SBI PO Preparation 2025: Check Important Tips and Strategy
State Bank of India Probationary Officer Exam 2025 ( SBI PO )
SBI PO 2025 Preparation Tips help candidates plan their strategy for the exam. Candidates must be thorough with the topics given in the syllabus of SBI PO exam. Candidates must focus on improving the weak areas. Candidates must also take mock tests to improve their speed and accuracy in solving questions.
SBI PO preparation can be easy if candidates understand the requirements for each section of the exam. This can be achieved by going through SBI PO exam pattern. Following SBI PO preparation tips will help candidates overcome the hurdles. In this article, we have provided SBI PO Preparation Tips 2025.
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
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
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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.
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 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.
This section of SBI PO exam includes questions from Tabular Graph, Data Sufficiency, Caselets, Permutation and Combination, etc. To solve Data Interpretation questions, candidates must practise by referring to the previous years' question papers. The tips and tricks for the Data Interpreparation questions are given below:
- Candidates need to first understand and interpret the given data before proceeding with the calculations
- Candidates need to first understand the difficulty level of questions to understand which one to attempt first and which one to attempt later
- Candidates need to master the technique of attempting these questions with speed. There are several shortcut tricks that save a lot of time in solving the graphs and charts
- Candidates must know the different types of questions and formats of Data Interpretation
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
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
The tips and tricks to prepare for SBI PO prelims exam are given below:
- Candidates should be thorough with SBI PO prelims syllabus and pattern
- Candidates must go through each and every topics given in the syllabus and revise properly
- It is important to attempt mock test and analyse the performance in the exam
- Candidates must work upon improving the weak section by analysing the scores of the mock test
- Candidates must avoid answering questions which they are not sure of as it can attract negative marks
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
In the Quantitative Aptitude section of SBI PO exam, candidates can focus on Simplification, Number Systems, Data Interpretation, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Sequence and Series etc. The Quant section assess the candidate's calculative ability. The best way to prepare this section is going through the previous years question papers and learning the shortcut tricks. The tips and tricks to crack SBI PO Quant section are given below:
- Candidates must find out the important topics for Quantitative Aptitude section by analysing the previous year question papers
- Candidates must learn the shortcut tricks for solving questions
- Candidates must practice the previous years’ question papers to know the types of questions asked in the exam
- Candidates must attempt mock tests to improve speed and accuracy
In the Reasoning section of SBI PO candidates can cover Seating Arrangements, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, etc. To score good marks in this section, candidates should practice previous years' question papers and mock tests. Candidates can also practice sudoku and different types of puzzles. This will help me to solve the questions in Reasoning easily. Candidates can follow the tips given below to prepare the Reasoning section of SBI PO:
- Cramming does not work for the Reasoning section of SBI PO. Questions are purely logic-based. Practice SBI PO previous year’s question papers as possible to improve the logic-building ability
- Candidates must start with reading and understanding concepts of the Reasoning topics. Once candidates are able to understand the basics behind each topic, divert the focus on both speed and accuracy
- Solving questions within time limit is important. Candidates must identify the best way to solve questions keeping in mind both speed and accuracy
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.
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.
SBI PO Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week 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
Answered 2 months ago
SBI PO prelims result 2025 was announced on September 1, 2025. The result was announced on the official website of SBI. The direct link to check the result is provided on this page. Candidates can check their results by logging with the required credentials.
C
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The distribution of questions in the Quant section of SBI PO 2025 prelims exam is given below.
| 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 |
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The distribution of questions in the prelims exam is given below.
| 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 |
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
SBI PO 2025 prelims good attempts refer to the number of questions attempted successfully by candidates. The number of good attempts is given below.
| Sections | Total Questions | Good Attempts |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 19-25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 16-22 |
| English Language | 40 | 24-30 |
| Overall | 100 | 59-77 |
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The authority released the tentative dates for the SBI PO 2025 exam. The SBI PO prelims exam was conducted on August 4, 2025. The prelims exam of SBI PO comprises three sections-English, Quant and Reasoning. The total marks allotted to the test are 100.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
SBI PO Mains cut off 2024 is given below.
| Category | Cutoff |
|---|---|
General | 87.5 |
OBC | 75 |
EWS | 87.5 |
SC | 75 |
ST | 75 |
LD | 75 |
VI | 75 |
HI | - |
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
SBI PO prelims cut off 2024 is given below.
| Category | Cut Off Marks |
|---|---|
| UR | 61.75 |
| SC | 55 |
| ST | 49 |
| OBC | 60.50 |
| EWS | 60.25 |
| VI | 47.50 |
| HI | 19.75 |
| LD | 49.75 |
| D&E | 9.50 |
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
SBI PO exam dates 2025 were announced. SBI PO prelims exam was conducted on August 4, 2025. SBI PO Mains exam will be conducted on September 13, 2025. The Phase 3 exam will be conducted in October/November 2025.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
SBI PO admit card release dates have been announced. SBI PO prelims admit card was released on July 25, 2025. SBI PO Mains admit card was released on September 3, 2025. SBI PO Phase 3 admit card will be released in October/November 2025.
C
Contributor-Level 7
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
Bihar STET Notification 2025 19 Sep '25 - 31 Oct '25
Can I prepare for SBI PO exam through self-study?