SBI PO Syllabus 2025 for Prelims and Mains Exams

The State Bank of India Probationary Officer (SBI PO) exam is one of the most sought-after banking exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for a limited number of vacancies, making it crucial to understand the SBI PO syllabus thoroughly. The exam is conducted in three phases: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview round. We will compare the SBI PO Prelims syllabus and the SBI PO Mains syllabus to help you strategize your preparation effectively.

SBI PO 2025 Exam Structure

The SBI PO exam is divided into two main stages: Prelims and Mains. Candidates must clear both stages to qualify for the interview round

• Prelims Examination:

1. Format: Primarily multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

2. Focus: Tests basic concepts, speed, and accuracy across various sections.

3. Total Marks: 100

4. Duration: 60 minutes (20 minutes per section)

• Mains Examination:

1. Format: A mix of objective and descriptive questions.

2. Focus: Assesses candidates on in-depth analytical abilities, writing skills, and application of knowledge.

3. Marks: 200 (MCQs)

4. Duration: 3 hours

5. Descriptive Paper: The Descriptive Test carries 50 marks and includes Letter Writing and Essay tasks to evaluate your writing skills

• Interview & Psychometric Test:

1. Interview Components: Group Exercise (20 marks) and Personal Interview (30 marks)

2. Final Merit: Calculated by combining the marks from the Mains exam and the Interview in a 75:25 ratio

Each stage covers similar core areas but differs in the depth of topics and evaluation criteria.

SBI PO Prelims Syllabus

Here we will break down the SBI PO Prelims syllabus to get clear directions for the preparation.

The SBI PO prelims syllabus consists of three subjects:

1. English Language

• Reading Comprehension

• Error Detection

• Cloze Test

• Para Jumbles

• Fill in the Blanks

2. Quantitative Aptitude

• Number Series

• Simplification & Approximation

• Data Interpretation

• Quadratic Equations

• Arithmetic Problems

3. Reasoning Ability

• Puzzles & Seating Arrangement

• Syllogism

• Blood Relations

• Coding-Decoding

• Inequalities

Candidates must meet both sectional and overall cutoffs to qualify for the Mains exam.

Check Out: SBI PO Prelims & Mains Previous Year Solved Papers

SBI PO Mains Syllabus

The SBI PO Mains syllabus builds on the Prelims topics with advanced concepts and additional sections.

1. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

• Statement & Assumptions

• Logical Reasoning

• Coding-Decoding (Advanced)

• Input-Output

• Computer Fundamentals

2. Data Analysis & Interpretation

• Caselet DI

• Data Sufficiency

• Probability & Permutations

• Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables

3. General Awareness (Economy & Banking)

• Current Affairs

• Banking & Financial Awareness

• Static GK

4. English Language

• Advanced Reading Comprehension

• Essay & Letter Writing (Descriptive Test)

The main exam is highly competitive, and scores from this stage, along with the Interview, determine the final selection.

Detailed Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

A side-by-side look at the exam pattern can help you adjust your preparation strategy for each phase.

The final merit list is based on the combined performance in the main and Interview rounds.

Check Out: Bank PO and Clerk Exams Previous Year Solved Papers 

SBI PO Prelims vs. Mains Exam Differences

Before going into this, you should know the difference between SBI PO prelims and Mains, which will help you prepare better.

Final Selection Process

• Candidates must clear Mains to qualify for the psychometric test, group discussion (GD), and personal interview.

• Psychometric Test: Designed for personality profiling, it gauges your cognitive abilities, personality traits, and overall fit for the role.

• Marks from Mains + GD + Interview determine the final selection.

• Group Exercise: 20 marks

• Personal Interview: 30 marks

Weightage: Marks from the Mains and Interviews are combined in a 75:25 ratio for the final selection.

Read More: SBI PO 2025 Exam Preparation Tips and Strategy

Recommended Books for SBI PO 2025

Books are crucial in the preparation. Find the right book that will help you clear your doubts and also help to practice and give you deep knowledge about the subject. Find below the recommended book that is curated with the latest trends and step by step guide to clear complex questions easily.

Effective Preparation Strategies

A well-planned study regimen is critical for success. Here are some strategic tips:

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Exam Pattern: Download and review the official SBI PO syllabus PDF to understand the topics and structure clearly.
2. Assess Your Strengths & Weaknesses: Identify key areas where you excel and those that need extra work.
3. Practice with Timer: Practiced regular mock tests and previous year papers can enhance your speed and accuracy.
4. Keep Updated with Current Affairs: Especially for the General/Economy/Banking Awareness section, maintain a daily habit of reading quality newspapers and financial journals.
5. Enhance Writing Skills: For the descriptive section, practice structured writing, focusing on clarity, coherence, and proper formatting.

The SBI PO exam syllabus is structured to assess analytical, language, and problem-solving skills. While Prelims is qualifying in nature, the SBI PO mains syllabus holds more weight in the final merit list. Aspiring candidates should focus on concept clarity, speed, and accuracy for Prelims and in-depth preparation for Mains to secure a place in SBI PO 2025.

Read More: SBI PO 2025 Previous Year's Question Paper PDF with Solutions

SBI PO Syllabus FAQs

1. How many stages are there in the SBI PO exam?

The SBI PO exam is conducted in multiple stages: the Prelims exam, the Mains exam (which includes both objective and descriptive sections), and the Interview (along with a Psychometric Test for personality profiling).

2. What is the duration and total marks for the Prelims exam?

The Prelims exam lasts 60 minutes in total, with 20 minutes allotted per section, and is scored out of 100 marks.

3. How is the SBI PO Mains exam structured?

The Mains exam consists of a 200-mark objective test (155 MCQs) followed by a 50-mark descriptive test that assesses your ability in letter writing and essay composition.

4. Is there any negative marking in the SBI PO exam?

Yes, in the Prelims exam, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. Negative marking typically applies only to the objective sections.