SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026 (Official) – Latest Prelims, Mains, Descriptive Test, Psychometric Test & Interview Pattern

Last Updated: 18 June 2026

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released the SBI PO 2026 Notification and confirmed the latest examination structure. The SBI PO recruitment process consists of Phase I (Preliminary Examination), Phase II (Main Examination consisting of Objective + Descriptive Test), and Phase III (Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Personal Interview). The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature, while the final merit is prepared using Main Examination and Phase III scores.

Phase I: Preliminary Examination

Official Highlights

✅ Online Examination

✅ Objective Type Questions

✅ Separate Timing for Each Section

✅ Total Marks: 100

✅ Total Questions: 100

✅ No Sectional Cut-Off

✅ Negative Marking Applicable

Prelims Shortlisting Rule

• Category-wise merit list will be prepared.
• Candidates approximately 10 times the vacancies will be shortlisted for Main Examination.
• Selection will be based on aggregate marks scored in Prelims.

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026

The Main Examination consists of:

Part A: Objective Test (200 Marks)

Official Highlights

✅ Separate Timing for Every Section

✅ Total Questions: 170

✅ Total Marks: 200

✅ Total Duration: 3 Hours

✅ Negative Marking Applicable

SBI PO Descriptive Test Pattern 2026 (Officially Revised)

One of the most important changes in SBI PO 2026 is the new descriptive paper structure.

Descriptive Test Overview

What Changed?

Earlier SBI PO Descriptive Tests generally focused on:

• Essay Writing
• Letter Writing

Now the official pattern includes:

• Email Writing
• Situation Analysis
• Report Writing / Precis Writing

This is a significant change confirmed in the notification.

Sectional Cut-Off in SBI PO Mains 2026

This is a very important official point that many websites miss.

Official Rule

Every candidate must qualify:

• Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
• Data Analysis & Interpretation
• General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge
• English Language
• Descriptive Test

individually.

The Bank will decide sectional cut-offs depending upon vacancies.

Therefore

✅ Sectional Cut-Off Exists in Mains

❌ No Sectional Cut-Off in Prelims

Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview

Official Purpose

The Psychometric Test is conducted for:

• Personality Profiling
• Behaviour Assessment
• Leadership Evaluation
• Interview Support

Important Fact

The findings are shared with the Interview Panel to obtain a better perspective of the candidate.

All questions are mandatory.

Final Selection Process 2026

The final merit list is prepared using:

Normalization Formula

Negative Marking (Official)

Applicable in both:

• Preliminary Examination
• Main Examination

Rule

For every incorrect answer:

1/4th (0.25) of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted.