SBI PO 2025 Mains Exam Analysis (Shift 1, May 5): Check Student Review, Difficulty Level & Expected Cut off

State Bank of India Probationary Officer Exam 2025 ( SBI PO )

Anangsha
Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial
Updated on May 5, 2025 15:20 IST

SBI PO 2025 mains exam was conducted on May 5. SBI PO mains exam analysis 2025 is provided on this page. The overall difficulty level of the mains exam was moderate to difficult. Scroll down to read more details on SBI PO 2025 mains exam analysis.

SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2025

SBI PO 2025 mains exam analysis

SBI PO 2025 Mains Exam Analysis: State Bank of India (SBI) conducted the mains exam of SBI PO 2025 on May 5, 2025. SBI PO 2025 Mains exam analysis is given on this page. According to SBI PO 2025 mains exam analysis, the overall difficulty level of the exam was moderate to difficult. Candidates who appeared for the exam should check the in-depth SBI PO exam analysis 2025 to analyse their performance. The exam analysis helps candidates to know the topics for each section, good attempts, student review, etc. SBI PO 2025 mains exam is divided into objective and descriptive tests. Questions in the objective tests are asked from Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General Awareness / Economy/ Banking Knowledge. The total marks allotted to the mains exam are 250.

The marks obtained in SBI PO mains exam are taken into consideration for final merit list. Candidates upto three times the category-wise number of vacancies will be shortlisted for the Phase 3 exam. Read below for more details on SBI PO 2025 mains exam analysis.

Q:   Is SBI PO a government job?
A:

Yes, the post of probationary officer in the State Bank of India is considered a government job. This is because the government of India has a 57.6% shareholding in SBI bank. As a result, the SBI is treated as a public sector bank and its employees are treated as government employees. However, it is very different from a typical government job in many aspects, as the government does not completely own SBI. If you want to apply for an SBI PO job, then you can visit this page to know in detail about the SBI PO exam process.

Q:   Can I prepare for SBI PO exam without taking any coaching?
A:

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.

 

Q:   Is SBI PO exam easy or tough?
A:
The difficulty level of questions asked in SBI PO exam is usually moderate. Candidates can prepare for the exam by referring to the SBI PO exam pattern, syllabus, and previous years' question papers. Besides, candidates should be consistent with their preparations. The questions in SBI PO prelims exam are objective-type. While the Mains exam comprises both objective and subjective-type questions.

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Table of content
  • SBI PO 2025 Overall Exam Analysis
  • SBI PO Section-Wise Difficulty Level
  • SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025
  • Previous Year’s SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis

SBI PO 2025 Overall Exam Analysis 

The overall difficulty level of SBI PO 2025 mains exam was moderate to difficult. SBI PO 2025 mains exam analysis is given below.

Sections

Difficulty Level

 Reasoning

 Moderate

 Data Analysis & Interpretation

 Moderate to Difficult

 Banking Awareness

 Moderate to Difficult

 English

 Moderate

 Descriptive Test

 Moderate

SBI PO Section-Wise Difficulty Level

The section-wise difficulty level of SBI PO 2025 is given below.

SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2025 for English Language

Topics No. of uestions
RC-1 8
RC-2 7
Error 2
Cloze Test 4
Match the Column 3
Para Jumble 6-7
Sentence Arrangement 2-3

SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2025 for Quant

Topics No. of uestions
Bar Grapg +Line Graph DI 5
Probability Based DI 3
Caselet DI (Girls & Boys) 4
Team-Based Caselet DI 4
Axis Based DI 5
Number Series 4
Arithmatic  6

SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2025 for Reasoning

The following types of Puzzles were asked in the exam:

Time Slot Puzzle-4 to 5 questions

Q:   How to prepare for SBI PO prelims exam?
A:

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
Q:   How to Prepare the Descriptive paper for SBI PO exam?
A:

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
Q:   How to prepare for SBI PO GK section?
A:
To prepare the GK section of SBI PO candidates should read newspapers to keep themselves updated with the Current Affairs topics of last one year or six months. Candidates should also be familiar with the banking terminologies, government schemes related to finance, etc. The General Awareness section comprises Current Affairs and Static GK. General/Economy/Banking Awareness carries the maximum marks (60 marks). If candidates mark a wrong answer, 1/4th or 0.25 marks of the total marks assigned to a particular question are deducted to arrive at a corrected score. If candidates leave a question blank, no penalty is marked. Candidates can refer to the books such as Pratiyogita Darpan, Manorama Yearbook, etc.

Certain Puzzle Linear + Variable-4 questions

Circular Seating Arrangement-1

Topics No. of Questions
Puzzles & Seating Arrangement 10
Coding Direction 04
Critical Reasoning 06-08
Machine Input Output 04
Data Sufficiency 02

SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2025 General Awareness

Questions asked in the General/Banking Awareness section are given below:

  • WMA Limit
  • Urban Challenge fund
  • Operation Brahma related questions
  • PSL-Name of Priority Sector
  • PSL-not applicable on which bank
  • Brics Partner country
  • ATM with fees
  • Zoowin portal dev
  • Vapra Pahan Exercise
  • Vajra pahar exercise

SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2025 Descriptive Test

Questions in the Descriptive section were asked from the following:

  • Situation Analysis
  • Precis Writing
  • Emails- To the Bank Manager for Home Loan (120 to 130 words) reports-AI

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025

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 carries a total of 170 questions. The duration of the test is 3.5 hours.

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

Also Read: SBI PO 2025 Result

Previous Year’s SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis

Candidates can check below the previous year’s SBI PO Mains exam analysis.

Overall Analysis

Sections  Difficulty Level

Reasoning and Computer Aptitude

Moderate

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Moderate to Difficult

General/Economy/Banking Awareness

Moderate

English Language

Moderate

Overall 

Moderate

Descriptive

Moderate.

Section-Wise Analysis

English Language

Topics No. of Questions

Reading Comprehension (Economy of Middle Eastern Country)

8

Reading Comprehension (Change in Fashion Trend)

7

Error

2

Cloze Test

4

Match the Column

3

Para Jumble (Last Sentence was Fixed)

6-7

Sentence Rearrangement

2-3

Data Analysis & Interpretation

Topics No. of Questions

Bar Graph + Line Graph Data Interpretation

5

Probability-Based Data Interpretation

3

Case let DI (Girls and Boys)

4

Team Based Caselet DI

4

Axis Based DI

5

Number Series

4

Arithmetic (Mensuration, Partnership, etc.)

6

Reasoning & Computer Science

Topics No. of Questions

Week Based Puzzle

10

Designation Based Puzzle (Uncertain number of Persons)

5

Case let DI (Girls and Boys)

4

Team Based Caselet DI

4

Axis Based DI

5

Number Series

4

Arithmetic (Mensuration, Partnership, etc.)

6

Parallel Row Seating Arrangement + Blood Relation (Variable- Men & Women)

5

Concentric Circle + Square Based Puzzle

6

Machine Input Output

5

Logical Reasoning

8

Miscellaneous

6

About the Author
author-image
Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial
A mass communication and journalism post-graduate, Anangsha has worked as a reporter and sub-editor and enjoys working in the education domain.
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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

Mani Shukla

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

Chanchal Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The distribution of questions in the Quant section of SBI PO 2025 prelims exam is given below.

TopicNo. of Questions

Pie chart DI (based on variable)

6

Bar graph DI + Table DI

(related graduate, post-graduate students in college)

6
Caselet DI5
Quadratic equation3
Arithmetic problems10
Total30

J

Jasleen Harsha

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The distribution of questions in the prelims exam is given below.

TopicNo. 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 puzzle5
Syllogism3

Misc.

Meaningful word - 1

Forward, backward -1

2
Total30

R

Raushan Pradhan

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.

SectionsTotal QuestionsGood Attempts
Reasoning Ability3019-25
Quantitative Aptitude3016-22
English Language4024-30
Overall10059-77

S

Sumridhi Singh

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

Satyendra Garg

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO Mains cut off 2024 is given below.

CategoryCutoff

General

87.5

OBC

75

EWS

87.5

SC

75

ST

75

LD

75

VI

75

HI

-

B

Bhumika Arora

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

SBI PO prelims cut off 2024 is given below.

CategoryCut Off Marks
UR61.75
SC55
ST49
OBC60.50
EWS60.25
VI47.50
HI19.75
LD49.75
D&E9.50

A

Abhishek Kumar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 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

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10