SBI PO is one of the most popular and top-notch exams for candidates who are willing to start their career as Probationary Officers in the State Bank of India. The exam is conducted annually for candidates who have the zeal to join the bank as MMGS Scale 1 officers. The bank conducts a selection process to choose the right candidate fit for the aforesaid role. However, the exam is very competitive and tough at the same time. A lot of candidates find it very difficult to crack the exam even with years of preparation while some taste the success on the very first attempt.

There is no magic that works here but a sheer dedication and consistent preparation work on the behalf of the candidates. Hence, with the idea of providing the correct insight to the candidates, Smartkeeda has briefly explained the Top 6 tips that will help you in clearing the SBI PO 2021 in the first attempt.
 

SBI PO Exam Pattern 2021


The SBI PO Exam Pattern comprises three stages and candidates have to clear each stage separately to finally get the appointment letter for the job of PO. There are separate category wise cut off marks for each stage and the candidates have to score marks equivalent to that to ace the examination. The description of each stage of the selection process is mentioned in the space below:
 

Phase 1: Preliminary Exam


• The Preliminary examination is the first stage of the selection process and is qualifying in nature. It is conducted in Computer Based Test mode.

• As per the official notification, the preliminary exam of the SBI Clerk, there will be three subjects in the examination namely i.e. English language, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative aptitude

• There will be a total of 100 questions accounting for 100 marks and the number of questions will be different for each subject.

• As per the marking scheme, 1 mark will be provided to every correct answer while there will be a deduction of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer marked by the candidate.



Sections
 
No of question Maximum marks Medium of exam Duration of exam

English language
 
30 30 English 20 minutes

Reasoning ability
 
35 35 English and Hindi 20 minutes

Quantitative aptitude
 
35 35 English and Hindi 20 minutes

Total
 
100 100   60 minutes
 

Phase 2: Mains Exam


• The second stage of the selection process of the SBI PO examination is the Mains exam. The exam is also held in the Computer Based Test mode and the marks are considered for the selection of the candidates.

• There are four subjects in the objective test namely i.e. English language, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness and Quantitative aptitude. While there is a descriptive test too wherein the candidates will be required to type the answer using the keyboard.

• There will be a total of 155 questions accounting for 200 marks and the number of questions will be different for each subject.

• As per the marking scheme, 1 mark will be provided to every correct answer while there will be a deduction of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer marked by the candidate.
 

Objective Test


Sections
 
No of question Maximum marks Medium of exam Duration of exam
English language
35
 
35 English 40 minutes
Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude
45
 
60 English and Hindi 60 minutes
Data Analysis and Interpretation
35
 
60 English and Hindi 45 minutes
General Awareness
40
 
40 English and Hindi 45 minutes
Total
155
 
200   180 minutes
 

Descriptive Test


Sections
 
No of question Maximum marks Medium of exam Duration of exam

English language (Letter Writing and Essay)
 

2
 
50 English 30minutes
 

Phase 3: Group Discussion & Interview


The GD and PI is the last stage of the selection process and comprises Group Discussion and Interviews. The GD & PI is held for a total of 50 marks and the candidates have to qualify the same. The final merit list is devised by taking the marks of Mains and Interview in the ratio of 80:20.
 

Top 6 Tips to Clear SBI PO 2021 in the First Attempt


The top 6 tips that will help the candidates in clearing the SBI PO 2021 exam in the very first attempts are mentioned in the space below:

• Familiar with SBI PO Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The first tip that candidates have to abide by while preparing for the SBI PO Exam is going through the exam pattern and syllabus in depth. The candidates should check out the marking scheme, the subject asked etc and prepare accordingly. The syllabus should also be considered before starting the preparation as the questions in the examination are frames on these topics.

• Draft a Time Schedule

Drafting a time schedule is also very relevant for a competitive exam like SBI PO because a lot of things has to be done to ace the exam i.e. learning basics, practice, revision, and analysis. If the candidates do not follow a schedule then it might happen that they are lost in the preparation and miss out on important things. Hence it is very crucial that candidates draft a time schedule and dedicate a time slot for each activity. 

• Start with the Basics

The candidates should start with learning the basics of each subject i.e. Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude. These two subjects form the essence of the exam and maximum questions are framed on these two. Hence it is very essential that candidates begin with the basics of each subject. Once the candidates are done with the basics they should move forward to the practice session for the questions of different levels. The more the basics are clear the easier it would be for the candidates to prepare for the questions of higher difficulty level.

• Consistency is the Key

Consistency is the key for competitive exams like SBI PO and it is very essential that students keep consistency in their preparation and practice. The candidates should try to practice regularly and try to solve questions every day. The more a candidate practices, the more he is likely to gain control over the different levels of questions asked in the SBI PO exam.

• Follow any Online Course

There are only four subjects that are asked in the exam of SBI PO i.e. English language, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness and Quantitative aptitude. The candidates can try to join any online course that is paid or also opt for free classes by the Smartkeeda Youtube channel. The candidates can take the help of these video classes to clear the basic concepts. Additionally, by following online resources the candidates can also get the option to practice different types of questions that could be asked in the exam.

• Practice using Mock Test

The candidates preparing for the SBI PO examination should also follow the SBI PO Pre Mock Test by Smartkeeda. These Mock tests are developed by a team of experts who know the basic concepts of this exam. Practising with mock tests also helps the candidates in maintaining their accuracy and speed before the examination. The candidates can attempt the mock test and then analyse it thoroughly to get a fair idea of his preparation level.

SBI PO Important Books


The candidates who are aspiring for the SBI PO Exam should prefer the following books to prepare for the preliminary and mains exam.
 
Resources Name
Author 
 
Synopsis
Topic Wise Reasoning Quizzes
Smartkeeda
 
Provides Daily Quizzes based on topics asked in the examination.
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
R S Aggarwal
 

A very good book by the author for dealing with the different levels of questions asked in the Reasoning section along with an explanation.
 
Puzzle Quizzes Smartkeeda
Helps in improving accuracy and speed at the same time by providing PDF as well as timer-based questions.
 
Topic Wise Quantitative Aptitude Quizzes Smartkeeda
Provides Daily Quizzes based on topics asked in the examination.
 
Quantitative Aptitude R S Aggarwal
A helpful book to ace the basic concepts of each chapter.
 
How to Prepare Quantitative Aptitude for CAT Exam Arun Sharma
A very good book by the author for dealing with the different levels of questions asked in the Quantitative Aptitude section.
 
Topic Wise English Quizzes Smartkeeda
Provides Daily Quizzes based on topics asked in the examination.
 
English for Bank Exams (Preliminary & Main) S Chand
One of the best books to clear the basics of each chapter of the Grammar section.
 
Objective General English S P Bakshi
Provides the daily dose of objective questions for each chapter asked in the exam.
 
Current Affairs Quizzes Smartkeeda
Helps in checking the knowledge of the facts and news learned by the candidate every day.
 
Daily Current Affairs Videos Smartkeeda Youtube Channel
Provides daily dose of news relevant for the bank exams.
 
 
 

Thanks & Regards
Team Smartkeeda