Introduction
The State Bank of India (SBI) is an Indian multinational public-sector banking and financial services company. Annually, SBI conducts examinations to recruit qualified individuals for various positions, such as Probationary Officer (PO), Junior Associate (Clerical), and Specialist Officer (SO). Cracking the SBI PO Exam is challenging and requires significant effort to pass all three stages successfully. The SBI PO selection procedure comprises three stages: Prelims, Mains, and GD/Interview round. Each phase serves as a qualifying round, necessitating candidates to attain the minimum SBI PO Cut off marks. Following the conclusion of the SBI PO recruitment for the year 2022, the notification for the SBI PO Exam in 2023 will be released soon.
By adopting a well-structured preparation strategy and creating a subject-wise study plan, you can easily succeed in clearing the SBI PO Exam. This preparation strategy proves invaluable as it provides insights into the requirements of each exam section. Combining the SBI Preparation Strategy Plan with your personalized approach will undoubtedly help you overcome any challenges. Securing a position as an SBI PO is highly regarded within the banking industry, and we strongly recommend you to capitalize on this opportunity. This article aims to assist you in preparing for the SBI PO Exam. So, let’s explore the key highlights of the upcoming SBI PO Exam 2023.
SBI PO Exam Pattern
SBI PO Exam preparation starts with familiarizing yourself with the SBI PO Exam pattern and syllabus. The further preparation process involves practising with sample papers and solving mock tests, developing a habit of reading regularly and staying updated with current affairs through news sources. Let us glance through the exam pattern and syllabus.
SBI PO –Prelims
| Sl. No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| TOTAL | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
SBI PO- Mains
| Sl. No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| (i) Objective test | ||||
| I | English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| II | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| III | General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| IV | Reasoning Ability | 40 | 50 | 50 minutes |
| TOTAL | 155 | 200 | 3 hours | |
| (ii) Descriptive Paper | ||||
| I | English Language | 2 (Letter Writing and Essay) | 50 | 30 minutes |
| GRAND TOTAL | 250 | 3.5 hours | ||
SBI PO Interview Pattern
After successfully clearing the Mains Exam, candidates proceed to the SBI PO Interview Round. This is a face-to-face interview conducted by a panel of experts. The interview covers various aspects, including the candidate’s personality, background, knowledge of current events, and understanding of the banking and financial sector.
The SBI Bank PO Exam attracts a significant number of applicants each year, making it challenging to crack. The questions are set at a difficult level. Additionally, since the pattern and syllabus change annually, candidates must stay updated with the accurate exam pattern and syllabus to prepare effectively.
Before you go ahead, you must also have a clear understanding of the SBI PO Syllabus for Prelims & Mains
Tips to Crack the SBI PO Exam
- Time is the decisive factor in the SBI PO exam. The faster and more accurate your responses, the higher your score will be.
- To prepare effectively, create a well-structured study schedule as part of your preparation strategy. Cover portions of the bank exam syllabus sequentially and incorporate periodic revisions of topics. Allocate time judiciously to each question or section during your practice.
- Regularly reading newspapers is vital for SBI PO exam preparation.
- Thoroughly revise all topics to strengthen your knowledge.
- To crack the SBI PO exam, give equal attention to every subject in the exam.
- Analyzing previous year’s question papers will provide valuable insights into the exact exam pattern.
- Regularly practice mock tests as they are key to achieving success in the SBI PO examination.
Attempt SBI PO Free Mock Test- Prelims and Free Mock Test- Mains here
Go through SBI PO Previous Year Question Papers- Prelims and SBI PO Previous Year Question Papers– Mains here
Subject-wise Exam Preparation Tips
English Language:
Develop the habit of reading regularly and candidates must brush up their grammar rules. Topics generally covered are-
· Reading comprehension
· Error correction
· Cloze Test
· Para jumbles
· Fill in the blanks
· Idioms and phrases
· Synonyms
· Antonyms
· Vocabulary
· Essay, Letter and Precis writing
Reasoning Ability:
This section can be tricky at times. Read the complete question first to understand it thoroughly before answering. However, with practice candidates can easily ace this section. The topics included in this section are-
· Syllogism
· Inequality
· Blood relations
· Statement and arguments
· Statement and conclusions
· Analytical reasoning
· Seating arrangement
· Ranking and order
· Coding and decoding
· Direction sense
· Data sufficiency
· Puzzles
· Input-output etc.
Quantitative Aptitude:
Candidates need to understand the concepts and basic formulas for this section. Prepare ready-reckoner notes to practice regularly. Topics involved are-
· Number Systems,
· Sequence & Series,
· Simple Interest & Compound Interest,
· Simplification,
· Mixtures & Alligations,
· Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere,
· Time & Distance,
· Data Interpretation,
· Ratio & Proportion,
· Surds & Indices,
· Percent and Percentages,
· Profit, Loss and Discount
General Awareness:
To score well in this section, keep yourself updated by reading newspapers and watching news channels regularly. Stay informed about the latest events, at least in the past 6 months, happening around the world. The topics covered in this section are-
· Current affairs related to national and international issues of the last six months.
· Banking terms
· Banking history in India
· Main functions of RBI
· Countries and capitals
· Currency of countries etc.
· International Economy
· Indian economy
· International organizations
· Work and responsibilities of National financial institutions
· International organizations like IMF, World Bank, ADB, UN, WTO, etc.
· Important Government Schemes
· Honours and awards
· Important National and International days
· Sports
By following these tips and dedicating consistent effort to your preparation, you can improve your chances of success in the SBI PO exam. Daily practice with questions will boost your performance.
Visit SBI PO Online Course
SBI PO Books
Obtaining the finest books for SBI PO Exams from the market is a crucial element during the preparation phase. With an overwhelming abundance of books and study materials available, it can be challenging to know where to begin. To alleviate this concern, we are here to offer a curated list of tried-and-tested books that will prove invaluable for your SBI PO Exam readiness.
Best Books on Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation
- Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation Topic-wise Solved Papers
- Quanta Quantitative Aptitude by Aashish Arora
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R S Agarwal
- Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M Tyra
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
Best Books on Reasoning Ability
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal & Non-Verbal by B. S. Sijwali & Indu Sijwali
- Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
Best Books on the English Language for SBI PO Exam Preparations
- Descriptive General English by SP Bakshi and Richa Sharma
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
Best Books on General Awareness and Banking & Economy
- General / Banking / Economy Awareness by Disha Experts
- Banking Awareness by Arihant Publications
For a complete list of Best books for Bank exams
Conclusion
The SBI PO exam presents its challenges, but it is certainly achievable.
Here are some factors that make the SBI PO exam a bit more demanding for aspirants:
- Limited Attempts: Aspirants feel the pressure to clear the exam within their allotted attempt limits.
- Standard and Tricky Questions: The SBI PO papers often contain challenging questions, especially in sections like reasoning and data interpretation.
- Diverse Competition: The number of aspirants appearing for the SBI PO exam is vast and diverse. Candidates from different educational backgrounds might compete against each other, which adds to the competition.
- Strict Time Limits: The time constraints in both the preliminary and mains exams are demanding. With only one hour for the prelims (with 100 questions) and three hours for the mains (with 155 questions), time management becomes crucial.
- Clearing Sectional Cutoffs: Aspirants must excel in all sections equally to meet the sectional cutoff requirements.
- Negative Marking: The one-fourth negative marking scheme adds to the pressure, as aspirants fear losing 25 marks for each incorrect answer.
- Surprise Questions: The presence of unexpected questions in the mains exam increases the pressure on aspirants.
- Group Discussion and Interview Rounds: The group discussion and interview stages also pose significant challenges, requiring quick thinking and effective communication.
However, with diligent practice and a well-defined strategy, it is indeed possible to clear the SBI Bank PO exam successfully. All the Best!!
FAQs
1. What is the level of difficulty in the SBI PO Bank Exam?
A) The SBI PO exam is generally regarded as having a moderate to difficult, difficulty level. Nevertheless, with a clear grasp of concepts and comprehensive preparation, success is attainable.
2. What is the typical duration of preparation for the SBI PO Bank Exam?
A) While the ideal timeframe for SBI PO preparation is one year, it is generally advisable to commit at least six months to consistent study and preparation for the exam. The actual duration required varies based on factors such as the candidate’s current knowledge of the syllabus subjects, study habits, schedule, and level of dedication to the exam. Each candidate should customize their study routine to suit their individual needs and approach the exam with dedication and sincerity.
3. Is there an Interview as part of the SBI PO Exam selection process?
A) Yes, after the SBI PO Mains Exam, a merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained, and only the candidates on this list are called for the interview process. The interview is conducted face-to-face by a panel of experts.
4. How can I ensure that my preparation is sufficient?
A) To assess your preparedness, practice full-length and sectional mock tests (Tryout ixamBee Free Mock Tests). Also, aim to maximize your score by carefully selecting the most accurate options as your answers.
5. Are there negative marks in the SBI PO Exam?
A) There will be no deduction if a question is left unattempted. But Yes, in both the SBI PO Prelims and Mains objective papers, candidates will lose 0.25 marks for each incorrect attempt.
6. Which source should I use to prepare for the General Awareness section?
A) For General Awareness, you can refer to our BeePedia section. BeePedia is a comprehensive document designed to cater to the General Awareness (GA) content needs of students preparing for various competitive exams. General Awareness plays a crucial role, and BeePedia will assist you in scoring maximum marks in this section.
7. How does general reading help in bank exams like SBI PO, IBPS PO, etc.?
A) Reading books will help improve your vocabulary and comprehension skills. This in turn will be beneficial in the English section of Bank exams.
At ixamBee, you can find free Online Test Series, GK updates in the form of BeePedia, as well as latest updates for SBI PO, Bank Clerk, SSC, RBI, NABARD, and Other Government Jobs. If you want to ace your banking exam preparation, it is important that you explore ixamBee’s Ultimate BeeBanker Online Course. This course is designed to help students prepare 50% faster for all bank exams.
