State Bank of India (SBI) conducts SBI PO exam every year to recruit graduate candidates to the post of Probationary Officer and for the financial year 2025-26, SBI has released 600 vacancies to fill, an official notification for which PDF has already been released. , In this highly competitive examination, thousands of graduates participate to secure their career in banking. A well-structured SBI PO preparation strategy and subject-wise plan can help you crack the exam successfully. In this guide, we have presented a comprehensive SBI PO preparation plan for Prelims and Mains to help you achieve your goal.
How to Prepare for SBI PO Exam 2025?
SBI PO 2025 Prelims Exam is scheduled on 8th & 15th March 2025 which is quite less time for any candidate to prepare for the exam from ground zero. However, proper strategy and strict study plan can be enough to score good marks in the exam. Allocate time to each section, ensuring a balance between topics you are confident in and areas that need improvement. Let us look at the best SBI PO preparation strategies for 2025.
SBI PO Preparation Tips & Strategy
SBI PO is one of the most desired banking exams by many graduates in India. Right preparation strategy, study material and consistent practice can give you advantage which makes you more successful in SBI PO exam. Due to the changes made in the exam pattern this year, candidates are confused as to which subjects they should focus more on and which subjects they should spend less time on. Hope this article will help you to prepare for SBI PO 2025 exam smoothly and efficiently.
1.Understand the exam pattern
First of all, you have to understand the SBI PO exam pattern, for this you have to understand the marking scheme, negative marking, types of questions, section-wise weightage and most importantly the time duration. This creates the basic structure to start your preparation with a proper strategy. The number of questions in the preliminary examination has been revised and now the English section will have 40 questions while Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability will have 30 questions each. This means that candidates have to focus more on English subject.
SBI PO Exam Stage:
- Preliminary (qualification stage)
- Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive Examination)
- Group Exercise and Interview (Final Selection)
Topics covered in SBI PO Prelims: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability
Subjects covered in SBI PO Mains: Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economics/Banking Awareness, English Language
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025 [Revised]- Click to check
2. Read the syllabus thoroughly
It is important to prepare with the latest syllabus as it helps you know what topics are to be covered and it ultimately helps in identifying strong and weak areas. Allot more time for the subjects you find challenging and never say no to revision.
3. Choose the right study material
Right study material is always the right way to reach your goal, so it is always important to use SBI PO study guides and publications suggested by experts. High quality resources increase productivity and save time. Focus on books that offer in-depth discussion of the topic and practice questions.
4.Practice SBI PO Previous Year Papers
To appear for any competitive exam, it is always advised by experts to solve previous year question papers. Solve SBI PO previous year question papers to get an idea of question pattern and difficulty level. This helps you understand the type and difficulty level of questions frequently asked by State Bank of India.
5. Attempt mock tests regularly
Imagine you worked hard the whole year and cleared all the concepts and invested hours and hours to solve the questions but on the exam day even after knowing the answers you could not manage the time resulting in many unanswered questions. The questions have been posed, how would you feel? The only solution to this is mock tests as these simulate the exam environment, helping you in time management. They help in identifying weak areas and improving speed and accuracy. After each mock test, analyze your performance and work on your mistakes.
6.Revision is the key
As I said earlier, “Never say no to revision”. Frequent revision ensures retention. Set aside dedicated revision slots to revisit important topics, formulas and tips. This strengthens learning and increases self-confidence.
SBI PO Preparation Strategy Subject Wise
Each topic in SBI PO exam should be focused and prepared well. While starting their preparation candidates should ensure that they start with the subject about which they are less confident.
1. Quantitative Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude is one section where if approached strategically you can score maximum marks. Many candidates find it difficult, but with consistent practice this can be the section that helps in scoring maximum marks.
- Focus on basic calculations, data analysis and numerical problems.
- Master quick methods and strategies to increase efficiency.
- Practice solving previous years exam papers continuously.
2. English Language: This topic holds the most importance in SBI PO Prelims exam, hence there is a need to focus more on it.
- Increase reading speed and comprehension by reading newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express.
- Focus on vocabulary knowledge, language rules and error recognition.
- Work on exercises like passage interpretation, fill in the blanks and sentence rearrangement.
3. Reasoning Ability: Reasoning is also an important section which requires logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Main Topics- Syllogism, Puzzles, Sitting Arrangement, Coding-Decoding, Inequalities, Input-Output, Alphanumeric Series
- Practice puzzles, seating arrangements, syllables and coding-decoding.
- Don’t spend more than 3 minutes on puzzles. If you are stuck, move on.
- Work on speed and accuracy by attempting sectional tests.
- Start with easy topics like Syllogism and Inequalities.
- Practice 40-50 reasoning questions daily.
- Focus on solving mock tests and analyzing performance.
- Develop the habit of timer-based practice.
4. General/Economy/Banking Awareness:
- Stay updated with daily current affairs and banking news.
- Focus on topics like RBI policies, financial conditions and economic developments.
- Use apps and monthly magazines like Banking Services Chronicle (BSC) For preparation.
5. Descriptive Testing:
- Practice writing essays on contemporary topics (e.g., digital banking, inflation, green energy).
- Learn letter writing formats (formal and informal).
