SBI PO Exam Pattern 2024 - Check Prelims and Mains Pattern, Psychometric Test, Marking Scheme

Updated By Bipasha Ray on 01 Mar, 2024 15:48

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SBI PO 2024 Exam Pattern

SBI PO Exam Pattern 2024 is prescribed by the State Bank of India (SBI). The SBI PO exam pattern is divided into prelims, mains, and psychometric test, interview & group exercises. SBI PO Phase I is the preliminary exam, which comprises three sections and carries 100 marks. Phase II of the SBI PO exam pattern is the mains exam, which carries 250. The question papers are framed bilingually i.e. in English and Hindi. The third and final stage will comprise a psychometric test, interview, and group discussion exercise.

The State Bank of India will conduct the SBI PO 2024 exam in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. All applicants should get familiar with the SBI PO 2024 Exam Pattern to succeed in the exam. Candidates are required to qualify for all three stages (Prelims, Mains & Interview) by securing SBI PO cutoff marks decided by the examination authorities.

SBI PO exam pattern defines the overall structure of the exam such as time duration, total marks, number of sections, marking scheme, etc. An in-depth understanding of the SBI PO Exam Pattern 2024 is crucial as it will help you to build a strong understanding of the exam and give an effective touch to your exam preparation. Let's have a look at the SBI PO Exam Pattern in detail to help you prepare well for the exam.

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2024 Highlights

Below mentioned are the SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern Highlights:

Number of Questions

100

Mode of Examination

Online

Maximum Marks

100

Sections in Paper

3 (English language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability)

Marks/Questions in each section

English language: 30

Quantitative aptitude: 35

Reasoning Ability: 35

Time Allotted to Each Section

English language: 20 min

Quantitative aptitude: 20 min

Reasoning Ability: 20 min

SBI PO 2024 Prelims Exam Pattern

The first stage for SBI PO 2024 Recruitment is the Preliminary Exam, in which the aspirant has to qualify in order to get shortlisted for SBI PO Mains Exam.

1. There will be 3 sections in SBI PO Prelims Exam like any other PO Exam: English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.

2. A total of 100 multiple choice questions will be asked in SBI PO Prelims Exam 2024.

3. The exam duration is 1 hour (20 minutes for each section).

4. SBI PO Prelims is qualifying in nature and marks will not be counted while preparing the final merit list.

Note: 0.25 marks will be deducted for every question answered wrong by a candidate. No deduction will be done for questions left unattempted or blank.

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2024

SectionsNo. of QuestionsMaximum MarksDuration
English Language303020 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude353520 minutes
Reasoning Ability353520 minutes
Total1001001 hour

SBI PO 2024 Marks Distribution

The Marking System for SBI PO is  applicable to both – Preliminary and Main examination

  • There will be negative marks for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests.

  • For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.

  • If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is marked by the candidate, there will be no negative marking for that question.

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SBI PO 2024 Main Exam Pattern

The SBI PO Mains Exam will comprise of Objective & Descriptive Section, which is described below in detail:

1. Objective paper to be completed in 3 hours and descriptive paper in 30 minutes.

2. In the objective part, there will be 4 sections namely Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation & General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness, and English Language.

3. A descriptive paper will have 2 questions in this paper.

4.0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer while no deduction will be made if a question is left unattempted by a candidate.

Name of Tests (Objective)No. of QuestionsMaximum MarksDuration
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude456060 minutes
Data Analysis & Interpretation356045 minutes
General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness404035 minutes
English Language354040 minutes
Total1552003 hours
Descriptive Test025030 minutes

SBI PO Phase 3 Exam Pattern 2024 (Psychometric Test, Interview & GD)

Candidates who will qualify for the SBI PO Prelims and Mains exam will be eligible to appear for the third phase of the exam which includes Psychometric Test, Interview and Group Discussion exercise. The detailed exam pattern for SBI PO 2024 Phase 3 cum Interview is listed below:

  • SBI may conduct a psychometric test to analyse the potential capabilities of a candidate. 
  • Group Discussion will be of 20 marks.
  • The Personal Interview will be 30 marks.
  • The final score will be the addition of SBI PO Main and Group Discussion and Interview.
  • The OBC aspirants, who will clear Group Discussion and interview under the ‘OBC’ category, will need to submit the OBC certificate, containing the ‘Non-Creamy Layer’ clause. 

SBI PO 2024 Interview Process

A candidate who clears both the Prelims & Mains Exam of SBI PO 2024 will be further called for a GD-PI session wherein they will face a panel of selectors discussing their experience and questions related to General Knowledge of the Banking Sector. A candidate needs to clear the Interview Process to ensure their final selection in the SBI PO 2024 Exam. The qualifying marks for this round will be decided by the Bank and the marks allotted to these rounds are: 

  • Psychometric Test - Qualifying
  • Group Discussion - 20 marks
  •  Interview - 30 marks

What is the SBI PO Psychometric Test?

The Wikipedia defines Psychometric Test as the test of the cognitive and motor abilities of an individual. A Psychometric Test addresses the behavior and character traits of an individual under pressure in a demanding environment. It showcases the ability of a candidate to handle the pressure in a typical work environment.  Therefore, SBI PO has introduced the Psychometric Test to purport its cause of identifying the capabilities of individuals who can work under a stiff schedule and great pressure.

SBI PO Final Selection Process 2024

  • The exam conducting authorities will not consider the marks obtained in the SBI PO Prelims exam to prepare the final merit list.
  • The scores obtained in the SBI PO Mains exam (both in the objective and descriptive test) and in Group Exercise and Interview will be only included while preparing the final merit list.
  • Nonetheless, the aspirants have to qualify both the SBI PO Prelims and SBI PO Mains exam separately.
  • 75% weightage marks of the SBI PO Mains exam (out of 250 marks) and 25% weightage marks of Group Exercise and Interview (out of 50 marks) will be considered. To compile the final merit list the aggregate scores (out of 100) will be calculated.

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FAQs about SBI PO Exam Pattern

In which language SBI PO question paper is made available?

The question paper of SBI PO is made available in both English and Hindi.

Is the SBI PO exam conducted online or offline?

The preliminary and mains exams of SBI PO are conducted online. 

What type of questions are asked in SBI PO exam?

The questions in SBI PO prelims exam are objective-type. While the mains exam comprises both objective and subjective-type questions.

Is there any negative marking for wrong answers in SBI PO exam?

Yes, there is negative marking for wrong answers in SBI PO exam. One-fourth marks will be deducted as penalty for wrong answers in SBI PO exam.

Is there any sectional cutoff marks in SBI PO exam?

No, there are no sectional cutoff marks in SBI PO exam. Candidates need to secure the overall cutoff marks fixed by the examination authority.

Related Questions

what is the maximum age limit for SBI PO?

-adhyaUpdated on September 21, 2020 09:16 AM
  • 1 Answer
Rahul Raj, Student / Alumni

Dear Student,

The maximum age limit for SBI PO is 30 years. For more information click on the link mentioned below:-

SBI PO Exam

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