SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026: The State Bank of India will issue the exam pattern for the SBI PO 2026 exam along with the release of notification. The exam pattern plays a crucial role in the preparation for the SBI PO exam. The SBI PO exam pattern consists of three stages namely Prelims, Mains and Interview. The prelims exam include 100 objective questions and the duration of an exam is one hour. It consists of the subjects like English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. On the other hand Mains exam consists of 170 questions and a descriptive test of total three hours and thirty minutes duration. Candidates who will qualify both the stages will appear for the interview round.
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) |
3 |
50 |
30 Minutes |
| Total |
170+ descriptive |
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 |
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. |
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:
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
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 |
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 Application Form Apr '26 - Apr '26