Crack the SBI PO Exam 2023: Notification, Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, and Preparation Tips
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.
Overview of the SBI PO Exam
| Exam Name | SBI PO Exam |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Mode of Examination | Online |
| Official Website | www.sbi.co.in |
How to Apply for SBI PO Exam
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.
SBI PO Application Fee
General/OBC/EWS: ₹750
SC/ST/PWD: ₹125
SBI PO Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
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.
SBI PO Selection Process
The selection process for the SBI PO exam consists of three stages:
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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.
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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.
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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.
SBI PO Syllabus
SBI PO Prelims Syllabus
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Improvement, Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Number System, Simplification, Approximation, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Problems on Trains, Boats and Streams, Mensuration, Permutations and Combinations, Probability, Data Sufficiency |
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Inequality, Syllogism, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency, Alphanumeric Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Order and Ranking, Alphabet Test, Analogy, Classification, Clocks and Calendars, Mirror Image, Water Image |
SBI PO Mains Syllabus
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | Coded Inequality, Syllogism, Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency, Logical Reasoning, Alphanumeric Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Order and Ranking, Computer Fundamentals, Operating System, Computer Networks, Internet, MS Office, Keyboard Shortcuts, Computer Abbreviations, File Extensions |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | Data Interpretation (Tabular, Bar Graph, Line Chart, Pie Chart, Caselet), Data Sufficiency, Probability, Permutations and Combinations, Number System, Simplification, Approximation, Quadratic Equations, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Problems on Trains, Boats and Streams |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | Current Affairs (National and International), Indian Economy, Economic Survey, Union Budget, Banking and Financial Awareness, RBI Policy Rates, Monetary Policy, Financial Institutions, National and International Organizations, Banking Terminology, Government Schemes, Sports, Awards and Honors, Books and Authors, Science and Technology |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Improvement, Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms), Paragraph Completion, Sentence Connectors, Sentence Rearrangement, Idioms and Phrases, One-word Substitution, Descriptive Writing (Essay and Letter Writing) |
SBI PO Exam Pattern
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 1 Hour (20 minutes per section) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Total (Objective Test) | 155 | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Descriptive Test | |||
| Essay Writing | 1 | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Letter Writing | 1 | 20 | |
| Total (Descriptive Test) | 2 | 50 | |
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:
Mains Exam: 75% GD: 10% Interview: 15%
Important Points
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).
SBI PO Language of Examination
The SBI PO Exam is conducted in both English and Hindi languages.
SBI PO Salary, Pay-Scale
| Component | Amount/Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | Rs. 27,620/- |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | 46.9% of Basic Pay |
| City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) | 3% – 4% depending on location |
| Special Allowance | Rs. 2,625/- |
| Total Compensation (without lease/housing) | Rs. 44,900/- |
| Leased Housing Accommodation (LHA) | Depends on location |
| Provident Fund (PF) | 10% of Basic Pay |
| Gratuity | Rs. 10 Lakh (maximum) |
| Medical Insurance | 100% cost covered for employee and 75% for dependents |
| Leave Fare Concession (LFC) | Once every 2 years, for travel within India |
| SBI PO In-Hand Salary | Approx. Rs. 50,000/- per month |
SBI PO Preparation Tips
- 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.
SBI PO Best Books
SBI PO Prelims Books:
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- English Language for Competitive Exams by Wren and Martin
- SBI PO Prelims Guide by Disha Publications
- SBI PO Prelims Mock Test Papers by Arihant Publications
- SBI PO Prelims Previous Year Question Papers
SBI PO Mains Books:
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Descriptive General English by S.P. Bakshi and Richa Sharma
- High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren and Martin
- Data Interpretation & Analysis for SBI PO by Kiran Publications
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal
- Financial Awareness for Competitive Exams by Disha Publications
- Banking Awareness by Arihant Publications
- Objective Computer Awareness by Arihant Publications
- A Complete Book for SBI PO Mains by Arihant Publications
- SBI PO Mains Previous Year Question Papers