SBI PO Syllabus 2024 for Prelims & Mains: Download PDF

State Bank of India Probationary Officer Exam 2024 ( SBI PO )

113.7K Views325 Comments
Anangsha Patra

Anangsha PatraDeputy Manager – Editorial

Updated on Dec 12, 2024 12:50 IST

SBI PO Syllabus 2024 is one of the important resources to prepare for the exam. To crack SBI PO 2024 exam, candidates need to be thorough with the syllabus. Going through the SBI PO syllabus, candidates can know the topics that are important for the exam. SBI PO prelims syllabus comprises questions from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning and English Language. SBI PO Mains syllabus comprises questions from Quantitative Aptitude (QA), English Language, and Reasoning Ability, Computer Aptitude, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, etc. The total marks allotted to SBI PO prelims exam are 100. The total marks allotted to SBI PO mains exam are 250. Besides syllabus, candidates must also go through the SBI PO exam pattern. With good SBI PO preparation, candidates can ace the exam. Read below for more details on SBI PO syllabus 2024.

Q:   What is the SBI PO syllabus?

A:

SBI PO syllabus is divided into prelims and Mains exams. The syllabus for the SBI PO (Probationary Officer) exam typically includes the following topics: Reasoning Ability Quantitative Aptitude English Language General Awareness (including current affairs) Computer Knowledge Candidates should be thorough with the syllabus of SBI PO. The question paper in the exam is framed based on the syllabus. Besides, going through the syllabus, candidates must also refer to the previous years' question papers and solve mock tests. SBI PO syllabus is given below:

Reasoning Ability: Logical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Input-Output and many more.

English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting, etc.

Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices, Time & Distance, Work & Time, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Data Interpretation, Number Systems, etc.

General Awareness: Current Affairs, Financial Awareness, General Knowledge, Static Awareness, Banking Terminologies Knowledge, Banking Awareness, Principles of Insurance, etc.

Computer Aptitude: Internet, Memory, Keyboard Shortcuts, Computer Abbreviation, Microsoft Office, Computer Hardware, Computer Software, Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies, Networking, Number System, Operating System, Basic of Logic Gates.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Data Analysis & Interpretation 

 
 
 
 

Reasoning 

 
 
 
 

General/Economy/Banking Awareness 

 
 
 
 

English Language 

 
 
 
 

Tabular Graph 

 
 

Verbal Reasoning 

 
 

Current Affairs 

 
 

Reading Comprehension 

 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Is the SBI PO exam difficult?

A:
The SBI PO exam is difficult but doable. There are some factors which make SBI PO a bit challenging for aspirants. These are as follows: 1. There is a limit to the number of attempts. The aspirants feel pressured to clear the exam with their allotted attempt limits. 2. Standard and tricky questions from sections such as reasoning and DI are common in SBI PO papers. 3. The number of aspirants appearing for SBI PO is not only huge but also diverse. An art stream candidate may have to compete with the already selected clerk of the bank. 4. The time limit is very strict for both the prelim and mains. You have only one hour for the prelims, with 100 questions, and three hours for the 155-question mains. 5. You have to clear sectional cutoffs separately, so you have to be good in all sections equally. 6. The one-fourth negative marking scheme is a challenge, and the aspirant feels the pressure of losing. 25 marks 7. The surprise questions in the main stage further increase the pressure on aspirants. 8. Finally, the group discussion and interview rounds are also very challenging and require quick thinking. However, if you have practiced well and followed a clear strategy, then the SBI Bank PO exam could be cleared.
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Which are important topics for English Language section of SBI PO exam?

A:
The important topics for SBI PO English Language are Reading Comprehension, Cloze test, fill in the blanks, spotting the error, etc. To prepare for this section, candidates should clear their concepts of grammar and vocabulary. They should read the editorial section of the newspaper. The concepts related to grammar and vocabulary can be cleared from the high school level books. The tips and tricks to crack the English section are given below: Candidates must be aware that the Comprehensions carries the maximum weightage in the exam. They are usually the excerpts from the newspapers or magazines. So, candidates must make habit of reading the newspapers daily. They should read the editorial section of the newspapers Candidates must work on improving their vocabulary. Candidates can again improve their vocabulary by reading newspapers and storybooks Candidates should jot down the important words Candidates must practice previous years' question papers
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What are the important topics for the SBI PO Quantitative Aptitude section?

A:

In the Quantitative Aptitude section of SBI PO exam, candidates can focus on Simplification, Number Systems, Data Interpretation, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Sequence and Series etc. The Quant section assess the candidate's calculative ability. The best way to prepare this section is going through the previous years question papers and learning the shortcut tricks. The tips and tricks to crack SBI PO Quant section are given below:

  • Candidates must find out the important topics for Quantitative Aptitude section by analysing the previous year question papers
  • Candidates must learn the shortcut tricks for solving questions
  • Candidates must practice the previous years’ question papers to know the types of questions asked in the exam
  • Candidates must attempt mock tests to improve speed and accuracy
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What are the important topics for the Reasoning section of SBI PO exam?

A:

In the Reasoning section of SBI PO candidates can cover Seating Arrangements, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, etc. To score good marks in this section, candidates should practice previous years' question papers and mock tests. Candidates can also practice sudoku and different types of puzzles. This will help me to solve the questions in Reasoning easily. Candidates can follow the tips given below to prepare the Reasoning section of SBI PO:

  • Cramming does not work for the Reasoning section of SBI PO. Questions are purely logic-based. Practice SBI PO previous year’s question papers as possible to improve the logic-building ability
  • Candidates must start with reading and understanding concepts of the Reasoning topics. Once candidates are able to understand the basics behind each topic, divert the focus on both speed and accuracy
  • Solving questions within time limit is important. Candidates must identify the best way to solve questions keeping in mind both speed and accuracy
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   If I prepare the quantitative aptitude and verbal aptitude of CAT level, will that be of help in the preparation for IBPS or SBI PO exam?

A:
Yes it will definitely help you out. Bank exams are broadly conducted by SBI and IBPS for the post of PO, SO, CLERK etc. These exams are conducted in prelims, Mains and interview phase. Working in a government job comes with complete financial stability. Salaries in public sector go up, whenever the recommendations of a pay commission are implemented. In the recent past, these recommendations have been employee-friendly, thereby making Central Government jobs even more lucrative. This requires deep and complete knowledge of the syllabus.

SBI PO Prelims Syllabus 2024

SBI PO prelims syllabus comprises topics and sub-topics from three subjects-English, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Ability. It is a qualifying stage and candidates must score well in advance to the subsequent stages of the screening process. SBI PO prelims syllabus comprises Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, coding-decoding, syllogism, number series, and quadratic equations. The subjects included in the prelims syllabus are English, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude. There are a total of 100 questions in the preliminary exam of SBI PO. The total marks allotted to the test are 100. 

SBI PO Prelims Syllabus for English

SBI PO Prelims English Syllabus is given below along with the weightage of different topics.

SBI PO Prelims English Language Syllabus Weightage

Reading Comprehension

7-10 Questions

Cloze Test

5-10 Questions

Para jumbles

4-5 Questions

Spotting Errors

5-10 Questions

Fill in the blanks

5-7 Questions

Vocabulary-based Questions

4-5 Questions

Paragraph Completion

3-3 Questions

Sentence Improvement

5-8 Questions

SBI PO Syllabus for Reading Comprehension

  • The passages of Reading Comprehension are mostly based on economics or social issues economy
  • The Reading Comprehension will have vocab-based questions, synonyms and antonyms

SBI PO Syllabus for Cloze Test

  • The passages are mostly based on socio-economic theme

SBI PO Syllabus for Parajumble

A set of four to five sentences are provided and candidates are required to ascertain the correct sequence of those so that they have coherent passage

SBI PO Syllabus for Sentence Improvement

Under sentence improvement, a word(s)/ part(s) of the sentence is given in bold and one need to identify the correct option which can be used to replace them in the sentence.

SBI PO Prelims Syllabus for Reasoning 

SBI PO prelims syllabus for Reasoning Ability comprises puzzles, seating arrangement, coding decoding, etc. The topics as well as their weighatges are given below.

Name of the Topic Expected number of Questions

Puzzles and Seating Arrangement

15-20 Questions (3-4 sets)

Syllogism

4-5 Questions

Inequality

4-5 Questions

Coding-Decoding

3-4 Questions

Input-Output

3-4 Questions

Series-based Questions

4-5 Questions

Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Order, Ranking, etc.

5-7 Question

Data Sufficiency

4-5 Questions

SBI PO Prelims Syllabus for Quant

SBI PO prelims syllabus for Quant includes topics such as Simple Interest & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Data Interpretation, Time & Distance, Number Systems.

Topics Expected Questions

Number Series

5 Questions

Simplification/Approximation

5-7 Questions

Quadratic Equation

4-5 Questions

Data Interpretation

10-15 Questions (2-3 sets)

Miscellaneous Question

10-12 Questions

Data Sufficiency

4-5 Questions

Quantity Based questions

4-5 Questions

Q:   Where can I get SBI PO syllabus PDF?

A:

SBI PO syllabus PDF is divided into preliminary and Mains exams. SBI PO syllabus is of utmost importance for candidates who want to join the State Bank of India as Probationary Officers. The appropriate knowledge of SBI PO syllabus helps candidates to frame apt strategy for the exam. It is equitable to mark the weightage given in the SBI PO syllabus. Candidates should be completely familiar with the SBI PO syllabus PDF to fuel their preparations.

Download Here SBI PO Syllabus PDF

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Is there Maths in SBI PO?

A:

Quantitative Aptitude/Maths is an important and scoring section in SBI PO exam. This section appears in both prelims and Mains exams. So candidates must be thorough with all the basic concepts, tips, shortcuts and important formulas of this part. Questions in this section are asked from Simplification, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Surds, Indices, Time, Distance, Work, Time, Ratio, Proportion, Percentage, Data Interpretation, Number Systems, etc. In the prelims exam, a total of 35 questions are asked. The total marks allotted to this section are 35. In the mains exam, a total of 35 questions are asked. Total marks allotted to this section are 60. Candidates can score good marks in this section by solving the previous year question papers, practicing mock tests, learning the shortcut tricks of solving questions, etc.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is SBI PO Prelims Syllabus?

A:

SBI PO prelims syllabus comprises topics from Reasoning, Quant and English. The syllabus is given below.

Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

Reasoning Syllabus

English Syllabus

Simplification/ Approximation

Alphanumeric Series

Reading Comprehension

Profit & Loss

Directions

Fill in the blanks

Mixtures & Alligations

Logical Reasoning

Cloze Test

Permutation, Combination & Probability

Data Sufficiency

Para jumbles

Work & Time

Ranking & Order

Vocabulary

Sequence & Series

Alphabet Test

Paragraph Completion

Simple Interest & Compound Interest

Seating Arrangement

Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting

Surds & Indices

Coded Inequalities

Sentence Completion

Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere

Puzzle

Tenses Rules

Time & Distance

Syllogism

 

Data Interpretation

Blood Relations

Ratio & Proportion

Coding-Decoding

Number Systems

Input-Output

Percentage

Tabulation

 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is the standard of SBI PO syllabus?

A:
The standard of SBI PO syllabus is of graduation level. The syllabus of SBI PO is different for prelims and Mains exams. SBI PO syllabus for the prelims exam comprises topics from Quantitative Aptitude (QA), English Language, and Reasoning Ability. The syllabus for the Mains exam comprises topics from Quantitative Aptitude (QA), English Language, and Reasoning Ability. SBI PO syllabus is given below: Reasoning Ability: Logical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Input-Output and many more. English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting, etc. Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices, Time & Distance, Work & Time, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Data Interpretation, Number Systems, etc. General Awareness: Current Affairs, Financial Awareness, General Knowledge, Static Awareness, Banking Terminologies Knowledge, Banking Terminologies Knowledge, Principles of Insurance
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2024

The mains exam of SBI PO carries both objective and descriptive-type papers. SBI PO mains syllabus for the objective paper comprises topics from Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, English and General Awareness. The topics prescribed for  Reasoning Ability, Quant and English are the same as prelims exam. However, their difficulty levels vary in the mains exam. The Computer Aptitude and General Awareness appear only in the mains exam. The test paper of the mains exam will have a total of 155 questions. The total marks allotted to the test are 200. SBI PO descriptive paper carries questions based on Letter Writing & Essay. The total marks allotted to the descriptive section are 50.

Get the Top Score in DI and Logical Reasoning section of Competitive Entrance Exams with Expert Prep Tips

Click Here

Prepare for Competitive Exams with Expert Tips on English Section

SBI Click Here

SBI PO Mains Data Analysis & Interpretation Syllabus

SBI PO Data  Analysis & Interpretation syllabus comprises topics from Bar graph, Line graph, Pie chart (single or double), Tabular graph, Radar chart, Mixed graphs, Caselet/Paragraph DI, Missing graphs, Data Sufficiency, Arithmetic problems (especially probability), Quantity-based inequality problems. A total of 35 questions are asked from this section carries 60 marks.

Tabular Graph Line Graph
Pie Chart Bar Graph
Radar Graph Caselet Missing Case DI
Data Sufficiency Probability
Permutation and Combination -

SBI PO Mains Reasoning Syllabus

 SBI PO Reasoning syllabus comprises topics from both Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Questions are asked from Puzzles (Box-Based, Floor-Based, Tabulation, Wing-Based, Scheduling and Mix-Type), Seating Arrangement (Circular, Linear, Dual Row, Square-Based), Inequality, Syllogism, Input-Output, Coding-Decoding. The topics from Non-Verbal Reasoning are Statement and Assumption, Statement and Course of Action, Statement and Argument, Cause and Effect, The deriving conclusion from a passage, etc. SBI PO Reasoning Syllabus is given below.

Verbal Reasoning Syllogism
Circular Seating Arrangement Linear Seating Arrangement
Input-Output Blood Relations
Directions and Distances Ordering and Ranking
Data Sufficiency Coding and Decoding
Code Inequalities Course of Action
Critical Reasoning Analytical and Decision Making

Types of Puzzles

The type of puzzles that are asked in the exam is as follows:

  • Box Based
  • Floor Based
  • Tabulation
  • Wing Based
  • Scheduling
  • Mix type

Seating Arrangement

Following are the types of seating arrangement questions asked in the exam:

  • Circular
  • Linear
  • Dual Row
  • Square-based etc.

SBI PO Mains English Language Syllabus

SBI PO English Language syllabus comprises topics from Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Double Fillers, Para Jumbles, Sentence Rearrangement, Statement and Paragraph Completion, Sentence Correction, Sentence Improvement, and Error Spotting. 

Reading Comprehension Grammar
Vocabulary Verbal Ability
Word Association Sentence Improvement
Para Jumbles Cloze Test
Error Spotting Fill in the blanks

SBI PO Mains General/Economy/ Banking Awareness Syllabus

SBI PO General/Economy/Banking Awareness syllabus comprises topics from Current Affairs, Banking / Financial Awareness and Static Affairs. SBI PO General Awareness syllabus is given below. 

Financial Awareness Current Affairs
General Knowledge Static Awareness
Banking and Financial Awareness -

SBI PO Mains Computer Aptitude Syllabus

Internet Memory
Keyboard Shortcuts Computer Abbreviation
Microsoft Office Computer Hardware
Computer Software Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies
Networking Operating System
Basic of Logic Gates -


Get the Top Score in Numerical Ability section of Competitive Entrance Exams with Expert Prep Tips

Click Here

SBI PO Descriptive Syllabus

The Descriptive Paper of 30 minutes duration with two questions for 50 marks will be a Test of English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). Besides the preliminary exam and the mains exam, psychometric test, interview and group exercises are conducted. The final merit list is made on the basis of marks obtained by a candidate in the mains exam and interview and group exercise.

SBI PO Psychometric Test

SBI PO psychometric test is conducted for personality profiling. The shortlisted candidates will appear for Group Exercises and Interview. Finding of the test may be placed before the Interview panel for having a thorough perspective on the candidates. The psychometric test is an objective way to measure the potential ability of candidates to perform well in the job. Psychometric tests measure a range of skills from cognitive abilities, knowledge to assessing their personality. The tips and tricks to prepare for SBI PO exam are given below:

  • Candidates need to understand the test format of psychometric assessments used in SBI PO selection. The test includes personality questionnaires, situational judgment tests, cognitive ability tests, or others
  • Candidates need to take mock to know the pattern of psychometric test
  •  Look for sample questions or past papers specific to the SBI PO psychometric test. This will give candidates an idea of the types of questions asked in the psychometric test
  • Psychometric tests have strict time limits, so it is important to practice managing time effectively

Q:   Is the SBI PO prelims as tough as it appears to be in mock tests?

A:

The difficulty level of the SBI PO prelims can vary depending on the individual's level of preparation and the specific mock test they have taken. However, it is generally considered to be a challenging exam due to its high competition and the level of knowledge and skill required to pass it. It is important to prepare well and stay focused in order to perform well on the exam. SBI PO exam pattern is such that it is divided into prelims exam, Mains exam, psyhometric test, group exercises and interview. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The Mains exam carries a total of 250 marks. The group exercises and interview carries 50 marks. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for the Mains exam. The marks obtained in the prelims exam are not counted for the final merit list. The pychometric test is also qualifying in nature. The final selection of candidates is done based on the Mains exam and group exercises and interview. 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is SBI PO syllabus for Group Exercises and Interview?

A:

The Group Exercise carries 20 marks and 30 marks are allotted for the interview. Candidates qualifying for Group Exercises and Interview under the ‘OBC’ category will be required to submit an OBC certificate containing the ‘Non-Creamy Layer’ clause. Candidates should score minimum qualifying marks in this phase to get considered for final selection. The ratio of marks considered for mains and interview marks is 75:25. Some of the important questions for SBI PO interview are given below:

  1. Why have you applied for SBI PO?
  2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  3. What do you know about RBI? Tell some of its functions?
  4. How is the RBI Lender of last resort?
  5. Tell about fiscal policy?
  6. What is monetary policy?
  7. What do you mean by FDI?
  8. What is FII?
  9. What should be done to improve the economic growth of the nation?
  10. Tell about Cost- Push and Demand - Pull Inflation?
  11. What do you understand by the term Black Money?
  12. Tell about NITI Aayog and its functions?
  13. Discuss about Finance Commission and its functions?
  14. What is a VAT?
  15. How will you differentiate between direct and indirect taxes?
  16. What is the effect of business cycles on the economy?
  17. What percent of revenue is contributed for CSR by the MNCs
  18. What are MNCs?
  19. What do you understand by CSR?
  20. What is Banking Ombudsman Scheme?
  21. What is NEFT or RTGS?
  22. Where do you see yourself five years down the line?
  23. Are you in favor of demonetization?
  24. What is the impact of demonetization on the Indian Economy?
  25. What is CRR and SLR?
  26. What is the current CRR and SLR?
  27. What is Repo Rate and Reverse Repo rate?
  28. What is the current Repo Rate and Reverse Repo Rate?
  29. How can government stop cash flow in the economy?
  30. What is the post-dated cheque?
  31. Define GDP? What is the current GDP rate in the economy?
  32. What do you know about retail lending?
  33. What is sub-prime lending?
  34. Have you heard about SEZ’s? Tell something about it.
  35. Tell something about Public Finance?
  36. What does the government do to curb the revenue deficit?
  37. What is CTS?
  38. What is meant by priority sector?
  39. Do you have any idea about the financial inclusion?
  40. What are your views on the cashless economy?
  41. Who is the regulator of SEBI?
  42. Do you have any idea about the Stock Market? Share about it.
  43. What are the important macroeconomic indicators that influence stock market?
  44. What are the important macroeconomic indicators that influence stock market?
  45. What is the role of banks in strengthening the economy?
  46. What is Debit and Credit?
  47. What do you understand by SENSEX and NIFTY?
  48. What is the role of WTO in stimulating the Indian economy?
  49. Can you differentiate between cheque and draft?
  50. Do you handle pressure well?
  51. What is appreciation and depreciation of currency?
  52. What is Plastic currency?
  53. How has demonetization affected your household in particular?
  54. Define call money market?
  55. Explain the Bulls and Bears?
  56. Do you know different schemes launched by Modi Government?
  57. What are the implications of OROP?
  58. What are co- operative banks?
  59. What is Bank rate?
  60. What are your opinions on the role of technology in the banking sector?
  61. What do you understand by public expenditure?
  62. What is debt to GDP ratio of a country?
  63. On what basis do banks offer loans?
  64. What are mutual funds? Why are mutual funds better than stocks?
  65. Do you know the difference between shares and debentures?
  66. What is BSE and NSE?
  67. What do you know about Jan Dhan Yojna Scheme?
  68. What are commercial papers?
  69. Any idea about PayPal?
  70. Who is the founder of Pay tm? Do you use Pay tm? Can you tell some of its benefits?
  71. Name some of the PM Social Security Schemes?
  72. What is a balance sheet and a trial balance?
  73. What are the negotiable instruments?
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is SBI PO Mains Syllabus?

A:

SBI PO Mains syllabus is bit exhaustive than prelims syllabus. QUestions in the test are asked from Data Interpretation, Reasoning, General Awareness, English and Descriptive paper. The syllabus is given 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

Directions and Distances

Cloze Test

Networking

Permutation and Combination

Ordering and Ranking

Fill in the blanks

Number System

Pie Charts

Data Sufficiency

 

Operating System

 

Coding and Decoding

Basic of Logic Gates

Code Inequalities

 

Course of Action

Critical Reasoning

Analytical and Decision Making

 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   How many minimum marks are required to crack SBI PO exam?

A:

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
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

SBI PO Exam Pattern 2024

SBI PO prelims exam pattern is such that it is divided into three sections. The exam comprises 100 objective-type questions. The total marks allotted to the test are 100. The duration of the test is one hour. The mains exam according to SBI PO exam pattern comprises both objective and subjective type questions. The total marks allotted to the exam are 250 marks. The Group Exercises and Interview carries 50 marks. Candidates can check below the structure of SBI PO prelims and mains exams.

SBI PO Prelims Exam

Subject Number of Questions Marks Duration

English Language

30

 

100

20 Minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

35

20 Minutes

Reasoning Ability

35

20 Minutes

Total

100

1 Hour

SBI PO Mains Exam

Subject Number of Questions Marks Duration

Objective Test

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

45

60

60 Minutes

Data Analysis & Interpretation

35

60

45 Minutes

General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness

40

40

35 Minutes

English Language

35

40

40 Minutes

Subjective/ Descriptive Test

English Language (Letter Writing & Essay)

2

50

30 Minutes

Total

157

250

3.5 Hours

SBI PO Marking Scheme

  • 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

SBI PO Final Merit List: Weightage of Marks

Phase Exam Weightage (In per cent)

I

Preliminary

0

II

Main

75

III

Interview and Group Exercises

25

Total

100

SBI PO Mock Test 

SBI PO mock test are like actual tests which candidates can give inorder to understand the exam pattern. Candidates should attempt the mock tests inorder to improve their speed and accuracy of solving problems in the exam. Candidates can also learn the effective time management skills by attempting mock tests.

DFP-Banner

Q:   What is SBI PO exam pattern?

A:

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.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is SBI PO exam pattern for the preliminary exam?

A:

 

The preliminary exam of SBI PO comprises the English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. Total marks allotted to the test are 100. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. The prelims exam is only conducted to screen candidates for the Mains exam. The marks obtained in this stage are not counted for the final merit list. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for the mains exam. The structure of SBI PO prelims exam pattern is given below.

Subject

Number of Questions

Marks

Duration

English Language

30

 

100

20 Minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

35

20 Minutes

Reasoning Ability

35

20 Minutes

Total

100

1 Hour

 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is SBI PO marking scheme?

A:

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

 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is the SBI PO exam pattern for the Mains exam?

A:

SBI PO Mains exam comprises both objective and descriptive type tests. The objective test consists of four sections and the descriptive test comprises English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). The total marks allotted to the Mains exam are 250. The duration of the test is 3.5 hours. The objective section carries questions from Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness and English Language. The subjective section carries questions from English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). The test paper carries a total of 157 questions. The structure of SBI PO mains exam is given below.

Subject

Number of Questions

Marks

Duration

Objective Test

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

45

60

60 Minutes

Data Analysis & Interpretation

35

60

45 Minutes

General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness

40

40

35 Minutes

English Language

35

40

40 Minutes

Subjective/ Descriptive Test

English Language (Letter Writing & Essay)

2

50

30 Minutes

Total

157

250

3.5 Hours

 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

How to Prepare for SBI PO 2024?

Given below are few tips to crack SBI PO 2024:

  • Be thorough with the exam pattern and syllabus as it helps to know the overview structure of the exam as well as the important topics
  • Go through the sample papers/previous years' question papers to know the difficulty level of the exam
  • Make a proper study routine and follow that diligently as a part of SBI PO preparation strategy
  • Solve sectional and full-length mock tests to improve speed and accuracy
  • The Quantitative Aptitude section is a scoring section provided candidates need to practice this section with a proper strategy. The best way to prepare this section is to have command over the basics as clearing the basics will set you apart from all other aspirants. Learn the shortcut tricks for solving the questions
  • Candidates need to understand the concept of the questions asked in the Reasoning section. Candidates must solve the previous years' question papers and attempt mock test.

Q:   Can I prepare for SBI PO exam without taking any coaching?

A:

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.

 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   How many minimum marks are required to crack SBI PO exam?

A:

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
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   How to prepare for SBI PO exam?

A:

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.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is the ideal preparation time for SBI PO?

A:

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.

 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Best Books for SBI PO 2024

Books are the best resource to prepare for SBI PO exam. Candidates must buy books that are easy to understand and have covered the syllabus. Candidates must refer to the best books for SBI PO exam to clear the concepts of the topics given in the syllabus. Candidates can refer to the following books for SBI PO.

  • Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Kumar Verma
  • How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma 
  • Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M Tyra
  • Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by RS Aggarwal
  • A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal by B.S. Sijwali and Indu Sijwali
  • Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey (For the chapters required for analytical reasoning)
  • A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
  • Objective General English by SP Bakshi

Q:   Which are the best books for SBI PO General Awareness section?

A:
Questions are asked from Current Affairs Awards & Honours, Sports, Finance, Agriculture, Indian Economy, International Economy, UNO, Marketing, Indian Constitution, History of Banking, Currencies, Books & Authors, RBI Fiscal Policies etc. Refer the following books for this section. Banking Awareness Handbook of Banking Information by NS Toor Manorama Year Book Lucent General Knowledge.
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Which are the best books for SBI PO English?

A:

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

 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   How to choose the best books for SBI PO exam?

A:

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.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Which are the best books for Reasoning section for SBI PO exam?

A:

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
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

SBI PO Syllabus 2024 FAQs

Candidates can check below SBI PO syllabus FAQs. 

Q:   How to prepare for SBI PO GK section?

A:
To prepare the GK section of SBI PO candidates should read newspapers to keep themselves updated with the Current Affairs topics of last one year or six months. Candidates should also be familiar with the banking terminologies, government schemes related to finance, etc. The General Awareness section comprises Current Affairs and Static GK. General/Economy/Banking Awareness carries the maximum marks (60 marks). If candidates mark a wrong answer, 1/4th or 0.25 marks of the total marks assigned to a particular question are deducted to arrive at a corrected score. If candidates leave a question blank, no penalty is marked. Candidates can refer to the books such as Pratiyogita Darpan, Manorama Yearbook, etc.
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Which are the best books for Reasoning section for SBI PO exam?

A:

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
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Which are the best books for SBI PO Quantitative Aptitude?

A:

Questions in Quant section are usually asked from Number Series, Approximation, Square root and cube root, Ratio and Proportion, Average, Partnership, Percentage, Time and Distance, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Data Interpretation, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Permutation, and Combination, etc. The best books for Quant section are given below: Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Agarwal Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma Magical Book on Quicker Mathematics by M Tyra Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Kumar Verma. The tips and tricks to crack SBI PO Quantitative Aptitude section are given below:

  • Candidates must learn the shortcut tricks for solving questions. This will help candidates to save time and they can attempt maximum questions within the given time
  • Candidates can refer to the previous years’ questions to understand the type of questions asked in the exam and the difficulty level
  • Candidates must attempt mock tests to improve the speed and accuracy
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Which are the best books for SBI PO General Awareness section?

A:
Questions are asked from Current Affairs Awards & Honours, Sports, Finance, Agriculture, Indian Economy, International Economy, UNO, Marketing, Indian Constitution, History of Banking, Currencies, Books & Authors, RBI Fiscal Policies etc. Refer the following books for this section. Banking Awareness Handbook of Banking Information by NS Toor Manorama Year Book Lucent General Knowledge.
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Can I know the difference SBI PO-SO exam syllabus and CAT exam syllabus?

A:
Yes, there are not a lot of differences between these two exams. If you are preparing for the CAT exam, you can easily fight the Bank PO exam. The SBI PO exam consists of five sections that are English, reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general awareness and computer knowledge. The SBI exam is held in two parts that is preliminary exam and main exam. While the CAT exam consist three main section as follows: 1.) Quantitative Ability (QA) 2.) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) 3.) Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VRC) Although, there is not major difference in the syllabus but the level of difficulty of the questions in these exams is different. The CAT exam consist higher level of difficulty question. However, SBI is increasing the difficulty level, which make the difficulty level almost same for SBI PO and CAT exam. The SBI SO exam is conducted for the specialist officer in particular fields like, IT officer, law officer, agriculture officer, marketing, HR, officer. It also includes the professional knowledge in the exam. So, candidates must have some professional knowledge in one of the above mentioned field.
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Sarkari Exams exams you must check out

Exams which are to be conducted soon

Exam D-day soon
Cut-off released
SSC GD 2025 Exam Dates

4 Feb '25 - 25 Feb '25

KTET Admit Card

8 Jan '25

SSC JE Tier 1 Application Proc...

Aug '25

IAS 2025 Application Dates

22 Jan '25 - 11 Feb '25

View allSarkari Exams exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Get all exam details, important updates and more.

Download Important Dates for Sarkari Exams Exams
qna

SBI PO Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 weeks ago

The marks scored in Preliminary exam will not be added to prepare the final selection list. Marks scored in Stage 2, which is out of 250, will be converted in a proportion out of 75 marks and Stage 3 scores of candidates, which is out of 75 marks will be converted to 50 marks.

A

Anurag Shivam

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, you can appear for the SBI PO exam after graduating from Netaji Subhas Open University, as long as your degree is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The eligibility criteria for the SBI PO exam require candidates to have a graduation degree from a recognised university, and N

...more

S

Shiv Kumar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The in-hand salary of a Probationary Officer at the SBI becomes INR 52,820 after deductions from the gross salary which is INR 65,780. The salary of SBI PO after deductions is given below.

Particulars

Amount

Income Tax

INR 3,290

Professional Tax

INR 200

PF Contribution

INR 4,196

Contributory Pension Fund

INR 5,274

Total Deductions

INR 12,960

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO application form 2024 cannot be submitted offline. Candidates need to fill the application form online only. The application process of SBI PO comprises several stages such as registration, uploading of scanned photograph and signature, filling the detailed application form, uploading the lef

...more

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The Group Exercise carries 20 marks and 30 marks are allotted for the interview. Candidates qualifying for Group Exercises and Interview under the ‘OBC’ category will be required to submit an OBC certificate containing the ‘Non-Creamy Layer’ clause. Candidates should score minimum qualifying marks i

...more

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the mains exam and interview & GE. Tie-breaking formula is applied to prepare the merit list along with other factors such as cut off marks, number of applicants, and more. The merit list is made available in PDF format along with the cate

...more

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO result is announced online only. There is no facility to check the result offline. The link to check the result is activated on the official website. However, the direct link to check the result is provided on this page. SBI PO result can be accessed by logging with the required credentials.

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The admit card of SBI PO contains the following details.

               Candidate’s details

Candidate’s name

Photograph

Signature

Correspondence address

   Exam Details

Roll number

Password

Registration number

Venue of exam

Date of exam

Reporting time

Venue code

General instructions

 

 

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

There are no sectional cut off in SBI PO prelims and mains exams. Candidates are only required to secure the overall cut off in the exam. Only those candidates are considered for the next round who secures the cut off marks. The cut off is the minimum qualifying marks that candidates need to secure

...more

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO prelims cut off is not taken into consideration for final selection. The cut offs of the mains exam and interview are taken into consideration for final selection. SBI PO cut off for the prelims exam is only considered to select candidates for the mains exam. 

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates

26 Dec '24: RRB ALP 2024 Exam Date for CBT 1 for Technician posts
7 Dec '24 - 27 Dec '24: SBI Clerk 2024 application form for special recruitment drive
9 Dec '24 - 30 Dec '24: CSIR NET December Session Application Form 2024
2 Dec '24 - 31 Dec '24: AFCAT 1 Application Form 2025
2 Jan '25 - 20 Jan '25: TSTET Exam Date