Is SBI Clerk Prelims only qualifying, or are its marks counted in the final result?

Prelims is a screening stage. The 2026 notification says the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination (Phase I) will not be added for selection, and only the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination (Phase II) are considered for the final merit list.

The three phases

So what score do you need in Prelims?

There is no fixed pass mark. The notification says no minimum qualifying marks are prescribed for individual tests or for the aggregate. In effect, the cut-off is whatever score the last shortlisted candidate in your State and category gets. It changes with every cycle, state and category.

What this means for preparation

• Prelims needs speed in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning. Clear it comfortably, but do not chase a very high score at the cost of Mains preparation.
• Mains adds General/Financial Awareness and Computer Aptitude, which are not in Prelims. Many candidates start these only after Prelims and run short of time.
• Your rank depends entirely on Mains, so a candidate who barely cleared Prelims can still top the merit list.

Mains has a minimum

Unlike Prelims, Mains requires a minimum percentage on the aggregate as decided by the Bank, with 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates.