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The State Bank of India conducts SBI bank exams to recruit the candidates for its branches across the country. SBI is the leading bank of our country. So it’s a huge privilege to work there for the aspirants. Every year the SBI recruitment is happening.
In the meantime, a huge competition prevails there among the candidates. So clearing SBI bank exams is a tough task as per the recent trends. You have to give your full potential for preparing SBI bank exams. Previously there were separate exams for SBI and its associate banks.
There were several associate banks of SBI. They are State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Patiala, etc. The exams were conducted separately for SBI and its associate banks. But in 2016 all the associate banks have been merged to the SBI. Then the SBI exams are conducted for that single entity.
SBI recruitment is conducted over the years for various posts. The 3 major recruitments carried out by the SBI are,
These 3 recruitments will come once in a year. Separate notifications will get release for all the 3 posts.
At the time of recruitments for the various posts, separate notifications are released. In the SBI clerk notification, all the details about the clerical recruitment are given. Candidates can know about any information such as selection process, vacancy, exam dates, exam pattern, etc. Similarly SBI PO notification and SBI SO notification will release separately and exams are conducted in a separate manner. For each posts there will be slight differences in exam pattern, selection process, etc.
The vacancy is an important detail that a candidate will search for in the notification. The SBI vacancy for each post is mentioned in the appropriate notification. Also category wise vacancies are clearly mentioned in the notification.
SBI PO Vacancy | SBI Clerk Vacancy | SBI SO Vacancy |
We have given here the SBI syllabus in a common manner. For prelims level and mains level the syllabus are tabulated for your reference. Knowing the updated SBI syllabus is very important to prepare in an effective manner. With the help of syllabus, you can make your own study plan for the exam preparation. In the syllabus we have covered, all the topics are included. So you can start your preparation in a confident manner.
For all the 3 sections of the prelims exam, the updated syllabus is provided here. Normally a prelims level exam for the SBI clerk and PO will have 3 main sections. They are English language, quantitative aptitude and reasoning ability. Almost every topic is covered under these 3 sections. So, you can make your preparation more effective. If you miss out any topic in your preparation you cannot aim for the maximum marks.
Reasoning Ability | Quantitative Aptitude | English language |
Syllogism | Sequence & Series | Reading comprehension |
Inequality | Simplification | Para jumbles |
Direction sense | Ratio and proportion | Cloze test |
Blood relation | Percentage | Fillers |
Alpha-numeric series | Average | Error spotting |
Order and ranking | Partnership | Paragraph completion |
Puzzle | Quadratic equation | Sentence connectors |
Seating arrangement | Profit and Loss | Miscellaneous |
Input Output | Time and work | |
Coding decoding | Pipes and cisterns | |
Data sufficiency | Boats and stream | |
Tabulation | Problems on age | |
Logical reasoning | Problems on train | |
Mixture of allegation | ||
Time, speed & distance | ||
Mensuration | ||
Data interpretation | ||
Simple and Compound interest | ||
Permutation, combination & probability |
Normally mains level exam will have 4 or 5 sections. Here we have covered the sections of SBI PO and clerk exams in a single table. The SBI syllabus for all the sections are covered in the below table. For mains exam there will be some changes in the syllabus compared to that of prelims. In exam the level of questions will be more difficult when compared to prelims exam. So target high standard questions for mains preparation for all the topics.
Reasoning Ability | Data analysis and interpretation | Computer Aptitude | General awareness | English language |
Syllogism | Sequence & Series | Internet | Current affairs | Reading comprehension |
Coded Inequality | Tabular graph | MS Office | Financial awareness | Para jumbles |
Coded Direction sense | Line graph | Memory | Static GK | Cloze test |
Coded Blood relation | Pie chart | Computer hardware | Banking awareness | Fillers |
Alpha-numeric series | Bar graph | Keyboard shortcuts | Error spotting | |
Order and ranking | Radar graph | Computer fundamentals | Paragraph completion | |
Scheduling | Missing DI | Computer abbreviations | Sentence connectors | |
Tabulation | Caselet DI | Computer terminologies | Word association | |
Input Output | Data sufficiency | Operating system | Vocabulary | |
Coding decoding | Permutation, combination & probability | Number system | Verbal ability | |
Data sufficiency | Miscellaneous | Networking | Sentence improvement | |
Critical reasoning | Basic of logic gates | Miscellaneous | ||
Verbal reasoning | ||||
Circle Seating arrangement | ||||
Square seating arrangement | ||||
Puzzle | ||||
Analytical and decision making | ||||
Course of action |
SBI PO Syllabus | SBI Clerk Syllabus |
In any recruitment notification, candidates will search for the exam dates. Then only they can plan their preparation according to the SBI exam dates. In the official notification of all the SBI exam recruitments, several important dates are given. Some of them are,
Now for this year 2022, SBI clerk notification will be released soon. The total vacancies for the SBI clerk / Junior associate post will be updated here. Every year SBI creates a wide range of opportunities for the aspirants. The other SBI job openings expected soon in this year are SBI PO and SBI SO.
The SBI recruitment notification will contain some eligibility norms that candidates should fulfill. Some of the important SBI eligibility criteria are given below for your reference.
The SBI age eligibility criteria are given here. The candidates should fulfill the upper and lower age limits without fail.
Exam | Minimum age | Maximum age |
SBI clerk | 20 years | 28 years |
SBI PO | 21 years | 30 years |
SBI SO | The maximum age lies between 30 to 40 depending upon the post |
For SBI SO recruitment, the age limit will vary depending upon the post.
For SBI PO and clerk exams, the minimum educational qualification is any graduate degree. At least a graduate degree from a recognized institute or its equivalent is more than enough. For SBI SO post, the educational qualification varies for each post.
The SBI admit card is normally released 10 or 15 days prior to the exam. Candidates have to download the admit card from the official website of SBI. The admit card will have several important details. Some of them are,
Candidates have to take the SBI admit card to the exam hall without fail. Along with the admit card, you have to carry your ID proof and its Xerox. Or else you are stopped from taking the exam.
Once the notifications get released, they will carry the important dates. In that, you can refer to the start and the end dates to fill your SBI online application. In the SBI apply online process, you should keep certain things ready with you. So that you can complete the process in a single flow. Also, make sure that you are using the following upgraded browsers to continue a hassle-free process.
The pre-requisites that should be kept ready with you, while filling your SBI online application are,
Candidates follow the steps given here to proceed with your SBI application online process.
Here some guidelines are given for the scanned documents for the SBI apply online process. Candidates follow the rules given here while scanning their passport size photograph and signature.
For each post, the SBI exam fee will differ. And there will be also differences in the amount based on the category of candidates. The SBI exam fee is given below in detail for your reference.
The SBI exam fee for the clerical cadre is,
For the SBI PO cadre, the online application fee is,
The SBI SO online exam fee is,
The SBI selection process will vary for each post. For all the posts, the selection processes are given here for your reference.
The SBI clerk recruitment is done in two stages. They are
The candidates after clearing the mains exam will be called for the test of specified opted local language. In this SBI selection process of clerical post, there is no interview.
The SBI PO selection process is done in 3 stages. They are,
The candidates clearing the SBI PO prelims can take the mains test. The mains exam takes place for a total of 250 marks. After clearing the mains the candidates will appear for the group exercise and interview round. For this round 50 marks are allotted. In this the mains marks is converted out of 75 marks. The group exercise & interview marks are converted out of 25. In final selection these two marks are added to arrive the final score of the candidate. The candidates with final score clearing the cut off will get the allotment order.
For SBI SO recruitment, the selection process is based upon the post. There are several posts under the SBI SO recruitment. For several posts, just short listing and interview are conducted. Whereas for some of the posts, online written test and interview are conducted.
In SBI SO short listing and interview case, the candidates after the shortlist will attend the interview. The total marks for the interview is 100. Depending upon this interview marks, the final merit list is prepared.
In case of SBI SO recruitments with online written test, the selection process differs. In online written test, the professional knowledge part will carry a total of 150 marks. The interview carries 25 marks. In final merit list preparation, the online test and interview marks are taken in the 70:30 ratio.
The SBI Exam Pattern is very important for the preparation. Only if you know the topics and its weightage, you can prepare for the exam accordingly. Here the SBI exam patterns are given for all the posts and various stages.
The SBI PO prelims exam pattern will have 3 sections. They are English language, quantitative aptitude and reasoning ability. The information about the SBI PO prelims exam pattern are given below.
S No. | Section | No. Of questions | Maximum marks | Duration |
1. | Reasoning ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
2. | Quantitative aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
3. | English language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
The SBI PO mains exam pattern consists of 4 sections and a descriptive test. The 4 sections are general awareness, data interpretation & analysis, English language and reasoning ability & computer aptitude. The details about the SBI PO mains exam pattern are given here.
S No. | Section | No. Of questions | Maximum marks | Duration |
1. | Reasoning ability & computer aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
2. | Data interpretation and analysis | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
3. | General/ Economy/ Banking awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
4. | English language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hours | |
Descriptive test: Letter and essay writing | 2 | 50 | 30 minutes |
The SBI clerk exam pattern consists of 3 sections. The 3 sections are reasoning ability, quantitative aptitude, and English language. The details about the SBI clerk exam pattern are given below,
S No. | Section | No. Of questions | Maximum marks | Duration |
1. | Reasoning ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
2. | Quantitative aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
3. | English language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
There are 4 sections in the SBI clerk mains exam pattern. They are reasoning ability & computer aptitude, quantitative aptitude, English language, and general / financial awareness. The main details about the pattern are given below for your reference.
S No. | Section | No. Of questions | Maximum marks | Duration |
1. | Reasoning ability & computer aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
2. | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
3. | General/ Financial awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
4. | English language | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hours 40 minutes |
The SBI SO recruitment is done for many posts. For some posts, the selection process will contain an online written test and interview. While for some posts the selection process includes just shortlisting and interview. The SBI SO exam pattern for the online written test is given below.
Except for professional knowledge section, all the other papers are of qualifying nature. The detailed exam pattern is given below for your reference.
S.No | Test | No. Of Questions | Marks | Time Duration | |
1 | General Aptitude | Test of Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 90 minutes |
2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | ||
3 | English Language | 35 | 35 | ||
4 | Professional Knowledge | General IT knowledge | 25 | 50 | 70 minutes |
Role based knowledge | 50 | 100 |
The SBI exam calendar is the schedule about SBI exams in a year. In the SBI exam calendar you can find the important dates such as SBI clerk prelims, SBI PO prelims, etc. For your reference SBI exam calendar 2019 is given here for reference.
Event | Date |
SBI Clerk Prelims 2021 | June 2021 |
SBI clerk mains 2021 | August 2021 |
SBI PO prelims 2021 | July 2021 |
SBI PO mains 2021 | August 2021 |
SBI SO online written test 2021 | October 2021 |
The SBI exam subject is an essential topic for an aspirant. To start the preparation for any exam, we should know the complete list of subjects included in the exam pattern. Only after knowing the list of subjects, you can make your preparation strategies. The important SBI exam subjects are,
Apart from these, the SBI SO exam has a professional knowledge section that depends upon the post.
The duration of SBI exams will vary for prelims and mains exams. Generally, the prelims exam will have shorter duration when compared to that of mains exams. The SBI exam duration for various exams is listed below.
The each of the recruitment will happen once for every year. For this year SBI clerk recruitment 2021 has released with 8000 vacancies. The SBI PO and SBI SO recruitment announcements are in the pipeline for this year. They may release the notification anytime soon. So candidates keep a check on it and use the great opportunity without fail.
The SBI exams are considered as one of the most difficult banking exams. Here both hard work and smart work are necessary for attending maximum number of questions. Time management is very important to attend more questions in the exam. For that regular mock test practice is needed. Through the mock test practice you can easily judge whether a question is simple or time consuming. So that you can target the right order of questions in the exam. In this way you can attend maximum number of questions in the exam.
In the exam hall, candidates should follow certain instructions that are mentioned in the call letter. Some of the important SBI exam instructions are given here for your reference.
Candidates should strictly follow all the SBI exam instructions. Or else you may face some serious consequences.
Among the bank exams, SBI exams are more difficult as per the recent trends. The reason is high competition level. This is because the SBI is the leading public sector bank in our country. A fresh candidate may find very difficult to crack the exam with high toughness level. For them it’s very difficult to handle the pressure, especially for mains exams of SBI. The SBI PO mains exam is touted to be one of the most difficult bank exams to crack. Here we have added some SBI exam preparation tips that will be useful for all the SBI exams.
In English language section, most of the students cannot maintain the accuracy. It is due to the lack of grammar knowledge. In the English knowledge section, time is not a big concern for you. This section consumes a less time when compared to the reasoning and quantitative aptitude sections. Scoring marks is also is not a big deal. But for that you need to be smart in grammar part. Prepare in all possible ways to improve your grammar skills. Some SBI exam preparation tips are given for English language section. Follow the tips to score good narks in this section.
Get More: English Practice Questions
The difficulty level of this section will vary for every exam. In prelims level of SBI exams the standard of questions are basic and simple. In exams like SBI PO mains, SBI clerk mains the difficult level will increase multiple times. So that you should prepare for any type of question paper. Here some of the SBI exam preparation tips are added for the quantitative aptitude section.
Get More: QA Practice Questions
This section is touted to be one of the easiest sections in SBI prelims level of exams. But if this section asked in difficult manner for mains level exams, it will surely test your patience. You should work hard and practice with lot of mock test series to ace this section. Practice is the key for success in this section. Some useful SBI exam preparation tips for reasoning section are given below for your reference.
Get More: Reasoning Practice Questions
To clear the SBI mains exams, this section is the x-factor. So prepare this section with an utmost dedication. If you give average performance in other sections, then this section is the saviour for you. So concentrate more for this section. Candidates follow the SBI exam preparation tips for preparing this section with ease.
Get More: GA Practice Questions
This test will be in typing mode. The descriptive test is not a part of SBI clerk exam. For SBI PO mains exam, this topic alone covers a total of 50 marks. In this test you have to type a letter writing and essay on given topics. As there will be time limit, improve your typing skills. So that you can type faster. Then prepare essay and letter writing topics on the exam point of view. For that you can refer the SBI PO previous year question papers to get an idea. Then prepare for all the topics of letter writing and essay. Prepare the content in thorough manner, such that you can type in the exam in a full flow.
For SBI Clerk recruitment process, there is no interview round. For SBI PO and SBI SO selection interview round is there. Candidates follow the SBI interview preparation tips given below for your reference.
Candidates follow the general SBI exam preparation tips given below.
The SBI cut off is fixed at various stages of recruitment to filter the candidates for further stages. It is the minimum eligible score to pass in the exam. Without clearing the cut off you cannot move on to the next selection stages. Here we have compared the previous year cut offs for the SBI clerk and SBI PO exams. So you can understand the trend in cut off change.
State | SBI Clerk 2018 mains overall cut off | SBI Clerk 2019 mains overall cut off |
Andhra Pradesh | – | 99.75 |
Assam | – | 85 |
Bihar | 96 | 98 |
Chattisgarh | 91.50 | 87.75 |
Delhi | 104.80 | 99.75 |
Gujarat | 85 | 91.25 |
Haryana | 99 | 103.25 |
Himachal Pradesh | 98.25 | 101.25 |
Jharkhand | 86 | 97.50 |
Karnataka | 83.90 | 85.75 |
Kerala | – | 96.25 |
Madhya Pradesh | 92.60 | 94.75 |
Maharastra | 85.65 | 89.75 |
Odhisha | 88.80 | 94.75 |
Rajasthan | 96.75 | 97 |
Tamil Nadu | 93.75 | 98 |
Uttar Pradesh | 96 | 97.50 |
Uttarakhand | – | 96.50 |
West Bengal | 95.30 | 97.25 |
Category | SBI PO Mains Final Normalized Cut Off (Out of 100) | |
2019 | 2018 | |
General | 54.11 | 50.79 |
EWS | 50.13 | – |
OBC | 48.78 | 46.26 |
SC | 45.74 | 43.99 |
ST | 43.90 | 39.87 |
LD | 47.11 | 43.04 |
VI | 52.58 | 47.09 |
HI | 35.29 | 32.69 |
OH | – | – |
D & E | 33.37 | – |
By comparing the previous year cut-offs, you can analyze the trend, competition level and other factors.
For each SBI exams the calculation of final cut off will differ in a slight manner. Also, the SBI cut off calculation will differ for each recruitment exams. In clerk exam the final cut off is the marks obtained by you in the mains exam. Your mains exam marks are arrived by adding aggregate scores in all the four sections.
In SBI PO exam your final cut off will depend upon your mains score and the group exercise & interview marks. So the prelims marks is not considered here. The maximum marks for the mains exam is 200. Also the maximum marks for the group exercise & interview stage is 50. In the process of final cut off calculation, the mains mark is converted out of 75. And the group exercise & interview marks are converted out of 25. By the addition of these two marks, a final cut off out of 100 is fixed. So the candidates clearing this final cut off are considered for the merit list.
Normalization is a process of score correction. It is a usual process in many competitive exams. The method used here is equi-percentile method. The exams are conducted through various number of shifts. The difficulty level of paper will vary for every shift. So there will be a huge difference level between the marks of candidates in various shifts. That is, in an easy level exam, a moderate candidate can easily score more marks. In the meantime, a topper candidate can may score average marks in the high standard paper. But we cannot compare the scores of those candidates on a same scale. To avoid this, normalization method is followed to correct the scores of the candidates to a common scale. After the correction of scores, the SBI cut off is fixed based on that.
The normalization process is done in following steps.
Candidate’s percentile rank = {(Total number of students in a slot) – (Rank of the candidate in that slot) / (Total number of students in a slot – 1)} * 100
The minimum cut off is fixed based on the available vacancy. The candidates clearing the minimum cut off will progress to the next selection stages.
The results of the various stages in the SBI recruitments are announced on their official website. Candidates can check their SBI exam result by following the steps provided here.
Here some of the doubts of candidates regarding the SBI exams are given in the FAQ format. It will be useful for your reference.
Q1: Is Experience required to apply for the SBI bank exams?
A: For SBI PO and clerk recruitments experience is not needed. But for the SO recruitments experience is needed as per the posts.
Q2: How can I apply for the SBI bank exams?
A: The mode of application is only through the online. Also you must submit your online application within the final date mentioned in the official notification.
Q3: What is the mode of test in SBI bank exams?
A: The tests are conducted in the online mode. And also the tests will be available in bilingual mode (English and Hindi).
Q4: How many times the SBI bank exams conducted in a year?
A: For every year the exams are conducted one time for the clerical, PO and SO cadres.
Q5: Does SBI exams have a negative marking system?
A: Yes, there is negative marking system. As a result of each wrong answer, you will lose 1/4th of the marks.