SBI PO Syllabus 2023: Prelims & Mains Syllabus - Bank Exams PDF Download

Introduction

The State Bank of India (SBI) Probationary Officer (PO) exam is a highly sought-after opportunity for banking aspirants in India. Each year, lakhs of candidates appear for this exam to secure a managerial position in the banking sector. To crack the SBI PO exam, it is crucial for candidates to have a thorough understanding of the syllabus and exam pattern. In this article, we will discuss the comprehensive syllabus for the SBI PO exam, covering both the Preliminary and Mains stages.

SBI PO Exam Pattern

Before delving into the syllabus, let's first understand the exam pattern for the SBI PO exam. The exam is divided into three tiers: Prelims, Mains, and Group Discussion & Interview.

Preliminary Exam

The Preliminary Exam is an online written test that consists of three sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. The following table provides the number of questions, marks, and duration for each section:

Mains Examination

The Mains Examination is also an online written test and includes four major sections: Data Analysis & Interpretation, Reasoning Ability, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language. Additionally, there is a Descriptive Test that consists of two questions - one letter writing and one essay. The following table provides the details of each section:

Group Discussion & Interview

Candidates who qualify in the Prelims and Mains exams will move on to the Group Discussion & Interview phase. This phase is the final stage of the selection process. Candidates who clear all the phases of the exam will receive the Letter of Appointment from SBI, stating the joining formalities, date, and place of joining.

SBI PO Prelims Syllabus

The Preliminary Exam is the first stage of the SBI PO selection process. It tests candidates' basic knowledge and aptitude in three major sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. Let's take a closer look at the syllabus for each section:

Quantitative Aptitude

The Quantitative Aptitude section evaluates candidates' mathematical and numerical ability. The syllabus for this section includes topics such as:

• Number Series
• Simplification and Approximation
• Data Interpretation
• Quadratic Equations
• Time, Speed, and Distance
• Time and Work
• Profit and Loss
• Ratio and Proportion
• Percentages
• Simple and Compound Interest

Reasoning Ability

The Reasoning Ability section tests candidates' logical and analytical thinking. The syllabus for this section includes topics such as:

• Syllogism
• Blood Relations
• Coding-Decoding
• Directions and Distances
• Order and Ranking
• Inequalities
• Seating Arrangement
• Puzzles
• Data Sufficiency
• Statement and Assumptions

English Language

The English Language section assesses candidates' proficiency in the English language. The syllabus for this section includes topics such as:

• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Para Jumbles
• Error Spotting
• Fill in the Blanks
• Sentence Improvement
• Vocabulary
• Grammar

Candidates are advised to refer to previous years' question papers to get a feel of the real test and understand the weightage of each topic.

SBI PO Mains Syllabus

The Mains Examination is the second stage of the SBI PO selection process. It consists of four major sections: Data Analysis & Interpretation, Reasoning Ability, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language. Let's explore the syllabus for each section:

Data Analysis & Interpretation

The Data Analysis & Interpretation section evaluates candidates' ability to analyze and interpret data. The syllabus for this section includes topics such as:

• Tabular Graphs
• Line Graphs
• Bar Graphs
• Pie Charts
• Radar Graphs
• Missing Case Data Interpretation
• Let it Case Data Interpretation
• Probability
• Permutation and Combination

Reasoning Ability

The Reasoning Ability section in the Mains Exam is similar to the Reasoning Ability section in the Prelims Exam. The syllabus remains the same, covering topics such as:

• Syllogism
• Blood Relations
• Coding-Decoding
• Directions and Distances
• Order and Ranking
• Inequalities
• Seating Arrangement
• Puzzles
• Data Sufficiency
• Statement and Assumptions

General/Economy/Banking Awareness

The General/Economy/Banking Awareness section assesses candidates' knowledge of current affairs, banking, and the economy. The syllabus for this section includes topics such as:

• Current Affairs
• Financial Awareness
• Banking Terminologies
• Static Awareness
• General Knowledge

English Language

The English Language section in the Mains Exam is similar to the English Language section in the Prelims Exam. The syllabus remains the same, covering topics such as:

• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Para Jumbles
• Error Spotting
• Fill in the Blanks
• Sentence Improvement
• Vocabulary
• Grammar

Descriptive Test

The Descriptive Test in the Mains Exam consists of two questions - one letter writing and one essay. Candidates must score passing marks in this test as well to qualify for the SBI PO mains exam.

SBI PO Syllabus - Group Discussion & Interview

The Group Discussion & Interview phase is the final stage of the SBI PO selection process. Candidates who clear the Prelims and Mains exams will participate in this phase. The Group Discussion & Interview process evaluates candidates' communication skills, leadership qualities, and overall personality. To prepare for this phase, candidates can refer to tips and guidelines available on EduRev, a reliable platform for quality study material.

SBI PO Exam Preparation

Preparing for the SBI PO exam requires dedication and a strategic study plan. Here are some tips to help candidates prepare effectively:

• Regularly solve SBI PO mock tests to assess performance and revise the entire syllabus based on the latest exam pattern. EduRev offers a comprehensive series of SBI PO mock tests that can be beneficial for candidates.
• Solve previous year papers to understand the exact exam pattern based on the syllabus for both Prelims and Mains exams. EduRev provides previous year papers for practice.
• Analyze strengths and weaknesses in each section and allocate equal time for preparation. Devote time to improving communication and grammatical skills by reading newspapers, magazines, and journals. This will also help in the General/Economy/Banking Awareness section.
• Prepare a study plan based on the allotted time for each section in the Prelims and Mains exams. Stick to the plan and revise regularly.
• Refer to reliable study materials and books while preparing for the SBI PO exam. Some recommended books include:
  • English for Bank Exams (Prelims and Mains) by S. Chand Publishers
  • A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal
  • Comprehensive Guide to SBI PO Exam (Prelims and Mains) by Disha Experts
  • How to prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning by Arun Sharma
  • Pratiyogita Darpan (Monthly Edition)
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by Arun Sharma
  • Lucent's General Knowledge
  • Banking Awareness by B.K. Publications

Remember, cracking the SBI PO exam requires hard work, patience, and determination. EduRev's well-structured study materials can help candidates understand the core concepts effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is there negative marking in the SBI PO exam?
Ans: Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers in both the SBI PO Prelims and Mains exams. Each wrongly answered question carries a penalty of ¼th marks.

Q2: Is there a sectional cut off for each section in the SBI PO exam?
Ans: No, the State Bank of India has removed the sectional cut off for both the Prelims and Mains exams. Only the overall cut off will be considered for the selection of candidates.

Q3: Are the marks scored in the SBI PO Prelims exam taken into consideration for the final selection of Probationary Officers?
Ans: No, the SBI PO Preliminary exam is only qualifying in nature, and the marks scored in the Prelims will not be calculated for the final selection. The final merit list is prepared based on the aggregate marks secured in the Mains exam and the Group Discussion & Interview.

Q4: What is the salary for a Probationary Officer in SBI?
Ans: The initial basic salary for an SBI PO is Rs. 27,620 in the scale of 23700 - 980/7- 30560 - 1145/2 - 32850 - 1310/7 - 42020. The total compensation ranges from approximately Rs. 8.20 lakhs to Rs. 13.08 lakhs. For more details, candidates can refer to EduRev's article on SBI PO salary.

Q5: Where can I find more information about upcoming bank exams?
Ans: For information about upcoming bank exams, candidates can refer to EduRev's comprehensive article on bank exams.