Every year, the State Bank of India conducts the highly competitive SBI PO examination, to select the most qualified individuals for the coveted role of Probationary Officer from a large pool of applicants.  The position of a Probationary Officer (PO) at the State Bank of India (SBI) carries immense prestige in the Indian banking industry, resulting in a substantial level of competition. In order to secure this prestigious position, you require a profound understanding of SBI PO examination pattern, syllabus, marking scheme and the right strategy to surpass the competition.

In this article, we will share an ultimate SBI PO 2023 Exam preparation plan that will elevate your preparation from beginner to advanced level and eventually help you crack this exam with flying colors.

Starting from Scratch: Beginners' Guide

  • Getting Familiar with Exam Pattern and Syllabus : If you are just beginning your preparation for SBI PO 2023 exam, familiarizing yourself with the SBI PO examination pattern and syllabus holds highest importance. A profound understanding of the SBI PO exam pattern and format such as time limit, marking scheme, number of sections etc. allows you to craft effective strategies for attempting the maximum number of questions within the allocated time and optimizing your score.
     
The selection for Probationary Officers at SBI is done through a three-phase process:
  • Step 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) (100 Marks)
  • Step 2: Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive – 250 Marks)
  • Step 3: Interview + Group Exercise (50 Marks)
To understand the SBI PO Examination pattern and syllabus better, SBI PO previous year papers and SBI PO mock tests are indispensable resources. These tests not only offer insights into the SBI PO exam format but also assist in establishing a strategic roadmap for your preparation.
  • Click here to attempt a free SBI PO 2023 prelims mock test!
  • Setting Clear Goals and Objectives: When commencing your SBI PO 2023 exam preparation, it is essential to establish clear goals and objectives. Initially, you should focus on covering the entire syllabus, breaking your study plan into parts. During your practice sessions, give priority to identifying high-weightage topics like puzzles, seating arrangements, Data Interpretation, and reading comprehension, as these areas encompass a significant portion of the SBI PO exam. Your ultimate goal should revolve around enhancing your understanding of each topic to streamline your ability to solve them efficiently within stringent time limits.
  • Building a Strong Foundation in Basics: To establish a robust foundation in each topic, it's essential to practice from basic to advanced levels. To facilitate this, Smartkeeda offers a specially curated Topic Test Series featuring quizzes encompassing all topics relevant to the SBI PO 2023 exam. These quizzes are systematically arranged in ascending order of difficulty, allowing you to gradually strengthen your fundamentals from a foundational level to a proficient one.
    Attempt Smartkeeda Topic Tests Now!
     

Group Discussion and Interview

Group Discussion and interview is the last & an important part of the SBI PO recruitment process. The shortlisted candidates from the main examination are invited for this round. During the GD & interview round of SBI PO, the panel members assess various aspects such as your confidence, knowledge, opinions, communication skills, and suitability for the job.
 
The marking scheme of this round is as follows:

 
Test Structure Group Exercise Interview Total
Minimum Marks 20 30 50

This is also the scoring part of the SBI PO examination process and the marks obtained in this round are added to the final merit. You have to qualify for both the Online Main Exam and the interview with a sufficiently high score to get a final selection.

Preparing for Group Discussions

During SBI Group Discussion, you will typically be seated in a group of 10 candidates. You'll be presented with a topic, usually related to current affairs, and given 5 minutes to prepare your content. In this round, language choice is flexible, with both English and Hindi options available as long as you can effectively communicate your thoughts. To excel in the Group discussion round, you should consider the following tips:
  • Keep yourself updated on current affairs as many topics may be related to recent news or events.
  • Practice different topics with friends or in mock GD sessions to get a feel for the format.
  • While speaking, ensure your pronunciation and diction are clear.
  • Make eye contact with fellow participants while speaking.
  • Be respectful, even if you disagree with someone. Avoid confrontations or becoming overly aggressive.

Acing the Personal Interview

An interview is more than just a series of questions and answers; it's a conversation. With effective preparation, you can guide this conversation in the direction you desire. To lead the SBI PO interview, you should begin by responding to the first question in a way that provides the interview panel with insights that naturally lead to their next question. This proactive approach allows you to shape the interview and highlight your strengths and qualifications effectively.

Here are some valuable tips to excel in the SBI PO 2023 interview:
  • Craft a compelling self-introduction and practice it in front of a mirror. This will help you present yourself confidently and concisely.
  • Frame your answers to the point. Avoid unnecessary elaboration that might make your responses lengthy and less impactful.
  • Study well about Indian Banking system and role of SBI in the financial sector. Also prepare current affairs related to banking in detail. 
  • Practice maintaining eye contact with each panel member as it demonstrates self-confidence and engagement in the conversation.
  • Always be truthful in your responses. Lying to the interviewer can severely damage your credibility.
  • Dress appropriately for the interview. A well-groomed appearance conveys professionalism and respect for the interview process.

Common Interview Questions for SBI PO

While each SBI PO interview experience is distinct due to the individuality of the interview panel, candidates, and the dynamic nature of conversations, there is an excellent strategy that you can follow. You can prepare for common interview questions and topics that are asked during SBI PO interviews. By preparing answer to these questions, you can gain the required confidence to face the interview round.

 

  • Why you want to pursue a career in banking and what motivates you about the profession?
  • Why you specifically want to join SBI instead of other public sector banks?
  • What are your thoughts regarding privatization of banks?
  • Questions about recent developments in the economic sector, such as inflation, GDP growth, or major policy changes.
  • Basic banking terms and concepts, like CRR, SLR, NPA, and KYC, that demonstrate your understanding of the banking industry.
  • If you have prior work experience, expect questions related to your past roles, responsibilities, and how they relate to the position of a Probationary Officer.
  • Your educational background, including your academic achievements and how they've prepared you for a career in banking.
By thoroughly preparing for these topics and practicing your responses, you can confidently navigate these common areas of discussion during your SBI PO interview.

Cracking the Preliminary Exam

The SBI PO exam's prelims is a qualifying round which means that the marks obtained in this stage are not considered for the final merit list. However, excelling in the prelims is vital to progress to the subsequent rounds of the selection process. To accomplish this, you must strike a delicate balance between speed and accuracy.

In the prelims, you are allotted a total of 60 minutes to attempt 100 questions. Analyzing past year trends, it's apparent that achieving a score of 60 or more marks is typically necessary to successfully advance beyond this phase. Therefore, to crack this round, your goal should be to attempt as many questions as possible without sacrificing accuracy.

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern:

 
S.No Name of the Test Number of Questions Maximum Marks Duration
1. English Language 30 30 20 minutes
1. Reasoning Ability 35 35 20 minutes
2. Numerical Ability 35 35 20 minutes
  Total 100 100 60 minutes
 
  • Click here to attempt a free SBI PO prelims mock test!

Subject-wise Strategy for Prelims

  • Reasoning Ability: In the Reasoning section of the prelims, you'll encounter a variety of topics, including Inequality, Syllogism, Seating Arrangement, Puzzle, Alpha Numeric Symbol Series, Alphabet Tests, and Blood Relation. It's advisable to prioritize practicing high-weightage topics such as puzzles and seating arrangements, honing your ability to solve them swiftly and accurately.
           During the actual exam, adopt a strategic approach. Begin by tackling the topics you find relatively easier to solve and do not stick to time consuming questions. Instead mark them for review and proceed to the next one. This approach ensures               that you maximize your efficiency and make the most of the allotted time during the SBI PO prelims.
  • Numerical Ability: In the Numerical Ability section, there are several topics that can help you secure maximum marks with minimal effort. Simplification and Approximation, Number Series, and Quadratic Equations fall into this category. It's imperative to cultivate excellent calculation skills and a strong command over these topics to swiftly and accurately solve them within tight time constraints.
           Additionally, it's crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Average, and Profit and Loss. These concepts are fundamental for tackling Data Interpretation (DI) problems, which constitute a significant portion of             the Numerical Ability section of SBI PO Exam. Practice solving various types of DI questions to sharpen your skills and boost your overall score.
  • English Language: A strong command of vocabulary and grammar is pivotal when aiming to excel in the English section of the SBI PO exam. This section typically comprises questions related to cloze tests, error detection, one-word substitution, sentence improvement, word association, and multiple meanings. One effective way to enhance your vocabulary and grammar skills is by cultivating the habit of reading. Regularly reading newspapers, online articles, and magazines can significantly contribute to your language proficiency. 
           Among the important topics in the English section, reading comprehension holds particular significance. This topic typically accounts for a substantial portion of the questions in the English section. Out of the 30 questions in the English section, it's               common to find at least 10 dedicated to reading comprehension. Consequently, there is a significant opportunity to secure easy marks within this domain. Proficiency in reading comprehension not only allows you to navigate passages swiftly but               also empowers you to allocate more time to other questions within the section, ultimately boosting your overall performance in the SBI PO exam.

Mastering the Mains Exam

The SBI PO Mains exam constitutes the crucial second phase of the SBI PO recruitment process. This round demands thorough preparation because the marks obtained here carry significant weight in the final selection. The level of difficulty in the Mains exam surpasses that of the prelims, necessitating a strong understanding of the subjects to tackle the questions effectively.

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern
 
S.No Name of the Test Number of Questions Maximum Marks Duration
 
Objective Test: The duration of the objective test is 3 hours, and it consists of 4 Sections of total 200 marks. There will be separate timing for every section.
 
1. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 40 50 35 minutes
2. Data Analysis & Interpretation 30 50 40 minutes
3. General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness 50 60 60 minutes
4. English Language 35 40 45 minutes
  Total 155 200 3 hours
 
Descriptive Paper
 
English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) 2 25 30 minutes
Grand Total 250  
 
  • Click here to attempt a free SBI PO mains mock test!

Subject-wise Mains Preparation Strategy

Data Analysis & Interpretation
 
  • Data Interpretation (DI) is a topic that has the potential to yield substantial marks in SBI PO exam. However, to maximize your DI performance, it's crucial to differentiate between solvable and non-solvable DI sets. This skill comes through rigorous practice and experience. Focus on practicing a variety of Data Interpretation (DI) questions from mock tests. This will help you get comfortable with different DI formats.
  • Take sectional mock tests specifically for quantitative aptitude to pinpoint areas that need improvement. Also attempt topic wise tests to improve your proficiency in that area.
  • Brush up on the fundamentals of arithmetic topics like ratio, percentage, ages, profit & loss, time and distance, trains, boats, simple interest (SI), and compound interest (CI). Clearing the basics is essential.
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
  • While practicing puzzles is beneficial, prioritize those of moderate difficulty. Avoid spending excessive time on very easy or extremely difficult puzzles, as the actual exam typically contains puzzles of moderate complexity.
  • For critical reasoning or verbal reasoning, practice from mock tests and carefully review the solutions to understand the logical thought process.
  • Engage in solving mock papers and sectional tests for reasoning. It not only aids in enhancing your speed and accuracy but also acquaints you with the various question formats typically found in the SBI PO reasoning section. This familiarity is instrumental in preparing effectively for the exam.
  • Devoting time to practicing miscellaneous reasoning questions like coding-decoding, input-output, and various other miscellaneous topics can indeed be a differentiating factor in your SBI PO selection journey. These questions often require a unique approach and can set you apart from other candidates when answered proficiently.
General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness
  • Smartkeeda offers an invaluable resource to bolster your preparation for the SBI PO mains exam through Mock Drill Quizzes. These quizzes encompass approximately 12 Current Affairs Mock drills every month, each comprising 50 significant Current Affairs Questions meticulously tailored for bank exams.
  • In addition to the quizzes, you'll have access to accompanying Mock Drill PDFs, meticulously designed to complement each drill. These PDFs feature a succinct "News Summary & Smart Points" section, providing a quick yet comprehensive overview of important news and key points relevant to each question. These Smart Points are strategically crafted to streamline your preparation, saving you precious time and effort.
  • By harnessing Smartkeeda's current affairs Mock Drills and banking awareness resources, you can significantly elevate your prospects of achieving an impressive score in the SBI PO mains 2023 exam.
 

Essay and Letter Writing Tips

Letter & Essay Writing can be a piece of cake if you have a good knowledge of the format and it can fetch you good marks easily.

Here are some tips that we should keep in mind while attempting letter writing question.
  • Write the letter in a proper format with three paragraphs with introduction, body and a concluding paragraph.
  • Try keeping the body of the letter in a single paragraph and avoid writing it in points.
  • Keep the content of your letter relevant to the given topic or situation.
  • Pay attention to grammar and spelling.
  • Stick to the prescribed word limit

Here are some tips for Essay writing:
  • Include important key features in the essay that are mentioned in the question.
  • Choose the essay topic that you are well-versed in.
  • Begin your essay with a compelling introduction that sets the tone and context for your discussion.
  • Again, stick to the prescribed word limit as exceeding it as it may lead to a deduction in marks.
  • Use numbers and figures in your essay as it makes it attractive but avoid including false figures.
  • Conclude the essay with a remark that both captivates and stimulates thought.

Apart from these points, you must prioritize effective time management for both letter and essay writing questions. Possessing a good typing speed can help you while attempting these questions.

Time Management Techniques

Cracking the SBI PO 2023 exam demands excellent time management skills. In the preliminary round, success depends on your ability to attempt a minimum of 70+ questions with precision to secure qualification. While, in the mains round, a strong foundation in subjects like Data Interpretation (DI) and puzzles is indispensable, all while adhering to stringent time constraints.

7 Tips for Speed and Accuracy in Exams

Properly managing your time during the SBI PO Exam is crucial. Here are 7 tips that can significantly improve your speed and accuracy in SBI PO 2023 Exam:
  1. Begin the exam with the sections or topics you are most confident in. Tackling this early will not only boost your confidence but also save precious time for more challenging sections.
  1. Before you start each section, allocate a certain amount of time to it based on the number of questions and your proficiency in that area. Stick to your time allocation to ensure you complete all questions within the given time frame.
  1. Puzzles typically make up a significant portion of the reasoning section in SBI PO exams. If you're aiming for a strong performance in the reasoning section, prioritize puzzle-solving skills. Attempt different types of puzzles from SBI PO reasoning topic tests.
  1. Don't let your ego come in the way of efficient time management. If you find a question that is time consuming, mark it, and move on to the next one. Spending too much time on a single question can jeopardize your performance in other sections.
  1. Look for shortcuts and tricks that can help you solve questions quickly. As you practice, these shortcuts will significantly improve your speed.
  1. Regularly take SBI PO mock tests at Smartkeeda to simulate the exam environment and improve your speed and accuracy. After each mock test, analyze your performance. Identify which topics took more time and where you struggled.
  1. Attempt Topic-wise mock tests by Smartkeeda for SBI PO. These mock tests are specifically designed to help you improve your proficiency in each topic from basic to advanced level. It's an excellent way to enhance your efficiency and accuracy in each topic.
 

Author : Anjali

Hi, I am Anjali, a Probationary officer at a leading Public Sector Bank. With a passion for helping aspiring bankers, I have embarked on a journey to share my knowledge and insights through informative blogs. Having successfully cleared various bank exams myself, including IBPS PO XII, I understand the challenges and the importance of effective preparation. Through my blogs, I aim to provide valuable tips, strategies, and resources specifically tailored for bank exams, empowering the aspirants to achieve their dream of a successful banking career.

FAQ’s

You should begin your SBI PO exam preparation by thoroughly understanding the exam pattern and syllabus. Then, start practicing with mock tests to assess your readiness and identify areas for improvement. Moreover, you should go through our blog to understand SBI PO Exam preparation strategy better.

For SBI PO preparation, essential study materials include previous year papers for insight, full-length mock tests for exam simulation, sectional tests to target specific areas, topic tests for in-depth practice, and current affair mock drills to stay updated and prepared for GK section.

Effective time management during SBI PO preparation involves allocating time to various tasks daily. This includes taking mock tests, analyzing them, staying updated with current affairs, and addressing weak areas. Structured time allocation will ensure a balanced progress toward your SBI PO exam preparation.

The key differences between SBI PO Prelims and Mains exams are: • Qualification vs. Merit: Prelims round is qualifying in nature, while mains scores contribute to the final merit list. • Sections: Mains consist of four sections, whereas prelims have three. • General Knowledge: GK is asked in mains but not in prelims.

On the day of the SBI PO exam, it's essential to stay calm and trust your preparation. Avoid attempting any mock tests or revising new topics, as this can lead to unnecessary stress. Focus on a relaxed and confident mindset to perform your best in the exam.

After clearing the SBI PO exam, you can look forward to a promising career in the banking sector. Once you start your career as Probationary Officer, you can progress to higher positions like Deputy General Manager (TEGS) and Chief General Manager (TEGS). Apart from faster promotions and career growth, SBI PO also gets opportunities for foreign postings.