State Bank of India has announced 7,150 vacancies for SBI Apprentice 2026 and the online application window runs from May 19 to June 8, 2026 . The written test is tentatively scheduled in July 2026 . Read this practical guide to the SBI Apprentice Syllabus 2026, the exact exam pattern and how to prepare in eight weeks.
Quick overview: SBI Apprentice Syllabus 2026 — what this guide covers
This page gives a one‑page snapshot of the SBI Apprentice Syllabus 2026 and the exam pattern you will face. It tells you which topics matter in each section, how the test is timed, and what to prioritise in the last month.
Who should read this: final‑year students, fresh graduates, repeat aspirants and those shifting to banking from other fields. Use the study plan, practice tips and application checklist to convert preparation into a clear action plan.
Key dates, vacancies and application window (at a glance)
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Vacancies announced | 7,150 |
| Application window | May 19, 2026 — June 8, 2026 |
| Exam (tentative) | July 2026 |
| Apply on | official website sbi.bank.in |
| Languages | Hindi, English, Regional languages |
Keep a scanned copy of your shortlisted documents ready before you open the application. The official notification on sbi.bank.in will have full eligibility rules and any state‑wise instructions.
Exam pattern — precise breakdown
- Mode: Online objective test. 100 questions, 100 marks.
- Sections: Four — General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude.
- Questions & marks: 25 questions per section , 25 marks per section .
- Timing: 15 minutes per section , total 60 minutes .
- Negative marking: 1/4 mark for each wrong answer.
- Merit: Prepared state‑wise and category‑wise. There is 5% relaxation in qualification marks for SC/ST/OBC/PwPD candidates.
Exam pattern table
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| General English | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
You must be able to switch sections quickly. Each section is separately timed, so plan your order and section‑level strategy before the test.
Section‑wise syllabus: General / Financial Awareness
What to prioritise: current affairs from the last 6–12 months, core banking awareness, functions of the Reserve Bank of India, major government policies and schemes, budget highlights and static GK relevant to banking.
High‑yield subtopics
- Banking products and services (types of deposits, loans, KYC basics).
- RBI functions: monetary policy tools, repo/CRR/SLR basics, role in supervision.
- Recent policy announcements: budget highlights, major economic packages, GST changes affecting banking.
- Financial terms: NPA, capital adequacy, Basel norms basics.
- Banking regulator names, headquarters and key dates.
How to convert news into practice
Turn short news items into one‑line Q&A. Example: “Which bank launched X on Y date?” or “What is the current repo rate?” Maintain a weekly one‑page bank awareness file you revise twice a week.
Section‑wise syllabus: General English
Topics you will see: reading comprehension, cloze tests, para jumbles, error spotting, sentence correction, vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms), one‑word substitution and fill‑in‑the‑blanks.
Skills to build
- Speed reading for RCs: learn to identify main idea, tone and question type quickly.
- Elimination techniques for grammar and vocabulary questions.
- A compact set of grammar rules: subject‑verb agreement, tenses, prepositions, articles, and modals.
Daily drills
- One RC (10–12 minutes) + 10 mixed practice questions.
- 15 minutes on error spotting / sentence improvement using short grammar notes.
- 10 vocabulary items daily (use flashcards for retention).
Section‑wise syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude
Core and advanced topics
- Basics: number system, percentages, ratio & proportion, averages, simple & compound interest, profit & loss.
- Work and distance: time & work, time, speed & distance, trains and boats (basic formulas only).
- Data interpretation (DI): tables, bar/pie/line charts — this section is high scoring if you practice.
- Advanced: quadratic equations, permutations & combinations, probability, mensuration, number series.
Common question types and shortcuts
- Learn table conversion for DI (row → percentage, column → ratio) to save time.
- Memorise squares up to 30 and common cubes; use approximation for lengthy calculations given sectional time limits.
- Avoid calculators; practice mental math and short tricks for percentages and ratios.
When to attempt DI
DI items can be lengthy. In the 15‑minute Quant section, triage: if the chart is simple, solve; for heavy calculations, skip and return only if time allows.
Section‑wise syllabus: Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
Reasoning topics
- Puzzles, seating arrangements (linear/circular), syllogism, blood relations, coding‑decoding, inequalities, direction & distance, series and alphanumeric patterns.
Computer aptitude topics
- Basics of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), internet fundamentals, input/output devices, memory & storage, operating systems and common keyboard shortcuts.
How to approach this mixed section
Practice mixed sets often. Puzzles and seating arrangements are high weight; solve them using diagrams. For computer questions, focus on concepts and common terms — most items test recognition, not deep technical knowledge.
8‑week practical study plan (day‑by‑day focus and mock schedule)
This plan assumes at least 2–3 hours daily on weekdays and 4–5 hours on weekends. Adjust hours if you have more or less time.
Week 1–2: Foundation and coverage
- Day 1–7: Cover basics for each section — light DI practice, 2 RCs, 30 reasoning problems, banking awareness daily summary.
- Day 8–14: Finish topic lists: geometry/mensuration basics, grammar rules, RBI functions and current affairs roundup.
Week 3–4: Consolidation and speed building
- Alternate days: full section practice under 15‑minute timing.
- Two sectional mocks per week (one Quant + Reasoning, one English + GA).
- Maintain error log and revise weakest topics on weekends.
Week 5–6: Mock test focus
- Start taking full objective tests in the exact pattern — four separately timed sections.
- Analyse performance: track accuracy, speed and question selection.
- Increase DI and puzzle practice; reduce topics with consistent mistakes.
Week 7: Intensive revision
- Daily topic‑wise revision: 30 minutes GA, 30 minutes English, 45 minutes Quant, 45 minutes Reasoning/Computer.
- Two full tests with strict section timing.
Week 8: Final polish and restful taper
- 3 full tests (with analysis). Last 3 days reduce practice: light mocks, revise one‑page notes and bank awareness file.
8‑week mock schedule (sample table)
| Week | Mock frequency | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | 1 sectional mock/week | Build basics and timing habit |
| 3–4 | 2 sectional mocks/week | Improve speed and accuracy |
| 5–6 | 3 full mocks/week | Real exam simulation and analysis |
| 7–8 | 2–3 full mocks/week | Final adjustments and confidence build |
Track three metrics after every mock: accuracy (%), attempted questions, and time per question by section.
Sectional time management and question selection tactics
Each section gives you 15 minutes for 25 questions — roughly 36 seconds per question on average. You must triage.
Triage strategy
- Easy‑first: answer straightforward questions in the first 8–10 minutes of the section.
- Mark‑and‑move: for medium‑difficulty or lengthy items (long RC or DI), mark them and move to the next; return only if you have time.
- Last 3–4 minutes: attempt flagged questions after quick recheck.
Negative marking tactic
With 1/4 negative mark , avoid wild guesses. If you can eliminate at least one option out of four, guessing becomes slightly advantageous. If you cannot eliminate any option, skip.
Dealing with DI and RC
- For long DI sets, compute totals and look for easy options first (percentages, simple sums).
- For RC, answer factual questions first (line references), then inference questions.
Mock tests, practice resources and a short reading list
Recommended practice approach
- Use weekly sectional mocks to build timing. Combine topic exercises (30–50 questions daily) with one full mock test twice a week after Week 4.
- Keep a handwritten revision file: one page per topic for formulas, bank facts and grammar rules.
Books and online resources
- Standard reasoning and quantitative aptitude books for bank exams are useful for concepts and tricks.
- For banking awareness, follow RBI releases, budget summaries and a current affairs digest covering the last 6–12 months.
- For English, daily RC practice from newspapers or focused comprehension books will help.
Build a personalised mock bank
Maintain the top 100 questions you got wrong and revise them weekly. This is more effective than blind practice.
Application and eligibility checklist you should prepare before applying
Documents to keep ready
- Photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/Voter ID), scanned passport‑size photo and signature.
- Education proof (degree/mark sheet) and any category certificate if applicable.
- Proof of domicile or local status if you intend to be considered for state‑wise merit.
Eligibility red flags to verify
The notification on sbi.bank.in will have full eligibility criteria (age limits, specific educational qualifications and nationality). Note the official relaxation: 5% relaxation in qualification marks for SC/ST/OBC/PwPD candidates.
Application tips
- Fill the online form before the last day to avoid server load.
- Double‑check scanned files meet size and format limits stated on the portal.
- Save the final submission PDF and note your registration number.
Understanding merit list, selection flow and what to expect after the written test
What the written test decides
The merit list is prepared state‑wise and category‑wise based on the online written test. Successful candidates are commonly called for document verification and other local formalities as per the notification.
Plan for selection outcomes
If you clear the merit cut‑off, expect calls for document verification and identity checks. Prepare original certificates and a set of photocopies. If you are relocated, budget for temporary accommodation and travel until final joining.
Last‑minute checklist: 7 days, 3 days and exam‑day routine
7 days out
- Focus on light practice, revision notes and one or two full mocks.
- Do NOT try new topics; consolidate strengths.
3 days out
- Go through one‑page files: formulas, bank facts, and grammar lists.
- Relaxation: sleep early, limit screen time at night.
Exam‑day
- Carry an original photo ID and exam admit card (print as instructed).
- Reach the centre early; verify language medium and technical setup.
- Follow sectional timing strategy and avoid last‑minute panic guesses.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Pitfall: speed without accuracy
Many students attempt too many questions and lose accuracy. Track accuracy in mocks and set realistic attempt targets per section.
Pitfall: neglecting banking awareness
General/Financial Awareness can be a scoring section with minimal daily effort. Keep a weekly bank file and revise it twice a week.
Pitfall: ignoring sectional practice
Sections are separately timed; practicing mixed questions under overall timing will not be enough. Do timed practice for each 15‑minute block.
Quick fixes
- Maintain an errors log and revise it every week.
- Use elimination techniques to improve accuracy on English and reasoning.
- Practice DI templates to save calculation time.
Appendix: quick reference tables and printable checklists
Printable exam day checklist
- Admit card (print) and original photo ID.
- Passport‑size photograph (if specified by notification).
- Pens, water bottle and a light snack for before/after the test.
- Phone switched off and stored as per exam rules.
One‑page syllabus cheat sheet
| Section | Key topics to revise |
|---|---|
| GA | Banking terms, RBI functions, recent budgets, major schemes |
| English | RC, cloze, error spotting, para jumbles, vocabulary |
| Quant | Percentage, ratio, averages, DI, quadratic equations |
| Reasoning/Computer | Puzzles, seating, coding, OS, MS Office basics |
Sectional timing quick reference
- 15 minutes per section — plan for 8–10 mins easy questions, 4–6 mins for medium and 1–2 mins review.
Official links and mock tests
Check the official website sbi.bank.in for the detailed notification and syllabus PDF. Use reputable mock series and timed sectional tests that mimic the exact pattern.
FAQs
Q1: When does the SBI Apprentice application window open and close? A1: The online application opens on May 19, 2026 and closes on June 8, 2026 .
Q2: How is the SBI Apprentice written test structured? A2: The test is online objective with 4 sections , 100 questions and 100 marks . Each section has 25 questions and 15 minutes . Total duration is 60 minutes .
Q3: Is there negative marking in SBI Apprentice 2026? A3: Yes. A penalty of 1/4 mark is applied for every incorrect answer.
Q4: How many vacancies are available for SBI Apprentice 2026? A4: The bank has announced 7,150 vacancies.
Q5: What languages will the exam be available in? A5: The test will be held in Hindi, English and regional languages as specified in the notification.
Q6: Where can I find the official syllabus and notification? A6: Visit the official SBI website sbi.bank.in for the full notification, state‑wise merit rules and any downloadable syllabus PDF.