SBI PO is a very popular exam of the country. In this post I am going to tell you in detail about the latest SBI PO Exam Pattern. SBI Probationary Exam is conducted in three phases which are Preliminary, Main and Group Discussion & Interview. Let us discuss about each of them one by one. Please understand that if you want to qualify this exam it is very important for you to be crystal clear about the SBI PO Exam pattern.
SBI PO Preliminary Examination Pattern
Mode of Exam: SBI PO Preliminary Exam is conducted through online mode only. Candidates will be provided a desktop computer in which the exam has to be taken. Candidates have to follow all the instructions and guidelines as shown in the computer.
Number of Sections: In preliminary examination there will be three sections of total 100 questions. The three sections and number of questions are English section which will have 30 questions whereas Quantitative Aptitude section and Reasoning section will have 35 questions each.
Marking Pattern: Each question will carry 1 mark. There will also be provision of negative marking. Negative marking will be 1/4th i.e. 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer. However, if you do not attempt any question there will not be any negative marking for that question.
Sectional Timings: There are sectional timings and each paper/section is having maximum time limit of 20 minutes. Total time for the exam is one hour.
SBI PO Preliminary Exam Cut Off: There is minimum cut off for each section to qualify the section. However, to qualify the preliminary exam you have to not only clear the minimum section wise cut off but you have to be high in the merit only than you will qualify for the mains examination. The final cut off will depend on number of vacancies, number of students appearing in the exam and difficulty level of the exam.
SBI PO Main Examination Pattern
Mode of Exam: Those who qualify preliminary exam will be eligible to appear in the Main Exam. Main Examination will consist of Objective Tests for 200 marks and Descriptive Test for 50 marks. Both the Objective and Descriptive Tests will be online. Candidates will have to answer the Descriptive Test by typing on the computer. Both the exams will be conducted on same day.
Number of Sections: In main examination there will be four sections namely Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data analysis and Interpretation, General/economy/banking awareness and English language. The objective test of 3 hours duration consists of 4 Sections for total 200 marks. The objective test will have separate timing for every section. The Descriptive Test of 30 minutes duration with two questions for 50 marks will be a Test of English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). Name of sections, number of questions and timings are as under: –
Selection Criteria: Candidates numbering up to 3 times (approx.) of the category wise vacancies will be shortlisted for the Group Exercise & Interview from the top of the category wise merit list subject to a candidate scoring the minimum aggregate qualifying score. There will be no sectional cut-off.
Marking Pattern: There will also be provision of negative marking. Negative marking will be 1/4th i.e. 1/4th marks will be deducted for each wrong answer. However, if you do not attempt any question there will not be any negative marking for that question.
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Group Exercises & Interview
Group Exercise will be of 20 marks and Interview will be of 30 marks. Final merit will be prepared on the basis of marks obtained in Main Examination (both in the Objective Test and the Descriptive Test), Group Exercise and Interview. Marks of Preliminary Exam will not be added as Preliminary exam is only of qualifying for Mains Exam.
Final Merit List
For preparation of final merit list marks secured by the candidates in the Main Examination (out of 250 marks) are converted to out of 75 marks and Group Exercises & Interview scores of candidates (out of 50 marks) are converted to out of 25 marks. The final merit list is arrived at after aggregating (out of 100) converted marks of Main Examination and Group Exercises & Interview. Selection will be made from the top merit ranked candidates in each category.