SBI PO Preparation 2025: Check Important Tips and Strategy

SBI PO exam is conducted for recruitment to the post of Probationary Officer. To ace the exam, candidates must prepare well with sincerity and dedication. Candidates must go through the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. To attempt questions in SBI PO exam with high accuracy and within the given time-frame, candidates should prepare a proper section-wise strategy. Candidates should go through the previous years' question papers, practice papers, and mock tests. Candidates should avoid doing guesswork and focus on accuracy. To know how to crack SBI PO, candidates should focus on managing their time properly while attempting the exam. Candidates should not spend much time on one question.

Watch the video below on how to prepare for SBI PO by experts

How to Prepare for SBI Clerk Prelims and Mains?

Candidates can check the following tips on how to crack SBI PO exam. These tips will help candidates to frame SBI PO preparation strategy and ace the exam:

Revise from Previous Years’ Question Papers 

You should focus on the revision of critical topics. They should put maximum effort into topics with maximum weightage in the SBI PO prelims exam.

Revise with Short Tutorials

A number of video tutorials are available online for bank exam preparation. Short video tutorials are very helpful for revision.

Build a section-wise SBI PO Preparation Tips

There is a fixed time to attempt each section. In order to attempt the maximum number of questions, you must have a clear strategy to attempt each section. If you want to attempt the Reasoning Ability section then they must pre-decide in mind that what types of questions to solve first in this section. For eg: one can devote the first five minutes to puzzle-based questions, the next two minutes to direction-based questions, and so on.

Analyse Mock Tests

You should take the sectional and full-length mock tests during preparation. While in the last phase of preparation, you should not attempt too many mock tests. Also, you must analyse your performance after every mock test. You should identify the weak areas and work upon improving those areas.

Be Clear with Concepts

You must be clear with the concepts. The standard of SBI PO syllabus is of graduation level. You can clear their basic concept of Quantitative Aptitude and rules of grammar from their high school books.

Devise Section-Wise SBI PO Preparation Strategy

You need to prepare a strategy for each section of the exam. The study plan should be such that you divide equal time to each section of the exam.

Learn Shortcuts

You should learn shortcuts for solving questions. Since there are sectional timings, learning shortcuts will help you to attempt maximum questions in less possible time.

Increase Practice

You can practice with more and more sectional tests, and take one mock test every day. Practice on the computer for optimum results.

Guesswork Should be Limited

In SBI PO exam, there is a negative marking for incorrect responses. Therefore, you are advised not to do guesswork.

Avoid Spending too much time on Any Question

While attempting the exam, do not get stuck in any question. If you are unable to understand the question, then leave that. Be careful, while attempting questions based on puzzles.

Section-Wise SBI PO Preparation Tips 

The strategy regarding how to crack SBI PO different sections is explained below:

SBI PO Preparation for English Language

Questions are asked from Reading Comprehension, Cloze test, FIBS, Para jumbled, Grammar (Error identification, Phrase replacement), Word interchange, Match the Clause and Incorrect usage form important components of this section. The questions asked in the prelims exam are much easier than the mains exam. Brush up the grammar and improve the vocabulary by reading daily. It is one of the easiest sections to crack.

• How to prepare for Prepositions in English?
• SBI PO Preparation for English

How to Prepare for SBI PO Interview?

Based on the marks obtained in the mains exam, candidates are called for the SBI PO Interview. In the interview, candidates are asked questions based on their past work experiences (If any), educational background, and questions related to General Knowledge related to the banking sector. The total marks allotted to the interview are 50. Candidates can check below how to prepare for the SBI PO interview: 

• Candidates must be thorough with personal questions 
• They should try to frame their strengths and weaknesses as per their job profile
• As far as profile-based questions are concerned, candidates need to be thorough with their job profile, along with its significance
• Candidates need to know about the sector they are associated with and show their understanding of the same
• For knowledge-based questions, candidates should check current affairs books to strengthen their knowledge of the banking industry
• Candidates should go through the websites of RBI, SEBI, and SBO to gain knowledge regarding its history, functions, importance, and recent changes
• Read newspapers to stay updated with recent news. While reading the newspaper, focus on the business and banking sections
• Candidates must be aware of the industry trends affecting the banking sector
• Learn finance terms, the function of financial institutions, and banking terminology

The tips and tricks to prepare for the SBI PO psychometric test are given below:

1. Research and familiarize yourself with the common types of psychometric assessments used in SBI PO selection
2. Practicing online tests helps candidates to become familiar with the types of questions, improve their time management skills, and identify areas that may require improvement
3. Look at the sample question paper specific to the SBI PO psychometric test. This will give you an idea of the types of questions asked and the skills or traits being assessed
4. Work on your time management skills 
5. Be honest and authentic

Candidates can check below the exam pattern of SBI PO for the preliminary and mains exams.

Prelims Exam

Mains Exam

SBI PO Marking Scheme

The marking scheme is given below:

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

SBI PO Syllabus is given below for different subjects given in the prelims and mains exams:

• Reasoning Ability: Logical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Input-Output and many more.
• English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting, etc.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices, Time & Distance, Work & Time, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Data Interpretation, Number Systems, etc.
• Computer Aptitude: Internet, Memory, Keyboard Shortcuts, Computer Abbreviation, Microsoft Office, Computer Hardware, Computer Software, Operating System, Networking, Computer Fundamentals/ Terminologies.
• General Awareness: Financial Awareness, Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Static Awareness, Banking, and Financial Awareness.

The best books for SBI PO exam are given below:

1. A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwal.
2. Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
3. A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal by BS Sijwali, Indu Sijwali
4. High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin 
5. Objective General English by SP Bakshi
6. Banking Awareness Handbook of Banking Information by NS Toor
7. Manorama Year Book
8. Lucent General Knowledge
9. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R S Aggarwal

1. Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude with 4 eBooks for Competitive Exams by Disha Experts
2. Bank PO Quantitative Aptitude Chapterwise Solved Papers by Arihant Experts

Candidates can check below SBI PO preparation tips 2025 FAQs.