The SBI PO Exam Pattern explains how the State Bank of India selects candidates for the Probationary Officer role through a structured process of prelims, mains, psychometric tests, group discussion & interview. Each stage evaluates different skills, including aptitude, reasoning, banking awareness, communication, and personality. This article covers the complete exam pattern, marking scheme, sectional timing, negative marking rules, and the weightage used for preparing the final merit list.
What is the SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026?
The SBI PO exam pattern is a three-phase selection process that includes Phase I (Prelims), Phase II (Mains), and Phase III (Psychometric Test + GE + Interview). Prelims is qualifying, mains is merit-determining, and phase III evaluates communication and personality traits. The bank uses a normalized score out of 100 to prepare the final merit list. The final selection is based on combined scores from the mains Exam (75% weightage) and the GD/interview (25% weightage).
| Exam Stages | Mode | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Prelims | Online | Objective (MCQs) | 100 | 1 Hour |
| Mains | Online | Objective + Descriptive | 250 | 3.5 Hours |
| Interview & GD | Offline | Personal Interview & Group Discussion | 50 | Varies |
Attempt a Free SBI PO Mock Test
Are there any changes in the SBI PO exam pattern this year?
No major changes have been announced for 2026, as the notification hasn't been released yet. The exam continues to follow the format used in the last official notification, as of now:
- Prelims: Objective, 3 sections, 100 marks
- Mains: Objective (200 marks) + Descriptive (50 marks)
- Phase III: Psychometric Test + Group Discussion + Interview
- The marking pattern, sectional timing, and negative marking rules remain the same.
What is the SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern?
The SBI PO prelims exam contains 100 marks and is conducted online. Each section has a separate time limit, and there is no sectional cut-off. The exam is objective type (MCQs). Candidates must also check the SBI PO Syllabus to get a complete idea of the prelims stage.
- The exam duration is 60 minutes.
- Marks obtained in prelims are not counted for the final selection.
- 1/4th negative marking applies.
- Scores are used only to shortlist candidates for Mains.
- Around 10 times the number of vacancies are selected for Mains.
| S.No. | Name of Subjects | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|
| 1 | English Language | 40 | 40 |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Enroll in SBI PO Online Coaching
What is the SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern?
The SBI PO mains exam pattern was revised in 2025. The SBI PO mains exam will be held for 250 marks, in which 200 marks are for the objective paper and 50 marks are for the descriptive paper. Check the revised exam pattern below.
- The objective test has a total of 170 questions, carrying 200 marks.
- The descriptive test is 30 minutes long, with 2 questions (essay & letter writing) for 50 marks.
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks is deducted for incorrect answers in the objective test.
- The marks obtained in the mains exam are considered for final selection.
SBI PO Mains Exam Structure
The SBI PO Mains exam consists of four sections: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language, carrying a total of 170 questions for 200 marks to be attempted in 3 hours. Each section has a separate time limit, and candidates must manage their time accordingly during the exam.
| S. No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|
| I | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| II | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| III | General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| IV | English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 3 Hours |
What is the structure for the SBI PO Descriptive Test?
The SBI PO mains also includes a descriptive test conducted immediately after the objective test. It carries 50 marks and must be completed in 30 minutes. Candidates are required to write an essay and a letter to assess their English writing skills. Check the details of the SBI PO Descriptive Test below.
| Task Type | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Email Writing (1 out of 2) | — | — | — |
| Report Writing (1 out of 2) | — | — | — |
| Situation Analysis or Precis Writing (1 of 2 options) | — | — | — |
| Total | 3 Questions | 50 Marks | 30 Minutes |
What is there in the SBI PO Phase III Exam?
The SBI PO Phase III stage evaluates a candidate's personality, communication skills, confidence, and overall suitability for the role. It consists of three parts: a psychometric test, a group discussion, and a personal interview. Candidates shortlisted after the Mains must appear for all three components to qualify for final selection.
What happens in the SBI PO Psychometric Test?
The SBI PO Psychometric Test is conducted to understand a candidate's personality traits, decision-making style, and behavioral profile. The test is mandatory for all shortlisted candidates. Its findings are shared with the interview panel to help them gain a clearer, more holistic understanding of the candidate during the assessment. The psychometric test itself carries no separate marks, but it strongly influences the interview evaluation.
What is the pattern of the SBI PO Group Discussion & Interview?
After the psychometric test, candidates participate in a group discussion (GD) and a personal interview (PI). These stages assess teamwork, communication clarity, leadership, analytical thinking, and confidence.
| Component | Maximum Marks |
|---|
| Group Discussion | 20 |
| Personal Interview | 30 |
| Total | 50 |
How is the final selection done in SBI PO?
Final selection is based on the combined performance in Phase II (Mains) and Phase III (GD + Interview). Candidates must qualify both stages separately to be considered for the final merit list.
- Marks from prelims are not counted at any stage of the final selection.
- Marks from Mains (Objective + Descriptive) and Phase III are combined and normalized to 100 marks.
| Stage | Maximum Marks | Normalized Marks |
|---|
| Phase II – Mains (250 marks) | 250 | 75 |
| Phase III – GE & Interview (50 marks) | 50 | 25 |
| Total | 300 | 100 |
The final merit list is prepared based on these normalized scores out of 100, and candidates with the highest scores in each category are selected as SBI Probationary Officers.
Solve SBI PO Previous Years' Paper
Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways from the article:
- The SBI PO Exam Pattern consists of Prelims, Mains, and Phase III.
- Prelims is qualifying, while the mains and Phase III decide the final merit.
- Prelims has 100 questions for 1 hour with no sectional cut-off.
- The mains include a 200-mark objective test and a 50-mark descriptive test.
- Sectional timing applies in both prelims and mains.
- 1/4th negative marking is applied in all objective tests.
- Final selection uses normalized marks (75:25 ratio for Mains and Phase III).
- The psychometric test provides personality insights for the interview panel.
