SBI Clerk vs SBI PO Exam Difficulty Level
SBI Clerk vs SBI PO Exam Difficulty Level:- Understanding the SBI Clerk vs SBI PO exam is important for candidates who are planning to apply for banking jobs. Both exams are conducted by the State Bank of India but differ in terms of roles, responsibilities, difficulty level, and selection process. The SBI PO syllabus is generally more detailed and includes higher-level reasoning and quantitative sections compared to the SBI Clerk syllabus. When looking at the SBI Clerk vs SBI PO differences, it's clear that the PO exam is more challenging due to the added interview and descriptive paper. Go through the article below for SBI Clerk vs SBI PO Exam Difficulty Level.
What is SBI Clerk?
SBI Clerk is an exam conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI) to recruit Junior Associates (Customer Support and Sales). It is an entry-level post in banking where the selected candidate works in the clerical department of SBI. SBI Clerks are the face of the bank, and they play an important role in customer service. Job role of SBI Clerk:
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Handling customer requests at the branch
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Managing cash deposits and withdrawals
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Updating passbooks and account details
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Providing information about bank products and services
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Assisting in day-to-day banking operations
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2025
The SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 is designed to select candidates for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) in the State Bank of India. The selection process takes place in two main stages – Preliminary Exam and Main Exam. Both stages are conducted in online mode and test candidates on subjects like English, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, and General Awareness.
There is no interview round for the SBI Clerk post, which makes it a great opportunity for candidates looking to join the banking sector through a written exam-only process. The final selection is based on the marks scored in the Main Exam, subject to qualifying the language proficiency test and document verification.
|
Stage |
Section |
No. of Questions |
Time |
|
Prelims |
English Language |
30 |
20 minutes |
|
Numerical Ability |
35 |
20 minutes |
|
|
Reasoning Ability |
35 |
20 minutes |
|
|
Total |
100 |
1 hour |
|
|
Mains |
General/Financial Awareness |
50 |
35 minutes |
|
General English |
40.00 |
35 minutes |
|
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
50 |
45 minutes |
|
|
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude |
50 |
45 minutes |
|
|
Total |
190 |
2 hr 40 min |
|
Must Buy, SBI Clerk Prelims and Mains 2024-25 Exams 10 Previous Year Solved Papers (PYQs) Book
What is SBI PO?
SBI PO (Probationary Officer) is a recruitment exam held by the State Bank of India to select candidates for officer-level positions. This post comes with more responsibility, training, and promotion chances. It is a reputed and challenging job with good salary, growth, and leadership roles. Job role of SBI PO:
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Supervising clerical staff and managing daily bank activities
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Handling customer accounts, loans, and investments
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Managing cash, balance sheets, and transactions
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Assisting in decision-making and planning
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Leading teams and working as a future bank manager
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025
The SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025 and SBI PO syllabus is made to select candidates for the post of Probationary Officer in the State Bank of India. The selection process has three stages – Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview. The Prelims is the first stage, and those who pass it move on to the Main Exam. After clearing the Mains, selected candidates are called for the Interview and Group Discussion round. The final selection is based on the marks scored in the Main Exam and Interview. This exam checks not just your knowledge, but also how well you can think, solve problems, and communicate, all important for a future bank officer.
|
Stage |
Section |
No. of Questions |
Time |
|
Prelims |
English Language |
30 |
20 minutes |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
35 |
20 minutes |
|
|
Reasoning Ability |
35 |
20 minutes |
|
|
Total |
100 |
1 hour |
|
|
Mains |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude |
40 |
50 minutes |
|
Data Analysis & Interpretation |
30.00 |
45 minutes |
|
|
General/Economy/Banking Awareness |
50 |
35 minutes |
|
|
English Language |
35 |
40 minutes |
|
|
Objective Total |
155 |
3 hours |
|
|
Descriptive Test (Essay + Letter Writing) |
2 questions |
30 minutes |
|
|
Interview |
Group Exercise + Personal Interview |
— |
— |
Also Check, SBI PO Prelims & Mains Previous Year Solved Papers For Exam 2024-2025
SBI Clerk vs SBI PO Exam Difficulty Level
When preparing for a banking career, many candidates wonder whether the SBI Clerk exam is easier than the SBI PO exam. While both exams are conducted by the State Bank of India, their difficulty levels are quite different. The SBI Clerk exam is generally considered easier and more straightforward, making it a good choice for beginners. On the other hand, the SBI PO exam is more challenging, with deeper questions, an additional descriptive test, and an interview round. Check out the below table to understand the difference between SBI Clerk and SBI PO:-
|
Aspect |
SBI Clerk |
SBI PO |
|
Overall Difficulty Level |
Easy to Moderate. Suitable for beginners. |
Moderate to Difficult. Requires strong preparation and deeper understanding. |
|
Nature of Questions |
Questions are straightforward and less time-consuming. |
Questions are concept-based, analytical, and may be time-consuming. |
|
Reasoning Ability |
Includes basic puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, etc. |
Contains high-level puzzles, critical reasoning, data sufficiency, and input-output. |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
Covers topics like simplification, number series, averages, percentages. |
Includes complex topics such as data interpretation, probability, and caselets. |
|
English Language |
Focuses on grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension – generally easier. |
More advanced RCs, sentence improvement, and tricky grammar questions. |
|
General Awareness |
Mostly includes current affairs, simple banking terms, static GK. |
Covers detailed banking awareness, economy, financial news, and current affairs. |
|
Computer Aptitude |
Basic computer knowledge tested (merged with Reasoning in Mains). |
Part of Reasoning section, questions may include logical computer-related reasoning. |
|
Descriptive Test |
Not applicable. |
Included in Mains – tests essay and letter writing skills. |
|
Interview/Group Discussion |
No interview or GD – final selection is based on Mains only. |
Includes Group Discussion and Personal Interview – adds to overall difficulty. |
|
Exam Pressure |
Less pressure due to no interview and simpler questions. |
More pressure due to tough competition, multiple stages, and interview. |
|
Time Management |
Easier to manage time as questions are shorter and direct. |
Requires strong time management due to lengthy and tricky questions. |
|
Career Growth Path |
Promotions take more time; starts as clerical staff. |
Faster career growth; starts in officer cadre with leadership roles. |
SBI Clerk vs SBI PO Salary Structure
When choosing between SBI Clerk and SBI PO, one of the key factors candidates look at is the salary and benefits. While both posts offer job security and good allowances, there is a clear difference in their pay structure. SBI PO, being a managerial-level post, offers a higher starting salary, faster promotions, and more perks. On the other hand, the SBI Clerk post comes with a decent salary and simpler work profile, making it ideal for those looking for stability with less pressure. Below is a detailed comparison of the SBI Clerk and SBI PO salary structure:
|
Salary Component |
SBI PO |
SBI Clerk |
|
Starting Basic Pay |
₹27,620 with 4 advance increments |
₹13,075 (includes two advance increments for graduates) |
|
Pay Scale |
₹23,700 – 980/7 – 30,560 – 1145/2 – 32,850 – 1310/7 – ₹42,020 |
₹11,765 – 655/3 – 13,730 – 815/3 – 16,175 – 980/4 – 20,095 – 1145/7 – 28,110 – 2120/1 – 30,230 – 1310/1 – ₹31,450 |
|
Gross Monthly Salary |
Approx. ₹52,000 – ₹55,000 (varies by location) |
Approx. ₹26,000 – ₹30,000 (varies by location) |
|
Annual Compensation (CTC) |
₹8.20 lakhs to ₹13.08 lakhs (depending on posting location and allowances) |
₹3.5 lakhs to ₹4.5 lakhs (approximate range, depending on location and allowances) |
|
Allowances & Perks |
DA, HRA/Lease Rental, CCA, Medical, Newspaper, Petrol, Briefcase, Furniture, Mobile Bill Reimbursement, etc. |
DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, Medical Allowance, and other basic banking perks |
|
SMART Compensation Package |
Yes – Option to monetise specific parts of the salary (subject to approval) |
Not available |
|
Leave Encashment & Privileges |
Privilege leave encashment, LTC, and other benefits |
Privilege leave and casual leave benefits |
|
Promotion & Growth |
Fast promotion to senior managerial roles |
Slower promotion compared to PO; first promotion is usually to Officer (JMGS-I) after qualifying internal exam |
SBI Exam Preparation Books
Getting ready for the SBI exams becomes easier with the help of useful and well-structured SBI exam preparation books. Whether a candidate is preparing for the SBI PO or the SBI Clerk exam, having the right set of books helps in covering the important topics clearly. There are specific SBI PO books and books for SBI Clerk preparation that focus on areas like reasoning, maths, English, and current affairs. These SBI Clerk books and PO resources support regular practice and help in understanding the exam pattern better.
Read More: How to Crack Bank Exam in First Attempt
SBI Clerk vs SBI PO Exam FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between SBI Clerk and SBI PO exams?
A: SBI Clerk is for the post of Junior Associate (customer support), while SBI PO is for Probationary Officer, a higher post with more responsibilities and a tougher selection process.
Q2. Can I apply for both SBI PO and SBI Clerk exams in the same year?
A: Yes, candidates can apply for both exams if they meet the eligibility criteria for each.
Q3. What is the minimum qualification for SBI exams?
A: A candidate must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university for both SBI Clerk and SBI PO exams.
Q4. Is there any age limit for SBI PO and SBI Clerk?
A: Yes. For SBI Clerk: 20 to 28 years; For SBI PO: 21 to 30 years. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories.
Q5. Is there an interview round in the SBI Clerk exam?
A: No, there is no interview in the SBI Clerk exam. Final selection is based on the Mains exam and language proficiency test.
