Is a calculator allowed in the SBI Clerk exam?

No. The 2026 notification says candidates are not permitted to use or have in possession of calculators in the examination premises. The Prelims booklet adds that no calculator - separate or built into a watch - is allowed.

Other banned items

• Mobile phones, pagers and smart watches
• Any other communication device
• Books, notes and written material

Any infringement leads to cancellation of candidature and disciplinary action, including a ban from future exams. SBI also advises not to bring banned items to the venue at all, because safekeeping cannot be assured.

What you do get

• Rough sheets: all rough work must be done on the sheets provided. You must return them before leaving, and a candidate who does not return them can face action.
• An on-screen question palette to move between questions within a section.

How to prepare without a calculator

The Numerical Ability and Quantitative Aptitude sections are designed for mental and paper calculation. To get fast:

• Learn squares up to 30, cubes up to 20, and tables up to 20.
• Memorise percentage-fraction equivalents (1/8 = 12.5%, 1/6 = 16.67% and so on).
• Practise approximation daily - round numbers sensibly and check options before calculating.
• Use the options. In many questions you can eliminate answers by the last digit or a rough estimate.
• Do your practice tests on paper too, so the rough-sheet habit is natural on exam day.