. Is there negative marking in the SBI Apprentice Exam?
Ans. Yes, 0.25 marks (1/4th) are deducted for each incorrect answer.

Q6. When will the Shift 2 analysis be available?
Ans. The Shift 2 (afternoon) analysis will be updated once that shift concludes later today.

Q7. What is the next stage after the written exam?
Ans. Candidates who qualify the written exam will need to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test, followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination.

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