Are you preparing for the SBI PO 2025 exam? Understanding the SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025 is the first step toward creating an effective preparation strategy. This year, the State Bank of India has made a few notable changes in the exam structure, especially in the Mains and Interview rounds. Let’s dive into the detailed paper pattern for each phase—Prelims, Mains, and Interview—along with key insights to boost your chances of selection.
SBI PO 2025 Exam Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India |
| Post Name | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Total Vacancies | 541 |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Psychometric Test + Group Exercise + Interview |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.25 for each wrong answer) |
| Medium of Exam | English & Hindi |
| Official Website | www.sbi.co.in |
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025 – Selection Stages
The recruitment process for SBI PO 2025 is divided into three phases:
- Phase I – Preliminary Exam (Qualifying)
- Phase II – Mains Exam (Objective + Descriptive)
- Phase III – Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The Preliminary Exam is the first screening stage and is qualifying in nature.
| Section | No. of Questions | Max. 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 |
Important Notes:
- Sectional timing is applied.
- No sectional cut-off in Prelims.
- 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025
The Mains Exam includes both Objective and Descriptive tests.
(i) Objective Test (3 Hours):
| Section | No. of Qs | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 mins |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 mins |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 60 | 60 | 45 mins |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 40 mins |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 3 Hours |
(ii) Descriptive Test (30 Minutes):
| Test | No. of Qs | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English (Essay + Letter Writing) | 2–3 | 50 | 30 mins |
🔸 Descriptive Paper is only evaluated if the candidate qualifies the objective test.
🔸 Sectional cut-off is applicable in all parts of the Mains.
SBI PO Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview (Phase III)
After qualifying Mains, candidates move on to the final selection stage, which includes:
- Psychometric Test (Personality Profiling)
- Group Exercise: 20 Marks
- Interview: 30 Marks
Total: 50 Marks
Candidates will be assessed for leadership, problem-solving skills, and communication.
SBI PO Final Selection 2025
The final merit list is prepared by combining marks from the Mains (250 marks) and Interview Round (50 marks) and then normalizing it to 100:
| Stage | Max Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Mains (Objective + Descriptive) | 250 | 75 |
| Interview + Group Exercise | 50 | 25 |
| Total | 300 | 100 |
🔹 Note: Prelims scores are not considered in final selection.
Best Books for SBI PO 2025 (Prelims & Mains)
Quantitative Aptitude:
- Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma
Reasoning Ability:
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal
- Analytical Reasoning – M.K. Pandey
English Language:
- Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
- Editorials from The Hindu or Indian Express
Data Interpretation & Analysis (Mains):
- Data Interpretation Decoded – PracticeMock
- How to Prepare for DI – Arun Sharma
General Awareness:
- Banking Awareness – Arihant
- Lucent GK
- Monthly PDFs – PracticeMock
Descriptive Writing:
- Descriptive English – S.P. Bakshi & Richa Sharma
SBI PO Preparation Tips 2025
- Make a section-wise study plan.
- Practice daily mock tests & analyze weak areas.
- Read newspapers for GA & vocabulary building.
- Attempt previous years’ papers to understand trends.
- Improve speed and accuracy through time-bound practice.
Related Reads
- SBI PO Notification 2025 – Apply Now
- SBI PO Cut Off 2025 – Check Previous Year Trends
- SBI PO Salary 2025 – In-Hand, Perks, Growth
The SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025 is designed to test not only your academic knowledge but also your communication and personality traits. With the right study plan, reliable resources, and consistent effort, you can ace every stage of the exam. Keep visiting our blog for free study materials, daily current affairs, and expert guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025
What is the exam pattern for SBI PO 2025?
The SBI PO 2025 exam is conducted in three phases:
- Prelims – Objective test of 100 marks with 3 sections (English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude).
- Mains – Includes an Objective test (200 marks) and a Descriptive test (50 marks).
- Phase III – Psychometric Test, Group Exercise (20 marks), and Interview (30 marks).
Is there a sectional cut-off in SBI PO Prelims 2025?
No, there is no sectional cut-off in the SBI PO Prelims exam 2025. However, sectional timing is applicable for each section.
How many questions are there in the SBI PO Mains exam?
There are a total of 170 questions in the Objective section and 2–3 questions in the Descriptive section. Total marks are 250 (200 + 50).
Is there negative marking in SBI PO 2025?
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in both the Prelims and Mains Objective exams.
What is the duration of the SBI PO Prelims and Mains exams?
- Prelims: 1 hour (60 minutes)
- Mains: 3 hours for Objective test + 30 minutes for Descriptive test
What topics are covered in the SBI PO Mains descriptive paper?
The Descriptive Paper tests your English communication skills and includes writing Essays, Letters, Reports, Precis, and Situation Analysis.
How is the final merit list for SBI PO 2025 prepared?
The final merit list is prepared based on marks scored in:
- Mains (Objective + Descriptive) – 75% weightage
- Phase III (Interview & Group Exercise) – 25% weightage
Marks from the Prelims are not counted in the final merit.
What is the Psychometric Test in SBI PO 2025?
The Psychometric Test is a personality profiling assessment introduced in Phase III to better understand a candidate’s behavioral traits. The result is shared with the interview panel.
Is the SBI PO 2025 exam conducted online?
Yes, all stages of the SBI PO exam—Prelims, Mains, Descriptive Test, and Interview Process—are conducted online.
How many vacancies are announced for SBI PO 2025?
The SBI PO 2025 Notification has announced 541 vacancies for the post of Probationary Officer.