SBI PO Exam Analysis 2024 - Difficulty Level, Questions Asked, Good Attempts for Prelims & Mains

Updated By Bipasha Ray on 01 Mar, 2024 18:08

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SBI PO 2024 Exam Analysis

The SBI PO 2024 exam analysis will be made available on this page after the conclusion of each exam. The SBI PO 2024 exam will primarily comprise two exams- preliminary and mains. Based on past years' SBI PO exam analysis, the preliminary exam typically presents an easy overall difficulty level, while the main exam tends to be moderately challenging. By reviewing the SBI PO exam analysis, candidates gain insights into both overall and section-specific difficulty levels, along with details like good attempt counts and anticipated cutoff scores. The SBI PO exam serves as the selection process for eligible candidates vying for probationary officer positions across different branches of the State Bank of India.

The SBI PO traditionally comprises three phases: Preliminary exam, main exam, and Group Discussion/Interview. Successful candidates from the Prelims progress to the Mains and then to the later stages. Aspiring candidates for SBI PO 2024 are encouraged to review the paper analysis based on the previous year for insights into the exam's nature. Read the article below to learn more.

Also Read:

SBI PO Prelims Question Paper 1 November 2024SBI PO Paper Analysis Shift 1
SBI PO Paper Analysis Shift 2SBI PO Prelim Exam Analysis 2024 Day 1 Shift 3 & 4

SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2023

The SBI PO Main 2023 exam has concluded, and we have updated the difficulty level based on students' reactions on our page. The exam comprised 200 marks for objective-type questions and 50 marks for the descriptive section. A negative marking scheme applies, deducting 1/4th of the marks for each incorrect answer. The overall difficulty level of the SBI PO Mains exam analysis 2023 is given in the table below. 

Section (Objective)No. of QuestionsDifficulty LevelTopics Asked Marks AllocatedGood Attempts
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude45Moderate to Difficult
  • Week Based Puzzle - 10 Persons (5 questions)
  • Designation-Based Puzzle (Uncertain number of Persons) (5 questions)
  • Parallel Row Seating Arrangement + Blood Relation (Variable- Men & Women) (5 questions)
  • Concentric Circle + Square Based Puzzle (6 questions)
  • Machine Input Output (5 questions)
  • Logical Reasoning (8 questions)
  • Miscellaneous (6 questions)
6016-18
Data Analysis & Interpretation35Difficult
  • Bar Graph + Line Graph Data Interpretation (5 questions)
  • Probability-Based Data Interpretation (3 questions)
  • Caselet DI (Girls and Boys) (3 questions)
  • Team Based Caselet DI (4 questions)
  • Axis Based DI (5 questions)
  • Number Series (4 questions)
  • Arithmetic (Mensuration, Partnership) (6 questions)
608-10
General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness40Moderate
  • Crypto Adoption Index
4018-20
English Language35Easy
  • Reading Comprehension on the Economy of a Middle Eastern Country (8 questions)
  • Reading Comprehension on the Change in Fashion Trend (7 questions)
  • Cloze Test (4 questions)
  • Match the Column (3 questions)
  • Para Jumble (Last Sentence was Fixed) (6-7 questions)
  • Sentence Rearrangement (2-3 questions)
4016-18
Total155Moderate-20058-76
Descriptive Test2Moderate

Essay topics

  • Education in Rural Areas - Problems & Solutions.

Letter topics:

  • Letter to the Editor regarding Street Light issues in the locality.
  • Letter to the Editor addressing Hospital Issues in Rural Areas.
  • Letter to the Branch Manager for an unsuccessful ATM withdrawal.
50TBA

SBI PO 2023 (Prelims) Shift-wise Exam Analysis

The SBI PO Prelim 2023 exam was conducted by the State Bank of India for the reputed post of Probationary Officer (PO). The SBI PO prelims 2023 exam was successfully concluded on November 1, 4, and 6, 2023 in multiple shifts. As the examination is conducted in multiple shifts, the candidates prefer to analyze the question papers of different shifts and use that analysis to prepare well and perform well in their exams. 

The SBI PO exam pattern 2023 consists of 100 questions in MCQ format and the test takers will have 60 minutes to try and attempt all the questions. The question paper is divided into three sections- English, Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning ability. Except for the English language section, all the other sections were available bilingually i.e. both in Hindi and English. The candidates will be awarded 1 mark for each correct answer and every wrong attempt by the candidates, 0.25 marks will be deducted. Candidates will have a maximum of 20 minutes to attempt the questions in a section.

The SBI PO Prelims 2023 Shift-wise detailed analysis has been mentioned below.

Shift 1: SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis - November 1, 2023

The SBI PO Prelims Exam Shift 1, held on November 1, 2023, was completed successfully, and the general difficulty level of the exam in the 1st shift, according to student feedback, was moderately difficult.

SBI PO Prelims Shift 1: Highlights

  • The Prelims Shift 1 had an overall difficulty rating of Moderate to Difficult.
  • As per the candidates, the Quantitative Aptitude section was the toughest.
  • The Reasoning Aptitude section was moderate in terms of difficulty.

Shift 1 Exam Analysis:

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Total Questions

Time Taken

English Language

Moderate

20-22

30

20 minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

Difficult

23-25

35

20 minutes

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

21-23

35

20 minutes

Total

Moderate​

64-70

100

60 minutes

Shift 2: SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis - November 1, 2023

The SBI PO Prelims Exam Shift 2, held on November 1, 2023, the types of questions asked in Shift 2 were moderate.

SBI PO Prelims Shift 2: Highlights

  • The Shift 2 SBI PO Prelim Exam 2023 had an overall difficulty rating of Moderate, although it was time-consuming.
  • The English Language section was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty.
  • The rest of the question paper was moderate in terms of difficulty.

Shift 2 Exam Analysis: 

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Total Questions

Time Taken

English Language

Easy to Moderate

20-22

30

20 minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate22-24

35

20 minutes

Reasoning Ability

Moderate21-23

35

20 minutes

Total

Moderate63-69

100

60 minutes

In terms of difficulty, the paper was moderate and was on the same lines as previous years' paper. The cut-off for SBI PO Prelims 2023 is also expected to be on the same lines as that of last year.

Shift 3: SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis - November 1, 2023

In the SBI PO Prelims Exam Shift 3, held on November 1, 2023, the overall difficulty level of the question paper was moderately difficult.

SBI PO Prelims Shift 3: Highlights

  • The Shift 3 SBI PO Prelim Exam 2023 had an overall difficulty rating of Moderate, although some of the sections were time-consuming.
  • The English Language section was easy in terms of difficulty.
  • The reasoning section of the question paper was easy to moderate.
  • The Quantitative Aptitude section of the question paper was moderate to difficult and lengthy in terms of difficulty.

Shift 3 Exam Analysis: 

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Total Questions

Time Taken

English Language

Easy

20-21

30

20 minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate20-22

35

20 minutes

Reasoning Ability

Moderate to Difficult23-26

35

20 minutes

Total

Moderate63-66

100

60 minutes

Shift 4: SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis - November 1, 2023

In the SBI PO Prelims Exam Shift 4, held on November 1, 2023, the overall difficulty level of the question paper was easy to moderate according to student feedback.

SBI PO Prelims Shift 4: Highlights

  • The Shift 3 SBI PO Prelim Exam 2023 had an overall difficulty rating of Moderate, although the question paper for this shift was considered to be the easiest of all sessions of SBI PO Prelims Exams for November 1, 2023.
  • The English Language section was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty.
  • The Reasoning section of the question paper was moderate in terms of difficulty.
  • The Quantitative Aptitude section of the question paper was also moderate in terms of difficulty.

Shift 4 Exam Analysis: 

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Total Questions

Time Taken

English Language

Easy to Moderate

21-22

30

20 minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate20-22

35

20 minutes

Reasoning Ability

Moderate23-25

35

20 minutes

Total

Moderate64-67

100

60 minutes

The overall difficulty level of the SBI PO Prelims Exam 2023 for the November 1, 2023 exams was moderate. The question papers for some of the shifts were lengthy including the Shift 3 question paper. Apart from that the some of the sections, the overall question paper pattern was typical with minor changes in each shift of the prelims exam. The majority of questions from the English Language portion of the SBI PO Prelims Exam 2023 were from the Reading Comprehension section and this seen in the question paper of all the shifts. Similarly, Data Interpretation made up the majority of questions from the Quantitative Aptitude section of the question paper of the SBI PO Prelims exam 2023. As for the Reasoning Ability section of the SBI PO prelims exam 2023 question paper, Puzzles, and Arrangement were the most commonly asked topic. Candidates who will be appearing for the SBI PO Prelims exam on November 4 and November 6, 2023, must thoroughly understand the exam analysis of the SBI PO Prelims Exam 2023 provided here to ensure better performance and also to devise an effective examination strategy.

SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis - November 4, 2023

The SBI PO Exam held on November 4 exam displayed a moderate difficulty level across all sections. Aspirants are advised to target the specified good attempts for each section to optimize their performance.

Sections

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Reasoning Ability

Moderate

24-27

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

17-20

English Language

Moderate

21-24

Overall

Moderate

62-64

SBI PO 2023 Prelims Exam - 4th November, Shift 1

When considering all sections collectively, the overall difficulty level of the SBI PO Prelims Exam on 4th November 2023 was categorized as moderate.

SBI PO 2023 Prelims Shift 1 highlights

  • The difficulty level of the Reasoning Aptitude section in the SBI PO Prelims Exam held on 4th November 2023 was assessed as moderate.
  • The English Language section in the same examination was perceived to be within the range of easy to moderate difficulty.
  • The Quantitative Aptitude section of the SBI PO Prelims Exam conducted on 4th November 2023 was characterized as having a moderate level of difficulty.

Here are the Good Attempts for the SBI PO Prelims Exam Shift 1 conducted on November 4, 2023:

Sections

No. of Questions

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Reasoning Ability

35

24-27

Moderate

English Language

30

21-24

Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

35

17-20

Moderate

Overall

100

62-64

Moderate

SBI PO 2023 Prelims Exam - 4th November, Shift 2

Overall, candidates aspired to achieve cumulative performance of 64-70 good attempts, indicating a moderate difficulty level prevailing across all sections.

SBI PO 2023 Prelims Shift 2 highlights

  • The Reasoning Ability section candidates faced a moderate level of difficulty.
  • For the Quantitative Aptitude section, a comparable moderate difficulty level.
  • In the English Language section the difficulty level ranging from easy to moderate.

Sections

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Reasoning Ability

20-22

Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

21-23

Moderate

English Language

23-25

Easy to Moderate

Overall

64-70

Moderate

SBI PO 2023 Prelims Exam - 4th November, Shift 3

Overall, the cumulative goal for good attempts across all sections was set at 58-64, reflecting an overall difficulty level assessed as Easy-Moderate.

SBI PO 2023 Prelims Shift 3 highlights

  • In the Reasoning Ability section, candidates encountered a level of difficulty categorized as Easy-Moderate.
  • For the Quantitative Aptitude section was a moderate difficulty level.
  • In the English Language section candidates faced an Easy-Moderate difficulty level.

Section

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Reasoning Ability

21-26

Easy-Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

14-19

Moderate

English Language

23-26

Easy-Moderate

Overall

58-64

Easy-Moderate

SBI PO 2023 Prelims Exam - 4th November, Shift 4

Several candidates have provided feedback on the SBI PO 2023 Prelims Exam, during the fourth shift. The overall difficulty level of the questions in the exam was deemed moderate. For a comprehensive breakdown of the SBI PO Exam held on November 4th, 2023, in the second shift, including the difficulty level of each section and the overall complexity, please consult the following table.

SBI PO 2023 Prelims Shift 4 highlights

  • In the Reasoning Ability section, candidates reported a moderate difficulty level.
  • For the Quantitative Aptitude section was a moderate difficulty level.
  • In the English Language section, the difficulty level was described as easy to moderate.

Sections

Good Attempts

Difficulty Level

Reasoning Ability

22-25

Moderate

Quantitative Aptitude

17-20

Moderate

English Language

22-25

Easy to Moderate

Overall

61-70

Moderate

SBI PO 2022 (Prelims) Shift-wise Exam Analysis

The SBI PO Prelim 2022 exam was conducted by the State Bank of India for the reputed post of Probationary Officer (PO) who will go on to serve in various branches of the bank across the country. The SBI PO prelims 2022 exam was held from December 17 to December 20, 2022 in multiple shifts. As the examination is conducted in multiple shifts, the candidates prefer to analyse the paper of different shifts and use that analysis to prepare well and relate with their own shifts. 

The SBI PO prelims exam consists of 100 questions in MCQ format and the test takers will have 60 minutes to try and attempt all the questions. The paper is divide in three sections- English, Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning ability. Also check the SBI PO 2022 Exam pattern. Except for the English language section, all the other sections were available bilingually i.e. both in Hindi and English. The candidates will be awarded 1 mark for each correct answer and for every wrong attempt by the candidates, 0.25 marks will be deducted. The SBI PO preliminary paper 2022 will be divided into three sections and  the candidates will have a maximum of 20 minutes to attempt the questions in a section.

Candidates who are planning to take the SBI PO 2022 can review the SBI PO exam analysis 2022 of the Prelims phase to learn about the types of questions that can be asked as well as the difficulty level.

Provided below is the shift-wise detailed analysis of SBI PO (Prelims) Exam 2022.

Shift 1: SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis - 17 December 2022

The SBI PO Prelims Exam, held on 17th December 2022 1st Shift, was completed successfully, and the general difficulty level of the exam in the 1st shift, according to student feedback, was Easy to Moderate.

SBI PO Prelims Shift 1: Highlights

  • The Prelims Shift 1 had an overall difficulty rating of Easy to Moderate.
  • As per the candidates, the English and Reasoning section are easy.
  • The quantitative section was moderately tough and time-consuming.

Shift 1 Exam Analysis:

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Total Questions

Time Taken

English Language

Easy

20-23

30

20 minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

18-22

35

20 minutes

Reasoning Ability

Easy

17-20

35

20 minutes

Total

Easy to Moderate​

57-65

100

60 minutes

Shift 2: SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis - 17 December 2022

According to our analysis and feedback of candidates about the SBI PO Prelims Exam, held on 17 December 2022, the types of questions asked in SBI PO Prelims Shift 2 were moderate.

SBI PO Prelims Shift 2: Highlights

  • The Shift 2- SBI PO Prelim Exam had an overall difficulty rating of Easy to Moderate, although it was time-consuming.
  • The reasoning section of Shift 2- SBI PO Prelim Exam was easy.
  • The quantitative section has questions ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty.

Shift 2 Exam Analysis: 

Section

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Total Questions

Time Taken

English Language

Moderate

21-23

30

20 minutes

Quantitative Aptitude

Moderate

18-22

35

20 minutes

Reasoning Ability

Easy

17-20

35

20 minutes

Total

Moderate

57-65

100

60 minutes

In terms of difficulty, the paper was moderate and was on the same lines as previous years' paper. The cut-off for SBI PO Prelims 2022 is also expected to be on the same lines as that of last year.

SBI PO Prelims 19 December 2022 Shift 4 Paper Analysis: Difficulty Level & Good Attempts

The candidates can check from the table below the complete SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2022 for Shift 4:

Sections

No. of Questions

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Major Topics 

English Language

30

Easy

24-25

  • Reading Comprehension: 9 questions
  • Error Detection: 5 questions
  • Word Swapping: 4 questions
  • Word Replacement: 2 questions
  • Sentence Rearrangement: 3 to 4 questions
  • Cloze test: 5 questions
  • Phrase Replacement: 3 questions

Quantitative Aptitude

35

Calculative

20-22

  • Data Interpretation: 15 questions
  • Approximation: 5 questions
  • Wrong No Series: 5  questions
  • Quadratic Equation: 5  questions
  • Arithmetic: 10 questions

Reasoning Ability

35

Easy to Moderate

23-25

  • Syllogism: 3 question
  • Inequality: 3 questions
  • Direction & Distance: 2 questions
  • Pair Formation: 1 question
  • Word Formation: 1 question
  • Blood Relation: 3 questions

Total

100

Moderate

    64-68

-

SBI PO Prelims 19 December 2022 Shift 3 Student Reactions

Find the complete SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2022 for Shift 3 below. The information will be updated soon. 

  • Puzzles were a bit tricky to attempt.
  • Overall the shift 3 exam was Easy to Moderate.
  • Questions in the cloze test were based on Education System.
  • English was easy.
  • No questions from Caselet were asked.
  • Reading Comprehension was based on “Medicine ”
  • Synonym of 'Unprecedented' and 'Make' was asked.
  • Question from Linear Row-based Puzzle (fruits) was asked.
  • Reasoning and Maths both were doable.
  • Overall the good attempts for shift 3 were 65-69.

SBI PO Prelims 19 December 2022 Shift 3 Paper Analysis: Difficulty Level & Good Attempts

The candidates can check from the table below the complete SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2022 for Shift 3:

Sections

No. of Questions

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Major Topics 

English Language

30

Easy-Moderate

21-23

  • Error Detection: 4 to 5 question
  • Cloze test- 6 questions
  • Sentence Rearrangement: 4 to 5 Questions
  • Phrase Replacement: 3 questions
  • Word Usage: 1 question (Errant)

Quantitative Aptitude

35

Easy-Moderate

24

  • Quadratic Equation: 5 questions
  • Wrong Number Series 5 questions (Normal Pattern)
  • DI ( Single Pie Chart): 6 to 7 questions
  • DI (Double Pie Chart): 5 questions
  • Arithmetic: 15 questions

Reasoning Ability

35

Moderate

23-25

  • Puzzle & Seating Arrangement: 25 questions
  • Blood Relation: 3 question
  • Syllogism: 3 question
  • Odd one out: 1 question
  • Word Based: 1 question
  • Pair Formation: 1 question
  • Order & Sequence: 2 question

Total

100

Easy to Moderate

   65-69

-

SBI PO Prelims 19 December 2022 Shift 2 Student Reactions

Find the complete SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2022 for Shift 2 below.

  • Quantitative Aptitude was calculative.
  • Reasoning was Easy to Moderate. 
  • Overall the shift 2 exam was Moderate.
  • Questions from blood relations were doable.
  • There were word-based questions.
  • Questions in RC were based on gender stereotyping.
  • Para jumble was a bit difficult to crack. 
  • Double fillers were three.
  • English was Moderate.
  • Overall the good attempts were 63.
  • DI was easy and a total of 10 questions were asked.
  • Month plus date puzzle (4 *3) was asked.
  • Designation puzzle, Comparison Puzzle, and Consecutive Year Based were asked.
  • In shift 2 very less questions from vocabulary were asked.

SBI PO Prelims 19 December 2022 Shift 2 Paper Analysis: Difficulty Level & Good Attempts

The candidates can check from the table below the complete SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2022 for Shift 2:

Sections

No. of Questions

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Major Topics 

English Language

30Moderate22
  • Reading Comprehension: 9 questions
  • Correct Sentence Identification: 4 questions
  • Para jumble: 1 question
  • Synonyms: 2 question
  • Double Filler: 3 to 4 questions
  • Word Rearrangement: 5 questions (4 words each)

Quantitative Aptitude

35Calculative 16
  • Linear Based: 5 questions
  • Comparison-based: 2 to 3 questions
  • Missing Number Series: 5 questions
  • DI: 10 questions
  • Arithmetic: 8 questions
  • Approximation: 5 questions

Reasoning Ability

35Easy to Moderate25
  • Syllogism: 4 question
  • Inequality: 5 questions
  • Blood Relation: 1 question
  • Direction Based: 2 to 3 questions
  • Miscellaneous: 2 questions
  • Seating Arrangement: 5 questions (Linear - 7 persons)
  • Puzzles: 16 question

Total

100Moderate

63

-

SBI PO Prelims 19 December 2022 Shift 1 Student Reactions

The student's responses and reactions to SBI PO Prelims December 2022 Shift 1 exam are as follows:

  • The English section was very easy.
  • The students are demotivated as the Mathematics section was very tough.
  • The Reasoning section was moderate. The questions were neither too easy nor too tough.
  • The paper was time-consuming.
  • The majority of students were not able to complete the paper in time.
  • The Reasoning section had an unseen passage on MSME out of which 7 to 8 sub-questions were asked.
  • 5 Questions were asked from Approximation.
  • 3 questions were asked from Number Series.
  • 1 question was based on License-Based DI.
  • There were a lot of questions from Puzzles.
  • Some of the questions were repeated from previous shifts.
  • Questions related to Error detection were based on Old pattern.

SBI PO Prelims 19 December 2022 Shift 1 Paper Analysis: Difficulty Level & Good Attempts

The candidates can check from the table below the complete SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2022 for Shift 1:

Sections

No. of Questions

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Major Topics 

English Language

30

Easy

24-28

Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Tenses, Vocabulary, Error detection, Phrase Replacement 

Quantitative Aptitude

35

Difficult

15-20

Approximation, P&L, Sequence & Series, Mensuration

Reasoning Ability

35

Moderate

19-24

Alphanumeric Series, Data Sufficiency, Puzzle

Total

100

Moderate to Difficult

60-70

-

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FAQs about SBI PO Exam Analysis

Is the SBI PO Exam Challenging?

It entirely varies depending on the candidate. A candidate with a background in the humanities might favour the English component and view the quantitative section as challenging, whereas someone who enjoys mathematics might see the quantitative section as the icing on top. However, the SBI PO Exam is Moderate to Hard overall. Since nothing in today's world is simple to accomplish.

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:-

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