(State Bank of India (SBI) determines the syllabus of all the SBI Probationary Officer (PO) recruitment stages (Prelims, Mains, and Interview) separately. SBI PO aspirants must prepare their study plan in compliance with the SBI PO syllabus 2022 to surpass the bottleneck competition in this exam.
The three stages of the SBI PO examination process are:
- Preliminary (Prelims)
- Mains
- Interview (Group Discussion & Personal Interview)
SBI PO prelims question paper consists of a total of three sections – English, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Ability. On the other hand, the Mains question paper is segregated into four sections including Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General/Banking/Economy Awareness and English Language.
The third stage of recruitment i.e., SBI PO Interview has no defined syllabus. However, experts suggest important topics to prepare for this round based on major happenings of the year. Let’s delve deeper into the stage-wise SBI PO syllabus 2022 in this article.
SBI PO Syllabus 2022 – Preliminary Exam
As per the prior discussion, the SBI PO Preliminary exam will have three sections, out of which two of the sections namely Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability will have 35 questions each. The third section (English Language) will have a total of 30 questions. Test takers will get a time duration of 20 minutes to solve each of the sections (total 60 minutes).
The score in the Preliminary examination will not be added to the SBI PO final merit list for recruitment. However, qualifying for the Prelim exams is mandatory to become eligible for the SBI PO Mains examination. Candidates can proceed further to check the section-wise SBI PO syllabus for the Preliminary examination.
Read More: SBI PO Application Form – Dates, How to Fill & Submit Form, Eligibility
SBI PO Prelims Syllabus – English Language
SBI PO syllabus 2022 for the English Language section of Prelims exam will consist of the following topics:
English Language Syllabus for SBI PO Preliminary Exam
| Fill in the Blanks | Sentence/ Paragraph Completion | Phrase Replacement/ Sentence Correction |
| Phrase Idiom Meaning | Spellings | Reading Comprehension |
| Error Spotting | Para Jumbles | Cloze Test |
SBI PO Prelims Syllabus – Quantitative Aptitude
SBI PO syllabus 2022 for the Quantitative Aptitude section of the Preliminary exam will comprise the following topics:
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus for SBI PO Preliminary Exam
| Simplification | Algebra | Data Interpretation | Percentage |
| Ratio and Proportion | Interest | Number System | Speed, Time and Distance |
| Profit and Loss | Number Series | Mensuration | Average |
SBI PO Prelims Syllabus – Reasoning Ability
As per the SBI PO syllabus 2022, the 35 questions in the Reasoning Ability section of the Preliminary exam will be framed from the following topics:
Reasoning Ability Syllabus for SBI PO Preliminary Exam
| Ordering and Ranking | Grouping and Selection | Directions and Distance | Blood Relations |
| Input-Output | Linear Seating Arrangement | Circular Seating Arrangement | Arrangement and Pattern |
| Analogy | Classification | Data Sufficiency | Scheduling |
| Double Line Up | Verbal Reasoning | Syllogisms | Coding-Decoding |
| Inequalities | – | – | – |
SBI PO Preliminary Exam Pattern
Candidates must consider the SBI PO exam pattern along with the syllabus to devise a better preparation strategy. The exam pattern for the SBI PO Preliminary exam is as follows.
SBI PO Preliminary Exam – Test Structure
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Examination | Online |
| Duration of Examination | 1 hour (20 minutes for each section) |
| Type of questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Number of questions | 100 questions |
| Marking scheme | 1 mark each for every correct answer; 25% negative marking for each incorrect response |
| Name of Sections | English Language |
| Quantitative Aptitude | |
| Reasoning Ability | |
| Medium of examination | Bilingual (English and Hindi) |
Sectional Weightage in SBI PO Prelims
| Sections | Number of Questions | Marks | Time Duration (minutes) |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 |
Recommended Books for SBI PO Preliminary Exam
SBI PO toppers have recommended some of the best books that will help you in cracking the SBI PO exam. Here are some of the top recommendations for SBI PO Prelims.
Best Books for SBI PO Preliminary Exam
| Section | Name of the book | Author/Publisher |
| English Language | Objective English for Competitive Examination | Hari Mohan Prasad, Uma Sinha |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Bank PO Quantitative Aptitude Chapterwise papers with solutions | Arihant Experts | |
| Reasoning Ability | Bank PO Reasoning Chapterwise papers with solutions | Arihant Experts |
| Bank PO Reasoning | Pratiyogita Kiran |
SBI-PO Syllabus – Mains Exam
SBI PO Mains examination will be divided into two phases – Objective Test and Descriptive Test. SBI PO Objective Test question paper will have 155 questions segregated into four different sections, carrying the weightage of 200 marks in total. The descriptive paper will have two questions based on Essay Writing & Letter Writing. These two questions hold a weightage of 50 marks.
Candidates shall be given 3 hours to answer all the 155 questions in the objective test. Also, the sectional time limit of 40 to 60 minutes for different sections will cause an increase in the difficulty level of the exam. Get a hang of section-wise and test-wise SBI PO syllabus 2022 for the Mains exam with the information provided below.
SBI PO Mains Syllabus – Reasoning and Computer Aptitude
It is advised to pick the topics suggested below to prepare for the Reasoning and Computer Aptitude section in sync with the SBI PO Mains syllabus.
Reasoning and Computer Aptitude Syllabus for SBI PO Mains Exam
| Scheduling | Basic of Logic Gates | Verbal Reasoning | Operating System |
| Ordering and Ranking, Code Inequalities | Coding-Decoding, Course of Action | Syllogism | Linear Seating Arrangement |
| Input-Output, Analytical and Decision Making | Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies | Internet | Data Sufficiency |
| Double Lineup | Memory | Number System | Computer Software |
| Directions and Distances | Microsoft Office | Computer Hardware | Computer Abbreviation |
| Blood Relations | Networking | Keyboard Shortcuts | Circular Seating Arrangement |
| Critical Reasoning | – | – | – |
SBI PO Mains Syllabus – Data Analysis and Interpretation
Candidates must cover the following topics to complete the SBI PO syllabus 2022 for the Data Analysis and Interpretation section.
Data Analysis and Interpretation Syllabus for SBI PO Mains Exam
| Data Sufficiency | Missing Case DI | Tabular Graph | Pie Charts |
| Let it Case DI | Radar Graph Caselet | Line Graph | Charts and Tables |
| Permutation and Combination | Probability | Bar Graph | – |
SBI PO Mains Syllabus – General/Economy/Banking Awareness
Although general awareness cannot be confined to a set of topics, SBI PO syllabus 2022 for this section can be described as follows:
General/Economy/Banking Awareness Syllabus
| Current Affairs | General Knowledge | Banking Terminologies Knowledge | Bank Credit Operations |
| Financial Awareness | Static Awareness | Money and Capital Marketing | List of Bank and Insurance Companies with their Taglines |
| Principles of Insurance | Amendments in FDI Policy, 2018 | CIBIL | Non-Performing Assets (NPA) |
| RBI Act, 1934 | Financial Institutions in India | Fund Transfer Services | Banking Ombudsman |
SBI PO Main Syllabus – English Language
The table below comprises the SBI PO syllabus 2022 for the English Language section of the Mains exam.
English Language Syllabus
| Reading Comprehension | Vocabulary | Para Jumbles |
| Grammar | Sentence Improvement | Error Spotting |
| Verbal Ability | Word Association | Cloze Test |
| Fill in the blanks | – | – |
SBI PO Syllabus for Mains Examination – Descriptive Test
Candidates appearing for the SBI PO Mains exam have to take the descriptive test right after the objective test. The descriptive test will have two questions accounting for a total of 50 marks.
The descriptive test of the SBI PO Mains exam will include the following topics:
- Essay Writing
- Letter Writing
Candidates will have to complete these two questions within a duration of 30 minutes. Essay writing will include current prevailing topics such as:
- COVID -19 Impact on National/International Economy
- India-China Conflict
- FDI, Gold Monetisation Scheme
- Disputes related to Water and other issues
- All about Digital India
- Facts related to Cryptocurrency, etc.
Note- The conducting authority evaluates the descriptive test score of only those candidates who qualify the objective test of Mains examination as per the SBI PO cutoff.
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern
While taking the SBI PO Mains examination, candidates may have difficulty understanding the test structure. Thus, knowing the exam pattern is an integral part of the preparation strategy. The table below describes the SBI PO exam pattern for the Mains examination.
SBI PO Mains – Test Structure
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Examination | Online |
| Duration of Examination | 180 minutes (Objective test) with a variable sectional time limit |
| 30 minutes (Descriptive test) | |
| Type of questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Descriptive |
| Number of questions | 155 questions (Objective paper) |
| 2 questions (descriptive paper) | |
| Negative Marking | 25% negative marking for each incorrect response |
| Name of Sections | Reasoning and Computer Aptitude |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | |
| English Language | |
| Medium of examination | Bilingual (English and Hindi) |
Sectional Weightage in SBI PO Mains (Objective-type Paper)
| Sections | Number of Questions | Marks | Time Duration (minutes) |
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 |
| General/Banking/Economy Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 180 |
Sectional Weightage in SBI PO Mains (Descriptive-type Paper)
| Section | Total Questions | Marks | Time Duration (minutes) |
| English Language (Letter & Essay Writing) | 2 | 50 | 30 |
Recommended Books for SBI PO Preliminary Exam
Here are some of the top book recommendations from the toppers to qualify for the SBI PO Mains exam 2022.
Best Books for SBI PO Preliminary Exam
| Section | Name of the book | Author/ Publisher |
| English Language | High School English Grammar and Composition | Wren and Martin |
| Bank PO English Language | Arihant Experts | |
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal | BS Sijwali and Indu Sijwali | |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | Banking Awareness | Arihant Publication |
| General Knowledge | Lucent | |
| Daily newspaper for current affairs | – | |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma |
| Data Interpretation | Arun Sharma |
SBI PO 2022 – Tips to Prepare for Prelims and Mains
- Start from sourcing the most authentic study material including books, previous years’ question papers (memory-based) and more for an effective SBI PO preparation.
- Prepare a plan specifically focused on the section-wise SBI PO syllabus 2022 for Preliminary and Mains examination.
- For the Quantitative Aptitude in the SBI PO Prelims and Data Analysis & Interpretation section in the SBI PO Mains exam, candidates must brush up their basic mathematical skills including multiplication, square root and division, and learn some tricks to make intricate calculations easier.
- For the Reasoning section, candidates must practice as many previous years’ question papers as they can to gain an understanding of the type of questions. Most of the questions in the Reasoning section will have a common trick for a solution.
- Practice comprehensions as it takes a lot of time while reading the passage. Increase the reading speed and vocabulary while preparing for the English Language section.
- Watch news channels and read newspapers on a daily basis to stay up-to-date in regard to the current affairs around the globe.
- For the Banking Awareness section in SBI PO Mains, candidates must study as per the previous years’ question papers.
SBI-PO Syllabus – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
✔️ What sections do I need to study for the Prelims and Mains examination as per SBI PO syllabus 2022?
As per SBI PO syllabus 2022, Prelims question paper has as many as three sections - English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. On the other hand, SBI PO syllabus for Mains examination will include four sections i.e. English Language, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, General/Economic/Banking Awareness, and Data Analysis & Interpretation
✔️ Is there any negative marking in SBI PO examination?
Yes. SBI PO Prelims, as well as Mains examination, will have negative marking for every incorrect response. 25% of the marks per incorrect response shall be deducted in both the exams.
✔️ I have qualified for SBI PO Mains but my score was not excellent in Prelims. How will it affect the final selection through SBI PO recruitment?
There is good news for you. State Bank of India considers the performance of candidates in SBI PO Mains exam and interview for final selection. After qualifying the SBI PO Prelims, your performance in this round has no influence on SBI PO final selection process.
✔️ Is there any sectional cutoff in the SBI PO Prelims or Mains examination?
No. There will be no sectional cutoff in the Prelims or Mains examination. However, only the candidates who qualify the objective test of Mains examination as per the SBI PO cutoff score will be eligible for the evaluation of the descriptive test.
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