Knowing about the SBI PO Prelims exam pattern will help you to prepare better for the exam. This is the first qualifying exam of the recruitment process, with thousands of applicants all over the country. An idea about the exam pattern will help you to stay ahead of the competition. Knowing about the pattern will help you to prepare according to your strengths. You will be able to work on the sections you are weak in.
What Is the SBI PO Selection Procedure?
There are three main sections to the recruitment process:
- Preliminary exams
- Mains exams
- Group discussion and Interview
The first two sections are held online while the candidate has to appear in person for the final round. It is crucial to prepare thoroughly for all the sections of the exam to land up a job with the State Bank of India.
While the prelims are easier to crack, it is because the number of candidates chosen is ten times more than the number of vacancies. However, there are thousands of applicants, so you should prepare according to the SBI PO Prelims exam pattern to maximize your chances of qualifying.
What Is the SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern?
The Prelims consists of three sections. There are a hundred questions in all, with each question carrying one mark. The student gets one mark for each correct answer, while 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
If a candidate has not answered a question, there will be no deduction for that. The final tally will reveal how much you have scored.
The three sections are:
- English Language – This section has 30 questions and carries 30 marks.
- Reasoning Ability – This section has 35 questions and carries 35 marks.
- Quantitative Aptitude – This section has 35 questions and carries 35 marks.
Timings for Each Section
About 20 minutes will be allotted for each section of the exam. That makes it a one-hour exam. When the exam begins, a particular section appears on the screen. The candidate has to work on that section and complete it within 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes are up, the second section automatically appears on the screen. Likewise, after the completion of the second set, the third section comes up.
It is important to note that the candidate will not be able to fast forward to the next section or go back to the previous section before or after the allotted twenty minutes. They will not be able to swap sections midway. It is mandatory to complete each section within the provided 20 minutes to the best of one’s ability.
There is no sectional cut off for the exams. Whether the applicant qualifies for the prelims or not depends on the final cut off marks declared by SBI. Once the applicant qualifies, he or she moves to the mains. With proper preparation by following the SBI PO Prelims exam pattern and attention to timings, it is not difficult to crack the prelims at all, and you will be on your way to securing a bright future with the SBI.
