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SBI PO Syllabus, Exam Pattern and
Syllabus

The SBI PO syllabus is very similar to that of any other bank exam. There are three major sections that a candidate needs to prepare to ace the preliminary exam. These are Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language. The sections have a wide range of topics on which questions are based. It is recommended that candidates have a look at the previous year’s papers and know about the weightage of each topic.

SBI PO Syllabus

The preliminary examination of the SBI PO comprises Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language. The mains examination of SBI PO comprises of Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and interpretation, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness, and English Language. Here is the overview of the syllabus of the SBI PO Prelims exam:

  • Reasoning
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • English Language

When a candidate clears the Preliminary Exam, he/she must start preparing for the phase 2 exam. The Mains Examination of SBI PO of 4 sections which are mentioned below:

  • Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • English Language
  • General/ Financial Awareness
  • Descriptive Test

SBI PO Exam Overview

Below table presents the highlights of the SBI PO exam and its selection process.

Particulars Details
Organization Name
State Bank of India
Exam
SBI Probationary Officer
Mode of Exam
Online
Post Name
Probationary Officer
Category
Syllabus
Age Criteria
20 years to 30 years
Selection Process
a) Preliminary Exam
b) Mains Exam
c) Psychometric Test
d) Interview
Negative Marking
-0.25 marks
Location
Central Level Vacancy
Vacancy
To Be Notified
Educational Qualification
Graduate in any discipline
Application Fee
SC/ST/PWD- NIL
General and Others- Rs. 750/-
Participating Banks
State Bank of India
Official Site

SBI PO Exam Pattern and Syllabus

SBI PO exam is conducted in three phases: a prelims exam, mains exam and Psychometric test and Interview. The exam pattern and syllabus of these steps are mentioned below

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern

The SBI PO preliminary examination is conducted online and candidates are allocated total duration of 1 hour (20 minutes for each section) to complete the preliminary exam. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.

There will be no sectional cut-off. However, there will be an overall cut-off. An adequate number of candidates in each category as decided by SBI depending upon requirements will be shortlisted for the Online Main examination. This exam is qualifying in nature and marks scored will not be counted in preparing merit list. 

Particulars Details
Mode of exam
Online
Types of question
Objective type questions
Sections
3 (English Language, Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability )
Maximum Marks
100 marks (Qualifying in nature)
Duration of Exam
60 minutes
Marking Scheme
For every correct answer : +1 marks
For every wrong answer : -0.25 marks
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern in detail
S. No. Subject No. of Questions Maximum Marks Duration
1
English Language
30
30 Marks
20 Minutes
2
Numerical Ability
35
35 Marks
20 Minutes
3
Reasoning Ability
35
35 Marks
20 Minutes
Total
100
100
60 minutes / 1 Hour

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern

The SBI PO Mains exam consists of four sections—Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language—carrying a total of 170 questions for 200 marks to be attempted in 3 hours. Each section has a separate time limit, and candidates must manage their time accordingly during the exam

The SBI PO Mains also includes a Descriptive Test conducted immediately after the objective test. It carries 50 marks and must be completed in 30 minutes. Candidates are required to write an essay and a letter to assess their English writing skills.

Particulars Details
Duration of exam
180 Minutes (For Objective Questions)
30 Minutes (For Descriptive Test)
Types of question
Objective type questions (170)
Descriptive Test (3 Questions)
Mode of exam
Online
Maximum marks
250 marks
Marking scheme
Negative marking : -0.25 for every wrong answer
Sections
1. Objective (Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, Reasoning Ability, General/ Financial Awareness)
2. Descriptive Test (Emails, Reports, Situation Analysis, & Precis Writing )
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern in Detail
S. No. Subject No. of Questions Maximum Marks Duration
1
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
40
60
50 Minutes
2
English Language
40
20
40 Minutes
3
Data Analysis & Interpretation
30
60
45 Minutes
4
General Awareness / Economy /
Banking Knowledge
60
60
45 Minutes
Total A
170
200
3 Hours
Descriptive Test
English
Language
(Descriptive)
Email Writing
1 out of 2
15
30 Minutes
Situation Analysis Writing
1 out of 2
15
Report Writing / Precis Writing
1 out of 2
20
Total B
3
50
Total A+B
250
3 Hours 30 Minutes

SBI PO Syllabus for Prelims and Mains Exam

The syllabus for Numerical Ability / Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability and English Language is the same for mains and preliminary exams. In addition to these three, the other subjects are General / Financial Awareness, Reasoning & Computer Knowledge and Descriptive Test. General Awareness is based on the Banking Sector awareness.

SBI PO Syllabus: Prelims

The SBI PO Prelims Syllabus is not very vast, and candidates can cover it easily within 2-4 month  with proper preparation and practice. The subjects included are Reasoning, English, and Quantitative Aptitude. The chapter-wise syllabus for each section has been mentioned below

English Language Quantitative Aptitude Reasoning
Homonyms
Antonyms
Synonyms
Word Formation
Spelling
Spotting Errors
Idioms and Phrases
Direct and Indirect Speech
Active/Passive Voice
Theme Detection
Passage Completion
Topic rearrangement of Passage
Deriving Conclusion
Cloze Test
Para Jumbles
Reading Comprehension
Miscellaneous
Fill in the Blanks
Sentence Improvement
Ratio and proportion
Averages
Time and work
Ages
Speed Distance and time
Mixture and allegation
Percentages
Partnership
Permutation and combinations
Simple and compound interest
Probability
Profit Loss and Discount
Problem on Trains
Boat and Stream
Mensuration
Data Interpretation
Simplifications
Number Series
Quadratic Equations
Word formation
Syllogism
Analytical Reasoning
Coding-Decoding
Blood Relations
Passage and conclusions
Alphabet test
Alphanumeric Series
Order and Ranking
Direction sense Test
Data Sufficiency
Decision-making test
Input/output
Assertion and reasoning
Sitting Arrangement
Inequality
Puzzles
Series test
Miscellaneous Test
SBI PO Syllabus: Mains

The Mains Examination of the SBI PO exam will constitute 4 sections: Reasoning + Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation and General/Economy/Banking Awareness. The complete SBI PO Mains syllabus is discussed below:

Data Analysis &
Interpretation
Reasoning General/ Economy/
Banking Awareness
English Language Computer
Tabular Graph
Verbal Reasoning
Current Affairs
Reading Comprehension
Internet
Line Graph
Syllogism
Financial Awareness
Grammar
Memory
Bar Graph
Circular Seating
Arrangement
General Knowledge
Verbal Ability
Keyboard Shortcuts
Charts & Tables
Linear Seating
Arrangement
Static Awareness
Vocabulary
Computer Abbreviation
Missing Case DI
Double Lineup
Banking Terminologies Knowledge
Sentence Improvement
Microsoft Office
Radar Graph Caselet
Scheduling
Banking Awareness
Word Association
Computer Hardware
Probability
Input Output
Principles of Insurance
Para Jumbles
Computer Software
Data Sufficiency
Blood Relations
Error Spotting
Computer Fundamentals/ Terminologies
Let it Case DI
Direction and Sense
Cloze Test
Networking
Permutation and Combination
Order and Ranking
Fill in the blanks
Operating System
Pie Charts
Data Sufficiency
Basic of Logic Gates
Coding and Decoding
Coded Inequalities
Course of Action
Critical Reasoning
Decision Making
SBI PO Descriptive Test

The SBI PO Descriptive Paper, which lasts for 30 minutes and is worth 50 marks, tests the candidate’s English skills through letter writing and essay writing. After passing the preliminary and main exams, candidates move on to the interview phase of the SBI PO exam. The final merit list is determined by the marks obtained in both the main exam and the interview

SBI PO Interview

This is the final stage of selection for successful candidates who qualify for the first two phases of the SBI PO exam. The Group Discussion accounts for 20 marks, while the Interview is for 30 marks.

  1. The aggregate marks of all the candidates clearing both the Objective Tests and Descriptive tests will be arranged in descending order in each category.
  2. The decided number of candidates in each category, as governed by the Bank, will be called for Group Exercises and interviews.
  3. The qualifying marks in Group Discussion & Interview will be decided by the Bank.
SBI PO Final Selection

The final score for the SBI PO Exam is calculated keeping the below points in mind:

  1. Marks secured in the Preliminary Exam (Phase-1) will not be considered for selection
  2. Candidates must qualify for Phase-2 and Phase-3 separately to be eligible
  3. Marks secured by the candidates in the SBI PO Mains Exam (out of 250 marks) are converted to out of 75, and marks secured in Group Exercises & Interview (out of 50 marks) are converted to out of 25. This makes the new total score (Mains + GD/PI) to be 100
  4. The aggregate score out of 100 is used for the final merit list for each category. Candidates with top merit rank in each category are finally selected.
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