SBI PO Syllabus 2026: Prelims, Mains, Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Interview
Understand the revised SBI PO Prelims and Mains pattern, complete preparation topics, Communication Skills descriptive test, Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, Interview and final selection weightage in one student-friendly guide.
SBI has released the Probationary Officer recruitment notification under Advertisement Number CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 for 1,500 vacancies. Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for August 2026, Main Examination for September 2026 and Phase III for October or November 2026.
SBI PO Prelims contains 100 questions in 60 minutes. English Language has 40 questions, Quantitative Aptitude has 30 questions and Reasoning Ability has 30 questions. Every section has a separate 20-minute timer.
SBI PO Mains contains 170 objective questions for 200 marks in three hours. It is followed immediately by a 30-mark Communication Skills descriptive test containing Email, Situation Analysis and either Report Writing or Precis Writing.
Candidates shortlisted from Mains appear for the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Personal Interview. Group Exercise carries 20 marks and Interview carries 30 marks. Final normalized weightage is 75 marks for Mains and 25 marks for Group Exercise plus Interview.
What Is the SBI PO Syllabus 2026?
SBI PO preparation tests more than basic Quant, Reasoning and English. Candidates need Prelims speed, Mains-level analysis, banking awareness, communication skills, personality consistency, teamwork and interview confidence.
The recruitment is conducted in three phases. Prelims works as the screening examination. Mains checks advanced aptitude, banking knowledge and written communication. Phase III checks personality, group behaviour and interview performance.
One important change for students is the current Communication Skills descriptive pattern. The 2026 notification lists Email, Situation Analysis and either Report Writing or Precis Writing. Students should therefore avoid preparing only old essay and letter formats.
SBI publishes the official section names and exam structure, but it does not provide an exhaustive chapter-by-chapter list for every objective section. The topic lists in this guide are practical preparation checklists based on the notified sections and common Bank PO question areas.
Students preparing through free classes can use the complete SBI PO YouTube preparation guide after converting this syllabus into a chapter tracker.
SBI PO Selection Process 2026
Phase I: Prelims
Online objective screening test with English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. Prelims marks are not added to final merit.
Phase II: Mains
Objective examination for 200 marks followed by the 30-mark Communication Skills descriptive test typed on a computer.
Phase III: Final Assessment
Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Personal Interview. Mains and Phase III must be qualified separately.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
Prelims contains three separately timed sections. Candidates cannot transfer unused time from one section to another.
| Prelims Section | Questions | Sectional Time | Main Preparation Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 40 | 20 minutes | Reading speed, grammar and contextual accuracy |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 20 minutes | Calculation, arithmetic and basic Data Interpretation |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 20 minutes | Question selection, puzzles and logical accuracy |
| Total | 100 | 60 minutes | Total maximum marks: 100 |
Prelims
Mains
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The Main Examination includes four separately timed objective sections. The Communication Skills test begins immediately after the objective examination and must be typed on the computer.
| Mains Section | Questions | Marks | Sectional Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General Awareness, Economy and Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Objective Total | 170 | 200 | 180 minutes |
| Communication Skills Descriptive Test | 3 tasks | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Complete Main Examination | 170 objective questions plus 3 writing tasks | 230 | 210 minutes |
SBI PO English Language Syllabus
Prelims speed, Mains comprehension and communication support
English becomes difficult when students memorise grammar rules but do not build a reading habit. Prelims needs speed, while Mains needs stronger comprehension, inference and contextual understanding.
Read one useful article, solve one comprehension passage and practise a short grammar set every day. Learn vocabulary through sentences instead of isolated word lists.
Use the Banking English preparation guide for grammar, Reading Comprehension, vocabulary and Mains-level question practice.
SBI PO Reasoning and Computer Aptitude Syllabus
Basic Prelims logic and advanced Mains-level analysis
Reasoning needs smart question selection. Prelims usually rewards fast control over basic topics and moderate puzzles, while Mains can include longer arrangements, logical reasoning and integrated Computer Aptitude.
Computer Aptitude Preparation Areas
Complete easy topics first, then solve two to three puzzle sets daily. During mocks, select the set only after checking its data, conditions and expected time.
For puzzles, seating arrangement and Mains reasoning, use the SBI PO Reasoning preparation guide .
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Analysis Syllabus
Fast Prelims calculations and analytical Mains-level DI
Quant becomes stressful when students move to difficult Data Interpretation before building percentage, ratio and calculation skills. The correct order is calculation, arithmetic, basic DI and then advanced Data Analysis.
Prelims Quantitative Aptitude Topics
Mains Data Analysis and Interpretation Topics
Improve percentage, ratio, fraction conversion and approximation first. Complete arithmetic before attempting long Mains DI sets.
Use the SBI PO Quant and DI preparation guide for arithmetic, calculation speed and advanced Data Interpretation.
General Awareness, Economy and Banking Knowledge Syllabus
Current banking developments, economy, RBI and financial awareness
This is the largest Mains section by number of questions. Students should prepare current affairs and banking concepts together instead of treating them as separate subjects.
Use the SBI PO Current Affairs and Banking Awareness guide for daily sources, monthly revision and banking concepts.
SBI PO Descriptive Communication Skills Test
Email, Situation Analysis and Report or Precis Writing
The Descriptive Test contains three tasks for 30 marks in 30 minutes. Answers must be typed on the computer immediately after the objective Main Examination.
Email Writing
Attempt one email from two options. Practise professional tone, clear subject lines, short paragraphs and a direct closing.
Situation Analysis
Attempt one situation from two options. Identify the problem, affected people, practical action and balanced solution.
Report Writing or Precis Writing
Attempt one task from the provided options. Report writing needs factual structure, while precis writing needs a shorter and accurate version of the original idea.
Practical Communication Topics
SBI PO Negative Marking 2026
Exact Official Rule
For every wrong answer in the Prelims or Mains objective test, one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question is deducted.
A question left unanswered does not receive a penalty. Random guessing can therefore reduce the corrected score.
The deduction is based on the marks assigned to the question. Students should not assume that every question in every section always carries exactly the same penalty amount.
SBI PO Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Interview
Phase III Assessment Centre
Personality profiling, group behaviour and personal suitability are assessed after the Main Examination.
Psychometric Test
Used for personality profiling. The findings are placed before the Interview panel to provide a broader view of the candidate.
All questions are mandatory. The test may be conducted in proctored mode or at identified examination centres.
Group Exercise
Carries 20 marks. It can assess communication, listening, teamwork, clarity, participation and the ability to work with different viewpoints.
Candidates should contribute naturally without dominating or remaining completely silent.
Personal Interview
Carries 30 marks. Questions may cover profile, education, banking, economy, current events, situations, career motivation and personal awareness.
Minimum qualifying marks are decided by SBI.
How to Prepare for the Psychometric Test
Group Exercise Preparation Areas
SBI PO Interview Preparation Areas
Use the interview self-introduction guide to prepare a simple and natural opening answer.
SBI PO Final Selection Weightage
Download SBI PO Syllabus and Notification PDF
Use the official SBI PO 2026 detailed advertisement for vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern, negative marking, selection rules, Phase III and current recruitment instructions.
Official Verification Note
The 2026 Prelims structure, Mains pattern, Descriptive Test, negative-marking rule, Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, Interview marks and final weightage in this guide are based on SBI Advertisement Number CRPD/PO/2026-27/09.
The chapter lists are practical preparation checklists. SBI officially publishes the test names and pattern but may not provide every possible objective question topic as an exhaustive syllabus list.
Candidates should check the official SBI Careers page for call letters, examination instructions, results, corrigenda and any later change.
60-Day SBI PO Syllabus Completion Plan
Prelims and Mains preparation should run together. Current Affairs, Banking Awareness and Communication Skills should not be postponed until the Prelims result.
Build Basic Speed
Complete calculation, percentage, ratio, syllogism, inequality, direction, basic grammar and daily reading.
Complete Arithmetic and Puzzles
Study profit-loss, interest, time-work, speed-distance, seating, floor puzzles, RC and cloze tests.
Begin Mains Work
Start advanced DI, input-output, critical reasoning, banking awareness and descriptive communication tasks.
Use Sectional Tests
Practise the current 20-minute Prelims sections and separately timed Mains sections. Analyse slow and incorrect questions.
Full Mocks and Revision
Attempt full tests, revise Banking Awareness, type descriptive tasks and begin Interview-oriented profile preparation.
Simple Daily SBI PO Study Routine
For a longer phase-wise timetable, use the SBI PO 90-day preparation plan . Students studying at home can also follow the SBI PO self-study guide without coaching .
How to Use the SBI PO Syllabus Correctly
| Step | Action | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Separate Prelims and Mains requirements | You will understand where speed and depth are needed |
| 2 | Follow the revised 40-30-30 Prelims distribution | Your sectional practice will match the current question count |
| 3 | Start Banking Awareness from the beginning | Current events need repeated revision |
| 4 | Practise descriptive tasks on a keyboard | The official test requires computer-typed answers |
| 5 | Maintain an error and revision notebook | Repeated calculation, grammar and logic errors become visible |
| 6 | Analyse mocks before attempting another test | Test quantity without analysis gives limited improvement |
| 7 | Prepare personality and interview areas gradually | Phase III needs profile clarity and banking awareness |
You can compare SBI PO with other government examinations through the Government Exam Syllabus Finder .
Useful SBI PO Preparation Resources
Use these pages according to your weak section and preparation stage. Following too many teachers and plans together can reduce revision.
Common SBI PO Preparation Mistakes
- Following an old 30-35-35 Prelims question pattern.
- Preparing only Prelims until the result is declared.
- Ignoring Banking Awareness during the early preparation stage.
- Starting advanced DI without strong arithmetic basics.
- Watching puzzle solutions without solving sets independently.
- Treating English as a grammar-only subject.
- Preparing essay and letter writing instead of the current communication tasks.
- Ignoring computer typing practice for the Descriptive Test.
- Attempting too many doubtful questions despite negative marking.
- Giving mock tests without checking the reason behind every mistake.
- Trying to manipulate the Psychometric Test with artificial answers.
- Dominating the Group Exercise instead of supporting balanced discussion.
- Waiting until after Mains to prepare profile and Interview answers.
- Depending on unofficial pattern tables without checking SBI Careers.
SBI PO Syllabus 2026 FAQs
Prelims contains English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. Mains contains Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General Awareness, Economy and Banking Knowledge, English Language and a Communication Skills descriptive test.
SBI PO Prelims contains 100 questions. English Language has 40 questions, Quantitative Aptitude has 30 questions and Reasoning Ability has 30 questions.
The total Prelims duration is one hour. Every section has a separate 20-minute timer.
No. The official 2026 notification states that there is no sectional cutoff in Prelims. Category-wise shortlisting is based on the aggregate score.
SBI PO Mains contains 170 objective questions for 200 marks. It is followed by three Communication Skills descriptive tasks carrying 30 marks.
The 2026 Communication Skills test contains Email, Situation Analysis and either Report Writing or Precis Writing. It carries 30 marks and has a duration of 30 minutes.
The official 2026 descriptive structure lists Email, Situation Analysis and either Report Writing or Precis Writing. It does not list a traditional essay task in the notified pattern.
Yes. One-fourth of the marks assigned to an objective question is deducted for a wrong answer in Prelims and Mains. Unanswered questions do not receive a penalty.
No. Prelims is a screening stage. Final merit uses normalized Mains marks and Group Exercise plus Interview marks.
It is a personality-profiling test for candidates shortlisted for Phase III. Its findings are presented to the Interview panel. All Psychometric Test questions are mandatory.
The SBI PO Group Exercise carries 20 marks under the official Phase III structure.
The Personal Interview carries 30 marks. SBI decides the minimum qualifying marks for Group Exercise and Interview.
Mains Objective and Descriptive marks are normalized to 75. Group Exercise and Interview marks are normalized to 25. The final merit score is therefore prepared out of 100.
The official SBI PO 2026 notification announces a total of 1,500 vacancies, including regular and backlog vacancies.
The official pattern and selection rules are included in Advertisement Number CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 on the SBI Careers website. A direct official PDF button is provided in this guide.
Conclusion
The SBI PO syllabus becomes manageable when students prepare Prelims speed and Mains depth together. Follow the revised 40-30-30 Prelims question distribution, strengthen arithmetic and puzzles, read English daily and begin Banking Awareness early.
Do not ignore the new Communication Skills pattern or Phase III. Practise Email, Situation Analysis, Report and Precis Writing on a keyboard. Build an honest personality profile, balanced group communication and clear Interview answers gradually.
