The SBI SO (Specialist Officer) Exam 2025 is a golden opportunity for professionals aiming to secure a prestigious role in India’s largest public sector bank. Whether you’re an IT expert, finance specialist, or legal professional, cracking this exam requires a solid understanding of the SBI SO exam pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus.
This guide breaks down the latest SBI SO 2025 exam structure, including section-wise weightage, negative marking, and expert tips to help you strategize effectively. We’ll also compare past trends and highlight key changes this year. Let’s dive in!
Key Highlights of SBI SO Exam 2025 🚀
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Total Stages | 2 (Online Test + Interview) |
| Total Questions | 110 (Paper 1: 50, Paper 2: 60) |
| Total Marks | 150 (Paper 1: 50, Paper 2: 100) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Time Duration | 120 minutes (45 min + 75 min) |
| Selection Weightage | 70% (Exam) + 30% (Interview) |
| Official Website | https://sbi.co.in |
SBI SO Exam Pattern 2025: Detailed Breakdown 📊
1. Two-Phase Selection Process
The SBI SO recruitment consists of:
- Online Written Test (Objective + Professional Knowledge)
- Personal Interview
The final merit list is based on 70% exam score + 30% interview performance .
2. Paper 1: General Aptitude (Qualifying)
This section tests basic reasoning, math, and English skills. Marks here don’t count in the final ranking but must be cleared to proceed.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 15 | 15 | 45 mins (total) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 15 | 15 | |
| English Language | 20 | 20 |
🔹 Key Tip: Focus on speed and accuracy—since this is qualifying, aim for minimum cutoff marks .
3. Paper 2: Professional Knowledge (Scoring)
This is the most crucial section, carrying 100 marks (66.6% weightage). It tests domain-specific expertise (IT, Law, Finance, etc.).
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge | 60 | 100 | 75 mins |
🔹 Example:
- IT Officers face questions on cybersecurity, networking, DBMS.
- Law Officers are tested on banking regulations, compliance.
- Finance Officers tackle accounting standards, risk management .
Marking Scheme & Negative Marking ❌
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Wrong Answer: -0.25 marks (deduction)
- Unanswered: No penalty
🔹 Pro Tip: Avoid blind guessing! If unsure, skip instead of risking negative marks .
SBI SO Syllabus 2025: What to Study? 📚
1. General Aptitude Syllabus
| Section | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Reasoning | Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Puzzles |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Data Interpretation |
| English | Grammar, Comprehension, Error Spotting |
2. Professional Knowledge (Role-Based)
| Post | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| IT Officer | DBMS, Networking, Cybersecurity, OOPs |
| Law Officer | Banking Laws, Compliance, RBI Guidelines |
| Finance Officer | Accounting Standards, Risk Analysis |
🔹 Expert Insight:
“Candidates often underestimate the Professional Knowledge section, but it’s the biggest differentiator. Focus on practical applications, not just theory.” — Banking Career Coach .
Changes in SBI SO 2025 Exam Pattern 🔄
- Increased Weightage for PK Section (Now 100 marks, up from 70-80 in previous years).
- Shorter Time per Question (1.25 mins in PK vs. 1.5 mins earlier).
- More Case-Based Questions (Especially for Managerial Roles) .
Expert Tips to Crack SBI SO 2025 🎯
- Prioritize Professional Knowledge (70% of your prep time).
- Solve Previous Year Papers (Identifies repeated question patterns).
- Mock Tests & Time Management (Aim for 85%+ accuracy in PK).
- Interview Prep (Brush up on banking trends + role-specific scenarios).
🔹 Real-Life Example:
“Rahul, an IT officer, cleared SBI SO by practicing 10+ mock tests daily. His PK score (92/100) secured his rank!” .
Final Thoughts
The SBI SO 2025 exam pattern is highly competitive, but with smart preparation, you can ace it. Focus on Professional Knowledge, manage time well, and avoid negative marking traps.
🚀 Ready to crack SBI SO? Start your prep today!
Divya Reddy is a career guidance writer specializing in exam results and admit cards. With a Master’s in Human Resources and 8+ years of experience, Divya loves helping students navigate their academic journeys. She enjoys practicing yoga.
