The State Bank of India (SBI) Probationary Officer (PO) exam is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and challenging banking exams in the country. The selection process is a rigorous three-tiered journey: Prelims, Mains, and a Psychometric Test followed by a Group Exercise & Interview. To succeed, a thorough understanding of the syllabus and the latest exam pattern for all stages is the most crucial first step.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the SBI PO syllabus and the detailed exam structure for the Preliminary, Main, and final stages to help you create a winning preparation strategy for 2025.
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SBI PO 2025: Exam Overview & Pattern
The selection process consists of three distinct phases. A candidate must qualify in each phase to be shortlisted for the next. The final merit list is prepared based on the normalized scores of the Main Exam and the final group exercise & interview.
Phase I: Preliminary Exam Pattern (Qualifying)
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Marking Scheme for Prelims:
- Correct Answer: +1 mark.
- Negative Marking: -0.25 marks (1/4th) for each incorrect answer.
- Sectional Timing: Each section is individually timed for 20 minutes.
Phase II: Main Exam Pattern (Merit Deciding)
The Main Exam consists of an Objective Test and a Descriptive Test. The marks from both are considered for the final merit list.
Objective Test
| Subject | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 3 Hours |
Descriptive Test
This test is conducted immediately after the Objective Test and is administered online.
| Test | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 2 | 50 | 30 Minutes |
Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview
Candidates who clear the Main Exam are called for the final stage.
- Psychometric Test: This is a test to assess the personality profile of the candidates.
- Group Exercise (GE): This carries 20 marks.
- Interview: This carries 30 marks.
The final merit list is prepared by normalizing the Mains score (out of 250) and the GE & Interview score (out of 50) to a scale of 100.
SBI PO Syllabus 2025: In-Depth Topic Breakdown
Success in the SBI PO exams depends on a deep understanding of every topic. The difficulty level, especially in the Mains, is considered higher than other banking exams.
Detailed Topic-wise Syllabus
| Subject | In-Depth Topics & Chapters |
|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude |
This section tests complex logical skills. The Mains level is known for high-difficulty puzzles and logical reasoning.
|
| Quantitative Aptitude / Data Analysis & Interpretation |
The Prelims focus on speed maths and arithmetic, while the Mains is heavily dominated by complex Data Interpretation.
|
| English Language |
This section tests your command over the English language, including comprehension, grammar, and writing skills (in Mains).
|
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness |
This section is crucial for the Mains and Interview. It focuses on events of the last 6 months, with an emphasis on the economy.
|
(Candidates are advised to download the official syllabus PDF for complete details.)
FAQs: SBI PO Syllabus 2025
Q1: Are the marks of the Preliminary exam counted for the final merit list?
Ans: No, the Preliminary exam is only qualifying in nature. Its purpose is to shortlist candidates for the Main exam. The final selection is based on the combined normalized scores of the Main Examination and the Group Exercise & Interview.
Q2: Is there a sectional cut-off in the SBI PO exam?
Ans: Unlike IBPS exams, SBI PO does **not** have a sectional cut-off in either the Prelims or the Mains exam. Candidates only need to clear the overall cut-off to be shortlisted for the next stage.
Q3: What is the Psychometric Test in Phase III?
Ans: The Psychometric Test is conducted to assess the personality and psychological profile of the candidates to determine their suitability for an officer role. There are no marks for this test, but the findings may be used by the interview panel.
Q4: How is the final merit list for SBI PO prepared?
Ans: The final merit list is prepared by normalizing the scores of the Main Exam (out of 250) and the Group Exercise & Interview (out of 50) to a scale of 100. The Main Exam score is normalized to 75, and the GE & Interview score is normalized to 25.