• Updated on 11 Oct, 2025 by Souvik
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025: The State Bank of India (SBI) has updated the SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025. As per the revised structure, the Preliminary SBI PO Exam includes three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability, with a total of 100 marks. The Mains Exam consists of both objective and descriptive papers, carrying a combined total of 250 marks. The Phase III round includes a Psychometric Test, followed by Group Exercises and an Interview. The psychometric test is only qualifying in nature, while the Group Exercises and Interview together hold 50 marks. Candidates should also review the SBI PO syllabus to get a clear idea of all the subjects and subtopics covered in the examination.
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights
Interested candidates can refer to the table below to check the highlights of SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025.
What is the New Changes in SBI PO 2025 Exam?
SBI PO is a national-level recruitment exam, and thousands of aspirants apply for it each year. However, only a few candidates make it to the final selection. To prepare effectively, candidates should first understand the updated exam pattern. This year, the State Bank of India has introduced some changes to the SBI PO selection process.
According to the revised pattern:
- A Psychometric Test will now be held in Phase III of the examination.
- This test is designed to analyze the personality traits of candidates shortlisted for the final phase.
- The outcomes of this test will be shared with the interview panel to help in the assessment.
- No marks will be awarded for the Psychometric Test.
- The group exercise and personal interview will take place in person.
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025
SBI PO exam is conduucted in multiple stages. Candidates can check the stage-wise SBI PO Exam Pattern in the tables below.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
SBI PO prelims exam consists of 100 objective questions carrying a total of 100 marks. The duration of the exam is one hour, and it is divided into three sections with separate time limits for each. The marks obtained in this phase are not considered while preparing the final merit list. Candidates will get one mark for each correct answer, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer. The detailed structure of the SBI PO prelims exam is given below.
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025
SBI PO Main Exam pattern includes both objective and descriptive sections, carrying a total of 250 marks. The paper contains 170 questions to be completed in 3 hours and 30 minutes. The objective test is divided into four sections, each with its own time limit. The detailed structure of the SBI PO Mains Exam is outlined below.
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025 for Phase III
Candidates who qualify in both the prelims and mains of the SBI PO exam move on to Phase III, which includes a psychometric test, interview, and group exercises. The psychometric test is conducted to assess the candidates’ personality traits, and its findings may be shared with the interview panel to help them gain a better understanding of the candidate. The total marks for this phase are 50, with 30 marks assigned to the interview and 20 marks to the group exercises.
SBI PO Marking Scheme 2025
Candidates can check the marking scheme for SBI PO exam below.
- There is SBI PO negative marking for wrong answers, one-fourth marks assigned to a particular question in the objective test are deducted as penalty to arrive at the corrected scores
- There is no SBI PO negative marking for the subjective part of the mains exam
- If a question is left blank, there will be no penalty for that question
- For correct answers, candidates score one mark
SBI PO Exam Duration 2025
The duration for SBI PO prelims exam is 60 minutes and for the mains exam is 3.5 minutes. Candidates can check the stage-wise exam duration below.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Duration 2025
Candidates can check the table below to know SBI PO Prelims Exam Duaration.
SBI PO Mains Exam Duration 2025
Candidates can check the table below to know SBI PO Mains Exam Duaration.
SBI PO Syllabus 2025
Candidates who wish to appear in SBI PO exam must refer to SBI PO Syllabus 2025 as mentioned below. The syllabus and the topics included in the syllabus are mentioned below.
- Reasoning Ability: Logical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Input-Output and many more.
- English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting, etc.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices, Time & Distance, Work & Time, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Data Interpretation, Number Systems, etc.
- General Awareness: Financial Awareness, Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Static Awareness, Banking and Financial Awareness
- Computer Aptitude: Internet, Memory, Keyboard Shortcuts, Computer Abbreviation, Microsoft Office, Computer Hardware, Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies, Networking, Operating System, Basic of Logic Gates, etc.
Check SBI PO Cutoff 2025
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
What are the stages of the SBI PO Exam 2025?
The SBI PO exam has three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Phase III (Interview and Group Exercises). Prelims test reasoning, English, and quant. Mains have objective and descriptive papers covering reasoning & computer aptitude, data analysis, banking awareness, and English. Phase III includes a psychometric test, interview, and group discussion. Candidates must clear each stage to move on to the next and finally get selected.
How many questions are there in SBI PO Prelims 2025?
The Prelims exam has 100 questions total, divided into three sections: English Language (40 questions), Reasoning Ability (30 questions), and Quantitative Aptitude (30 questions). Each question carries 1 mark, and candidates get 60 minutes to finish. The marks scored here decide who qualifies for Mains.
What is the duration of the SBI PO Mains exam?
The SBI PO Mains exam consists of two parts: an objective test lasting 3 hours and a descriptive test of 30 minutes. The objective section has four parts and 170 questions total. The descriptive paper tests writing skills like letter writing and essay. Candidates must clear sectional cutoffs to qualify for the next phase.
What sections are in the SBI PO Mains objective test?
The Mains objective test has four sections: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (40 questions), Data Analysis & Interpretation (30 questions), General/Economy/Banking Awareness (60 questions), and English Language (40 questions). Each section has a fixed time limit, and the total marks for Mains objective paper are 200.
Is there negative marking in SBI PO exams?
Yes, there is a penalty of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains exams. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions. Candidates should be careful while answering and avoid guesswork to save their scores.
What topics does the SBI PO Prelims cover?
Prelims cover three subjects: English Language tests grammar and comprehension, Reasoning Ability includes puzzles and logical reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude tests math skills like arithmetic and data interpretation. Candidates must prepare these topics well to clear Prelims.
What is the descriptive test about in SBI PO Mains?
The descriptive test lasts 30 minutes and includes two tasks: letter writing and essay writing. This test checks candidates' communication skills and clarity of expression in English. Only those who clear the objective section are evaluated in this paper.
How much time is given for each section in SBI PO Prelims?
In Prelims, candidates get 20 minutes for each section: English Language, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude. The total time for Prelims is 60 minutes. Time management is important to attempt all questions.
What is the total number of marks for SBI PO Mains?
The total marks for SBI PO Mains are 250, with 200 marks allocated to the objective test and 50 marks to the descriptive test. Candidates’ performance in Mains determines who will be shortlisted for the next stage.
What is Phase III of SBI PO selection process?
Phase III includes a psychometric test, group exercises, and interview. The psychometric test profiles candidates’ personality and is mandatory but not scored. The interview carries 30 marks and group exercises 20 marks, totaling 50 marks. Candidates must clear minimum qualifying marks here to finalize selection.
Can PwBD candidates get extra time in SBI PO exams?
Yes, PwBD candidates with 40% or more disability get compensatory extra time of 20 minutes per hour in both Prelims and Mains, whether or not they use a scribe. This helps them complete the exam without stress.
Are SBI PO question papers bilingual?
Yes, the SBI PO exam question papers are provided in both English and Hindi languages. Candidates can choose their preferred language to answer the questions comfortably, except for the English language section.
How many questions must candidates attempt to pass SBI PO Prelims?
There is no fixed number of questions to attempt, but candidates must score above the cutoff marks to qualify. Cutoffs vary each year based on difficulty and competition, so focus on accuracy rather than just attempts.
Is Computer Knowledge tested in SBI PO Mains?
Yes, reasoning and computer aptitude are combined in one section in Mains. Questions can include computer basics, operating systems, software, and recent computer-related advancements along with logical reasoning.
What happens if a candidate fails in one section of Mains?
Candidates must clear sectional cutoffs in all subjects of Mains to qualify for the next phase. Not meeting the minimum required score in any section leads to disqualification, even if the overall marks are high.