SBI PO Syllabus 2026: Phase-Wise Exam Pattern & Selection Process

SBI PO Selection Process – Overview

The selection for State Bank of India Probationary Officer (SBI PO) is done through a three-phase process: Phase I – Preliminary Examination, Phase II – Main Examination, and Phase III – Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Personal Interview.

Phase I: Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination is an objective test for 100 marks, conducted online with a total duration of 1 hour. It has 3 sections, each with its own separate timing (1 mark per question, so the questions and marks per section are equal):

• English Language — 40 questions / 40 marks — 20 minutes
• Quantitative Aptitude — 30 questions / 30 marks — 20 minutes
• Reasoning Ability — 30 questions / 30 marks — 20 minutes
• Total — 100 questions / 100 marks — 1 hour

Selection Criteria for Main Examination

A category-wise merit list is drawn based on the aggregate marks scored in the Preliminary Examination. There is no sectional cut-off in the Preliminary exam. Candidates numbering approximately 10 times the number of vacancies in each category are shortlisted for the Main Examination from the top of this merit list.

Phase II: Main Examination

The Main Examination is conducted online and consists of an Objective Test for 200 marks and a Descriptive Test for 30 marks. The Descriptive Test is administered immediately after the Objective Test, and candidates type their answers on the computer.

(i) Objective Test — 3 hours, 200 marks, 4 sections

• Section I — Reasoning & Computer Aptitude — 40 questions — 60 marks — 50 minutes
• Section II — Data Analysis & Interpretation — 30 questions — 60 marks — 45 minutes
• Section III — General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge — 60 questions — 60 marks — 45 minutes
• Section IV — English Language — 40 questions — 20 marks — 40 minutes
• Total — 170 questions — 200 marks — 3 hours

(ii) Descriptive Paper — Communication Skills — 30 minutes, 30 marks

3 questions worth 30 marks, to be answered in 30 minutes:

• Email writing (1 out of 2 options)
• Situation Analysis (1 out of 2 options)
• Either Report Writing or Precis Writing (1 out of 2 options)

Grand Total (Main Exam): 230 marks, 3 hours 30 minutes

Selection Criteria for Phase III

• Sectional cut-off in Main Examination: Candidates must score a minimum qualifying score in each test/section individually (Test I, II, III, IV, and the Descriptive Paper). Sectional cut-offs are decided by the Bank based on the number of vacancies.
• Minimum aggregate qualifying score: A category-wise merit list is drawn on the aggregate marks scored in the Main Examination. Candidates numbering approximately 3 times the category-wise vacancies are shortlisted for Phase III from the top of the merit list, subject to scoring the minimum aggregate qualifying score decided by the Bank.

Penalty for Wrong Answers (Prelims & Main)

There is a penalty for wrong answers in the Objective Tests. For each wrong answer, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question is deducted to arrive at the corrected score. No penalty is applied for questions left blank.

Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Personal Interview

Psychometric Test: Conducted for personality profiling of candidates shortlisted for Phase III. Findings are placed before the Interview panel for a thorough perspective on the candidate. It may be conducted in proctored mode or at identified exam centres, as decided by the Bank. All questions are mandatory.

Group Exercise & Personal Interview: Group Exercise carries 20 marks and the Interview carries 30 marks, for a total of 50 marks. Minimum qualifying marks for both are decided by the Bank.

Final Selection & Normalization

Candidates must qualify in both Phase II and Phase III separately. Marks obtained in the Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive) are added to the Phase III marks for the final merit list. Marks from the Preliminary Examination (Phase I) are not counted towards the final merit list.

Since Main Examination and Phase III use different maximum marks, both are normalized to a common scale before the final merit list is prepared:

• Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive): 230 marks → normalized to 75 marks
• Group Exercise & Interview: 50 marks → normalized to 25 marks
• Total normalized marks: 100

The final merit list is prepared by aggregating the normalized marks (out of 100) from Phase II and Phase III. The provisional selection list is drawn from the top merit-ranked candidates in each category.

SBI PO Syllabus – Prelims

English Language

• Reading Comprehension
• Fill in the Blanks
• Cloze Test
• Para Jumbles
• Vocabulary
• Sentence Rearrangement
• Paragraph Completion
• Multiple Meaning / Error Spotting
• Word Association / Arrangement
• Sentence Improvement
• Sentence Completion
• Tenses Rules
• Double Fillers
• Word Usage
• Inequalities
• Pair Formation
• Match the Column
• Error Detection

Quantitative Aptitude

• Simplification / Approximation
• Quadratic Equations
• Profit & Loss
• Mixtures & Alligations
• Permutation, Combination & Probability
• Time & Work
• Sequence & Series
• Simple Interest & Compound Interest
• Mensuration (Cylinder, Cone, Sphere)
• Time & Distance
• Data Interpretation (Pie / Bar / Caselet / Table)
• Ratio & Proportion
• Number Systems
• Percentage

Reasoning Ability

• Alphanumeric Series
• Directions
• Logical Reasoning
• Data Sufficiency
• Ranking & Order
• Alphabet Test
• Puzzle & Seating Arrangement
• Inequality
• Coded Inequalities
• Syllogism
• Blood Relations
• Coding-Decoding
• Input-Output
• Tabulation

SBI PO Syllabus – Mains

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

Reasoning topics:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Syllogism
• Seating Arrangement & Puzzles
• Double Lineup
• Scheduling
• Input-Output
• Blood Relations
• Directions and Distances
• Ordering and Ranking
• Data Sufficiency
• Coding and Decoding
• Coded Inequalities
• Course of Action
• Critical Reasoning
• Analytical and Decision Making

Computer Aptitude topics:

• Computer Abbreviations
• Microsoft Office
• Computer Hardware
• Internet
• Memory
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Computer Software
• Operating System
• Networking
• Computer Fundamentals / Terminologies

Data Analysis & Interpretation

• Tabular Graph
• Line Graph
• Bar Graph
• Charts & Tables
• Missing Case DI
• Radar Graph Caselet
• Probability
• Data Sufficiency
• Double Line Up
• Caselet DI
• Permutation and Combination
• Pie Charts

General / Economy / Banking Awareness

• Current Affairs
• Financial Awareness
• General Knowledge
• Static Awareness
• Banking Terminology
• Banking Awareness
• Principles of Insurance

English Language

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

Descriptive Test (30 Marks)

Candidates attempt 2 tasks: one letter-writing task (Formal Letter or Letter to RBI/Bank Manager) and one from Precis Writing, Report Writing, or Essay Writing, based on banking, economy, and social topics.

Phase III: Personal Interview

The interview assesses the candidate's personal background, banking awareness, current events, ethical judgment, and career motivation.