SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026, Check Section Wise Marks, Questions and Time

Today marks one of the most important moments for banking aspirants aiming for SBI PO 2026. With the recruitment cycle gaining momentum, candidates should begin aligning their preparation with the latest exam framework. The selection process is designed to evaluate problem-solving ability, decision-making skills, language proficiency, and overall banking aptitude through multiple stages of assessment.

SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026

The SBI PO 2026 exam pattern has been revised this year for the Mains exam, with specific changes introduced in the Mains Descriptive section to better assess candidates’ writing ability and expression. Along with this update, the marks for the Descriptive Test has also been revised, making time management an even more important factor for candidates.

Prelims Exam Pattern

Section	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Time Duration
English Language	40	40	20 Minutes
Reasoning Ability	30	30	20 Minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	30	30	20 Minutes
Total	100	100	60 Minutes

SBI PO Exam Pattern

Mains Exam Pattern

The SBI PO Mains Exam 2026 is the second stage of the selection process. It is more detailed and difficult than the Prelims exam. The Mains exam has two parts:

Objective Test
Descriptive Test

The Objective Test has 170 questions for 200 marks, and the Descriptive Test carries 50 marks. The total duration of the Objective Test is 3 hours. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in the objective paper. No penalty is given for unanswered questions

Subject	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude	40	60	50 minutes
Data Analysis & Interpretation	30	60	45 minutes
General/Economy/Banking Awareness	60	60	45 minutes
English Language	40	20	40 minutes

SBI PO Descriptive Test

The SBI PO Mains Descriptive Test 2026 focuses on communication skills, including tasks such as emails, reports, situation analysis, and precise writing. This section now carries a total of 30 marks, and candidates must complete it within a revised time period.

Notably the structure of the descriptive paper has undergone a major change this year, requiring candidates to demonstrate their writing and analytical abilities in a more concise manner, making focused preparation essential for success in this section.

SBI PO Exam Pattern For Mains (Descriptive Test)
Section	Topics	Maximum Marks	Time Duration
Descriptive	Communication Skills: Emails, Reports, Situation Analysis & Precis Writing	30	30 Minutes

SBI PO Syllabus 2026

The SBI PO Syllabus 2026 covers key subjects for both Prelims and Mains exams. Prelims include Reasoning Ability, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude, while Mains also adds General Awareness and Computer Aptitude. Major focus areas include logical reasoning, reading comprehension, data interpretation, banking awareness, and basic computer knowledge, making a well-rounded preparation essential for success.

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SBI PO Salary

FAQs

What is the selection process for SBI PO?

The selection process for SBI PO include the following stages: Prelims, Mains, Psychometric Test, Group Discussion, and Interview.

What is the SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026?

The SBI PO 2026 exam has three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Prelims is an objective test with 100 questions in 1 hour. Mains includes an objective test (170 questions, 3 hours) and a Descriptive Test (30 marks, 30 minutes). The final selection is based on performance in all stages.

What is the total number of questions asked in SBI PO Exam 2024?

In Prelims, the total number of questions asked is 100 while in mains comprises 170 objective questions and descriptive questions.

Is there Descriptive Test in SBI PO Exam?

SBI PO Mains Exam include descriptive test and in the Descriptive Test focuses on Communication Skills, including tasks such as writing emails, reports, situation analysis, and precis writing. The test carries 50 marks and must be completed within 30 minutes.

Is there sectional timing in SBI PO Prelims and Mains Exam 2026?

For both SBI PO Prelims and Mains Exam 2026, sectional timing has been allotted for each of the sections.

Are there any minimum passing marks in the SBI PO exam?

Yes, there are minimum passing marks in the SBI PO exam, but they are not fixed for each section. Candidates need to meet the overall cut-off marks based on their category (e.g., General, OBC, SC, ST) to qualify for the next stage of the selection process.