SBI PO - Pattern, Syllabus & Mock Tests
SBI PO is State Bank of India's recruitment of Probationary Officers in Junior Management Grade Scale-I. The latest advertisement is CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 of 18 June 2026, with 1,500 vacancies. Selection has three phases: an online Preliminary Examination, an online Main Examination (200 objective marks and a 30-mark descriptive paper), and Phase III, which is a psychometric test followed by a group exercise and an interview. Prelims is 100 questions in 1 hour and only shortlists for Mains. The guide and mocks here are for Prelims.
Under 10 minutes · no account needed · real percentile at the end
What is the SBI PO exam pattern?
Prelims has English Language (40 questions), Quantitative Aptitude (30) and Reasoning Ability (30) for a total of 100 marks. Each test has its own 20-minute timer, so the paper takes 1 hour. Every question has five options, and one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for a wrong answer. All tests except English Language are in English and Hindi. There is no sectional cut-off in Prelims: about 10 times the vacancies in each category are shortlisted for Mains on aggregate marks. Mains has four objective tests (170 questions, 200 marks, 3 hours) and a 30-mark typed descriptive paper in 30 minutes. The final merit is Mains marks normalised to 75 plus group exercise (20) and interview (30) marks normalised to 25; Prelims marks are not added.
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| English Language | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 |
Full exam pattern: Tier-wise marks, timers and qualifying rules →
What is the SBI PO syllabus?
SBI does not publish a topic-wise syllabus. Its Prelims booklet describes English Language as grammar, vocabulary, sentence completion, synonyms, antonyms and comprehension of a passage; Quantitative Aptitude as computation, quantitative reasoning and interpretation of tables and graphs; and Reasoning Ability as a test of how well you can think, with sample questions on classification, analogy, inference from statements, coded operations, data sufficiency and syllogism. Mains adds Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge, and a descriptive paper with an email, a situation analysis and a report or a precis. The booklets say the sample questions are illustrative and not exhaustive.
Complete syllabus, subject by subject →
What is a good SBI PO cut-off?
SBI has not published SBI PO cut-off marks in a public document; its results are lists of roll numbers, and marks are shown only to each candidate after login. We therefore quote no cut-off. The rule is that about 10 times the category-wise vacancies are shortlisted for Mains and up to about 3 times for Phase III. In the 2026 cycle, with 1,500 vacancies (UR 588, OBC 390, EWS 144, SC 234, ST 144), the Prelims result of 28 August 2026 lists 15,802 roll numbers and the Mains result of 14 October 2026 lists 4,367 by our count. Mains has a minimum qualifying score in every test, decided by the Bank.
Official cut-offs and vacancies →
How should I prepare for SBI PO?
Spread evenly, Prelims gives 30 seconds for an English question and 40 seconds for a Quantitative Aptitude or Reasoning question, and time cannot be carried from one test to the next. Because there is no sectional cut-off, take the questions you can finish inside each 20 minutes and leave the rest. With five options and a one-fourth penalty, a blind guess is worth zero on average, so guess only after ruling out an option. No calculator is allowed in Prelims. Start General Awareness, Economy and Banking and typed descriptive practice early: in 2026 Mains was held 15 days after the Prelims result.
Preparation strategy built on the marks and timers →
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are there in SBI PO Prelims?
100 questions for 100 marks in 1 hour: English Language 40, Quantitative Aptitude 30 and Reasoning Ability 30, each with its own 20-minute timer.
What is the negative marking in SBI PO?
One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the objective tests of Prelims and Mains. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
Is there a sectional cut-off in SBI PO Prelims?
No. The 2026 advertisement says there is no sectional cut-off in the Preliminary Examination. Mains has a minimum qualifying score in each test, including the descriptive paper.
What is the age limit and qualification for SBI PO?
Under advertisement CRPD/PO/2026-27/09, 21 to 30 years as on 1 April 2026, with 3 years relaxation for OBC (non-creamy layer) and 5 years for SC and ST. The qualification is graduation in any discipline.
How many attempts are allowed for SBI PO?
Under the 2026 advertisement, 6 for UR and EWS, 9 for OBC and for PwBD candidates of UR, EWS and OBC, and no limit for SC and ST. Only appearing in the Main Examination counts as an attempt.