The SBI PO (Probationary Officer) Main Examination is one of the most competitive banking exams in India, conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI) to recruit probationary officers for its branches across the country. After qualifying for the SBI PO Preliminary Exam, candidates move on to the SBI PO Mains Examination, which plays a crucial role in determining their eligibility for the interview and final selection.
Key Details of the SBI PO Main Examination:
1. Exam Pattern:
The SBI PO Main Exam consists of two sections: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions) and Descriptive.
- Objective Test:
- Duration: 3 hours
- Sections:
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 60 questions, 60 marks
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: 35 questions, 35 marks
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness: 40 questions, 40 marks
- English Language: 35 questions, 35 marks
- Total: 150 questions, 200 marks
- Descriptive Test:
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Total Marks: 50
- It typically includes Letter Writing and Essay Writing.
2. Negative Marking:
- There is a penalty for wrong answers in the Objective section. Each wrong answer results in a deduction of 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question.
3. Cut-off Marks:
- SBI sets both Sectional Cut-offs and Overall Cut-offs for each stage of the examination. Candidates must meet both the individual sectional and the overall cut-off marks to qualify for the next stage (the Interview).
4. Interview Stage:
- Candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for the Interview round, which carries 50 marks.
- The interview is conducted to assess the candidate’s personality, knowledge of banking, general awareness, and communication skills.
5. Final Selection:
- The final selection is based on the combined performance in the Main Examination and the Interview. There is also a Group Discussion (GD) stage, which may be included in certain years as part of the selection process.
- The weightage of the Mains Exam and Interview varies from year to year.
6. Syllabus Overview:
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: Puzzles, seating arrangement, data sufficiency, logical reasoning, and computer knowledge.
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: Bar graphs, pie charts, line charts, tables, and data interpretation.
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness: Questions related to current affairs, banking terminology, economic surveys, and budget-related information.
- English Language: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, sentence completion, and error spotting.
7. Tips for Preparation:
- Time Management: Practice time-bound mock tests for the objective section.
- Current Affairs: Stay updated with the latest news on banking, economics, and the national/international scenario.
- Practice Descriptive Writing: Improve writing skills for the essay and letter writing part of the descriptive test.
- Reasoning and Data Interpretation: Focus on logical reasoning and practicing different types of data interpretation problems.
- Previous Year Papers: Go through past exam papers to understand the pattern and types of questions asked.
The SBI PO Main Exam is a crucial stage in the selection process, and preparing well can significantly increase your chances of securing the position.
A candidate is required to fulfil basic two requirements to be eligible for SBI PO Exam. A candidate is required to fall into the required age limit for the exam. The minimum educational qualification for SBI PO exam is that of a graduate in any discipline from a recognized university.
