The State Bank of India (SBI) conducts the Probationary Officer (PO) Exam to recruit candidates for the position of Probationary Officers across its various branches. This competitive examination is held at a national level, attracting numerous aspirants who aspire to build their careers in the banking sector.
Visit the official SBI website (www.sbi.co.in).
Click on the “Careers” tab and find the SBI PO Exam 2023 notification.
Register with your email ID and mobile number.
Fill in the online application form with the required details.
Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other necessary documents.
Pay the application fee through the available online payment options.
Review the information and submit the application form.
Download and print a copy of the submitted application form for future reference.
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government. Candidates in the final year/semester of their graduation may also apply provisionally, subject to the condition that they produce proof of having passed the graduation examination.
The selection process for the SBI PO exam consists of three stages:
Preliminary Examination: The preliminary examination is the first stage of the SBI PO selection process. It is a computer-based exam consisting of 100 objective-type questions. The duration of the exam is 1 hour. The test is divided into three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The English Language section carries 30 marks, while the Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability sections carry 35 marks each. The preliminary examination is a qualifying exam and the marks obtained in this round are not considered for final selection.
Preliminary Examination: The preliminary examination is the first stage of the SBI PO selection process. It is a computer-based exam consisting of 100 objective-type questions. The duration of the exam is 1 hour. The test is divided into three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The English Language section carries 30 marks, while the Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability sections carry 35 marks each. The preliminary examination is a qualifying exam and the marks obtained in this round are not considered for final selection.
Main Examination: The main examination is the second stage of the SBI PO selection process. It is a computer-based exam consisting of two sections – Objective and Descriptive. The objective section carries 200 marks and includes questions from four sections: Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language. The duration of the objective section is 3 hours. The descriptive section carries 50 marks and candidates are required to write a letter and an essay in English. The duration of the descriptive section is 30 minutes. The marks obtained in the main examination are considered for final selection.
Main Examination: The main examination is the second stage of the SBI PO selection process. It is a computer-based exam consisting of two sections – Objective and Descriptive. The objective section carries 200 marks and includes questions from four sections: Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language. The duration of the objective section is 3 hours. The descriptive section carries 50 marks and candidates are required to write a letter and an essay in English. The duration of the descriptive section is 30 minutes. The marks obtained in the main examination are considered for final selection.
Group Discussion and Interview: Candidates who clear the main examination are called for a Group Discussion and Interview. The group discussion carries 20 marks, while the interview carries 30 marks. The total marks for the Group Discussion and Interview round are 50. The final selection is made on the basis of the marks obtained in the main examination and Group Discussion and Interview.
Group Discussion and Interview: Candidates who clear the main examination are called for a Group Discussion and Interview. The group discussion carries 20 marks, while the interview carries 30 marks. The total marks for the Group Discussion and Interview round are 50. The final selection is made on the basis of the marks obtained in the main examination and Group Discussion and Interview.
Group Discussion and Interview:
Group Discussion: The GD round is a test of a candidate’s communication and leadership skills. In this round, candidates are divided into groups of 10-15 and given a topic to discuss. The topic could be related to current affairs, social issues, business, economy, etc. The candidates are expected to put forth their viewpoints in a clear and concise manner and also listen to and acknowledge the views of others. The GD round is usually held for 20-30 minutes.
Interview: The interview is the final round of the SBI PO selection process. Candidates who clear the GD round are called for the interview. The interview panel consists of 4-5 members, including a senior bank official and an expert from the field of finance or HR. The interview is usually held for 15-20 minutes.
The interview panel asks questions to the candidate to assess their suitability for the job. The questions could be related to the candidate’s academic background, work experience, knowledge of banking and finance, current affairs, etc. The panel also assesses the candidate’s communication skills, confidence, problem-solving ability, and attitude towards work and life.
The final selection of candidates is based on their performance in the mains exam, GD, and interview. The weightage for each round is as follows:
Both the Preliminary and Main exams are conducted online. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer in the objective tests of the Preliminary and Main exams. The Descriptive test in the Main exam is a test of English language (Essay and Letter Writing).
The SBI PO Exam is conducted in both English and Hindi languages.
Understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
Create a study schedule that covers all the topics.
Solve previous years’ question papers and take online mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
Focus on time management and develop strategies to attempt the maximum number of questions in the given time.
Regularly read newspapers and magazines to stay updated on current affairs, especially those related to the banking and financial sectors.
Practice descriptive writing by writing essays and letters on various topics.
Revise regularly and maintain short notes for quick reference.
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren and Martin
Data Interpretation & Analysis for SBI PO by Kiran Publications
A Complete Book for SBI PO Mains by Arihant Publications