Paper Pattern

The SBI PO recruitment will be held in two Phases. Phase-I will consist of the written
examination and Phase-II will include a Group Discussion and Personal Interview.
Only candidates clearing Phase-I exam will move on to Phase-II.
The Phase-I examination will comprise of an Objective Test for 200 marks and a
Descriptive Test for 50 marks. Aspirants will be required to attempt both Phase-I
exams in succession; first the two hour duration computer based Objective Test
followed by the one hour paper based Descriptive Test. Negative marking is
applicable for the Objective Test.
The Objective Test will be divided into the following sections:
1. English Language (Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension etc)
2. General Awareness, Marketing and Computers
3. Data Analysis and Interpretation
4. Reasoning
The Descriptive Test will test the English language writing skills of the aspirant and
will ask the writer to attempt a short precis, letter writing or essay etc.
Candidates will be required to secure passing marks in each section of the Objective
Test and in the Descriptive Test. The passing marks will be decided by the bank
authorites.
Tips

As negative marking is applicable its important to attempt only the questions

you are sure about
The English language section includes questions based on un-seen
passages, antonyms, synonyms, understanding vocabulary, fill in the blanks,
finding the error in a statement, jumbled up questions
Revise your basic grammar skills by referring to Grammar Book such as
Wren and Martin
Listen to English news and practice speaking in English, apart from helping
you prepare for the Group Discussion and Interview, this will improve your
language skills and help you notice language errors
Glance through a thesaurus to understand and revise antonyms, synonyms
and learn more vocabulary
The General Awareness, Marketing and Computer section is one of the most
scoring and can also be completed quickly if you have had thorough
preparation

Questions from the General Awareness, Marketing and Computer generally

come from banking knowledge, current affairs, computer knowledge,
operating systems, computer hardware and software and basics of marketing
Study from a recent general knowledge book and basic books on computers
and marketing, focus on understanding the essentials
Data Analysis and Interpretation will test your mathematical and analytical
skills
Common questions for the Data Analysis and Interpretation are based on
Number Systems, Fractions, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Work,
Percentage, Profit and Loss, Problems on Ages, Simple Interest and
Compound Interest, Averages, Area and Time and Distance
Prepare for Data Analysis and Interpretation by practicing calculations and
increasing your speed, also revise important maths formulae and revise
reading charts, graphs and tables
Reasoning section can be confusing so make sure you completely
understand the question before attempting it; the section aims at testing your
logical thinking and problem solving skills
Most questions for Reasoning are based on Seating Arrangements,
Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Statement and Conclusions, Directions, Blood
Relations, Analogy, Classification, Series problems, Missing Characters, Odd
Man out, Ranking Test, Data sufficiency, Assumptions and Directions
The Reasoning section is also one of the most time consuming, so if you are
not able to answer a question, move on and get back to it later
Practice various types of puzzles and analogies to prepare
The most important tip for preparation for all the sections is to practice as
many sample papers, model papers and previous year papers as possible.

While all the candidates will attempt both the Objective Test and Descriptive Test, the
Descriptive Test answer sheets of only those candidates clearing the Objective Test
will be evaluated.