The State Bank of India (SBI) conducts the Probationary Officer (PO) exam every year to recruit candidates for its branches across the country. The SBI PO exam is one of the most competitive and prestigious banking exams in India. It requires a thorough preparation and a clear understanding of the syllabus and exam pattern.
In this blog post, we will provide you with an overview of the SBI PO syllabus 2023 and exam pattern for prelims and mains, along with some useful tips and resources to ace the exam.
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2023
The SBI PO exam consists of three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Group Discussion & Interview. The preliminary and mains exams are conducted online, while the group discussion and interview are conducted offline. The marks obtained in the preliminary exam are not considered for the final selection, but only for qualifying for the mains exam. The marks obtained in the mains exam and the group discussion & interview are added to prepare the final merit list.
The following table shows the exam pattern for prelims and mains:
| Stage | Sections | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes | |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes | |
| Total | – | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
| Mains | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes | |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes | |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes | |
| Total | – | 155 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Descriptive Test (Mains) | Letter Writing & Essay Writing (2 questions) | – | 50 marks (25 marks each) | 30 minutes |
The preliminary and mains exams have negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to each question for wrong answers. The descriptive test is conducted online and evaluates the writing skills of the candidates. The group discussion and interview carry a total of 50 marks.
SBI PO Syllabus 2023
The SBI PO syllabus covers various topics from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and Descriptive Test. The syllabus for prelims and mains is similar, except for the addition of two sections in mains: Data Analysis & Interpretation and General/Economy/Banking Awareness. The level of difficulty and complexity of the questions also increases from prelims to mains.
Here is a detailed topic-wise breakdown of the syllabus for each section:
Quantitative Aptitude
This section tests the numerical ability and problem-solving skills of the candidates. It covers topics such as:
- Simplification/Approximation
- Number Series
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation (Tabular, Bar, Line, Pie, Radar, Mixed Graphs, Caselets)
- Arithmetic Topics (Profit & Loss, Mixtures & Alligations, Time & Work, Time & Distance, etc.)
- Permutation & Combination
- Probability
- Data Sufficiency
Reasoning Ability
This section tests the logical reasoning and analytical thinking skills of the candidates. It covers topics such as:
- Alphanumeric Series
- Coding-Decoding
- Inequality
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Order & Ranking
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangements
- Input-Output
- Verbal Reasoning (Syllogism, Inference, Course of Action, etc.)
- Analytical Reasoning (Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Input-Output, etc.)
- Critical Reasoning (Statement-Assumption, Statement-Conclusion, Cause-Effect, etc.)
English Language
This section tests the language proficiency and comprehension skills of the candidates. It covers topics such as:
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Improvement
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Paraphrasing/Sentence Rearrangement/Para Completion/Paragraph Summary
Data Analysis & Interpretation
This section tests the data interpretation and manipulation skills of the candidates. It covers topics such as:
- Tabular Data
- Bar Graphs
- Line Graphs
- Pie Charts
- Radar Charts
- Mixed Graphs
- Caselets
General/Economy/Banking Awareness
This section tests the general knowledge and current affairs of the candidates, especially related to the banking and economy sectors. It covers topics such as:
- Current Affairs (National and International Events)
- Static GK (Indian History and Culture, Geography, Polity, etc.)
- Banking Terminology and Abbreviations
- Banking History and Regulations
- Banking Products and Services
- Banking Committees and Reports
- Economic Policies and Schemes
- Economic Indicators and Surveys
- Economic Organizations and Institutions
- Economic Terms and Concepts
Descriptive Test
This section tests the writing skills of the candidates. It consists of two questions: one letter writing and one essay writing. The topics are based on current affairs or social issues. The candidates have to type their answers on a computer screen within 30 minutes.
Tips and Resources for SBI PO Preparation
To prepare effectively for the SBI PO exam, candidates need to follow some tips and use some resources that can help them in their preparation. Here are some of them:
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly and plan your study schedule accordingly.
- Practice mock tests regularly and analyze your performance and improvement areas.
- Revise the important topics and formulas frequently and make short notes for quick revision.
- Read newspapers and magazines daily to improve your vocabulary and general awareness.
- Write practice essays and letters on various topics and get feedback from experts or peers.
- Refer to reliable books and online sources for concept clarity and practice questions.
- Stay calm and confident during the exam and attempt the questions with accuracy and speed.
FAQ
- Q: What are the subjects and marks distribution for the SBI PO Prelims exam?
- A: The SBI PO Prelims exam consists of three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Each section has 20 minutes of time limit and carries 30, 35, and 35 marks respectively. The total marks for the Prelims exam are 100
- Q: What are the additional sections and marks distribution for the SBI PO Mains exam?
- A: The SBI PO Mains exam consists of four sections: Data Analysis & Interpretation, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English Language, and General/Economy/Banking Awareness. Each section has a separate time limit of 45, 60, 40, and 35 minutes respectively and carries 60, 60, 40, and 40 marks respectively. The total marks for the Mains exam are 200. There is also a Descriptive Test of 50 marks and 30 minutes duration that consists of two questions: one Letter Writing and one Essay Writing.
- Q: Is there negative marking in the SBI PO exam?
- A: Yes, there is negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to each question for wrong answers in both Prelims and Mains exams.
- Q: What is the syllabus for the Data Analysis & Interpretation section in the SBI PO Mains exam?
- A: The syllabus for the Data Analysis & Interpretation section covers topics such as Tabular Data, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Radar Charts, Mixed Graphs, Caselets.
- Q: What is the syllabus for the General/Economy/Banking Awareness section in the SBI PO Mains exam?
- A: The syllabus for the General/Economy/Banking Awareness section covers topics such as Current Affairs (National and International Events), Static GK (Indian History and Culture, Geography, Polity, etc.), Banking Terminology and Abbreviations, Banking History and Regulations, Banking Products and Services, Banking Committees and Reports, Economic Policies and Schemes, Economic Indicators and Surveys, Economic Organizations and Institutions, Economic Terms and Concepts