SBI PO Exam Pattern: Three Phases, One Merit Formula
Prelims only screens you. Mains and Phase III decide everything, in a 75:25 split.
The SBI PO exam pattern has three phases. Phase I is a 100-mark online preliminary test that only screens candidates; its marks are not counted in the final merit. Phase II is the mains: a 200-mark objective test across four sections plus a 30-mark descriptive test. Phase III is a psychometric test, group exercise and interview worth 50 marks. Final merit combines mains and Phase III in a 75:25 ratio.
Every objective paper deducts 0.25 marks per wrong answer. That single rule shapes attempt strategy more than any other part of the pattern, so it is worth internalising before the section tables.
You save ₹450 today
- Prelims + mains mocks
- PO-level puzzle & DI bank
- Descriptive paper prep
One payment, no subscription · Valid for 6 months
Phase I: Preliminary Examination
Online CBT (Objective), 60 minutes. Qualifying only; prelims marks do not carry into final merit.
English Language
Questions
30
Marks
30
Quantitative Aptitude
Questions
35
Marks
35
Reasoning Ability
Questions
35
Marks
35
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
Phase II: Mains Objective Test
Online CBT (Objective), 180 minutes across four sections.
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
Questions
40
Marks
60
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Questions
30
Marks
60
General / Economy / Banking Awareness
Questions
60
Marks
60
English Language
Questions
40
Marks
20
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 60 | 60 |
| English Language | 40 | 20 |
Phase II: Descriptive Test
Online Typing, 30 minutes, taken alongside the objective mains.
Letter Writing & Essay
Questions
2
Marks
30
| Task | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Letter Writing & Essay | 2 | 30 |
Real prelims-style questions. No signup.
Phase III: Group Exercise and Interview
Preceded by a qualifying psychometric test. These 50 marks carry 25% of final merit.
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Group Exercise | 20 |
| Interview | 30 |
How the Final Merit Is Calculated
Final merit combines the Phase II mains score and the Phase III score in a 75:25 ratio. Prelims marks are excluded entirely; clearing the prelims cut-off only earns the right to sit mains.
Practically, that means a candidate who scrapes through prelims and a candidate who tops it start mains from the same zero. The exam rewards mains depth, not prelims margins, and every mark of the descriptive paper counts the same as an objective mark within the mains total.
Scoring Rules That Change How You Attempt
- check_circleNegative marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer in both prelims and mains objective papers.
- check_circleThe descriptive test has no negative marking.
- check_circlePrelims is qualifying only; roughly 10 times the vacancy count is shortlisted for mains.
- check_circleThe psychometric test in Phase III is qualifying, not scored into merit.
Pattern Details Are Per-Notification
Vacancies, fees, dates, cut-offs and eligibility thresholds are set per notification and change between cycles. Figures here reflect the 2025 cycle as last notified. Confirm the current notification on sbi.co.in before you act on them.
SBI PO Pattern FAQs
Does the SBI PO prelims score count in the final merit?expand_more
No. The preliminary exam is purely a qualifying screening stage. Final merit is based only on the mains and Phase III (group exercise and interview) scores, weighted 75:25.
Is there negative marking in SBI PO?expand_more
Yes, in the objective tests. 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in both prelims and mains objective sections. The descriptive test carries no negative marking.
How many marks is the SBI PO mains?expand_more
The mains objective test is 200 marks across four sections in 3 hours, plus a separate 30-mark descriptive test of essay and letter writing in 30 minutes.
What is Phase III of SBI PO?expand_more
A qualifying psychometric test followed by a group exercise worth 20 marks and an interview worth 30 marks. The 50 Phase III marks contribute 25% of the final merit.
Next steps
Take a full SBI PO mock testSimulate the real timers and negative marking.