SBI PO Preparation 2026: Check Important Tips and Strategy
State Bank of India Probationary Officer Exam 2026 ( SBI PO )
Exam On - To be notified
SBI PO Preparation 2026: State Bank of India conducts SBI PO exam to select candidates for the posts of Probationary Officers. Large number of candidates participates in the SBI PO exam. To clear the exam, it is necessary to have a good preparation strategy. Candidates can begin their SBI PO 2026 preparations by going through the syllabus. They must also understand the exam pattern. They should mark answers correctly in the exam as there are negative markings. It is advised that candidates must learn from their mistakes. Read below for more details on SBI PO preparation 2026.
- SBI PO Preparation Tips 2025
- SBI PO 2026 Section-Wise Preparation Plan
- How to Prepare for SBI PO Interview?
- SBI PO Exam Pattern
- SBI PO Books
- SBI PO Preparation Tips 2026 FAQs
SBI PO Preparation Tips 2025
To prepare for SBI PO exam, candidates must be thorough wth the syllabus and pattern. They should create timetable and follow it. Work on improving speed. Also practice writing for Descriptive test. The strategy to crack the prelim and mains exams is given below.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid guesswork
In SBI PO exam, there is a negative marking for incorrect responses. Therefore, you are advised not to do guesswork.
Attempt Questions
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.
Also Read: SBI PO Selection Process
Commonly asked questions
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.
SBI PO 2026 Section-Wise Preparation Plan
The strategy regarding how to crack SBI PO different sections is explained below:
SBI PO Preparation for English Language
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.
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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
Commonly asked questions
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.
SBI PO Exam Pattern
SBI PO exam pattern is prescribed by the examination authority. It highlights the overall structure of the exam. Candidates can check below the SBI PO exam pattern for the preliminary and mains exams.
Prelims Exam
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language |
30 |
100 |
20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
35 |
20 Minutes |
|
| 35 |
20 Minutes |
||
| Total |
100 |
1 Hour |
Mains Exam
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective Test |
|||
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude |
45 |
60 |
60 Minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation |
35 |
60 |
45 Minutes |
| General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness |
40 |
40 |
35 Minutes |
| English Language |
35 |
40 |
40 Minutes |
| Subjective/ Descriptive Test |
|||
| English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) |
2 |
50 |
30 Minutes |
| Total |
157 |
250 |
3.5 Hours |
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
Commonly asked questions
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.
The exam pattern is divided into prelims exam, mains exam, psychometric test, interview and group exercises.
SBI PO Books
The best books for SBI PO exam are given below:
- A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwal.
- Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
- A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal by BS Sijwali, Indu Sijwali
- High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- Banking Awareness Handbook of Banking Information by NS Toor
- Manorama Year Book
- Lucent General Knowledge
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R S Aggarwal
- Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude with 4 eBooks for Competitive Exams by Disha Experts
- Bank PO Quantitative Aptitude Chapterwise Solved Papers by Arihant Experts
Commonly asked questions
SBI PO books are the best resource to prepare for the exam. Candidates must choose the ones that have covered the syllabus. The books should be simple to understand. This helps to clear the concept of the subjects given in the syllabus.
In Reasoning, questions are asked from Coding & Decoding, Inequalities, Syllogisms, Puzzles, Blood Relations, Direction Sense Problems, Data Sufficiency Problems, Series Problems, Input and Output, Statement-Assumption, Order and Ranking, etc. The best books for Reasoning section are given below: A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwal. Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal by BS Sijwali, Indus Sijwali. The tips and tricks to crack SBI PO Reasoning section are given below:
- Prepare well new types of puzzles of moderate level
- To solve puzzles, candidates must organize the information in the desired structure like table, circle, line, etc.
- Use shortcut tricks to solve questions
- Candidates must solve questions from syllogism without pen or paper
- Candidates must learn the basic rules of the topic before attempting the coding-decoding questions
SBI PO Preparation Tips 2026 FAQs
Candidates can check below SBI PO preparation tips 2026 FAQs.
Commonly asked questions
The English Language section is also the most important in SBI PO Examinations, along with the Quantitative Aptitude section. This section holds 30 and 40 marks in Prelims and Mains examinations, respectively. Additionally, 50 marks are allotted to the descriptive test. The syllabus includes the following topics such as Reading comprehension, Error correction, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Idioms and phrases, Synonyms, Antonyms. Given below are the best books for SBI PO English:
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- Descriptive General English by SP Bakshi and Richa Sharma
- High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
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.
A psychometric test is conducted to assess the power of decision-making, and personality. The marks obtained in this test are not counted for final merit list.
SBI has introduced a Psychometric Test in Phase III of SBI PO exam pattern. The psychometric test is personality profiing of candidates who are selected for Phase III of SBI PO exam. The result of the psychometric test is placed before the interview panel so that they have full understanding of the candidates. SBI PO Psychometric Test determine whether a candidate is psychologically qualified for the position of the banker. The test basically assess logical reasoning, job-specific aptitude, position-specific attributes, personality type, stress management, and much more.
Click here to read more on SBI PO Psychometric Test
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.
To get good marks in the English language section, candidates must improve their grammar and vocabulary. The standard of questions asked in this section is of high school level. This section appears in both prelims and mains exams.
Books for SBI PO mains exam are Objective English for Competitive Examinations by Hari Mohan Prasad and Uma Rani Sinha, Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R S Aggarwal, A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal, The Complete Success Package for SBI PO by Disha Experts.
SBI PO descriptive paper is part of Mains phase of examination. Descriptive paper is online test of 30 minutes and comprises questions from Essay Writing and Letter Writing. To prepare for SBI PO descriptive paper, you should know basic grammar, build vocabulary. Read newspapers and magazines to improve writing skills and practice essay writing based on recent events.
Sarkari Exams exams you must check out
Exams which are to be conducted soon
Aug '26
22 Aug '26 - 23 Aug '26
4 Feb '26 - 24 Feb '26
SBI PO Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month 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
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month 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
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month 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
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month 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
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
For Banking aspirants, SBI PO is one of the most sought-after jobs, considering the salary and career growth. The salary structure is released by SBI in the official notification PDF.Besides the basic SBI Scale 1 salary, candidates are also given various allowances, perks, and benefits. SBI PO is re
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
SBI PO prelims cut off 2024 is given below.
SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2024 (Out of 100) | |||||||||
Category | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | GEN | LD | VI | HI | D&E |
Cutoff | 55 | 49 | 60.50 | 60.25 | 61.75 | 49.75 | 47.50 | 19.75 | 9.50 |
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
SBI PO final cut off comprises cut offs for the Mains exam and final selection. SBI PO Mains cut off 2024 as well as the final cut off are given below.
SBI PO 2024 Mains Cut off
SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2024 (Out of 250) | |||||||||
Category | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | GEN | LD | VI | HI | D&E |
Cutoff | 75 | 75 | 75 | 87.50 | 87.50 | 75 | 75 | - | - |
SBI PO 2024 Final Cut off
SBI PO Final cut off 2024 (normalized to 100 marks) | |||||||||
Category | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | GEN | LD | VI | HI | D&E |
Cutoff | 32.5 | 33.36 | 40.96 | 36.85 | 46.24 | 42.04 | 33.63 | - | - |
B
Contributor-Level 7
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
RRB Group D Application Form 2025 (09/2025) 31 Jan '26 - 2 Mar '26
What type of questions are asked in SBI PO Interview?