Thinking about cracking the SBI PO 2025 exam? You’re not alone! Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for this prestigious position. But here’s the thing—knowing the SBI PO exam pattern inside out is half the battle won. Whether it’s the Prelims, Mains, or the Interview, each stage has its own challenges. In this guide, we’ll break down the latest SBI PO exam pattern 2025, including marking scheme, syllabus, and preparation tips—backed by real success stories and expert advice. Let’s dive in!
Key Highlights 📌
Key Point | Details |
---|---|
Organization Name | State Bank of India (SBI) |
Exam Levels | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
Prelims Total Marks | 100 |
Mains Total Marks | 250 |
Negative Marking | Yes (0.25 marks deduction) |
Prelims Duration | 1 Hour |
Mains Duration | 3 Hours |
Selection Process | Online Test + GD & Interview |
Official Website | sbi.co.in |
SBI PO 2025 Exam Pattern: Stage-wise Breakdown
1. SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 📝
The first hurdle is the Preliminary Exam, which is purely qualifying. Only top scorers move to Mains.
Section | No. of Qs | Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
🔹 Key Fact: No sectional cut-off, but overall score matters.
🔹 Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
2. SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 🎯
The Mains exam is tougher and includes Descriptive + Objective sections.
Section | No. of Qs | Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 mins |
Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 mins |
General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 mins |
English Language (Descriptive) | 2 (Letter + Essay) | 50 | 30 mins |
Total | 122 | 250 | 3 Hours |
🔹 Pro Tip: The Descriptive section (Letter/Essay) is qualifying (minimum 40% for Gen, 35% for others).
Marking Scheme & Negative Marking ⚠️
Many aspirants lose marks due to careless mistakes. Here’s how scoring works:
Exam Part | Correct Answer | Wrong Answer | Unattempted |
---|---|---|---|
Prelims | +1 | -0.25 | 0 |
Mains | +1 to +2 (varies) | -0.25 | 0 |
🔹 Expert Insight: “Avoid blind guessing—attempt only what you’re 70% sure of.” — Rahul Mehta, SBI PO 2023 Topper
SBI PO Interview & Final Selection 💼
After Mains, shortlisted candidates face:
- Group Discussion (GD)
- Personal Interview (PI)
🔹 Weightage:
- Mains (250) + GD & PI (50) = Total 300 marks
- Final merit list is based on Mains + Interview scores.
Changes in SBI PO 2025 Exam Pattern? 🔄
While the core structure remains similar, minor tweaks happen. For 2025:
✅ Increased focus on Banking Awareness (recent trends show 5-6 more questions).
✅ Descriptive section now includes current affairs-based essays.
🔹 Real-Life Example: “Last year, my essay topic was ‘Impact of AI on Banking’—staying updated helped!” — Priya K., SBI PO 2024
Expert Preparation Tips 🎓
1. Prelims Strategy
- Speed + Accuracy: Practice 20-25 mock tests under timed conditions.
- Sectional Time Split:
- Reasoning: 18 mins
- Quant: 20 mins
- English: 15 mins
2. Mains Strategy
- Data Interpretation (DI): Master Caselets & Pie Charts (highly repeated).
- Banking Awareness: Follow Economic Times & RBI updates.
🔹 Research-Backed Tip: “Candidates solving 10+ DI sets daily score 15% higher.” — SBI Annual Report 2024
Final Thoughts
The SBI PO 2025 exam pattern isn’t just about hard work—it’s smart work. Focus on high-weightage topics, manage time well, and stay updated with banking trends. Ready to crack it? 🚀
(Note: Always check sbi.co.in for official updates!)
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.