1.What is SBI PO?
The SBI PO exam is conducted by the State Bank of India to recruit Probationary Officers for its branches across the country. The selection process includes three main stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Mains Examination
- Group Discussion & Personal Interview (Phase III)
This blog focuses on the Mains Exam – a critical stage that tests a candidate’s in-depth knowledge and aptitude.
2. SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern
The Mains Examination consists of two parts: Objective Test and Descriptive Test, conducted in online mode.
1. Objective Test (200 Marks)
Duration: 3 hours
Sections:
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 50 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hours |
2. Descriptive Test (50 Marks)
Duration: 30 minutes
-
Essay Writing (1 topic)
-
Letter Writing (1 topic)
Note: The descriptive test is conducted immediately after the objective test and is essential for selection.
3.Key Highlights of the SBI PO Mains Exam
- No sectional cut-off: Candidates are selected based on aggregate scores.
- Penalty for wrong answers: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer in the objective section.
- Merit-based shortlisting: Only those scoring above a decided cut-off are called for Phase III.
4.Syllabus Overview
Here’s a brief idea of what you need to focus on for each section:
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- Puzzles & Seating Arrangement
- Input-Output
- Coding-Decoding
- Data Sufficiency
- Statement & Argument
- Basic Computer Awareness
Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Caselet DI
- Line Graphs, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts
- Probability & Permutation
- Data Sufficiency (Quantitative)
- Time-Speed-Distance, Profit-Loss (High Level)
General/Economy/Banking Awareness
- Current Affairs (Last 4-6 months)
- Banking Terminology
- Indian Financial System
- Economic Policies & News
- RBI Functions and Reports
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Improvement
- Para Jumbles
- Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
Descriptive Test
- Topics on economy, banking, current affairs
- Formal/informal/business letters
5.Preparation Strategy for SBI PO Mains
- Master Time Management: Practice full-length mock tests to manage sectional timings effectively.
- Focus on Accuracy: Avoid guesswork, as there is negative marking.
- Revise Current Affairs Daily: Follow reliable sources like daily current affairs blogs, YouTube summaries, and monthly PDFs.
- Practice Essay and Letter Writing: Make it a weekly habit to write on current events and banking topics.
- Analyze Mock Tests: Post-test analysis helps identify weak areas and improve performance.