SBI PO 2026 — Exam Pattern
Paper-wise structure, marks per section, duration, marking scheme and the full stage-by-stage selection process.
Mode
CBT (online)
Negative marking
−0.25
SBI PO 2026 selection is a three-phase process. Phase-I (Preliminary) is a 100-mark objective screening test. Phase-II (Main) has a 200-mark objective test and a 30-mark descriptive test. Phase-III comprises a Psychometric Test, a Group Exercise (20 marks) and an Interview (30 marks). The final merit list is drawn from the Main Examination and Phase-III only — Prelims marks are not counted.
Scoring
Marking scheme
Correct answer
+1
Wrong answer
−0.25
Unattempted
−0
- 1/4 of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer (Prelims & Mains).
- No penalty for unattempted questions.
- Final merit = normalised Main Exam (75) + normalised GE & Interview (25) = 100. Prelims marks are excluded.
Process
Selection process
Preliminary Examination
QualifyingOnline objective test of 100 marks in 1 hour — English (40), Quantitative Aptitude (30), Reasoning (30), each with separate 20-minute timing. Screening only; no sectional cut-off, and marks do not count towards the final merit. Roughly 10× the vacancies are shortlisted for Mains.
Main Examination
MeritObjective test (170 questions, 200 marks, 3 hours across 4 sections) plus a Descriptive test (30 marks, 30 minutes) taken immediately after. Sectional qualifying marks apply. Roughly 3× the vacancies are shortlisted for Phase-III.
Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview
MeritA Psychometric Test for personality profiling (inputs to the interview panel), a Group Exercise (20 marks) and a personal Interview (30 marks). Candidates must qualify Phase-II and Phase-III separately.
At a glance
Key facts
All stages are conducted online (computer-based). The Descriptive paper is typed on the computer immediately after the Main objective test.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there negative marking in SBI PO?
Yes. In both the Preliminary and Main objective tests, 1/4 (0.25) of the marks for a question is deducted for a wrong answer. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
What is the SBI PO exam pattern?
Three phases: Prelims (100 marks, 1 hour — English 40, Quant 30, Reasoning 30), Mains (objective 170 questions/200 marks/3 hours across 4 sections + a 30-mark descriptive paper), and Phase-III (Psychometric Test + Group Exercise 20 + Interview 30). The final merit uses Mains and Phase-III only.
Do Prelims marks count in the final SBI PO merit list?
No. The Preliminary Examination is only a screening stage — its marks are not added to the final merit list. The final merit is drawn from the Main Examination and the Group Exercise & Interview (Phase-III).
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