SBI PO Exam 2020- Eligibility, Exam Pattern and Syllabus

SBI PO is considered as one of the most prestigious job among bank exam aspirants. Being a top position in a government bank, future aspects of this job are manifold.  Besides offering career satisfaction, this post also extends handsome salary package and promising growth opportunities. The state bank of India has recently released a notification for enrolling 2000 vacancies for the post of Probationary officers. 

Every year State Bank of India conducts multiple exams for different posts like Probationary Officer, Special Officer, Clerk and many more. Being a prestigious public sector bank, lakhs of candidates look forward to the SBI PO exam. Like every year, SBI has announced the number of PO post vacancies which is estimated to be around 2200. The application form for the same will be available most likely from May 2020, however the official date is not yet announced. Candidates can check the exam date on SBI’s official website, i.e. sbi.co.in/careers.

To crack all the stages of the exam and be a part of a prestigious bank, candidates must know everything about the exam starting from the eligibility criteria, exam pattern to detailed syllabus. 

Thus, we have compiled all the necessary information about the SBI PO 2020 Exam in a systematic manner. 

Perks of SBI PO Exam

• Social prestige and job satisfaction
• Highest salary package as compared to other bank PO
• Excellent growth opportunities where a probationary officer can even progress to the post of Chairman.

SBI PO Exam 2020 Eligibility Criteria 

SBI PO Exam Eligibility 2020 criteria are based on their educational qualification, age limit and category. Before applying for the SBI PO exam, all candidates must check the eligibility criteria.

SBI PO Educational Qualification 

Candidates must have a graduation degree to apply for the exam.                                                                                        

Candidates in their post graduation final year/semester can also apply with a proof of having passed the graduation examination.

SBI PO Age Limit

• Candidates should be between the age of 21 to 30 years as on April 1, 2020.
• The age relaxation criteria for specific categories is as follows:
• SC/ST/people affected by 1984 riots/ Kashmiri Migrants/ EXs - 5 years
• OBC - 3 years
• PWD - 10 years

SBI PO Number of Attempts 

• General category- 4 attempts
• General (PwD) category- 7 attempts
• OBC category- 7 attempts
• OBC (PwD)- 7 attempts
• SC/ST (PwD) - No restriction

SBI PO Exam Pattern

SBI PO exam consists of three stages, Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam and Interview. Each and every stage has a different set of syllabus and topics. Let’s start with the preliminary section.

SBI PO Preliminary Exam Pattern

The preliminary exam comprises 3 sections i.e. English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability. There will be 100 questions for a total score of 100. The duration of the exam will be 60 minutes.

Each section has a fixed time allotment and the number of questions as shown below.

SBI PO Preliminary exam has negative marking for each wrong answer. For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks would be deducted from the final score.

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern

Candidates who have successfully cleared the preliminary exam are shortlisted for the mains exam. The mains exam comprises 4 sections, i.e. English, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude., Data Analysis and Interpretation, General Economy and Banking Awareness. The exam consists of objective and descriptive questions. There will be 155 multiple choice questions for a total score of 200. The duration of the exam will be 3 hours.

Check the table below to know the detailed exam pattern.

Like the Preliminary exam, the Mains exam also has a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. 

The descriptive exam will comprise Letter and Essay Writing, given a time slot of 30 minutes.

SBI PO Syllabus

Here you can find the detailed syllabus of SBI PO 2020 Prelims Exam and SBI PO 2020 Mains Exam.

SBI PO Preliminary Exam Syllabus

SBI PO prelims exam syllabus will comprise three sections. 

• English Language
• Quantitative Aptitude
• Reasoning Ability

The detailed analysis and topics in each section are:

English Language

English language section has a total of 30 questions for 30 marks. To score this section, focus on the listed topics:

• Reading Comprehension
• Sentence Correction
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Fill in the Blanks
• Spelling Error
• Cloze Test
• Error Detection
• Idioms and Phrases
• Phrasal Verbs
• Vocabulary Test
• Para jumbles
• Elementary Grammar

Quantitative Aptitude

The important topics in this section are:

• Simplification
• Data Interpretation
• Number System
• Approximation
• Average
• Percentage
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Profit and Loss
• Interest and Surds & Indices
• Mixture and Allegations
• Work and Time
• Time and Distance
• Mensuration - Problems on Cylinder, Cone, Sphere
• Ratio and Proportion
• Sequence and Series
• Probability

Reasoning Ability

The syllabus of Reasoning Ability section comprises the below listed topics.

• Number Series
• Blood Relation
• Coding and Decoding
• Analogy
• Odd man out
• Alpha Numeric Series
• Seating Arrangements
• Symbols
• Syllogism
• Ranking and Direction
• Alphabet Test
• Data Sufficiency
• Puzzle
• Tabulation
• Statement based questions

SBI PO Mains Exam Syllabus

SBI PO mains exam syllabus will comprise four sections. The four sections are listed below.

• English Language
• Reasoning and Computer Aptitude
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
• General Economy and Banking Awareness

The detailed analysis and topics in each section are:

English Language

English language section has a total of 30 questions for 30 marks. To score this section, focus on the listed topics:

• Reading Comprehension
• Sentence Correction
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Fill in the Blanks
• Spelling Error
• Cloze Test
• Error Detection
• Vocabulary Test
• Word Association

Reasoning and Computer Aptitude

The important topics in Reasoning section are:

• Number Series
• Blood Relation
• Coding and Decoding
• Analogy
• Odd man out
• Alpha Numeric Series
• Circular and Linear Seating Arrangements
• Symbols
• Syllogism
• Data Sufficiency
• Code Inequalities
• Ordering and Ranking
• Puzzle
• Critical Reasoning
• Analytical and Decision making 

Computer Awareness Section:

• Internet
• Memory
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Computer Abbreviations
• Microsoft Office
• Computer Hardware and Software
• Networking
• Computer Fundamentals and Technologies

Data Analysis and Interpretation

The detailed syllabus for Data Analysis and Interpretation is mentioned below.

• Tabular Graph
• Line Graph
• Pie Chart
• Bar and Radar Graph
• Missing DI
• Caselet DI
• Data Sufficiency
• Probability
• Permutation and Combination

General Economy and Banking Awareness

For this section, focus on the below listed topics. 

• Financial and Static Awareness
• General Knowledge
• Current Affairs
• Banking and Finance Affairs
• Budget 

SBI PO Exam 2020 Exam Centre

Candidates can choose the exam centre based on their own commute level. The exam centres are to be selected at the time of filling the exam form. The applicants belonging to the SC/ST/Religious Minority Community candidates can register for a pre-exam training held prior 5 days before the exam. The training is free of cost.

SBI PO Pre Exam Training Centre

Candidates belonging to SC/ST/Religious Minority Community candidates  can avail the benefits of pre-exam training prior 5 days before the actual exam. Candidates need to select the pre-exam training centre while registering for the same. The Centres are listed below. 

SBI PO Exam Cutoff

Cutoff helps candidates set targeted scores/ maximum marks they need to qualify to crack the exam. The cutoff is announced by SBI after declaring the results. However, candidates can look through SBI PO 2019 cutoff to get an idea.

SBI PO Cutoff Prelims 2019

SBI PO Mains Cutoff 2019

How to apply for SBI PO 2020? 

SBI has announced the exam dates, vacancy for the post of PO and SO officially on its website. Candidates can now apply for SBI PO on the SBI website from April 21, 2020 till May 13,2020. The preliminary exam will be held in the month of July 2020 whereas the mains exam will take place in the month of August 2020.

To apply for the SBI PO exam, candidates have to follow 5 major steps.

• Registration 

• Uploading Documents

• Filling the Application Form

• Fee Payment

• Printing the application form

Before starting with the registration procedure, here are some key points to be noted.

SBI PO 2020 Application Form Key Points

The important points to be noted about SBI PO Registration 2020 are listed below:

How to fill SBI PO Application form 2020?

Candidates must know that the SBI PO Application form is to be filled in the online mode, considering all the 5 steps as explained before.

Step 1: SBI PO Registration

To register for SBI PO 2020, follow the below mentioned steps.

• Visit the official SBI website i.e sbi.co.in

• Now, find the "Careers" link and click on it.

• Click on the yellow ‘Click For New Registration’ option in the top right corner of the screen.

Note: You can also click on the ‘How to Apply’ option provided in the Reference Documents to know about the registration procedure.

On clicking the Click for New Registration button, you will be redirected to SBI PO Registration Form. 

• Start filling in the details starting from the Name. Enter your full name as given on the ID proof (including First name, Middle name and Last name). If candidates don’t have any Middle name then they can ignore that option. 

• Next, enter your Mobile Number.

• Enter your Email ID. Please note all the notifications will be sent on the given email address and hence ensure that the email address is correct.

• After filling the basic information, candidates will be asked for the confirmation regarding the same. Note that information once confirmed cannot be changed. 

• Click on the OK button to confirm your registration. After registration, candidates will be provided with their registration number and password.

• To take a print of your submitted SBI PO application form, click on the Print/Save button.

Step 2: Upload Photograph and Signature

Candidates need to upload their recent passport size photograph and signature by following the instructions mentioned below.

• The scanned copy of photograph and signature must be clear and visible.

• The signature must be signed using a black ink pen on white sheet of paper.

• To upload the photo/signature, click on the ‘Choose File’ option.

• Select the scanned copy of your photograph and signature respectively.

• After uploading the photo and signature, click on the Next button at the bottom of the screen. On clicking the Next button, you will be redirected to Step 3.

Step 3: Fill SBI PO Application Form 2020

After uploading the images, in Step 3, enter your Qualification/ Academic details. Before filling the educational details, read the following instructions. 

• The educational details should be filled correctly.

• The exam passing date should be similar to the date appearing on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the University/Institute.

• Final year students can also apply for the exam, satisfying the condition that they must have cleared their Graduation before August 1, 2020.

• After reading the instructions, start filling the educational details starting with the Degree, Name of the Institution, Place of the Institution, Date of Passing, Percentage of Marks and Grade. 

• Note: The option ‘Other Details’ is provided for the reserved class candidates to enroll for the Pre- exam training, if interested. 

• After filling all the details, click on the Submit button. 

• On clicking the Submit button, a Preview option will appear where candidates can recheck the information provided by them and they can change/edit any incorrect information before the final submission.

Step 4: Pay SBI PO Application Fee 

• After verifying all the details, candidates must pay the application fee.

• The fee can be paid online using debit card, credit card or net banking.

• The fee for General Category /EWS and OBC is INR 750 whereas SC/ST category candidates need to pay INR 125.

• Once the fee has been paid successfully, a receipt is generated. 

Step 5: Print SBI PO Application Form

• After successful payment, you will get a confirmation message /mail stating that your application form is accepted.

• Candidates are advised to take a printout of their SBI PO 2020 Application Form.

• To take a print of the application form, login into your account using registration number and password and then click on the Print/Save button

In case, if your payment is unsuccessful:

• You must register again and start the form filling process from Step 1.

• The debited amount for a failed transaction will be refunded back to your account within 3 -7 working days. 

• Follow the above mentioned steps to fill your SBI PO application form successfully.

How to Retrieve SBI PO Password?

Candidates can login in by accessing the registration email with registration number and password received while SBI PO Registration Process. In case, a candidate has forgotten a password, he/she can retrieve the details by following the below mentioned steps.

1. First, visit SBI official website, i.e. sbi.co.in

2. Next you will be redirected to SBi Home page. On the Home page click on the Careers icon in the footer of the window. 

3. On clicking the Careers icon, you will be redirected to the ‘Careers’ tab.

4. On the Careers tab, click on ‘Apply Online for SBI PO 2020’ option.

5. On the SBI PO 2020 screen, click on “Forgot password?” icon

6. On clicking the Forgot Password icon, a pop-up window will show up with an option to enter your registered email ID. 

7. Enter your registered email ID. A mail with registration details will be sent on the same.

8. Set the password accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What should I do if a payment transaction is unsuccessful?

You need to register again with another email address and fill the application form from the beginning.

Q. What is the salary of SBI PO?

The basic pay scale is Rs 27620/- (4 increments).

SBI PO Exam Preparation Tips

Being one of the toughest bank exams in India, one needs to be very consistent and methodical while preparing right from the start. The SBI PO syllabus is vast and a proper planning is needed to clear this examination with flying colors. Start your preparation by understanding the topics, the theory and concepts must be clear to you. Make sure you practice enough questions so that it will help you to increase the problem-solving efficiency during the actual paper. The topics such as General Knowledge and Current affairs needs extensive reading. Don’t forget to read newspapers and various current affair magazines while you prepare for your examinations. So this is it, we hope that article on SBI PO recruitment 2020 would’ve proven beneficial to you in learning the essential aspects of this exam. Dedicated hard word and proper time-management will definitely give you a positive edge in clearing the examination.