SBI PO Shift 1 & 2 Exam Analysis 2026 (Aug 1 ): Check Prelims Difficulty Level & Good Attempts

SBI PO 2026 Prelims exam is conducted by the State Bank of India on 1 and 2 August across four shifts on each day, for aspirants competing for 1500 Probationary Officer vacancies. Admit cards were released on 22 July, and roughly 12.14 lakh candidates have applied this cycle. This article lays out the confirmed exam pattern, shift schedule, and negative marking rules ahead of the papers. As SBI PO 2026 Shift 1 & 2 exam has been conducted, the section-wise difficulty level, good attempts, and exam analysis have been updated below.

SBI PO Prelims 2026 Shift Timings (August 1)

Reporting time and gate closing vary by shift, and the exact slot for each candidate is printed on the individual admit card, though the shifts follow a common daily window.

Candidates should reach the centre at least an hour before their reporting time for biometric and document verification, since entry closes strictly at gate closing time.

SBI PO 2026 Exam Pattern

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 consists of three sections-English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability-with a sectional timing of 20 minutes each.

SBI PO 2026 Difficulty Level (Available)

Difficulty depends on the actual SBI PO 2026 paper set in each shift, so this cannot be rated before the exam happens. Section-wise ratings will replace the placeholders here once shifts are conducted.

SBI PO 2026 Section Wise Analysis (August 1)

A short look at each section's usual topic pattern, based on recent cycles, ahead of the actual 2026 papers.

English Language

The English Language section of the exam comprised 40 questions and featured a moderate to difficult difficulty level. The section included a variety of topics such as a difficult six-sentence Para Jumble (5 questions), a grammar-based Cloze Test based on astronomy (6–7 questions), Sentence Rearrangement (5 questions), Double Fillers (3–4 questions), Error Detection based on articles (3 questions), and Word Replacement (3–4 questions). A Reading Comprehension passage based on Elizabeth Mues carried 10 questions, including 5 direct questions, 2 synonym-based questions, 1 word interchange question, and other comprehension-based questions. Overall, the section tested candidates' grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and sentence arrangement skills.

Good attempts for this section: 

Quantitative Aptitude

Reasoning Ability section was heavily dominated by puzzle and seating arrangement questions and was considered moderate to difficult. It included a Circular Arrangement puzzle with eight persons facing both inside and outside (5 questions), a Floors and Flats puzzle (4 floors, 2 flats) carrying 5 questions, a tricky Selection-Based puzzle involving 11 persons (5 questions), a Month-Based puzzle with consecutive months and variables (5 questions), and a Post-Based puzzle with seven posts and variables (5 questions). Apart from puzzles, the section also featured Comparison-Based questions (3 questions), Pair Formation (1 question), and a Meaningful Word question (1 question), testing candidates' logical reasoning and analytical skills.

Good attempts for this section: 

Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude section was of moderate difficulty and included a balanced mix of Data Interpretation and Arithmetic questions. Data Interpretation covered a Bar Graph and Table-based DI (6 questions), a Caselet DI (5 questions), and a Tabular DI (5 questions). The section also included 3 questions on Quadratic Equations, while Arithmetic formed the major portion with 12 questions based on topics such as Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Simple & Compound Interest, Average, and Partnership. Overall, the section tested candidates' calculation speed, accuracy, and problem-solving skills.

Good attempts for this section: 

SBI PO 2026 Prelims Overview

SBI PO 2026 Prelims covers three sections in a single sitting of one hour, with the confirmed structural details released alongside the notification and admit card.

SBI PO 2026 Good Attempts

Good attempts depend on the difficulty of the specific shift, so these cannot be set before the exam is conducted.

With 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer, accuracy matters as much as the number of attempts, particularly in Reasoning where guesswork on puzzles can be costly.

SBI PO Prelims Cutoff Trend (Last 5 Years)

SBI PO 2026 cutoff will be available only after the exam and result process. The actual SBI PO Prelims Cutoff (out of 100) from the last five cycles is included here for reference.

SBI PO 2026 Cutoff (Current Cycle)

SBI PO Prelims Good Attempts Trend (Previous Cycles)

A look at how good attempts actually played out in earlier SBI PO Prelims cycles, for context while shift data for 2026 is awaited.

SBI PO 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

A few instructions candidates should keep in mind heading into the shifts on 1 and 2 August for SBI PO Prelims 2026.

• Reach the exam centre at least one hour before the reporting time printed on the admit card, since gate entry closes strictly at that time.
• Carry a printed SBI PO Admit Card 2026 along with a valid original photo ID, matching the name on the registration.
• Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices and other electronic gadgets are not allowed inside the centre.
• Cooperate with biometric verification and frisking at the entrance, since these steps take time on a busy shift day.
• Confirm the allotted shift, centre and reporting time on the individual admit card rather than relying on a general shift table.

Preparation Strategy for the Remaining Time

With the exam only a day or two away, the focus should shift from learning new topics to sharpening what is already known.

• Attempt one full-length mock per remaining shift slot to build a fixed section order and stick to it on the actual day.
• Revise formulas for profit and loss, simple and compound interest and quadratic equations rather than starting new Quantitative Aptitude topics.
• Go over frequently seen puzzle types (box-based, floor based, circular) instead of practising unfamiliar reasoning formats.
• Keep English preparation limited to timed Reading Comprehension and Cloze Test practice for speed.
• Sleep and travel planning matter as much as revision for whichever shift is allotted, especially for afternoon and evening slots.

Also Check: SBI PO 2026 Study Plan

SBI PO 2026 Prelims brings a familiar three-section, one-hour format for 1500 vacancies, with the same 40, 30, 30 question split and 0.25 negative marking that recent cycles have used. Difficulty, good attempts and cutoff for this specific sitting cannot be set until shifts are actually conducted, so the confirmed pattern and past years' trend above are what aspirants have to plan around for now. Aspirants should treat the coming shifts as a qualifying screen only, since Prelims marks are not carried into the final merit list. Checking the admit card details and reaching the centre early matters as much as revision at this stage.

SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 FAQs

Ques: When is the SBI PO Prelims exam in 2026?

Ques: How many questions are asked in SBI PO Prelims 2026?

Ques: Is there negative marking in SBI PO Prelims 2026?

Ques: What is the expected difficulty level of SBI PO Prelims 2026?

Ques: What has the SBI PO Prelims cutoff trend looked like in recent years?