SBI PO 2020 Qualifier, Aman Kumar Shaw, has proved that it is possible to crack one of the most competitive banking exams in the country on the first attempt. He believes that to attain success it is important to sacrifice one’s comfort. In an interview with Shiksha, he shared his preparation strategy and tips for future SBI PO aspirants.
SBI PO Topper Interview with Aman Kumar Shaw
Q: Tell us something about your background?
A: I have done my graduation in commerce. As my mother raised me single-handedly, it was important for me to get a job as early as possible. By getting this job, I have fulfilled my mother’s dream.
Q: What was your overall and section-wise marks/score in SBI PO exam? Which year did you qualify the exam and where you are currently working? Tell us something regarding your roles and responsibilities.
A: My overall score in SBI PO exam was 59/100 in prelims, 98/200 in mains and 43/50 in GD/Interview. I qualified the exam in 2020 and joined in March 2021. I am currently posted in the Raghunathpuram branch in the Purulia district (West Bengal) as my rural/semi-urban assignment. I am associated with the retail credit in the advances section where I am assigned to process loans and engage in cross-selling.
Q: What made you pursue a career in banking? Which other exams did you appear in and which all you have been able to crack?
A: As I have completed graduation from the commerce stream, therefore, I was looking for a career in Finance. I started my career by enrolling myself in Chartered Accountancy course but had to leave it midway due to financial problems and the duration of the course. It is after leaving the Chartered Accountancy course I started preparing for banking exams.
Q: How much time did you prepare for the SBI PO exam? Did you crack it on the first attempt?
A: It took 1.5 years to learn the concepts for clearing SBI PO exam. I cracked the exam on the first attempt. In 2019, I appeared for SBI Clerk exam but failed to crack it.
Q: Tell us regarding the challenges you faced while preparing for the SBI PO exam?
A: The problem I faced while preparing for SBI PO exam was that I did not buy mock test series for which I could not practice many questions before appearing in the exam.
Q: Did you take any coaching for the exam. If yes, from where and for how long?
A: I did not take any coaching and my only source of preparation was referring to the free online resources and practice sets. It is time taking process, as you need to search the contents but works appropriately if you are dedicated enough.
Q: How to prepare for SBI PO exam? Tell us the strategy you applied to prepare for the exam?
A: Aspirants need to clear their basic of all the sections. They need to attempt mock tests and practice simultaneously for prelims and mains exams. They should make a routine of reading current affairs on a daily/weekly basis. They should understand their strengths and attempt the exam accordingly.
Q: Is coaching important to crack the exam?
A: It is necessary for someone who wants to connect everything from the start. If your concepts are on the line, there are enough free online contents to help you.
Q: Tell us regarding the SBI PO study routine. What is the ideal time to begin SBI PO preparation?
A: I had a routine of studying one subject for two days consecutively, on the first day I used to clear the concepts and the next day I attempted mock tests. I used to attempt two full-length mock tests. Candidates must begin their preparation for SBI PO exam immediately after graduation. I used to study for five to six hours regularly.
Q: What should be the section-wise strategy for SBI PO exam?
A: The section-wise tips to crack SBI PO exam is given below:
Reasoning: It is a dynamic subject, instead of referring to the books, learn the concepts online and practice thoroughly to improve your timing.
Quants: Analyse your strong and weak points. Concept building is an important part so invest yourself in building concepts. Attempt the questions which you are confident of.
English: Read newspaper or storybooks and understand them in your own language. Tense, voice, subject-verb agreement, and narration are some important topics to learn.
General awareness: Make a habit of reading current affairs and making notes as it will help in revision.
Q: Share your interview experience with us. What kind of questions are asked in the interview?
A: In interview, questions are asked about family background, educational qualification, current affairs, hobbies, economic affairs, etc. It is important to remain honest while answering questions during interview.
Q: Any message or advise to the future banking aspirants?
A: Just believe in yourself and attempt the exam confidently then success is yours. To attain success, one needs to sacrifice their comfort.
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Student Forum
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