Overview

State Bank of India (SBI) every year conducts SBI PO exam to select eligible candidates for the post of Probationary Officer (PO). The POs are also responsible for certain Managerial tasks such as supervising the work of Bank clerks, verification of documents, managing cash balance, be aware of the latest developments in the bank, etc. Some other the duties of the POs include, handling and addressing customer queries, looking into complaints regarding bank services, issue ATM Cards, Demand Drafts, Cheque books, rectifying undue charges & discrepancies in accounts.

Important Dates

The important dates for SBI PO Exam 2023-24 are as follows

Download Notifications PDF

Download Notifications PDF

Selection Process

The selection will be done through a three-Phase process :

• Phase-I : Preliminary Examination
• Phase-II : Main Examination
• Phase-III Comprise of (i) Psychometric Test (ii) Group Exercise & (iii) Interview

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification   Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government.

Age Limit    The age limit is 21-30 years.

Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Phase-I : Preliminary Examination

Phase-II : Main Examination

Psychometric Test

The Bank will conduct Psychometric test for personality profiling, of those candidates who will be shortlisted for Phase III. Finding of the test may be placed before the Interview panel for having a thorough perspective on the candidates.

Syllabus  

Phase-I : Preliminary Examination

• English Language     Fill in the Blanks; Reading Comprehension; Para Jumbles; Cloze Test; Error Spotting; Phrase Replacement/ Sentence Correction; Phrase Idiom Meaning; Sentence/Paragraph Completion; Spellings
• Quantitative Aptitude    Simplification; Number System; Average; Percentage; Ratio and Proportion; Interest; Number Series; Profit & Loss; Speed, Time, and Distance; Algebra; Mensuration; Data Interpretation; Mixture Problems; Permutation and Combination Probability
• Reasoning Ability   Coding & Decoding; Inequalities; Ordering and Ranking; Directions & Distances; Arrangement & Pattern; Analogy; Classification; Syllogisms; Blood Relations; Input-Output; Data Sufficiency; Circular Seating Arrangement; Scheduling; Grouping and Selection; Verbal Reasoning

Phase-II : Main Examination

• Reasoning   Syllogism; Circular Seating Arrangement; Double Lineup; Blood Relations; Directions and Distance; Code Inequalities; Coding-Decoding; Critical Reasoning; Analytical and Decision Making; Verbal Reasoning
• Computer Aptitude    Internet; Keyboard Shortcuts; Microsoft Office; Computer Software; Networking; Basic of Logic Gates; Memory; Computer Abbreviation; Computer Hardware; Operating System; Computer Fundamentals/ Terminologies; Number System; Linear Seating Arrangement; Scheduling; Input-Output; Ordering and Ranking; Data Sufficiency; Course of Action
• Data Analysis & Interpretation   Tabular Graph; Missing Case DI; Probability; Bar Graph; Pie Charts; Let it Case DI; Permutation and Combination; Radar Graph Caselet; Charts & Tables; Line Graph; Radar Chart; Data Sufficiency
• General/Economy/Banking Awareness   Financial Awareness; Current Affairs (Technology, Sports, Awards, Books & Authors, Awards, National & International Events, etc.); Banking Terminologies Knowledge; Static Awareness; General Knowledge; Banking Awareness; Principles of Insurance
• English Language    Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting; Reading Comprehension; Cloze Test; Fill in the blanks; Tenses Rules; Para Jumbles; Vocabulary; Paragraph Completion; Sentence Completion  

Exam Analysis

परीक्षा विश्लेषण पिछली परीक्षा पर आधारित है।

चरण-l: प्रारंभिक परीक्षा

 चरण-ll: मुख्य परीक्षा

Admit Card

The SBI releases admit cards for Prelims, Mains and Interview of PO exam separately. Follow the below steps to download the Admit Card : 

• Visit the official website of the State Bank of India @sbi.co.in or click on the SBI PO Interview Call Letter Link which is provided above.
• On the bottom left corner of the homepage, click on the “Careers” option.
• A new page with URL- https://sbi.co.in/web/careers opens.
• Click on the JOIN SBI link on the menu bar and then click on the “Current Openings” tab.
• Search for “Recruitment of Probationary Officers” in the Current Opening section and then click on it.
• Click on “Call letter” and a new page opens.
• Select Admit Card language and enter your Registration Number/ Roll No & Password/ DOB generated at the time of registration.
• Download the Admit Card and keep a copy for future reference.

Result

Given below are the steps that candidates have followed to check the SBI PO Result : 

• Visit the official site of SBI (https://www.sbi.co.in/web/careers).
• The SBI PO result PDF will appear on your screen.
• Find Your roll number in the PDF with Ctrl+F and insert your roll number.
• If your roll number will be highlighted in the PDF that means you have cleared the exam and selected for next phase.
• Save your result PDF for future reference.

Answer Key

The steps to download the SBI PO answer key are mentioned below : 

• Visit the official site of SBI (www.sbi.co.in/web/careers).
• Click on the SBI PO answer key link
• A new PDF will open which will have the SBI PO answer key
• Compare the selected answers mentioned in the SBI PO exam key and calculate the marks.

Preparation Tips

• Make a Section-wise Strategy   There is a fixed time to attempt each section. In order to attempt the maximum number of questions, you must have a clear strategy to attempt each section. If you want to attempt the Reasoning Ability section then they must pre-decide in mind that what types of questions to solve first in this section. For eg: one can devote the first five minutes to puzzle-based questions, the next two minutes to direction-based questions, and so on.
• Revise from Previous Years’ Papers    You should focus on the revision of critical topics. They should put maximum effort into topics with maximum weightage in the PO exam.
• Revise with Short Tutorials     A number of video tutorials are available online for bank exam preparation. Short video tutorials are very helpful for revision.
• Analyse Mock Tests     You should take the sectional and full-length mock tests during preparation. While in the last phase of preparation, you should not attempt too many mock tests. Also, you must analyse your performance after every mock test. You should identify the weak areas and work upon improving those areas. 
• Concepts Should be Clear   You must be clear with the concepts. The standard of SBI PO syllabus is of graduation level. You can clear their basic concept of Quantitative Aptitude and rules of grammar from their high school books.  
• Shortcuts will be Helpful    You should learn shortcuts for solving questions. Since there are sectional timings, learning shortcuts will help you to attempt maximum questions in less possible time. 
• Practice More Regularly    You can practice with more and more sectional tests, and take one mock test every day. Practice on the computer for optimum results. 
• Limit Guesswork    In SBI PO exam, there is a negative marking for incorrect responses. Therefore, you are advised not to do guesswork. 
• Avoid Spending too much time on Any Question    While attempting the exam, do not get stuck in any question. If you are unable to understand the question, then leave that. Be careful, while attempting questions based on puzzles.

Apply Online

The steps to apply online for SBI PO exam are as follows : 

• Visit the official website of SBI i.e. sbi.co.in/web/careers.
• Click on the Latest Announcement.
• Then proceed to click on the Apply Online Section. 
• Using the Registration Number and Password sent on the mobile number and registered Email ID of candidates log in and fill out the complete application form.
• Take a moment to review the information you have provided and make any necessary changes before proceeding to submit.
• Go on to pay the application fee, and complete the application form.
• Once you have successfully paid the application fee, your application form will be submitted.

FAQs

How should I prepare for SBI PO?  

The SBI PO is a fairly tough exam if you are an arts or diploma background. The questions asked can be solved by practising similar type papers of SBI PO and other tougher exams like CAT etc. The Aptitude section should be practised and Past question papers should be downloaded and solved. Last three years papers should be studied to understand trends. 

What is career prospects of SBI Specialist officer?

Typical software engineer profile like testing, development of applications and technology products. Liaison with vendors of technology products of bank. 

How to crack SBI PO in first attempt?

The first step you must do for cracking the SBI PO exam on the first attempt is to analyze the syllabus and exam pattern. After going through the syllabus, candidates should attempt mock tests and solve previous years' question papers. 

How many attempts are for SBI PO? 

The number of attempts in SBI PO is decided as per the category of the candidate. For the general category the maximum number of attempt is 4, for OBC, General (PWD)/ OBC (PWD) is 7 and there is no limit for SC and ST.