SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026: Check Prelims & Mains Student Review & Good Attempts

State Bank of India Probationary Officer Exam 2026 ( SBI PO )

Shikha Goyal
Updated on Mar 18, 2026 16:11 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026: The authority will release the notification soon which will consists of the detailed information about the exam. After the conclusion of an exam, the SBI PO 2026 exam analysis will be provided here based on the feedback received from the students. The exam analysis is considered crucial as it provides the information about the overall difficulty level of an exam, section-wise difficulty, topics asked in the SBI PO exam

The SBI PO exam is divided into prelims, mains and interview. The prelims exam carries 100 marks. The mains paper consists of 250 marks. Read below for more details on the SBI PO exam analysis 2026. 

Table of contents
  • SBI PO Previous Years' Exam Analysis
  • SBI PO Cut off
  • SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026
  • SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 FAQs
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SBI PO Previous Years' Exam Analysis

The analysis help candidates to understand the difficulty level of an exam. What type of questions asked, number of good attempts across various shifts, etc. Candidates with the help of analysis can strategise their preparation and manage time accordingly. To help candidates understand the difficulty level of the SBI PO exam, we have provided below the SBI PO previous years' exam analysis. 

Overall Difficulty

Sections Total Questions Good Attempts Difficulty Level
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 40 14-18 Moderate
English Language 40 27-35 Easy
Data Analysis & Interpretation 30 9-13 Difficult
General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness 60 14-20 Moderate
Total 170 64-86 Moderate-Difficult

Section-Wise Question Distribution

Data Analysis & Interpretation

Topic No. of Questions
Bar Graph DI (A, B, C, D - boys and girls based - ratio and percentage given) 4

Caselet DI (based on A and B units sold)

5

Line Graph With Table and Ring DI

4

Pie Chart DI (sold, unsold - 360 degree angle)

5

Number Series (variable-based)

2
Arithmetic Questions (time and work, fraction-based, probability, mensuration) 5
Misc.  5
Total 30

Reasoning

Topics No.of.Questions
Designation Puzzle (7 persons) 3
Floor-based puzzle (10 persons, 5 floors) 5
Floor and Flat-based puzzle (3 floors, 2 flats) 3
Data Sufficiency 3
Year-based Puzzle with blood relation 5
Coded Direction 3
Logical/Critical Reasoning 11
Input Output 4
Coding Decoding  3
Total 40

English Language

Topics No. of Questions

Reading Comprehension (2)

  1. Injection needles and medication - 9
  2. Employment-based - 6
15

Para jumbles (7 sentences)

5

Connectors

4
Error Spotting (paragraph-based) 3
Double Fillers 4
Match the column (fillers and connectors based) 3
Misc. 6
Total 40

SBI PO Exam Analysis for Descriptive Paper 

The descriptive paper carried the following type of questions:

  1. Write an email to digitalize the office complaint box.
  2. Apartment neighbor-based, bank financial year-based on wrong information on loan. 
  3. To improve CSR activity in a Steel factory company 
  4. Road construction based (130 word count)

SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2025

Overall Difficulty

Sections Total Questions Good Attempts Difficulty Level
Reasoning Ability 30 19-25 Easy-Moderate
Quantitative Aptitude 30 16-22 Easy-Moderate
English Language 40 24-30 Easy-Moderate
Overall 100 59-77 Easy-Moderate

Section-Wise Difficulty

Reasoning

Topic No. of Questions
Parallel row seating (single variable, 14 persons) 5
Circular seating (7 persons, double variable, inside facing) 5
Age puzzle (single variable) 5
Box puzzle (single variable) 5
Month-based puzzle 5
Syllogism 3

Misc.

Meaningful word - 1

Forward, backward -1

2
Total 30

English Language

Topic No. of Questions

Reading comprehension

Topic: English Angola’s Economic Budget Status

Synonyms: Grim, Stall

10
Error Spotting 5
Cloze test 6
Word usage 2
Phrase replacement 4
Jumbled sentences 5
Sentence Rearrangement 5
Match the column 3
Total 40

Quantitative Aptitude

Topic No. of Questions

Pie chart DI (based on variable)

6

Bar graph DI + Table DI

(related graduate, post-graduate students in college)

6
Caselet DI 5
Quadratic equation 3
Arithmetic problems 10
Total 30

SBI PO Exam Analysis 2025 Video

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which are important topics for English Language section of SBI PO exam?
A: 

For SBI PO English Language important topics are Reading Comprehension, Cloze test, fill in blanks, and spotting error. To prepare for this section candidates must work on concepts of grammar and vocabulary.

Q:   What is SBI PO exam analysis?
A: 

SBI PO exam analysis is made available to candidates for different shifts after the exam get over. The exam review comprises the section-wise difficulty level, number of good attempts, types of questions asked and expected cut off. The exam analysis helps the students appearing in the subsequent exam shifts to know the difficulty level and type of questions asked in the exam.

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. You need to be consistent and serious about your studies. Attempt mock tests, refer to the good study materials and solve previous years question papers. You need to have 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. 

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SBI PO Cut off

SBI PO cut off is the minimum qualifying mark that candidates need to secure for the exam. The cut off is released separately for the prelims exam, mains exam, and final selection. Candidates need to secure the overall SBI PO cut off marks inorder to qualify the exam. There are no sectional cut off marks in the exam. SBI PO last year cut off for the prelims exam is given below.

Category Cut-Off Marks
GEN 59.25
SC 53
ST 47.50
OBC 59.25
EWS 59.25
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the factors affecting SBI PO cut off?
A: 

SBI PO cut-off marks are calculated based on the exam difficulty. It also depends on the number of vacancies. SBI PO cutoff is also based on the number of appeared candidates.

 

Q:   Is the SBI PO difficulty level the same across all shifts?
A: 

SBI PO difficulty level vary slightly between shifts. That's why shift-wise analysis helps determine normalisation impacts and accurate cutoff predictions.

Q:   How to prepare for SBI PO English?
A: 

SBI PO English section comprises Reading Comprehension, Error Detection, Cloze Test, etc. Candidates can solve questions from these chapters by improving vocabularly and grammar. They should read the editorial of the newspaper.

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SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026

SBI PO prelims exam pattern comprises three sections. Total marks allotted to the test are 100. The duration is one hour. The mains exam carries both objective and descriptive tests. The interview carries 50 marks.

Prelims Exam

Subject Number of Questions Marks Duration

English Language

40

 

100

20 Minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

30

20 Minutes

Reasoning Ability

30

20 Minutes

Total

100

1 Hour

Mains Exam

Subject

Number of Questions

Marks

Duration

Objective Test

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

40

60

50 Minutes

Data Analysis & Interpretation

30

60

45 Minutes

General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness

60

60

45 Minutes

English Language

40

20

40 Minutes

Subjective/ Descriptive Test

English Language (Letter Writing & Essay)

2

50

30 Minutes

Total

157

250

3.5 Hours

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What details are mentioned in SBI PO exam pattern?
A: 

The exam pattern is divided into prelims exam, mains exam, psychometric test, interview and group exercises. 

Q:   In which mode is SBI PO exam conducted?
A: 

The prelims and mains exams of SBI PO are conducted online. The prelims exam of SBI PO carries a total of 100 marks. The mains exam of SBI PO carries 250 marks. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for the mains exam. However, the marks of the prelims exam are not counted for the final merit list. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for the mains exam.

Q:   Are there any qualifying marks in SBI PO exam?
A: 

The examination authority decides category-wise SBI PO cut off marks to select candidates for the next rounds of selection process. There is no sectional cut off marks. Candifdates need to secure only the overall cut off.

 

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SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 FAQs

Candidates can check below SBI PO exam analysis 2026 FAQs below.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the weightage of marks in SBI PO exam?
A: 

The marks obtained in the prelims exam are not counted for the final merit list. Final selection of candidates is done based on the Mains exam and group exercises and interview. The weightage of marks given to the Mains exam are 75 and 25 to Interview & Group Discussion.

 

Q:   Why is SBI PO exam analyis important?
A: 

SBI PO exam analysis helps candidates to know the difficulty level of the exam. The exam review also help them in identifying the expected cut off. Candidates appearing in the upcoming shifts can plan their strategies. 

 

 

Q:   Are there any qualifying marks in SBI PO exam?
A: 

The examination authority decides category-wise SBI PO cut off marks to select candidates for the next rounds of selection process. There is no sectional cut off marks. Candifdates need to secure only the overall cut off.

 

Q:   What is SBI PO 2025 Prelims good attempts?
A: 

SBI PO 2025 prelims good attempts refer to the number of questions attempted successfully by candidates. The number of good attempts is given below.

SectionsTotal QuestionsGood Attempts
Reasoning Ability3019-25
Quantitative Aptitude3016-22
English Language4024-30
Overall10059-77
Q:   Does SBI PO exam analysis predict the cutoff?
A: 

SBI PO exam analysis give candidates an expected cut off range but the actual cut off is decided after normalisation and result evaluation. SBI PO exam analysis is predicted based on the difficulty level of the exam.

Q:   What were the distribution of questions in the Quant section of SBI PO 2025 prelims exam?
A: 

The distribution of questions in the Quant section of SBI PO 2025 prelims exam is given below.

TopicNo. of Questions

Pie chart DI (based on variable)

6

Bar graph DI + Table DI

(related graduate, post-graduate students in college)

6
Caselet DI5
Quadratic equation3
Arithmetic problems10
Total30
Q:   What were the distribution of questions in the Reasoning section of SBI PO prelims exam?
A: 

The distribution of questions in the prelims exam is given below.

TopicNo. of Questions
Parallel row seating (single variable, 14 persons)5
Circular seating (7 persons, double variable, inside facing)5
Age puzzle (single variable)5
Box puzzle (single variable)5
Month-based puzzle5
Syllogism3

Misc.

Meaningful word - 1

Forward, backward -1

2
Total30
Q:   Are there any sectional timings in SBI PO exam?
A: 

Yes, there are sectional timings in SBI PO prelims and Mains exam. To answer each section in the prelims exam, candidates get 20 minutes. For descriptive test, candidates get 30 minutes. The duration of the Reasoning & Computer Aptitude is 50 minutes, Data Analysis & Interpretation is 45 minutes, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness is 45 minutes and English Language section is 40 minutes. 

Q:   Is SBI PO normalisation is grace marks?
A: 

SBI PO normalisation is not grace marks. The normalisation of marks is done to adjust the difficulty level of the question papers across various sessions. This process is followed since the exam is conducted in multiple shifts. The difficulty levels of the question papers are different.

Q:   How many marks are allotted for Group Exercises and Interview in SBI PO exam?
A: 
The maximum marks allotted for Group Exercises and Interview are 50. In the Interview and Group Exercises, candidates are judged on the basis of their personality and intelligence. There are no sectional cutoff marks in SBI PO exam. Candidates need to secure the overall cutoff marks fixed by the examination authority for the different stages of exam. There is SBI PO negative marking for wrong answers in SBI PO exam. One-fourth marks will be deducted as penalty for wrong answers in SBI PO exam. For correct answers, candidates score one mark.
Q:   Which are important topics for English Language section of SBI PO exam?
A: 

For SBI PO English Language important topics are Reading Comprehension, Cloze test, fill in blanks, and spotting error. To prepare for this section candidates must work on concepts of grammar and vocabulary.

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SBI PO Exam

Student Forum

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

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO interview is conducted for candidates who qualifies the Mains exam. The interview carries questions related to the educational qualification background hobbies current affairs etc. It basically asseses the personality of candidates.

B

Bhumika Lama

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The Reasoning section forms the most necessary part of the SBI PO exam. This section can be prepared by practising the past years papers. Candidates must also attempt mock tests. 

I

Ishita Aggarwal

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO English section comprises Reading Comprehension, Error Detection, Cloze Test, etc. Candidates can solve questions from these chapters by improving vocabularly and grammar. They should read the editorial of the newspaper.

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO result is announced online. Candidates does not get any email intimation regarding the declaration of the result. The direct links to download the results for different stages of recruitments are provided on this page. Candidates can access these by logging with the required credentials.

C

Chanchal Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO result for different stages is announced within one month after the exam is conducted. The result is announced online. Candidates can download it by logging with the required credentials. The hard copy of the result is not sent by post.

J

Jasleen Harsha

Contributor-Level 7

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