SBI PO (Probationary Officer) exam

The SBI PO (Probationary Officer) exam is one of the most popular and competitive exams in India, conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI) for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (POs) in various branches of the bank across the country. A PO in SBI is responsible for a variety of tasks, such as managing the operations of the bank, customer service, loan processing, managing staff, and more.

Key Highlights of the SBI PO Exam:

1. Eligibility Criteria:

   • Educational Qualification: A candidate must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
   • Age Limit: Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age (as of the specified date). Age relaxation is provided to reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD).

2. Stages of the SBI PO Exam: The SBI PO exam is conducted in three stages:

   • Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
   • Mains Exam
   • Interview

   Note: The final selection is based on the combined score of the Mains exam and Interview.

3. SBI PO Exam Pattern:

   • Preliminary Exam: The Preliminary Exam consists of 3 sections and is conducted online:
     

     1. Reasoning Ability: 35 questions (35 marks)

     2. Quantitative Aptitude: 35 questions (35 marks)

     3. English Language: 30 questions (30 marks)

     • Total: 100 questions (100 marks)
     • Duration: 1 hour
     • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
   • Mains Exam: The Mains exam consists of both Objective and Descriptive sections:
     

     1. Objective Section:

        • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 45 questions (60 marks)

        • Data Analysis & Interpretation: 35 questions (60 marks)

        • General/Financial Awareness: 50 questions (50 marks)

        • English Language: 35 questions (40 marks)

        • Total: 155 questions (200 marks)

        • Duration: 3 hours

        • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.

     2. Descriptive Section:

        • Letter Writing and Essay: 2 questions (50 marks)

        • Total: 50 marks for Descriptive.

        • Duration: 30 minutes.

   • Interview:
     
     • Candidates who clear the Mains exam are shortlisted for the Interview.
     • The Interview carries 100 marks.
     • The final selection is based on the combined score from the Mains exam and Interview.

4. Syllabus for SBI PO Exam:

   • Preliminary Exam:
     
     • Reasoning Ability: Logical reasoning, seating arrangement, puzzles, blood relations, etc.
     • Quantitative Aptitude: Data interpretation, number series, percentage, profit and loss, time and work, speed and distance, etc.
     • English Language: Reading comprehension, error spotting, sentence correction, vocabulary, etc.
   • Mains Exam:
     
     • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: Coding-decoding, puzzles, machine input-output, data sufficiency, computer basics.
     • Data Analysis & Interpretation: Tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, caselets.
     • General/Financial Awareness: Current affairs (banking, economy, national, and international news), financial knowledge.
     • English Language: Reading comprehension, para jumbles, sentence correction, cloze test, etc.
     • Descriptive: Letter writing and essay writing.

5. Salary and Benefits:

   • The starting salary for an SBI PO is approximately ₹41,000 to ₹45,000 per month (including allowances and benefits).
   • The salary may vary based on the location and branch of posting.
   • Additional perks include medical insurance, provident fund, housing loan facilities, and other allowances.

6. Application Process:

   • The application for the SBI PO exam is available online on the official SBI website.
   • The application fee is generally ₹750 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and ₹125 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

7. Important Dates for SBI PO 2024 Exam (Tentative):

   • Notification Release: Likely October 2024
   • Application Start Date: Likely October 2024
   • Application End Date: Likely November 2024
   • Preliminary Exam: Likely December 2024
   • Mains Exam: Likely January 2025
   • Interview: Likely February 2025

8. Final Selection:

   • The final selection for SBI PO is based on the combined score of the Mains exam and Interview.
   • The Interview has a weightage of 100 marks.
   • Candidates need to qualify the cut-offs for each stage and the final combined cut-off to be selected.

9. Cut-off Marks:

   • Cut-off marks will be released after each stage of the exam. Candidates must score above the cut-off to qualify for the next stage.

Tips for Preparation:

1. Time Management: Given the vast syllabus, managing time effectively is key.
2. Mock Tests: Regular practice through mock tests helps in understanding the exam pattern and time management.
3. Current Affairs: Stay updated with the latest news, especially regarding banking and finance.
4. Books and Study Materials: Refer to reputed books for quantitative aptitude, reasoning, and English.

Conclusion:

The SBI PO exam is one of the most coveted exams for those aspiring to work in the banking sector in India. With rigorous preparation, practice, and determination, candidates can secure a position as a Probationary Officer at the State Bank of India.

For the latest updates, exam dates, and official notifications, candidates should visit the official SBI careers page: www.sbi.co.in/careers.