EXAM SYLLABUS

The exam structure for Probationary Officers will be done through a three-Phase process:

Phase I – Preliminary Examination

Phase II – Main Examination

Phase III – Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview

For Preliminary Examination

It is very essential for the candidates to know about the SBI PO Syllabus  in detail before preparing for the SBI Probationary Officer Exam 2026. Below we have provided the detailed SBI PO Syllabus given in the table below.

EXAM SYLLABUS

The exam structure for Probationary Officers will be done through a three-Phase process:

Phase I – Preliminary Examination

Phase II – Main Examination

Phase III – Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview

For Preliminary Examination

It is very essential for the candidates to know about the SBI PO Syllabus  in detail before preparing for the SBI Probationary Officer Exam 2026. Below we have provided the detailed SBI PO Syllabus given in the table below.

QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE DETAILED SYLLABUS

The detailed syllabus for the Quantitative Aptitude section with Topic description, Topic Example, and the Difficulty level is given below:

Note:- The above-mentioned examples are for illustrative purposes only.

REASONINNG ABILITY DETAILED SYLLABUS

The detailed syllabus for Reasoning Ability section with Topic description, Topic Example and the Difficulty level is given below:- 

Note:- The above-mentioned examples are for illustrative purposes only.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DETAILED SYLLABUS

The detailed syllabus for the English Language section with Topic description, Topic Example, and the Difficulty level is given below:- 

Note:- The above-mentioned examples are for illustrative purposes only.

EXAM PATTERN

The exam pattern for the SBI PO Prelims and Mains is outlined in the table below. Review it to understand the marking scheme, question types, and other important details.

The selection for Probationary Officers will be done through a three-Phase process:

Phase I – Preliminary Examination

Preliminary Examination consisting of Objective Test for 100 marks will be conducted online. The test will have of 3 Sections (with separate timings for each section) as follows:

Mod of Examination

SBI PO Examination shall be held as a Computer Based Test. Questions shall be based on Multiple Choice Objective Type.

Medium of Examination

1. Questions from the Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning Ability section shall be available in both English & Hindi.

2. Questions from the English Language section shall be available in English only.

3. Candidates need to choose the language of the question paper they want to attempt before the commencement of the exam.

4. However, candidates will be allowed to change the language of the particular question also.

Marking Scheme

There will be penalty for wrong answers marked in Objective Tests. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, 0.25 of marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty to arrive at corrected score. If a question is left blank, i.e. if no answer is marked by candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.

Normalization Score

The corrected scores obtained by each of the candidates in different sessions (if held) will be normalized using the equi-percentile method.

1. First, the percentile rank of the students for each shift of the exam is calculated using the formula given below -

Percentile rank of the candidates = ((Total Students in a shift - Rank of candidate in that shift)/(Total Students in a shift - 1)) x 10

2. After that, based on the number of available vacancies, a cut-off percentile rank is decided.

3. Based on this cut-off score, candidates are shortlisted for the next phase of the recruitment process.

Note:- Scores up to two decimal points shall be taken for the purpose of calculations.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates wishing to apply for the SBI PO Exam must be aware of the eligibility criteria established by the bank. To be considered for recruitment, applicants must meet the required conditions, including age limit, educational qualifications, and other specifications. The detailed eligibility requirements are provided below.

1. Nationality

2. Age Limit & Relaxations

3. Educational Qualifications

Nationality

A candidate must be either -

1. A Citizen of India or

2. A subject of Nepal or

3. A subject of Bhutan or

4. A Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India or

5. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India, 

Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (2), (3), (4) & (5) above shall be a person in whose favor a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.

Age Limit: (As on 01.04.2026)

Not below 21 years and not above 30 years as on 01.04.2026 i.e. candidates must have been born not later than 01.04.2005 and not earlier than 02.04.1996 (both days inclusive).

Relaxations of Upper age limit

Note: Cumulative age relaxation will not be available either under the above items or in combination with any other items.

Education Qualification

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government. Those who are in the Final Year/ Semester of their Graduation may also apply provisionally subject to the condition that, if called for interview, they will have to produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before 30.09.2026.

Candidates having Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) certificate should ensure that the date of passing the IDD is on or before 30.09.2026. Candidates possessing qualifications such as Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant etc. would also be eligible.

Note: The date of passing eligibility examination will be the date appearing on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the University/ Institute. In case the result of a particular examination is posted on the website of the University/ Institute, a certificate issued by the appropriate authority of the University/ Institute indicating the date on which the result was posted on the website will be taken as the date of passing.

Number of Chances (Attempts Allowed)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates wishing to apply for the SBI PO Exam must be aware of the eligibility criteria established by the bank. To be considered for recruitment, applicants must meet the required conditions, including age limit, educational qualifications, and other specifications. The detailed eligibility requirements are provided below.

1. Nationality

2. Age Limit & Relaxations

3. Educational Qualifications

Nationality

A candidate must be either -

1. A Citizen of India or

2. A subject of Nepal or

3. A subject of Bhutan or

4. A Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India or

5. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India, 

Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (2), (3), (4) & (5) above shall be a person in whose favor a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.

Age Limit: (As on 01.04.2026)

Not below 21 years and not above 30 years as on 01.04.2026 i.e. candidates must have been born not later than 01.04.2005 and not earlier than 02.04.1996 (both days inclusive).

Relaxations of Upper age limit

Note: Cumulative age relaxation will not be available either under the above items or in combination with any other items.

Education Qualification

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government. Those who are in the Final Year/ Semester of their Graduation may also apply provisionally subject to the condition that, if called for interview, they will have to produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before 30.09.2026.

Candidates having Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) certificate should ensure that the date of passing the IDD is on or before 30.09.2026. Candidates possessing qualifications such as Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant etc. would also be eligible.

Note: The date of passing eligibility examination will be the date appearing on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the University/ Institute. In case the result of a particular examination is posted on the website of the University/ Institute, a certificate issued by the appropriate authority of the University/ Institute indicating the date on which the result was posted on the website will be taken as the date of passing.

Number of Chances (Attempts Allowed)

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) Reservation

4% horizontal reservation as per the RPwD Act, 2016.

Categories eligible

Visual Impairment (VI) – Blindness & Low Vision

Hearing Impairment (HI) – Hard of Hearing

Locomotor Disabilities (LD) – One/both arm/leg affected, cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, spinal deformity/injury, etc.

d & e – Mental Illness (MI), Autism Spectrum Disorder (Mild), Multiple Disabilities

IMPORTANT DATES

The State Bank of India (SBI) is expected to release the official SBI PO Notification 2026 in May or June 2026, providing full details for the recruitment of an estimated 500 to 1,000+ Probationary Officers (PO) across various SBI branches in India. The SBI PO Prelims Exam is tentatively scheduled for August 1 and 2, 2026. The Main Exam is set to be held in September 2026, with results expected to be declared by late September or October 2026. The final selection process, including the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview, will take place in October or November 2026, and the final results are anticipated by December 2026 or February 2027. 

EXAM ANALYSIS

SBI PO Prelims 2025 – Last Conducted Exam

Dates & Shifts

The SBI PO Preliminary Examination 2025 was conducted across multiple days in March and August 2025.

Specifically, the exam was held on:

8th, 16th and 24th March 2025 with four shifts per day.

Additional batches were also conducted on 4th and 5th August 2025 to complete the prelims cycle.

Each day, there were four shifts to accommodate large numbers of candidates.

Shift Timings (Prelims 2025)

The Prelims exam was conducted in four shifts as follows:

Shift 1: Reporting ~08:00 AM ? Exam 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Shift 2: Reporting ~10:30 AM ? Exam 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Shift 3: Reporting ~01:00 PM ? Exam 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM

Shift 4: Reporting ~03:30 PM ? Exam 04:30 PM – 05:30 PM

Candidates were generally advised to reach the centres well before the reporting time for document verification and mandatory handwriting sample.

Exam Pattern (Prelims 2025)

The Preliminary Exam consisted of 100 objective questions for 100 marks, lasting 60 minutes. There were three sections — Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language. Each section had a fixed 20-minute time limit.

Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer applied.

Prelims Difficulty & Candidate Feedback

According to candidate feedback and expert analysis:

Overall difficulty was moderate across most shifts.

English was generally balanced with comprehension, grammar and vocabulary items.

Quantitative Aptitude included arithmetic and data interpretation, which were moderate to slightly tough.

Reasoning Ability was moderate with puzzles, seating arrangement and syllogism dominating.

Expected good attempt ranges (based on feedback and analysis):

English: 23–26 approx.

Quantitative: 18–22 approx.

Reasoning: 20–25 approx.

Safe aggregate attempts were estimated around 60–70 for qualifying chances.

SBI PO Mains 2025 – Last Conducted Exam

Date & Shift

The SBI PO Mains Examination 2025 was held on 13th September 2025 in a single shift across test centres nationwide.

The reporting and exact timings were typically outlined on individual admit cards, but based on prior official patterns the exam conventionally began in the morning with reporting one hour earlier.

The Mains duration was approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes — a single session covering both objective and descriptive components combined.

Mains Exam Structure (2025)

Mains included multiple objective sections followed by a descriptive test (essay/letter writing). Objective sections comprised:

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

Data Analysis & Interpretation

English Language

General/Economy/Banking Awareness

Descriptive writing was typically completed immediately after the objective portion.

Mains Difficulty & Trends

According to expert review and student feedback:

Overall difficulty was moderate to difficult — more challenging than prelims.

Reasoning & DI: moderate to higher difficulty with tricky data sets and puzzles.

English Language: relatively easier compared to other sections.

General Awareness: primarily banking/economy + current affairs — moderate.

Descriptive Test: required strong writing and conceptual clarity.

Estimated good attempts (for the objective part):

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: ~14–18

English Language: ~27–35

DI: ~9–13

General Awareness: ~14–20

Total objective good attempts were generally in the range ~64–86 depending on accuracy and speed.

Expected Schedule & Pattern for SBI PO 2026

Based on the 2025 cycle and official exam calendar patterns:

Preliminary Exam – 2026

Expected to be conducted in March and/or April 2026 across multiple dates in 4 shifts per day.

The structure is likely to remain:

100 questions

60 minutes total

Sections: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English

Separate timing for each section

Main Exam – 2026

Expected a few months after prelims — likely May or early June 2026 (official dates will be notified).

Mains will include objective sections + descriptive test and will be held in a single long session.

Note: The official notification PDF will confirm exact dates and schedules for the 2026 exams. Candidates should always refer to the official SBI website/notification for confirmed details.

Key Takeaways for Aspirants

Prelims Insights

Moderate overall difficulty with time pressure due to sectional time limits.

Reasoning and English often decide speed; quant requires accuracy under time constraint.

Good attempts around 60+ with high accuracy are generally competitive.

Mains Insights

More comprehensive and time-intensive than Prelims.

General Awareness and DI often carry weight and require consistent preparation.

Descriptive writing ability is crucial and must be practiced.

STUDY TIPS

To prepare effectively for the SBI PO Prelims , develop a well-structured study plan that emphasizes building conceptual clarity and accuracy. Consistently practice mock tests and solve previous year papers to improve speed and time management. Regularly assess your performance to identify areas of weakness and focus on improving them. Prioritize understanding the concepts over memorization, and stay informed about current affairs to boost your overall knowledge for the subsequent Mains stage.

Subject-Wise Strategy

English Language

Key Topics: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Detection, Fill in the blanks, Vocabulary.

Reading Comprehension (RC): Read The Hindu / Indian Express editorial daily to improve speed & vocabulary. Practice inference-based questions (SBI often asks indirect Qs).

Grammar & Error Spotting: Revise tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions.

Vocabulary: Learn 5–10 new words daily; revise synonyms/antonyms.

Time strategy: Attempt Fill in the Blanks, Cloze Test, Errors first (fast scoring) ? RC at the end.

Practice daily: 2 RCs + 1 Cloze + 1 Para Jumble + 10 Grammar Qs.

Quantitative Aptitude

Key Topics: Simplification/Approximation, Number Series, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation (DI), Arithmetic Word Problems.

Simplification & Approximation: Master BODMAS, surds, percentages; these are “speed boosters.”

Number Series & Quadratic Equations: Practice 5–10 questions daily.

Data Interpretation (DI): Focus on Tables, Line Graphs, Bar Graphs, Caselets.

Arithmetic Word Problems: Practice Time & Work, SI-CI, Profit-Loss, Ratio-Proportion, Speed-Distance.

Practice daily: 10 simplifications + 10 arithmetic Qs + 1 DI set. Use a timer – try finishing 35 Qs within 18 mins during mocks.

Reasoning Ability

Key Topics: Puzzles & Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Inequalities, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relation, Direction, Alphanumeric Series.

Puzzles & Seating Arrangements (major chunk, 15–20 Qs): Start with simple linear & circular seating, then move to floor-based & scheduling puzzles.

Syllogism & Inequality: Practice both traditional & coded forms.

Coding-Decoding & Series: Revise new patterns (letter shifting, mixed coding).

Blood Relation/Direction Sense: Solve with diagram method (less error-prone).

Practice daily: 2 puzzles + 5 syllogism + 5 inequality + 5 coding/series. Don’t get stuck in a tough puzzle ? skip & come back later.

General Prelims Study Tips

Mock Tests: Attempt 2–3 full-length mocks weekly, later increase to daily before the August 2026 exam.

Accuracy > Attempts: Since there’s 0.25 negative marking, avoid random guessing.

Revision: Keep short notes of formulas, vocab, and grammar rules.

STUDY PLANS

The deciding factor for selection is the Strategy & Planning used for preparation. A result-oriented plan for the SBI PO examination allows candidates to navigate the high competition.

6-Month Study Plan 

Month 1–2 (Foundation): Cover basics of Quant, Reasoning, and English. Build reading habits and learn Vedic math tricks.

Month 3–4 (Intensive Practice): Move to moderate/high-level questions. Focus on complex DI and high-level Puzzles. Start 1 full-length mock every weekend.

Month 5 (Simulation): Focus on speed and accuracy. Attempt 2–3 full-length mocks per week. Analyze every mistake in a dedicated notebook.

Month 6 (Final Polish): Daily mocks in the last 2 weeks before the August exam. Revise high-weightage topics and formulas only.

3-Month Study Plan (May – July 2026)

Month 1 (Basics): Weekly breakdown of all core chapters. 20–25 Qs per subject daily.

Month 2 (Exam-Level): Focus on Caselets, Floor-based puzzles, and inference-based RC. 2 full-length mocks per week.

Month 3 (Speed & Accuracy): Sectional tests (20 mins each). Daily full-length mocks in the final 2 weeks. Target 25+ attempts in each section with 90% accuracy.

1-Month Study Plan (July 2026)

Week 1: Rapid revision of all concepts. Focus on "Speed Math" (Squares, Cubes, Fractions).

Week 2: Solve 3–4 Puzzles and 3 DI sets daily. Sectional mocks for time management.

Week 3–4: One full-length mock daily. Intensive analysis of weak areas. Stop new topics; focus only on strengths to maximize score in the August 2026 Prelims.

OVERVIEW

The State Bank of India (SBI) conducts an SBI PO examination every year to select suitable candidates for the position of Probation Officer. The SBI PO exam is an annual officer recruitment exam administered annually by the State Bank of India for their various vacancies in the branches. SBI PO is considered one of the most wanted bank exams in the country. Successful candidates are employed as probation officers in various branches of the bank. The SBI PO exam consists of three phases pre-examination, main examination, and interview (interview and group exercises). SBI Po Prelims is the first phase of online examination, conducted to recruit Probationary Officers in the State Bank of India.

SELECTION PROCESS

The SBI PO selection process is a three-staged process to shortlist the most eligible candidates for the post of Probationary Officer at the State Bank of India.

Phase-I: Preliminary Examination (Screening)

Online objective test:

Shortlisting rule: A category-wise merit list is made on total Prelims marks; no sectional cut-off in Prelims. About 10× the number of vacancies (per category) are called for Mains.

Negative marking: 0.25 of the question’s marks deducted for each wrong answer (no penalty if left blank).

Phase-II: Main Examination (Merit-deciding)

Conducted online: Objective (200 marks) + Descriptive (50 marks); Descriptive follows immediately after Objective.

Selection criteria for Phase-III

Sectional cut-offs apply in Mains – you must clear each objective section and the Descriptive paper.

A minimum aggregate qualifying score (decided by SBI) is applied on the total Mains score.

Candidates up to ~3× the category-wise vacancies are shortlisted for Phase-III from the Mains merit list.

Negative marking: again 0.25 per wrong answer in objective tests.

Phase-III: Psychometric Test + GE + Interview

Psychometric Test: personality profiling; findings may be shared with the interview panel. (It’s not allotted marks for the final total.)

Group Exercise: 20 marks; Interview: 30 marks ? Total 50. Minimum qualifying marks decided by the Bank.

Final Selection & Merit Preparation

You must qualify Phase-II and Phase-III separately. Prelims marks are not counted in final merit.

Normalization/Weightage

Mains (Objective + Descriptive): 250 marks scaled to 75

GE + Interview: 50 marks scaled to 25

Final merit out of 100 = 75 (Mains) + 25 (Phase-III); selection is from top ranks category-wise.

Tie-breaking: If multiple candidates are at the cut-off in the final merit, older age ranks higher.

Result publication: Prelims, Mains and Final results are released on SBI’s career website.