SBI PO Preliminary exam is an online exam, which consists of 3 sections as shown in the table below and has a total of 100 marks. The composite time for the prelim exam is 1 hour. The cut-off or minimum passing marks for each section is decided by the bank each year depending on the difficulty level of the test. The section-wise division of questions and marks is given below:

English Language (30 Marks)

1. Fill in the Blanks: (0 - 5 Questions)


2. Reading Comprehension:(0 - 7 Questions)


3. Para Jumbles: (0 - 5 Questions)


4. Cloze Test: (5 - 10 Questions)


5. Sentence correction:(0 - 5 Questions)


6. Error Spotting: (5 - 10 Questions)


7. Word Association Pair: (0 - 5 Questions)


8. Phrase Idiom Meaning: (0 - 2 Questions)


9. Spellings: (0 - 2 Questions)

Quantitative Aptitude (35 Marks)

1. Number System: (0 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: LCM, HCF, Divisibility Rules, Factors, Multiples, Integers, Whole numbers, Real Numbers.


2. Simplification/Approximation: (5 - 7 Questions) Types of Questions: Fractions, Percentages, Decimal Points, Surds, Indices/Exponents, BODMAS Rule, Approximation, Decimals, Surds & Indices.


3. Average: (0 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: Calculating averages of the given set of elements.


4. Percentage: (1 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: Calculating percentage of some value; Percentage increase/decrease of a certain quantity/price etc.


5. Ratio and Proportion: (1 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: Proportions, Simple Ratios, etc.


6. Interest: (1 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: Rate of Interest, Simple Interest, Compound Interest


7. Number Series: (2 - 5 Questions) Types of Questions: Identifying a missing term in a series, Arithmetic series/Progression, Geometric series/Progression.


8. Profit and Loss: (1 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: Cost Price, Selling Price, Profit Percentage, Loss, Partnerships.


9. Speed, Time and Distance: (1 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: Relative Speed, Average Speed, Problems based on Trains, Boat & Stream.


10. Algebra: (0-6 Questions) Types of Questions: Quadratic equations, Finding values of variables (x&y), Identifying relationship between variables, sum of roots, product of roots, linear equations, inequalities, age related calculations and other related computations/calculations.


11. Mensuration: (1 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: Calculating Areas, length of sides, Perimeters, heights and related measurements of Square, Rectangle, Circle, Parallelograms, Cone, and other geometrical figures.


12. Data Interpretation: (5 - 10 Questions) Types of Questions: Pie charts, Tables, Graphs, bar graphs, line graphs, Radar Graphs, Case lets, and mostly related to graphs/tables/charts/ figures where data is given year wise/ category wise and interpretations/inferences have to be made.


13. Time and Work: (1 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: Pipes and Cisterns, Number of hours in which a particular work can be finished by a certain number of people, Time taken by the pipes to fill a tank and related problems, Work and wages related questions.


14. Permutation and Combination: (0 - 1 Questions) Types of Questions: Permutation and Combination problems are based on selection and arrangement of a set of elements.


15. Mixture Problems: (1 - 2 Question) Types of Questions: Mixture of two or more quantities/elements.


16. Probability: (0 - 1 Question) Types of Questions: Basic probability questions where some data is provided and the examinee has to identify the probability of a certain event. (Ex: An urn contains 10 black and 5 white balls. Two balls are drawn from the urn one after the other without replacement. What is the probability that both drawn balls are black?)


17. Data Sufficiency: (0 - 5 Questions) Types of Questions: Data sufficiency problems consist of a question and two statements, labeled (1) and (2), in which certain data are given. The examinee is required to identify if the data given in the statements is sufficient to answer the questions.

Reasoning Ability (35 Marks)

1. Inequalities: (2 - 5 Questions) Types of Questions: Coded Inequalities where an inequality is a code for a different sign, Some expressions with Inequalities are given and deductions have to be made from the expressions/statements.


2. Ordering and Ranking: (0 - 5 Questions) Types of Questions: Puzzles on Ordering by age, ranking in order, Arranging the persons by age, height, weight, rank, order in row and other criterion.


3. Directions & Distances: (2 - 5 Questions) Types of Questions: Problems based on different directions(north, south, east, west, northeast,..). These problems can be solved by drawing appropriate figures based on the data in the question.


4. Coding & Decoding: (0 - 5 Questions) Types of Questions: Problems based on analogy, Coded sentences which have to be decoded, Coded words which have to be decoded.


5. Blood Relations: (2 - 3 Questions) Types of Questions: Problems based on family relations.


6. Syllogisms: (0 - 5 Questions) Types of Questions: A set of statements are given followed by a set of conclusions. Questions are related to whether the conclusion follows the statements or do not follow the statements.


7. Circular and/or Linear Seating Arrangement: (2 - 8 Questions) Types of Questions: Problems based on seating, who comes next to whom, who is seated left to a particular person, who is seated right, Seated inwards, outwards, Single or Double rows facing each other or in the same direction.


8. Double-Line Up: (0 - 2 Questions) Types of Questions: Problems based on days of a week, persons belonging to different cities, individuals of different ages, and related problems.


9. Grouping and Scheduling: (0 - 3 Questions) Types of Questions: Problems such as Different persons working in different departments. Not more than 3 working in each department. Few are males & some of them are females and then find the desired solution based on the data.

Objective Test
1. Reasoning and Computer Aptitude: (45 Questions - 60 Marks – 60 Minutes)

A. Reasoning Ability: (30-35 Questions)
• Puzzles
• Seating Arrangements
• Direction Sense
• Blood Relation
• Syllogism
• Order and Ranking
• Coding-Decoding
• Machine Input-Output
• Inequalities
• Alpha-Numeric-Symbol Series
• Data Sufficiency
• Logical Reasoning (Passage Inference, Statement and Assumption, Conclusion, Argument)

B. Computer Aptitude: (5-10 Questions)
• History and Generation of Computers
• Introduction to Computer Organisation
• Computer Memory
• Computer Hardware and I/O Devices
• Computer Software
• Computer Languages
• Operating System
• Computer Network
• Internet
• MS Office and Short cut keys
• Basics of DBMS
• Number System and Conversions
• Computer and Network Security

2. Data Analysis and Interpretation: (35 Questions - 60 Marks - 45 Minutes) Tables, Pie-Charts, Bar Graphs, Data Analysis, Line Graphs, Radar Graphs, Case lets, Combined data sets, Missing Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency, Probability, Permutation and Combination, Profit & Loss, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Mensuration, Boat and Stream Problems, Problems on Ages, Percentages Increase/Decrease, Averages, Ratio and Proportions, Number Series, Time and Work, Mixture and Alligations.
3. General/Economy/Banking Awareness: (40 Questions - 40 Marks - 35 Minutes)
Banking/Economy/Finance Awareness (10-15 questions): News related to Reserve Bank of India, Banking Awareness, Financial Awareness (Union Budget/ Railway Budget),Economics News, budget, railway budget, economic survey, Roles and functions of institutions like RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, and related organizations, Currencies of various countries; International Trade, Acquisitions and Deals; New Policies and Pacts; Trade Deficits, Exchange Rate, GDP growth of various countries; Banking related facts.
Current Affairs (10-15 questions): Questions can be asked from various fields such as National, International, Awards, Sports, Defense, Summits, Appointment. Be updated with the current affairs of the past 6 months.
Static GK (10-15 questions):

• Important dates
• Business and Economy
• Countries and their capital & currency
• Art & Culture
• Books and authors
• Sports
• Politics
• Marketing: Basics of Marketing, Marketing Strategies, Market Segmentation etc.

4. English Language: (35 Questions - 40 Marks – 40 Minutes)

• Reading Comprehension
• Sentence Correction
• Cloze Test
• English Grammar/Vocabulary/Antonyms/Synonyms
• Parajumbles
• Error Spotting
• Word Association Pair
• Reasoning
• Analogies
• Sentence Completion/Fill in the Blanks
• Word Association Pair
• Making Inferences/Judgments

Descriptive Test: (50 Marks – 30 Minutes) The Descriptive Test for 50 Marks and 30 Minutes duration will be a Test of English Language. The Descriptive test question paper will have only two sections namely:

• Letter writing (20 Marks) - Formal and Informal Letters.
• Essay writing (30 Marks) - Currently trending topics in the world.

The Descriptive section has a choice option each for letter writing and essay writing. The candidate has the liberty to choose any one topic each for letter writing and essay writing. In 2016 Mains, 3 choices were provided each for letter writing and essay writing.
The word limit for Essay writing is – 250 words & for Letter writing is 150 words.
Some of the Previous Year Questions:
Letter Writing:

• Write a letter to the manager of a firm to increase credit amount of loan taken.
• Write a letter to the bank manager apologizing for the delay in EMI payment.
• Write a letter to the bank manager for extension of joining date.
• As a manager, write a letter to your colleagues to conduct a meeting on PR strategy.
• Write a letter to your brother indicating him on why you want to choose a career in banking.
• Write a letter to the parents, telling them about the challenges you are facing after shifting to a new city for job
• Write a letter to your younger sibling explaining the importance of saving money

Essay Writing:

• Effect of Salary Increase of Government Employees on Economy.
• Importance of knowing history of nation for a citizen.
• Effect of the New Game Pokemon GO.
• Does providing an educational loan help in empowering employment to youth?
• Impact of unearthing of black money on Indian Economy.
• What is the relevance of Aadhar card?
• Importance of education in regional/vernacular languages
• Rise and Fall of Currency
• Importance of a mentor in achieving career goals.
• Pros & Cons of winning a lottery
• Pros & Cons of Inflation
• Do brokers deserve the cut that they make on deals?
• Security of the women in workspace, an increasing cause of concern
• Has Information Technology Changed the Workplace Culture?
• Inflation and Stabilization in Economy.
• Role of Uneducated Population in Indian Economy.
• Using Animals for Scientific Research.
• Rural Life vs. Urbanization.
• Corporate Social Responsibility.
• Role of NABARD in Indian Agro-Economy.
• Banning of Voting Symbols by the Election Commission.

The aggregate marks of candidates qualifying in both the Objective Tests and Descriptive Test will be arranged in descending order in each category. The adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by the Bank will be called for Group Exercises and Interview. The qualifying marks in Group Exercises & Interview will be as decided by the Bank.
So, what are group exercises? Group exercises are tasks (one or more) performed by candidates in small groups. Each group will consist of 3-5 individuals and is constantly monitored by some assessors. The assessors make notes of the performance of each of the individuals in a group in different tasks. The candidates are evaluated based on their contribution to the group exercises. Following are examples of some of the group exercises:
1. Group discussion about the given topic. The topics can be generic or currently trending topics in the world. Sample GD Topic: Discuss the impact of demonetization move on Indian economy? Impact of GST on Indian Economy (Advantages, Disadvantages, any other thoughts/comments/suggestions)
2. Identifying an optimal solution to a Problem. A problem is given to the group. The individuals in the group have to discuss and debate over the different possible solutions, pros and cons of each solution, the feasibility of the solution and present an optimal and final answer to the assessor.
3. Finish a group task. In group exercises, the candidates will be ranked/rated based on the following: (Note: The list is not exhaustive)

• Ability to follow the rules and regulations set for group exercises.
• Leadership skills
• Knowledge of the current affairs topics,
• Ability to initiate the discussions,
• Ability to present logical arguments for the discussions,
• Ability to speak confidently
• Clarity of thoughts and language,
• Interaction with the members of the team,
• Body language and Eye contact with the members of the team,
• Voice modulation

Group discussion topics will prominently be based on current affairs of the World/India/Banking sector.
Interview: An interview is the final phase of SBI PO selection process. Interviews generally last for about 20-30 minutes. Be calm and composed during the interview. The following are the commonly asked questions in the Interviews for SBI PO Selection process:
Generic Questions: Name, Place of Residence, What is your hometown famous for, Hobbies, Where did you finish your schooling, Why did you choose this career option? etc.. Academic Background: Academic Qualifications, Questions related to your graduation discipline/degree, Projects that you worked upon during your undergraduate/graduate studies, Questions about any internships/previous employment, etc..
Banking Sector: Basic questions about banking, Your knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the position you have applied for, your views about the current changes/trends in banking sector, etc..
Current Affairs: Your views about the currently trending topics in the world/India. Your suggestions about how could things be different, Your knowledge/understanding of the impact of major changes(demonetization) on Indian economy, etc..
Group Exercises: Can you explain your point that you mentioned in the group exercises, What is your opinion on the points mentioned by others in the group exercises, etc..