How to Prepare for SBI PO Mains 2025 Exam with Subject-wise Tips and Tricks

With just a few days left for the SBI PO 2025 Mains Exam, candidates should focus on maximising their score in each section rather than learning new topics. The mains exam demands strong reasoning skills, data interpretation ability, excellent time management, and solid general awareness. In these final days, prioritise high-weightage topics, practice full-length mains-level mock tests under exam conditions, and revise current affairs from the last 6 months.

SBI PO Mains Preparation Strategy 2025

Along with sectional preparation, strengthen your descriptive writing by practicing Email Writing, Situation Analysis, Report Writing, and Precis Writing. Keep up with mock analysis to identify weak areas and improve accuracy. This article gives you an approach and thorough preparation for the Mains exam. SBI PO Mains exam is officially scheduled for September 2025.

SBI PO Mains Preparation Tips 2025

The SBI PO selection process consists of three stages, with the Mains Exam being a decisive step in shortlisting candidates for the interview. At this stage, aspirants must focus on mastering data analysis, logical reasoning, general awareness, and descriptive writing. To help you boost your performance, we have compiled a targeted SBI PO 2025 Mains Preparation Strategy with proven tips and techniques to streamline revision

Also Read, SBI PO Mains Exam Date 2025

• Prioritise High-Weightage Topics – Focus on Data Interpretation, Puzzle/Seating Arrangement, Reading Comprehension, and Banking Awareness as these carry significant marks.
• Practice Section-Wise – Allocate dedicated time to each section to maintain balanced preparation and avoid neglecting weaker areas.
• Revise Current Affairs – Cover at least the last 6 months of banking, economic, and national news for the General Awareness section.
• Improve Descriptive Writing – Practise essays and formal letters daily, focusing on clarity, structure, and relevance to current topics.
• Attempt Mains-Level Mocks – Take full-length mocks under timed conditions and analyse mistakes to improve speed and accuracy.
• Strengthen Calculation Speed – Use approximation, percentage shortcuts, and mental maths to save time in Quantitative Aptitude.
• Maintain Exam Stamina – Simulate exam conditions to build focus for the full duration of the mains paper.

Section Wise Preparation Strategy for SBI PO Mains 2025

As the SBI PO Mains Exam draws nearer, candidates should intensify their focus on the core sections that define success at this stage Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language. Since the Mains round is more advanced and competitive, it’s crucial for aspirants to upgrade their preparation strategy accordingly.

Moreover, with the Descriptive Test and Interview round following the Mains, aspirants must adopt a targeted and section-wise approach to preparation to ensure they are fully ready to tackle each part of the exam with confidence and efficiency.

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Preparation Strategy (40 Questions, 60 Marks, 50 Minutes)

• Weightage & Importance: This section carries 60 marks and includes advanced-level reasoning and computer aptitude topics.
• Key Topics: High-level Puzzles & Seating Arrangements, Data Sufficiency, Input-Output, Logical Reasoning, Syllogism & Coded Inequalities, Machine Input-Output, and Computer Aptitude (Networking, OS, MS Office, Cybersecurity).
• Preparation Tips: Strengthen basic concepts, practice mains-level questions, attempt full-length mock tests, analyze previous year papers, and use online quizzes & study materials for effective revision.
• Strategy to Score Maximum Marks: Focus on accuracy, time management, and consistent practice with mock tests, quizzes, and topic-wise tests to develop problem-solving speed.

Data Analysis & Interpretation (30 Questions, 60 Marks, 45 Minutes)

• Strengthen Core Concepts: Build a strong foundation in arithmetic as it plays a crucial role in solving DI and Data Sufficiency questions.
• Master Calculation Speed: Practice approximation techniques, Vedic math tricks, and percentage-to-fraction conversions for quick problem-solving.
• Practice High-Level DI: Attempt a variety of DI sets, including mixed and caselet-based DI, as they form the major portion of this section.
• Focus on Data Sufficiency: Develop logical reasoning and numerical skills to determine sufficiency conditions quickly.
• Regular Mock Tests & Analysis: Attempt sectional tests and full-length mocks to improve accuracy, speed, and time management.
• Utilize Online Resources: Practice daily quizzes and topic-wise questions available on the Adda247 app for continuous improvement.

English Language (40 Questions, 20 Marks, 40 Minutes)

• Develop a Reading Habit: Read newspapers like The Hindu or The Economic Times daily to improve vocabulary and comprehension.
• Strengthen Grammar Fundamentals: Revise essential grammar rules to enhance accuracy in error detection and sentence correction.
• Practice High-Level Reading Comprehensions: Focus on inference-based and tone-based questions, as they are common in SBI PO Mains.
• Attempt Sectional Quizzes & Mock Tests: Regular practice with daily quizzes and full-length mocks will improve accuracy and time management.
• Expand Vocabulary: Maintain a word list, learn new words daily, and revise them regularly to excel in vocabulary-based questions.

General/Economy/Banking Awareness (60 Questions, 60 Marks, 45 Minutes)

Daily newspaper reading: Follow The Hindu Business Line, The Economic Times or Financial Express for the latest economic and banking news.
Pay attention to RBI and government policies: Track regular updates on repo rates, CRR, SLR, NPA and financial regulations.
Revise the last 6 months current affairs: Cover important news related to the banking sector, mergers and RBI circulars.
Practice quizzes and mock tests: Attempt daily GK quizzes and full-length tests to strengthen retention and recall.
Maintain a notes repository: Note down important banking and economic terms for quick revision before the exam.

Check Also: GA Questions for SBI PO Mains 2025

Effective Ways to Prepare for the SBI PO Descriptive Section

The Descriptive Paper in SBI PO Mains is a 30-minute test carrying 50 marks, where candidates must attempt Communication Skills (Emails, Reports, Situation Analysis & Precis Writing). This section evaluates writing skills, clarity of thought, and grammatical accuracy.

• Understand the Format: Familiarise yourself with the structure of emails, reports, situation analysis, and precis writing.
• Plan Before Writing: Spend 2–3 minutes outlining your main points to ensure logical flow.
• Be Concise & Relevant: Stick to the word limit and avoid unnecessary details.
• Maintain Formal Language: Keep a professional tone, avoid slang, and use correct salutations.
• Focus on Grammar & Punctuation: Accuracy matters as much as content.
• Use Paragraphing Wisely: Divide ideas into short, readable paragraphs for better clarity.
• Practise with Timed Exercises: Build speed to complete tasks comfortably within 30 minutes.
• Stay Topic-Aware: Read up on current affairs, banking news, and social issues for relevant examples.
• Regular typing practice: Since the exam is conducted online, it is essential to practice typing speed and accuracy for efficient time management.

Section-Wise Preparation Strategy for SBI PO Prelims 2025

The Prelims stage consists of three major sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The Phase I exam is expected to be conducted in July/August 2025. Here’s how to approach each section of prelims:

English Language (40 Questions, 40 Marks, 20 Minutes)

• Strengthen grammar basics to avoid errors in error spotting and sentence improvement.
• Read editorials and newspapers daily to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills.
• Practice at least 2–3 reading comprehension sets every week.
• Focus on cloze tests, para jumbles, and fill-in-the-blanks for variety.

Quantitative Aptitude (30 Questions, 30 Marks, 20 Minutes)

• Revise fundamental concepts of arithmetic topics like percentages, profit & loss, and time-speed-distance.
• Master simplification, approximation, and number series for quick scoring.
• Practice data interpretation (DI) sets regularly using mock tests and past year papers.
• Focus on speed and accuracy by using short tricks and maintaining a formula notebook.

Reasoning Ability (30 Questions, 30 Marks, 20 Minutes)

• Practice puzzles and seating arrangement questions daily to develop logical thinking.
• Strengthen basic topics like syllogism, inequalities, blood relations, and coding-decoding.
• Use mock tests and quizzes to simulate exam pressure and improve time management.
• Learn to identify easy questions first and attempt them to maximize your score.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During SBI PO Preparation

Preparing for the SBI PO exam isn’t just about how much you study, but also about how wisely you approach the process. Many capable aspirants stumble not because they lack knowledge, but because they fall into avoidable traps during their preparation. Here’s a perspective-driven look at mistakes that might silently derail your efforts and how to stay ahead of them.

1. Preparing Without a Roadmap: Jumping into preparation without a clear direction is like setting off on a journey with no destination. Instead of randomly picking topics, start with a structured plan outline what needs to be done each week, set monthly checkpoints, and adjust based on your progress.

2. Treating All Sections Equally When They’re Not: Every section in SBI PO holds a different level of weight and difficulty. Spending the same amount of time on basic English vocabulary and Data Interpretation doesn’t add up. Instead, prioritize based on scoring potential and your current proficiency.

3. Chasing Quantity Over Quality: Solving hundreds of questions without understanding the logic behind them might give you a sense of progress but it’s often superficial. It’s better to solve 30 questions deeply, analyze your mistakes, and understand shortcuts than blindly solving 300.

4. Avoiding What Feels Difficult: Topics like puzzles, DI sets, or para jumbles can feel intimidating. Putting them off for later or skipping them altogether. In a competition like SBI PO, every mark counts. Face the hard stuff early and often it’s the only way it becomes easier.

5. Overloading on Study Material: A common misstep is hoarding too many books, PDFs, Telegram groups, and videos leading to confusion and burnout. Choose a few trusted resources and stick to them. Mastery comes from repetition and focus, not from a messy mountain of content.

6. Neglecting Self-Evaluation: Many aspirants spend weeks preparing but rarely test themselves under real exam conditions. Regular mock tests aren’t just about practice they show you how you perform under pressure. Not analyzing these tests is like running with your eyes closed.

7. Assuming the Descriptive Test Is Easy: The descriptive paper demands structure, grammar, clarity, and typing speed. Ignoring it till the last minute can hurt your final score even if your objective paper goes well.

8. Worrying Too Much About the Competition: Comparing your pace to that of others on social media can be mentally exhausting. Everyone has their own journey. Instead of tracking others, track your growth.