SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026: Check Prelims & Mains Paper Pattern
State Bank of India Probationary Officer Exam 2026 ( SBI PO )
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026: The State Bank of India will release the SBI PO exam pattern 2026 along with the notification. The notification will be released on the official website. The syllabus and pattern of an exam is important in the preparation of the SBI PO exam. With the help of exam pattern, candidates will come to know about the marking scheme, duration of an exam, number of questions asked, etc. The SBI PO exam comprises two stages Prelims and Mains. Candidates who will qualify both the stages will appear for the interview round.
The SBP PO prelims exam consists of three sections-English, Quant and Reasoning of a total of 100 marks. On the other hand, the mains exam consists of an objective and descriptive type test of 250 marks. The Phase III comprises a psychometric test, group exercises, and interview. The psychometric test is a qualifying test in nature. Besides, candidates must go through the SBI PO syllabus to understand the topics and subtopics prescribed for the exam. Scroll down for SBI PO exam pattern 2026.
- SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026
- SBI PO Syllabus 2026
- SBI PO Preparation
- SBI PO Selection Process 2026
- SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026
SBI PO exam pattern is decided by the examination authority. It is framed taking into consideration the level of the post. Before beginning with the preparation, candidates must check the exam pattern. The stage-wise paper pattern is given below.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern
SBI PO exam pattern for prelims comprises 100 objective questions of 100 marks. The duration of SBI PO exam is one hour. The test comprises three sections with separate timings for each section. The marks obtained by candidates in the prelims exam will not be counted for the final merit list. For the correct answers, candidates will score one mark while 0.25 marks will be deducted for wrong answers. On the basis of SBI PO result of the prelims exam, candidates 10 times the number of vacancies will be selected for the mains exam. Candidates can check the structure of the SBI PO prelims exam pattern.
| 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 |
Also Read: SBI PO cutoff marks
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern
SBI PO exam pattern for the mains exam is such that the paper contains both objective and subjective questions for a total of 250 marks. The test paper will have a total of 170 questions. Candidates need to complete the paper within 3.5 hours. The objective tests consist of four sections and have separate timings for every section. The Descriptive Test is a test of English Language where candidates will be asked to write a Letter Writing & Essay. Candidates upto three times the category-wise number of vacancies will be shortlisted for the Phase 3 exam. The structure of the SBI PO exam pattern for mains is given below:
| 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 |
SBI PO Exam Pattern for Phase III
Candidates who clear both the prelims and mains exams of SBI PO are called for the Phase III, which comprises a psychometric test, interview and Group Exercises. The bank may conduct a psychometric test for personality profiling of those candidates who will be shortlisted for Phase 3 exam. Findings of the test may be placed before the Interview panel for a thorough perspective on the candidates. In interview and group exercises, candidates are required to face a panel where they are asked questions 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 interview are 50. The interview carries 30 marks while group exercises comprise 20 marks. Candidates are required to score a minimum qualifying mark in Phase III to be considered for final selection. The weightage of marks given to Interview and Group Exercises & Interview is given below.
| Test Structure | Group Exercise | Interview | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Marks |
20 |
30 |
50 |
Commonly asked questions
The exam pattern is divided into prelims exam, mains exam, psychometric test, interview and group exercises.
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 Syllabus 2026
There are three stages in the Syllabus of the SBI PO exam namely Prelims, Mains and Interview. In the prelim exam three sections that candidate need to prepare are Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language. To understand the syllabus and strategise the preparation is important for an exam to prepare. The main exam consists of Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, English Language and a descriptive test.
SBI PO Syllabus is divided into prelims, mains and interview. The syllabus includes subjects such as Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, etc. Check SBI PO exam syllabus below.
| Subjects | Topics |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Reasoning | Coding Decoding, Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, etc. |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs, Banking Awareness, Sports, Awards, Culture, etc. |
Commonly asked questions
SBI PO syllabus PDF is divided into preliminary and Mains exams. SBI PO syllabus is of utmost importance for candidates who want to join the State Bank of India as Probationary Officers. The appropriate knowledge of SBI PO syllabus helps candidates to frame apt strategy for the exam. It is equitable to mark the weightage given in the SBI PO syllabus. Candidates should be completely familiar with the SBI PO syllabus PDF to fuel their preparations.
Download Here SBI PO Syllabus PDF
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.
SBI PO prelims syllabus comprises topics from Reasoning, Quant and English. The syllabus is given below.
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | Reasoning Syllabus | English Syllabus |
Simplification/ Approximation | Alphanumeric Series | Reading Comprehension |
Profit & Loss | Directions | Fill in the blanks |
Mixtures & Alligations | Logical Reasoning | Cloze Test |
Permutation, Combination & Probability | Data Sufficiency | Para jumbles |
Work & Time | Ranking & Order | Vocabulary |
Sequence & Series | Alphabet Test | Paragraph Completion |
Simple Interest & Compound Interest | Seating Arrangement | Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting |
Surds & Indices | Coded Inequalities | Sentence Completion |
Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Puzzle | Tenses Rules |
Time & Distance | Syllogism |
|
Data Interpretation | Blood Relations | |
Ratio & Proportion | Coding-Decoding | |
Number Systems | Input-Output | |
Percentage | Tabulation |
SBI PO Preparation
SBI PO prep helps candidates to create strategy for the exam. Candidates need to be thorough with the syllabus. They should understand the exam pattern.Candidates must refer to good books for the exam. Revise all the chapters properly. The strategy to prepare for SBI PO exam is given below.
- Know the overall structure of the exam
- Be thorough with the syllabus
- Practice the sample papers
- Prepare notes after going through the chapters
- Attempt mock tests
- Work on improving weak areas
Also Read:
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.
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.
SBI PO Selection Process 2026
The recruitment process will begin with the release of SBI PO notification. Interested candidates need to apply online for the SBI PO exam. The SBI PO selection process comprises Preliminary, Mains), and Phase III Psychometric Test, Interview and Group Exercises. The step-wise selection process is provided below:
- Apply for the SBI PO exam
- Release of the SBI PO Admit Card
- Appearing for the SBI PO exam
- Declaration of the SBI PO Result
- SBI PO Final Selection
- SBI PO Psychometric test
Commonly asked questions
On joining, the selected candidates will be designated as Probationary Officers and may be on probation for two years. They will be subjected to continuous assessment, as per Bank’s extant policy, during the probation period. Those candidates who qualify in the assessment as per standards determined by the Bank from time to time, will be confirmed in the Service of the Bank in Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I).
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 2026 FAQs
Candidates can check below SBI PO exam pattern 2026 FAQs.
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 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.
There are no section-wise marks in SBI PO exam. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. However, there are section-wise marks in the Mains exam.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The preliminary exam of SBI PO comprises the English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. Total marks allotted to the test are 100. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. The prelims exam is only conducted to screen candidates for the Mains exam. The marks obtained in this stage are not counted for the final merit list. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for the mains exam. The structure of SBI PO prelims exam pattern is given below.
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 |
The distribution of questions in SBI PO Mains exam is given below.
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 |
SBI PO Mains exam comprises both objective and descriptive type tests. The objective test consists of four sections and the descriptive test comprises English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). The total marks allotted to the Mains exam are 250. The duration of the test is 3.5 hours. The objective section carries questions from Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness and English Language. The subjective section carries questions from English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). The test paper carries a total of 157 questions. The structure of SBI PO mains exam is given below.
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 |
After candidates undergo interview, a merit list is prepared by SBI based on the marks obtained in the Mains exam and interview. Based on the final SBI PO cutoff marks and available vacancies, candidates are offered letter of appointment for the post of Probationary Officer. 75 per cent weightage marks of the SBI PO Mains exam (out of 250 marks) and 25 per cent weightage marks of Group Exercise and Interview (out of 50 marks) will be considered. To compile the final merit list the aggregate scores (out of 100) will be calculated.
SBI PO Exam Pattern: Weightage of marks
The weightage of marks given to the Mains exam and interview & group exercises are given below.
| Test | Main Exam | Group Exercise & Interview | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Maximum Marks | 250 | 50 | 300 |
Normalized Marks | 75 | 25 | 100 |
SBI PO Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
The SBI PO admit card 2026 will be released on the SBI careers portal officially at sbi.co.in. It will be released online and is a mandatory to carry at the examination centre by the candidate.
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
The SBI PO application form 2026 is expected to be released in May-June at sbi.co.in. Candidates need to apply online and pay the required fees.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
The SBI PO notification 2026 is expected to be released in May-June at sbi.bank.in. The exam is conducted once in a year for the posts of Probationary Officers. It has the details about the examination including the important dates, syllabus, pattern, application process, and more.
J
Contributor-Level 6
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
Contributor-Level 8
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
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
Contributor-Level 10
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
MAHA TET 2026 Application Form 27 Mar '26 - 16 Apr '26
Where will the SBI PO admit card 2026 be released?