If you have your exam in an upcoming shift, review the SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 for Shift 1 to understand the current exam pattern. Read the complete article for a detailed breakdown of this shift.
The first shift of Day 1 concluded at 10 AM, with thousands of aspirants successfully appearing for the test. Based on candidate feedback, the overall exam was moderate in nature. Our expert faculty has prepared a thorough exam analysis discussing the types of questions asked and expectations for subsequent shifts. With 1,500 vacancies announced this year and over 12 lakh applications received, competition has intensified significantly. Consequently, securing a high score is crucial to clearing this selection stage.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026
Through SBI PO 2026, the State Bank of India has advertised 1,500 Probationary Officer (PO) vacancies, with the preliminary examination scheduled across multiple shifts on August 1st and 2nd, 2026. More than 12 lakh candidates are participating this year, making this SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 an essential resource for everyone scheduled for upcoming shifts or the August 2nd exams.
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Shift 1 Difficulty Level
Aspirants who appeared in today's 1st shift reported that the overall difficulty level was moderate, though certain questions proved to be rather time-consuming. Candidates can anticipate a comparable level of difficulty in the forthcoming shifts.
| Sections | Difficulty Level |
| Reasoning Ability | Moderate |
| English Language | Easy to Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Moderate |
| Total | Moderate |
Good Attempts for SBI PO Prelims Exam Shift 1
Analyzing section-wise performance and overall good attempts enables candidates to gauge their qualification prospects for the Mains examination. Following a comprehensive review, we have updated the expected good attempts for today's 1st shift.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Good Attempts |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 21-24 |
| English Language | 40 | 22-25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 18-20 |
| Total | 100 | 61-69 |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 1st August 2026 Shift 1 (Section-wise)
In this section, we provide a detailed, section-by-section SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis for Shift 1. Review each domain—Reasoning Ability, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude—to understand the specific questions asked and the difficulty level of each segment.
Questions/ Topics Asked in English Section
This section comprised 40 questions, with the majority originating from Reading Comprehension, Error Detection, and the Cloze Test. The Reading Comprehension passage centered around a theme related to a "Photographer-Based Exhibition."
| Topic | No. of Questions |
| Reading Comprehension | 08 |
| Error detection | 03 |
| Cloze Test (Astronomy) | 05 |
| Sentence Rearrangement | 05 |
| Parajumble (6 sentences) | 05 |
| Double Fillers | 03-04 |
| Word Swap | 03-04 |
| Total | 40 |
Questions/ Topics Asked in Reasoning Section
A total of 6 sets of puzzles and seating arrangements were featured in the SBI PO Prelims 1st shift of today’s exam.
- Selection-based – 11 persons (tricky)- 5 questions
- Month-based + Variable (consecutive month) – 5 questions
- Post-based (7 post) + variable- 5 questions
- Circular (Inside/Outside)- 5 questions
- Flat & Floor Based (4 x 2)- 5 questions
- Comparison Based- 3 questions
| Topics | No. of Questions |
| Puzzle & Seating Arrangement | 28 |
| Meaningful word | 01 |
| Pair Formation | 01 |
| Total | 30 |
Questions/ Topics Asked in Quantitative Aptitude
This section featured 30 questions, and the numerical ability section was rated as moderate. Arithmetic questions covered topics such as Boats & Streams, Ages, Trains, Mensuration, Averages, Profit & Loss, Partnerships, and Time & Work. Notably, no questions appeared from Simplification or Approximation.
There were 3 Data Interpretation (DI) sets asked in today’s exam.
- Bar Graph & Table DI- 6 questions
- Venn Diagram
- Table-Based DI- 5 questions
| Topic | No. of Questions |
| Data Interpretation | 15 |
| Quadratic Equation | 03 |
| Arithmetic Problems | 12 |
| Total | 30 |
SBI PO Previous Year Cut off Trends
Various factors influence the SBI PO cutoff, including available vacancies, exam difficulty, and overall candidate performance. To assist candidates, we have outlined the previous years' trends for SBI PO Prelims cutoff marks.
| Category | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| GEN | 66.75 | 61.75 | 59.25 | 59.50 |
| SC | 59.25 | 55 | 53 | 52.50 |
| ST | 51.50 | 49 | 47.50 | 47.75 |
| OBC | 65.50 | 60.50 | 59.25 | 58.25 |
| EWS | 64.50 | 60.25 | 59.25 | 59.50 |
FAQs
Q. What was the difficulty level of SBI PO Prelims Exam 2026?
Based on the analysis, the overall difficulty level of the examination was rated as "Moderate."
Q. How many questions are asked from Puzzles and Seating Arrangements?
There were 6 distinct sets of Puzzles and Seating Arrangements accounting for a total of 28 questions.
Recommended Reads
- SBI PO Prelims Shift 2 Exam Analysis 2026 (1 Aug): Difficulty Level & Review
- SBI PO Prelims Question Paper 2026 (Memory-Based): August 1 PDF & Analysis
- SBI PO 2026 Exam Date Announced for Prelims (1500 Vacancies), Check Complete Schedule
- SBI PO Shift 4 Exam Analysis 2026: Difficulty Level, Good Attempts & Review
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- SBI CBO Score Card 2026: Check Marks, Cut-Off, and Download Link
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