SBI SO Books 2023: Check Subject-wise Best Books for Exam Preparation

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

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 State Bank of India (SBI) Specialist Officer (SO) exam is conducted once annually. This frequency ensures that the bank can systematically manage the recruitment process for various specialist categories, aligning with its staffing needs and organizational planning. The SBI SO exam is part of the bank’s larger recruitment strategy, which includes other positions such as Probationary Officers (PO) and Clerks. Each year, the bank releases a notification detailing the vacancies, eligibility criteria, and other relevant information for the SO exam. Candidates aspiring to join SBI in a specialist capacity should keep an eye out for the official announcement and prepare accordingly. The annual schedule allows ample time for candidates to prepare and aligns with the bank’s structured approach to inducting new talent into its specialised roles.

The SBI Specialist Officer (SO) exam features a diverse set of questions tailored to assess the candidate’s proficiency in various areas relevant to the specialist role. The written exam typically consists of two papers:

• Paper-I focuses on testing reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and English language skills. It includes objective-type questions that evaluate analytical abilities, numerical problem-solving, and comprehension of English.
• Paper-II is centered around professional knowledge, with questions designed to gauge the candidate’s expertise in their specific field, be it, law, finance, or any other specialised domain.

The question types range from basic knowledge checks to application-based queries that require candidates to apply their understanding to solve complex problems. The exam’s structure ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s capabilities, making it a crucial step in the selection process for various specialist positions within SBI.

The State Bank of India (SBI) does not impose a limit on the number of attempts for the Specialist Officer (SO) examination. Candidates can apply for the SBI SO exam as many times as they wish, provided they meet the age and other eligibility criteria specified for the post they are applying for. This open attempt policy allows candidates to improve their performance and apply multiple times to increase their chances of selection. However, it’s important to note that while there is no restriction on the number of attempts, candidates must still fall within the prescribed age limits for their category each time they apply.

Generally, at least six months of dedicated preparation is required to cover the comprehensive syllabus and test different question types. During this time, you will be able to fully grasp the concepts, boost your problem-solving skills, and enhance your speed and precision. You will need to focus on reasoning, quantitative ability, English language skills, and professional knowledge. You will also need to do regular mock tests and revise topics to reinforce your learning and identify areas that require more focus.