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State Bank of India recruits Probationary Officers through its own exam, separate from IBPS. Selection has three phases: a Preliminary exam, a Main exam (objective and descriptive) and a final phase of psychometric test, group exercise and interview.
Check the latest official notification before applying. Eligibility conditions, age limits and relaxations are published in each notification on SBI Careers.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 40 | — | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | — | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | — | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Descriptive Test – Communication Skills (emails, situation analysis, report or précis) | 3 | 30 | 30 minutes |
Note: The Preliminary exam carries 100 marks in all; the notification does not split them by section. The Main exam totals 230 marks in 3 hours 30 minutes. Each section is separately timed. For each wrong answer in the objective tests, one quarter (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted.
Exam pattern and selection process may vary by recruitment notification. Candidates should check the latest official notification. This pattern is from the SBI advertisement CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 (June 2026). Sections, question counts and timings are revised from time to time, so confirm the current pattern on SBI Careers before you apply or prepare.
The syllabus page lists every subject with its chapters and topics, which stage tests it and a preparation tip.
Each subject links to its practice BITS, a timed subject mock test and study material where CompeteBits has them.
Prelims & Mains
Tests logical thinking under time pressure. Puzzles and seating arrangements carry the most weight, especially in the Mains.
Prelims
Arithmetic, number series, quadratic equations and data interpretation. Calculation speed decides most of the score.
Mains
The PO Mains quantitative section. Most questions come as data sets, so accuracy in reading the data matters as much as calculation.
Prelims & Mains
Reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary. Reading comprehension usually carries the largest share of the section.
Mains
A Mains-only section on banking, the economy and current affairs. It needs no calculation, so good preparation saves time for other sections.
Mains (with Reasoning)
Asked together with Reasoning in the Mains. Questions test basic computer awareness rather than programming.
Mains (descriptive)
A typed descriptive test of communication skills taken immediately after the SBI PO Mains objective test.
All subjects on one page: SBI PO practice questions (bit bank).
Free timed tests with instant results. Taking a test needs a free account.
Under advertisement CRPD/PO/2026-27/09, Phase I (Prelims) has 100 questions for 100 marks in 1 hour: English Language 40, Quantitative Aptitude 30 and Reasoning Ability 30 questions, 20 minutes each. Phase II (Mains) has an objective test of 170 questions for 200 marks in 3 hours and a 30-mark descriptive Communication Skills test, followed by Phase III. Check the latest SBI notification for the current pattern.
A 30-minute, 30-mark Communication Skills test with three questions: an email, a situation analysis, and either a report or a précis, each chosen from two options.
No. State Bank of India conducts its own PO recruitment and publishes notifications on its careers website.
Yes. For each wrong answer in the objective tests, one quarter (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted.
Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, English Language, General / Economy / Banking Awareness and Computer Aptitude. CompeteBits has free banking bits and subject mock tests for each of these.
Disclaimer: CompeteBits is not affiliated with SBI Careers or any bank. Exam details may change; verify the latest information in the official notification.