SBI SO Preparation Tips: Check Section-Wise Prep Tips

State Bank of India Specialist Officer 2024 ( SBI SO )

Anangsha Patra

Anangsha PatraDeputy Manager – Editorial

Updated on Mar 24, 2024 17:37 IST

SBI SO exam is conducted for recruitment to the post of Specialist Officer. Candidates should begin their preparation for the exam well before the exam date. They must make a proper preparation plan and go along with it. Making a proper study routine helps candidates with time management during exam preparation. Candidates must be serious and diligent to crack the exam. Before one begins with their preparation, there are some basics about the SBI SO exam that one must be aware of. Candidates must understand the syllabus and pattern of exam. They should also go through the previous years’ question papers to know the topics and types of questions asked in the exam. Candidates must also buy good preparation materials that will aid their preparation. In this article, we have provided SBI SO preparation tips.

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

A:

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.
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Q:   How to prepare for SBI SO 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.

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Section-Wise SBI SO Preparation Tips

SBI SO exam pattern is different for different posts. For some posts, selection is done based on shortlisting and interview. For some other posts, selection is based on the online exam and interview. The online exam comprises questions from English Language, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude and Professional Knowledge. Check below SBI SO section-wise preparation tips:

English Language: To ace this section, candidates must have a strong hold on grammar and vocabulary. They should develop reading habits and go through the editorial section of the newspapers. Note down new words or vocabulary.

Reasoning Ability: Candidates need to have a formulated study plan to get through this section. Candidates must first segregate the important chapters. Always complete the difficult topics first and keep the easier ones for revising later. Make notes as it will help in the last minute revision. Keep practicing regularly to get better idea of topics.

Quantitative Aptitude: To ace this section, candidates need to strengthen their basic Mathematics. This can be improved with practice. Solve one chapter at a time. Write down all the steps as it will help in quick revision. Take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Learn important formulas and theorems. Practice previous years’ question papers.

Professional Knowledge: This section is different for different courses. This section includes papers for various IT and Finance programs such as Statistic, Operating System, Database Management System, Compiler Design, Communication and Networking, Software Engineering, Law, Chartered Accounting, etc. Candidates must prepare notes, revise each and every topic regularly, clear concepts, take mock tests and practice previous years’ question papers to ace this section.

Also Read: SBI SO Syllabus

Q:   How many times is the SBI SO exam held in a year?

A:

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.

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Q:   What type of questions are asked in the SBI SO exam?

A:

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.

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General Tips and Tricks to Crack SBI SO Exam

Few general tips and tricks to crack SBI SO exam are given below:

  • Candidates must practice mock tests regularly as it will give them a fair idea of the exam pattern and the level of questions
  • Candidates must keep themselves updated with the current affairs by reading newspapers to get a hang of the banking and finance topics
  • While preparing for SBI SO, candidates must try to concentrate and study topic-wise
  • Candidates must focus on the weak areas. They must work harder and try to solve the topics that are difficult

Read More: SBI SO Books

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Answered a month ago

So very nice 

A

Aakash

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a month ago

Few important points about SBI SO admit card are given below:

  • SBI SO admit card or call letter is available online only
  • Candidates can download online SBI SO call letter for a certain period only, therefore, it is advisable to download it well in advance as many candidates face technical issues later 

...more

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

 SBI SO password can be retrieved by following the simple steps below:

  • Click on the 'Forgot Password' section at the bottom of the login page
  • Enter necessary login credentials
  • Click on 'Get Password'
  • The new password is sent to the registered email ID and mobile number

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

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