SBI PO Preparation 2025: Check Important Tips and Strategy
State Bank of India Probationary Officer Exam 2025 ( SBI PO )
Exam On - 19 Nov '25
SBI PO exam is conducted for Probationary Officers posts. Students must prepare well for the exam. They should go through exam pattern and syllabus.
Also Read:
- SBI PO Preparation Tips 2025
- How to Prepare for SBI PO Psychometric Test?
- SBI PO Exam Pattern
- SBI PO Syllabus
- SBI PO Books
- SBI PO Preparation Tips 2025 FAQs
SBI PO Preparation Tips 2025
The strategy to crack the exam is given below.
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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.
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.
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
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 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
Yes, you can prepare for SBI PO exam without taking any coaching. However, you need to be consistent and serious about your studies. Y ou need to attempt mock tests, refer to the good study materials and solve the previous years' question papers. Preparing for SBI PO exam requires utmost dedication, determination and zeal to crack the exam. SBI PO is one of the most competitive exams in the country and preparation for the exam requires a effective strategy. SBI PO preparation can be done at home without any format coaching with predefined goals and determination. SBI PO exam preparation requires indepth 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. For each stage, candidates need to strategise their preparation in a effective manner if they do not opt for coaching.
How to Prepare for SBI PO Psychometric Test?
The tips and tricks to prepare for the SBI PO psychometric test are given below:
- Research and familiarize yourself with the common types of psychometric assessments used in SBI PO selection
- 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
- 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
- Work on your time management skills
- Be honest and authentic
Commonly asked questions
The tips and tricks to prepare for SBI PO psychometric test are given below:
- Understand the test format of the exam
- Practice online tests to improve the speed and accuracy
- Review sample questions
- Work on time management
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 PO Exam Pattern
Candidates can check below the exam pattern of SBI PO 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 subsequent rounds of selection process. There is no sectional cut off marks. However, candidates need to secure the overall cut off marks as per their categories. There are no qualifying marks in SBI PO exam. Candidates need to secure the cut off marks in the exam as per their category. The question paper of SBI PO is made available in both English and Hindi. Candidates can choose the language of the question paper as per their convenience. The cut off is the minimum qualifying marks that candidates need to secure inorder to qualify the exam.
SBI PO Syllabus
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.
Commonly asked questions
The important topics for SBI PO English Language are Reading Comprehension, Cloze test, fill in the blanks, spotting the error, etc. To prepare for this section, candidates should clear their concepts of grammar and vocabulary.
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
The SBI PO examination is one of the sought-after exams in the country. Candidates must prepare for the exam with vigour and zeal. The most important aspect of the preparation phase is getting the best books for SBI PO Exams from the market. With so many books and study materials on the market, it is not easy to find where to start. Candidates should choose the best books for SBI PO preparation in order to ace the exam. Candidates needs to be thorough with the exam pattern and syllabus in order to choose the best books for SBI PO. While selecting the books, they should look for those books that have covered the entire syllabus. Candidates should also choose the books that are simple and easy to understand.
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 2025 FAQs
Candidates can check below SBI PO preparation tips 2025 FAQs.
Commonly asked questions
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
SBI PO Mains exam is conducted for the candidates who qualify the prelims exam. For SBI PO Mains exam, candidates can refer to the following books:
- 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
It is also important to practice with previous years' question papers and mock tests to familiarise themselves with the format of the exam.
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
SBI PO descriptive paper is a part of the Mains phase of the examination. The descriptive paper is an online test of 30 minutes and comprises questions from Essay Writing and Letter Writing. Candidates can follow the tips below to ace the descriptive paper:
- Be well prepared with the basic grammar
- Build a strong vocabulary by learning new words everyday
- Read newspapers and magazines to improve writing skills
- Practice essay writing based on the recent events
- Practice formal letter writing on various topics to boost confidence
- Use important points while writing an essay or letter
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.
SBI PO Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
You can prepare for SBI PO exam through self-study. However, to understand the techniques of solving questions it is always advised to take coaching.
M
Contributor-Level 7
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Can I prepare for SBI PO exam through self-study?