SBI PO Preparation 2024: Check Important Tips and Strategy

Candidates must follow the tips given below to clear the exam: Revise the important topics from each section Allot time judiciously to each question or section Attempt the maximum questions within the given time limit and with accuracy Read the complete question first Maximize your score by focusing on choosing the most accurate option as your answer Revise all the topics Attempt full-length and sectional mock test. The section-wise preparation tips for SBI PO exam are given below:

English Language

• Candidates must develop the habit of reading regularly. Candidates must read newspapers, novels, articles, journals
• Reading books help candidates in improving the vocabularly and comprehension
• Practice grammar regularly
• Candidates must brush up their grammar rules 

Reasoning Ability

This section can be tricky at times. However, with practice candidates can easily ace this section. Puzzles and Seating Arrangement are two important topics in the Reasoning section. Maximum questions in the exam are asked from these two topics. Candidates should practice questions from these two topics daily.

Quantitative Aptitude

Maximum questions in this section are asked from data interpretation. Questions of Data Interpretation are usually based on basic calculations like Ratios, Proportions, Averages, Profit/ Loss, Percentages, etc. So, understand the basics of these topics properly. The bar/ Line/ Pie/ Tabular chart may ask the questions. Questions in Artithmetic section are asked from topics such as Averages, Percentages, Problems on Ages, Profit & Loss, Partnership, Simple & Compound Interest, Mixture & Alligation, Time & Work, Boats & Streams, Pipes & Cisterns, Time Speed & Distance, Probability, Mensuration, etc. Candidates need to underatand the concepts and basic formulas.

General Awareness

To score good marks in the General Awareness section, candidates must read newspapers and watch news channels to know regarding the latest events taking place around the world.

The descriptive paper comprises questions based on Essays and Letters. This paper test the and English Language and writing skills of candidates. The descriptive paper carries two questions. The total marks allotted to this paper are 50. The descriptive paper is conducted online for 50 marks. Candidates are not allowed to use the keyboard while answering the questions. They need to type the answers using the mouse. The topics from where questions are asked in the Descriptive Test are given below:

• Views on acquisitions and mergers of banks
• Privatization of Banks and its effects on the common public
• Handling of bad banks
• Disinvestment of Public Sector Units
• Promoting the use of UPI among the common people: Their advantages and disadvantages
• Challenges before Nationalized Banks
• Merger of banks
• Indian Banking System: Positive and negative elements
• The economic condition of India
• Public and Private sector banks
• FDI in India

The prelims exam comprises objective-type questions from English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. The total marks allotted to the test are 100. The Mains exam of SBI PO comprises both subjective and descriptive tests. The objective paper carries questions from Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness and English Language. The descriptive paper carries questions from English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). The total marks of the exam are 250. Candidates are given 3.5 hours to complete the paper. Candidates qualifying the mains exam are called for psychometric test, group exercises and interview. The psychometric test is qualifying in nature and no marks are allotted for this test. The Group Exercises and Interview carries 50 marks. 

Candidates can check below some last minute preparation tips for SBI PO:

• It is crucial that candidates must be clear with the exam pattern and syllabus
• Candidates must solve the time-consuming topics first. In English, candidates must solve topics such as Cloze test, spotting errors, fillers, vocab questions from RC. In, Quantitative Aptitude solve questions such as Number Series, Simplification/ Approximation, Data Interpretation. In Reasoning Ability solve questions from Syllogism, Inequality, Coding-Decoding, Blood relations, direction sense, etc.
• Candidates must attempt a good number of questions with accuracy to clear the cut-off marks
• The Prelims exam is all about time management, speed, and accuracy
• Candidates must maintain their speed from the start of the test
• Candidates should not panic even if they get a new pattern of question
• Candidates must keep calm and solve the questions with accuracy

Also Read: SBI PO Last Minute Preparation Tips

Yes, you can prepare for SBI PO exam without taking any coaching. However, you need to be consistent and serious about your studies. Y ou need to attempt mock tests, refer to the good study materials and solve the previous years' question papers. Preparing for SBI PO exam requires utmost dedication, determination and zeal to crack the exam. SBI PO is one of the most competitive exams in the country and preparation for the exam requires a effective strategy. SBI PO preparation can be done at home without any format coaching with predefined goals and determination. SBI PO exam preparation requires indepth understanding of English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability, Computer Ability, Data Analysis & Interpretation, & General/Economy/Banking Awareness and the English Language. SBI PO exam is conducted in several stages-prelims exam, mains exam, psychometric test, interview and group exercises. For each stage, candidates need to strategise their preparation in a effective manner if they do not opt for coaching.

Ideal time duration to prepare for SBI PO is one year. However, many candidates have cracked the exam by preparing for only six or four months. Candidates should prepare for the exam with dedication and sincerity. The amount of time required for SBI PO preparation also depend on the candidate's knowledge and understanding about the different subjects given in the syllabus, study habits and schedule, level of dedication towards the exam. On an average, it is recommended to dedicate at least six months of consistent study and preparation for the SBI PO exam. The preparation includes reviewing and understanding the syllabus, exam pattern, practising sample papers, attempting mock tests, staying updated with the current events. Candidates must prepare the study routine that it is best suitable to them.

SBI PO descriptive paper is a part of the Mains phase of the examination. The descriptive paper is an online test of 30 minutes and comprises questions from Essay Writing and Letter Writing. Candidates can follow the tips below to ace the descriptive paper:

• Be well prepared with the basic grammar 
• Build a strong vocabulary by learning new words everyday
• Read newspapers and magazines to improve writing skills
• Practice essay writing based on the recent events
• Practice formal letter writing on various topics to boost confidence
• Use important points while writing an essay or letter

SBI has introduced a Psychometric Test in Phase III of SBI PO exam pattern. The psychometric test is personality profiing of candidates who are selected for Phase III of SBI PO exam. The result of the psychometric test is placed before the interview panel so that they have full understanding of the candidates. SBI PO Psychometric Test determine whether a candidate is psychologically qualified for the position of the banker. The test basically assess logical reasoning, job-specific aptitude, position-specific attributes, personality type, stress management, and much more.

Click here to read more on SBI PO Psychometric Test

A psychometric test is conducted to check the intelligence test, power of decision-making, and personality assessment. The test is designed to be reliable, and objective which means candidates have to choose what they intend to do as a measure.  Check the sample questions below for the SBI PO psychometric test.

There was 1 question related to the opinion of the candidate whether luck plays an important role or it is just an outcome of the acts you did.
Part B, C, and D consisted of 5 options that were:

a) Agree

b) Strongly Agree

c) Disagree

d) Strongly Disagree

e) Neutral

Most of the questions were based on the beliefs.
Behavioural Questions: These questions were asked to know about the behaviour of the candidates.
Situational Judgement Questions: Situational Judgement Questions are the questions in which candidates have to take a stand on any of the acts presented in front of themselves.
Personality Questions: Some questions were to acknowledge the personality of the candidate.
Emotional Intelligence Test.

The SBI PO psychometric test takes 90 minutes to complete. The psychometric examination for the SBI PO will be given online. Psychometric tests are designed to assess an individual’s personality traits, cognitive abilities, and other psychological characteristics. These tests can include various types of assessments, such as personality questionnaires, situational judgment tests, and cognitive ability tests. The interview panel will be provided with the results of the psychometric test so they can fully understand the candidate. So be careful not to undervalue the significance of this test.

The tips and tricks to prepare for SBI PO psychometric test are given below:

• Understand the test format of the exam
• Practice online tests to improve the speed and accuracy
• Review sample questions
• Work on time management

SBI PO exam pattern is such that it is divided into prelims, Mains, psychometric test, group exercises and interview. In 2022, SBI has revised the exam pattern. The psychometric test was introduced in the Phase 3 exam pattern. There is no weightage for this test and the performance of candidates in this stage will be shared with the interview panel. SBI PO prelims exam comprises three sections-Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The test paper carries a total of 100 questions. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for the mains exam. The mains exam comprises both objective and subjective-type tests. The total marks allotted to the mains exam are 250. Candidates qualifying the mains exam are called for psychometric test. The psychometric test is qualifying in nature. Candidates qualifying the psychometric test are called for group exercises and interview. The group exercises and interview carries 50 marks.

SBI PO marking scheme is prescribed by the examination authority. The scores of candidates are calculated as per the marking scheme. SBI PO marking scheme is given below:

• For incorrect answers, one-fourth of marks assigned to a particular question in the objective test are deducted as penalty to arrive at the corrected scores
• There is no negative marking for the subjective part of the Mains exam
• If a question is left blank, there will be no penalty for that question

The examination authority decides category-wise SBI PO cut off marks to select candidates for the subsequent rounds of selection process. There is no sectional cut off marks. However, candidates need to secure the overall cut off marks as per their categories. There are no qualifying marks in SBI PO exam. Candidates need to secure the cut off marks in the exam as per their category. The question paper of SBI PO is made available in both English and Hindi. Candidates can choose the language of the question paper as per their convenience. The cut off is the minimum qualifying marks that candidates need to secure inorder to qualify the exam.

The prelims and mains exams of SBI PO are conducted online. The prelims exam of SBI PO carries a total of 100 marks. The mains exam of SBI PO carries 250 marks. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for the mains exam. However, the marks of the prelims exam are not counted for the final merit list. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for the mains exam.

This section of SBI PO exam includes questions from Tabular Graph, Data Sufficiency, Caselets, Permutation and Combination, etc. To solve Data Interpretation questions, candidates must practise by referring to the previous years' question papers. The tips and tricks for the Data Interpreparation questions are given below:

• Candidates need to first understand and interpret the given data before proceeding with the calculations
• Candidates need to first understand the difficulty level of questions to understand which one to attempt first and which one to attempt later
• Candidates need to master the technique of attempting these questions with speed. There are several shortcut tricks that save a lot of time in solving the graphs and charts
• Candidates must know the different types of questions and formats of Data Interpretation

SBI PO Mains exam is conducted for the candidates who qualify the prelims exam. For SBI PO Mains exam, candidates can refer to the following books:

• Objective English for Competitive Examinations by Hari Mohan Prasad and Uma Rani Sinha
• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R S Aggarwal
• A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal
• The Complete Success Package for SBI PO by Disha Experts

It is also important to practice with previous years' question papers and mock tests to familiarise themselves with the format of the exam. 

The SBI PO examination is one of the sought-after exams in the country. Candidates must prepare for the exam with vigour and zeal. The most important aspect of the preparation phase is getting the best books for SBI PO Exams from the market. With so many books and study materials on the market, it is not easy to find where to start. Candidates should choose the best books for SBI PO preparation in order to ace the exam. Candidates needs to be thorough with the exam pattern and syllabus in order to choose the best books for SBI PO. While selecting the books, they should look for those books that have covered the entire syllabus. Candidates should also choose the books that are simple and easy to understand.

The English Language section is also the most important in SBI PO Examinations, along with the Quantitative Aptitude section. This section holds 30 and 40 marks in Prelims and Mains examinations, respectively. Additionally, 50 marks are allotted to the descriptive test. The syllabus includes the following topics such as Reading comprehension, Error correction, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Idioms and phrases, Synonyms, Antonyms. Given below are the best books for SBI PO English:

• Objective General English by SP Bakshi
• Descriptive General English by SP Bakshi and Richa Sharma
• High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

In Reasoning, questions are asked from Coding & Decoding, Inequalities, Syllogisms, Puzzles, Blood Relations, Direction Sense Problems, Data Sufficiency Problems, Series Problems, Input and Output, Statement-Assumption, Order and Ranking, etc. The best books for Reasoning section are given below: A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwal. Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal by BS Sijwali, Indus Sijwali. The tips and tricks to crack SBI PO Reasoning section are given below:

• Prepare well new types of puzzles of moderate level
• To solve puzzles, candidates must organize the information in the desired structure like table, circle, line, etc.
• Use shortcut tricks to solve questions
• Candidates must solve questions from syllogism without pen or paper
• Candidates must learn the basic rules of the topic before attempting the coding-decoding questions

The minimum marks to crack SBI PO exam isn't disclosed yet by the governing committee. It depends on the level of competition and the number of vacancies they have. Based on these, after the examination is over, the committee decides the cut-off level and sends notifications to the qualifying candidates informing them of further procedures. There are no sectional cut off marks in SBI PO exam. Candidates need to secure the overall cut off marks as per their categories in the exam. The marks of candidate are calculated as per the marking scheme. The marking scheme is given below:

• There is SBI PO negative marking for wrong answers, one-fourth marks assigned to a particular question in the objective test are deducted as penalty to arrive at the corrected scores
• There is no SBI PO negative marking for the subjective part of the mains exam
• If a question is left blank, there will be no penalty for that question
• For correct answers, candidates score one mark