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

This is now a crucial phase of the SBI PO 2026 recruitment journey, as candidates begin their preparation with a clear understanding of the latest syllabus. Before starting, it’s important to know the section-wise topics and important subjects covered in both the prelims and mains exams. A thorough understanding of the syllabus helps candidates prioritize topics, plan an effective study schedule, and focus on areas with higher weightage.

SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026

The SBI PO Syllabus 2026 covers four major sections in the Preliminary Exam such as English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability while the Mains Exam includes Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, English Language, and the Descriptive Test.

Prelims Exam Pattern

Candidates should prepare each subject systematically by covering all the prescribed topics and practicing regularly to improve speed, accuracy, and overall performance in the examination.

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 Objective Test consists of 170 questions for 200 marks, and the Descriptive Test carries 50 marks. The total time for the Objective Test is 3 hours. There is negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in the Objective Paper. The Mains exam has two parts:

Objective Test
Descriptive Test

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 carries 30 marks and evaluates candidates’ writing and communication skills through tasks such as email writing, report writing, situation analysis, and precise writing. With the revised pattern, candidates should focus on writing clear, concise, and well-structured responses within the allotted time.

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.

SBI PO Selection Process

The SBI PO Selection Process 2026 consists of four stages. Candidates must qualify each stage to be considered for final selection.

Preliminary Exam: Qualifying stage with English Language, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Mains Exam: Includes an Objective Test and a Descriptive Test to assess subject knowledge and writing skills.
Psychometric Test: Evaluates candidates’ personality and behavioural traits.
Group Exercise & Interview: Tests communication, leadership, and overall suitability for the role.
Final Selection: The final merit list is prepared based on the Mains Exam and Group Exercise & Interview performance.

SBI PO Prelims vs Mains Syllabus

Feature	SBI PO Prelims	SBI PO Mains
Purpose	Screening stage	Merit-based selection stage
Sections	English Language, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude	Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, English Language, Descriptive Test
Difficulty Level	Easy to Moderate	Moderate to Difficult
Question Type	Objective	Objective + Descriptive
Focus	Speed and accuracy	Conceptual knowledge, analytical ability, and writing skills
Current Affairs	Not Asked	Asked under General/Economy/Banking Awareness
Computer Aptitude	Not Asked	Included with Reasoning
Descriptive Test	Not Applicable	Email Writing, Report Writing, Situation Analysis & Precis Writing

Related Posts
SBI PO Previous Year Papers	SBI PO Vacancy 2026
SBI PO Cut Off	SBI PO Preparation Strategy
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.