SBI PO Last Minute Preparation Tips 2025: Check Strategy for Prelims Exam
State Bank of India Probationary Officer Exam 2025 ( SBI PO )
SBI PO Last Minute Preparation 2025: State Bank of India (SBI) is all set to conduct the SBI PO prelims exam on August 2, 4 & 5. With a day left for the exam, candidates must focus on revision. During the days leading up to the exam, candidates should not touch new topics as this will lead to confusion. Candidates must focus on attempting mock tests and learn to minimise the mistakes made in the actual test. Candidates should not take stress and stay calm and relaxed. Read the article below to check SBI PO preparation tips.
SBI PO Last Minute Preparation Tips
SBI PO Last Minute Preparation Tips 2025: The State Bank of India (SBI) is all set to conduct the SBI PO 2025 prelims exam for all the registered candidates. The only mantra to crack the prelims exam of SBI PO is to answer the questions wisely, as there is negative marking in the exam. Candidates must answer the maximum questions that they are confident of and with accuracy.
During the SBI PO last minute preparation, candidates must focus on revision. For solving numerical problems, candidates must learn shortcut tricks. This will help candidates save time during the exam. Candidates must also attempt mock tests and analyse their performance in the mock tests. Candidates must work on improving their weak areas. Candidates should not take stress rather stay calm and focused. Read below for more details on SBI PO last minute preparation tips 2025.
SBI PO prelims exam pattern is such that it is divided into three sections-English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The duration of the test is one hour, and each section carries separate exam timings. The question paper carries a total of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 100. The structure of SBI PO exam pattern for prelims is given below.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language |
30 |
100 |
20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
35 |
20 Minutes |
|
| Reasoning Ability |
35 |
20 Minutes |
|
| Total |
100 |
1 Hour |
| 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 Last Minute Preparation Tips 2025
Check below a few last-minute SBI PO preparation tips and tricks to crack the exam.
Prepare a Section-wise Strategy
In order to attempt the questions with high accuracy and within the given time frame, you should prepare a proper section-wise strategy. You should know which questions to attempt and which ones should be skipped.
Revise through Previous Years’ Question Papers and Mock Tests
The last phase of preparation is not meant for deep studies. You should devote time to revision. Brush up preparations by going through the previous years’ question papers, practice papers, and mock tests. If you have already attempted previous years’ question papers, practice papers, and mock tests, then analyse them to know your weak and strong areas. Solving question papers will also give candidates an idea about the type of questions asked in the mains exam.
The prelims exam comprises 100 questions. The total marks given to the prelims exam are 100. The mains exam carries 250 marks.
The exam pattern is divided into prelims exam, mains exam, psychometric test, interview and group exercises.
Avoid Guesswork and Focus on Accuracy
In the SBI PO prelims exam, there will be a penalty for the wrong answer given by you. Each wrong answer will invite a negative marking of 0.25 marks. Besides, you are also required to secure the SBI PO cutoff marks to qualify for the next round. In such a scenario, focus on delivering accurate answers. Avoid guesswork and try to attempt questions with accuracy. If you are not sure about the correct option in a particular question, then leave it.
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
19 Dec '25 - 22 Dec '25
9 Dec '25 - 24 Dec '25
28 Dec '25
SBI Clerk
31 Dec '25 - 7 Jan '26
11 Nov '25 - 30 Apr '26
31 Aug '26
27 Dec '25
Also Read: SBI PO Exam Day Guidelines
Time Management
Your main focus should be to manage your time properly while attempting the exam. To attempt as many questions with high accuracy, it is advised that you should avoid spending much time on any particular question. You should not devote more than one minute to a question.
Read Complete Question First
You often commit the mistake of marking the answer without reading the question first. This might result in an inviting penalty for negative marking for incorrect answers. Therefore, read the questions first carefully and choose the most accurate option.
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 |
SBI PO exam analysis is made available to candidates for different shifts after the exam get over. The exam review comprises the section-wise difficulty level, number of good attempts, types of questions asked and expected cut off. The exam analysis helps the students appearing in the subsequent exam shifts to know the difficulty level and type of questions asked in the exam.
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 Shift Timings 2025
Candidates can check below SBI PO prelims and mains shift timings.
SBI PO Prelims Shift Timings
| Event | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handwriting Sample |
8:45 to 8:50 am |
11:15 to 11:20 am |
01:45 to 01:50 pm |
04:15 to 04:20 pm |
| Exam Start Time |
09:00 am |
11:30 am |
02:00 pm |
04:30 pm |
| Exam End Time |
10:00 am |
12:30 pm |
03:00 pm |
05:30 pm |
SBI PO Mains Shift Timings
| Shifts | SBI PO Mains Timing |
|---|---|
| Shift 1 |
8:30 AM to 12 PM |
| Shift 2 |
2 PM to 5:30 PM |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days ago
For Banking aspirants, SBI PO is one of the most sought-after jobs, considering the salary and career growth. The salary structure is released by SBI in the official notification PDF.Besides the basic SBI Scale 1 salary, candidates are also given various allowances, perks, and benefits. SBI PO is re
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
SBI PO prelims cut off 2024 is given below.
SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2024 (Out of 100) | |||||||||
Category | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | GEN | LD | VI | HI | D&E |
Cutoff | 55 | 49 | 60.50 | 60.25 | 61.75 | 49.75 | 47.50 | 19.75 | 9.50 |
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
SBI PO final cut off comprises cut offs for the Mains exam and final selection. SBI PO Mains cut off 2024 as well as the final cut off are given below.
SBI PO 2024 Mains Cut off
SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2024 (Out of 250) | |||||||||
Category | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | GEN | LD | VI | HI | D&E |
Cutoff | 75 | 75 | 75 | 87.50 | 87.50 | 75 | 75 | - | - |
SBI PO 2024 Final Cut off
SBI PO Final cut off 2024 (normalized to 100 marks) | |||||||||
Category | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | GEN | LD | VI | HI | D&E |
Cutoff | 32.5 | 33.36 | 40.96 | 36.85 | 46.24 | 42.04 | 33.63 | - | - |
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months 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
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.