IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk exams are among the most popular bank exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants apply for both exams. Both exam offers a permanent central government job in a Public Sector Bank in India. If you are also a banking aspirant or a beginner who wants to start their career in banking, you might have thought about which exam is easy to crack. Both exams are of a national level and neither of them is easy to crack. The difficulty level of these exams depends on many different factors, which we are discussing here.
IBPS Clerk Exam and SBI Clerk Exam Overview
The IBPS Clerk Exam and SBI Clerk Exam are two of the most popular entry-level banking exams in India, attracting lakhs of aspirants each year. The IBPS Clerk Exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to recruit clerks for multiple public sector banks, offering a wider range of opportunities across the country. On the other hand, the SBI Clerk Exam is conducted exclusively by the State Bank of India to recruit Junior Customer Service Associates (Clerks) for its branches, providing the advantage of working with India’s largest public sector bank. Both exams consist of Prelims and Mains stages, have similar exam patterns with sectional timings, and test candidates in Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English, while the Mains also includes General/Financial Awareness. Although the difficulty level and cut-offs may vary, both exams demand speed, accuracy, and consistent practice to secure a banking career.
Which Exam You Should Prepare For?
If you want a promising career in the banking sector, you should prepare for both of these exams as the exam pattern and syllabus are almost similar for both exams. Every year, the vacancies and cut-offs fluctuate based on various factors. The IBPS Clerk 2025 short notification is out, and the SBI Clerk Notification is expected soon. Now, if you start preparing for IBPS Clerk, you will be able to clear the SBI Clerk exam too. Both exams require your speed and accuracy in common banking subjects like Quant, Reasoning, English Language, and General/ Banking Awareness. Therefore, if you are aiming to clear banking exams this year, you should prepare for IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk from today only.
Factors Determining the Difficulty Level of IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk Exams
The difficulty level of IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk exams depends on multiple factors that influence the preparation strategy and final cut-off scores. Understanding these factors helps aspirants choose the right exam and prepare effectively.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Both exams have Prelims and Mains stages with similar subjects, which are Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General/Financial Awareness. However, SBI Clerk Mains sometimes includes slightly advanced puzzles, complex DI sets, and tougher GA questions, making it a bit more challenging than IBPS Clerk. But not every time this happens, so you should be ready for the unexpected changes.
Competition Level
The competition level is almost similar in both cases. Sometimes SBI Clerk seems tougher because of larger number of candidates appearing for the exam.
- SBI Clerk: Attracts a larger number of candidates due to the brand value of SBI, increasing the overall competition.
- IBPS Clerk: Competition is relatively similar because vacancies are distributed across multiple participating banks, improving selection chances.
Vacancy Trends
The vacancy trends change every year. Sometimes SBI releases more vacancies and IBPS releases fewer vacancies, and sometimes vice versa.
- IBPS Clerk usually releases higher combined vacancies for various banks, which reduces cut-off pressure.
- SBI Clerk vacancies have been higher in recent years, and sometimes less than IBPS, and because of its brand value, more number of candidates appear for the exam, and fewer seats raise the cut-off despite similar exam difficulty.
IBPS Clerk Expected Vacancy 2025
Cut-Off Trends
Cut-offs depend on vacancies, competition, and exam difficulty level. Cut-offs of both of these exams also vary every year. In the last two years, the cut-off of IBPS Clerk and the cut-off of SBI Clerk remained between 75 to 80 marks. Look at the cut-off and vacancy trends provided in this blog below.
Exam Difficulty and Question Type
SBI Clerk exam difficulty level is unpredictable. The section-wise difficulty level changes most of the time. The difficulty level of IBPS Clerk has remained moderate over the years.
- IBPS Clerk: Focuses on moderate-level questions, ideal for candidates with strong basics.
- SBI Clerk: Includes tricky reasoning puzzles, advanced DI, and dynamic GA questions, testing both speed and analytical skills.
Note: These details are based on the available data, and the difficulty level may vary this year. So, you should prepare for IBPS Clerk now, as the short notification is out and aim for SBI Clerk also.
IBPS Clerk vs SBI Clerk – Vacancy and Cut-Off Trends
The IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk vacancies fluctuate every year, and the cut-offs also remain almost the same, with a slight difference. The table below provides a clear view of the vacancies and cut-off trends of both these exams from 2020 to 2024.
| Year | Exam | Vacancies (Approx.) | Prelims Cut-Off (General Category) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | IBPS Clerk | 6,128 | 76–80 (State-wise variation) | Moderate difficulty, decent vacancies |
| SBI Clerk | 14,191 | 75–79 (Varies by state) | Tougher GA in Mains | |
| 2023 | IBPS Clerk | 4,545 | 75–78 | Lower cut-offs due to more vacancies |
| SBI Clerk | 8,733 | 72–77 | Moderate to high competition | |
| 2022 | IBPS Clerk | 6,035 | 73–76 | Moderate paper, fair competition |
| SBI Clerk | 5,008 | 74–78 | Slightly tougher than IBPS Clerk | |
| 2021 | IBPS Clerk | 7,855 | 70–75 | More vacancies led to slightly lower cut-offs |
| SBI Clerk | 5,000 | 73–77 | High competition, tougher reasoning | |
| 2020 | IBPS Clerk | 2,557 | 68–74 | Lowest vacancies in recent years |
| SBI Clerk | 8,000+ | 70–76 | Easy paper but high competition |
Why You Should Apply for Both Exam?
Applying for both IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk exams significantly increases your chances of starting a career in the banking sector. While the exam patterns and syllabus are quite similar, appearing for both allows you to utilize the same preparation for double the opportunities. IBPS Clerk offers multiple participating banks and higher combined vacancies, making selection chances higher, whereas SBI Clerk provides the prestige, stability, and career growth of working with India’s largest public sector bank. By attempting both exams, you can maximize your chances of selection, gain valuable exam practice, and ensure that even if you miss one opportunity due to high competition or limited vacancies, the other exam could still secure your banking career.
IBPS Clerk or SBI Clerk – Which Is Easy to Crack?
This is a competitive exam and none of these exams is easy to crack. But you can crack both of these exams with consistent practice and dedicated preparation. All you need is a study plan (for months, days, or weeks) that works for you. Divide your study slots and make small targets for the day, and strive to achieve those targets every day. Make the best use of available online resources. Practicing and appearing for both exams prepares you for the banking profession. When you are appearing for multiple bank exams, you are getting a real-life experience, which will help you in clearing the exam further. At last, believe in yourself and be consistent in your preparation, and remember that you are heading towards success!
Join our exclusive Telegram group where our experts are ready to answer all your queries, guide you in banking exam preparation, and give personalized tips to boost your success. Get access to real-time solutions, expert advice, and valuable resources to improve your study journey.
Related Blog on SBI Clerk 2025 Exam
| SBI Clerk Salary 2025 | SBI Clerk Cut Off 2025 |
| SBI Clerk Syllabus 2025 | SBI Clerk Previous Year Question Paper |
| SBI Clerk Study Plan | SBI Clerk Preparation Strategy |
Other Related Blogs on IBPS Clerk exam
IBPS Clerk or SBI Clerk – Which Is Easy to Crack?: FAQs
Yes, both exams follow a similar syllabus including English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability for Prelims, and General/Financial Awareness and Computer Knowledge in Mains.
Yes, the syllabus and exam pattern are similar, so one preparation strategy works for both. Focus on mock tests and time management to succeed in either exam.
Applying for both exams doubles your chances of selection and ensures that similar preparation can help you secure a banking job in at least one of the two.
- Sign Up on Practicemock for Updated Current Affairs, Topic Tests and Mini Mocks
- Sign Up Here to Download Free Study Material
Free Mock Tests for the Upcoming Exams
- IBPS PO Free Mock Test
- RBI Grade B Free Mock Test
- IBPS SO Free Mock Test
- NABARD Grade A Free Mock Test
- SSC CGL Free Mock Test
- IBPS Clerk Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB PO Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB Clerk Free Mock Test
- RRB NTPC Free Mock Test
- SSC MTS Free Mock Test
- SSC Stenographer Free Mock Test
- GATE Mechanical Free Mock Test
- GATE Civil Free Mock Test
- RRB ALP Free Mock Test
- SSC CPO Free Mock Test
- AFCAT Free Mock Test
- SEBI Grade A Free Mock Test
- IFSCA Grade A Free Mock Test
- RRB JE Free Mock Test
- Free Banking Live Test
- Free SSC Live Test