Cycle 2026
OFFICIALLY VERIFIED
Exam pattern verified against the official notification.
Phase-I and Phase-II verified directly from official SBI 'Acquaint Yourself' booklets; Phase-III marks and final-merit formula from verbatim mirror of the official advertisement.
Main Session
| Section | Timing | Questions | Marks / Q | Negative | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 20 min (enforced) | 40 | 1 | −0.25 | Scored |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 min (enforced) | 30 | 1 | −0.25 | Scored |
| Reasoning Ability | 20 min (enforced) | 30 | 1 | −0.25 | Scored |
Main Session
| Section | Timing | Questions | Marks / Q | Negative | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 50 min (enforced) | 40 | 1.5 | −0.25 | Qualifying |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 45 min (enforced) | 30 | 2 | −0.25 | Qualifying |
| General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge | 45 min (enforced) | 60 | 1 | −0.25 | Qualifying |
| English Language | 40 min (enforced) | 40 | 0.5 | −0.25 | Qualifying |
Main Session
| Section | Timing | Questions | Marks / Q | Negative | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Email Writing (1 of 2) | Not timed separately | 1 | 10 | −0 | Scored |
| Situation Analysis Writing (1 of 2) | Not timed separately | 1 | 10 | −0 | Scored |
| Report Writing / Precis Writing (1 of 2) | Not timed separately | 1 | 10 | −0 | Scored |
Papers: Psychometric Test (mandatory; personality profiling only; NOT scored for merit; findings placed before the interview panel), Group Exercise (20 marks; minimum qualifying marks as decided by the Bank), Personal Interview (30 marks).
Prelims · Prelims Paper · Main Session — navigation
Section order not specified in the official booklet. Answers changeable only within a section's allotted time; cannot finally submit before test time exhausted.
Prelims · Prelims Paper · Main Session — qualifying criteria
No sectional cut-off; ~10x vacancies shortlisted on aggregate merit.
Phase-II: Main Examination · Objective Test · Main Session — note
5 options per question. In-built on-screen calculator permitted for Data Analysis & Interpretation.
Phase-II: Main Examination · Objective Test · Main Session — navigation
Each section separately timed; within-section navigation only during that section's allotted time — cannot return to a previous section (booklet).
Phase-II: Main Examination · Objective Test · Main Session — qualifying criteria
Minimum score required in EACH test (I, II, III, IV and Descriptive) individually. Sectional cut-offs decided by the Bank. ~3x category-wise vacancies shortlisted for Phase-III on aggregate, subject to minimum aggregate qualifying score.
Phase-II: Main Examination · Descriptive Test (Communication Skills) · Main Session — note
Administered immediately after the objective test. Answers typed on computer; no spellcheck. Attempt 3 of 6 (10 marks each). Minimum score required individually (one of the five qualifying tests).
Phase-III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview — note
Papers: Psychometric Test (mandatory; personality profiling only; NOT scored for merit; findings placed before the interview panel), Group Exercise (20 marks; minimum qualifying marks as decided by the Bank), Personal Interview (30 marks).
Phase-III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview · Psychometric Test · main — note
All questions mandatory; NOT scored for merit.
Phase-III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview · Group Exercise · main — qualifying criteria
Minimum qualifying marks as decided by the Bank.
Phase-III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview · Personal Interview · main — qualifying criteria
Minimum qualifying marks as decided by the Bank.
Candidates must qualify Phase-II and Phase-III separately. Prelims marks NOT counted. Mains (230) normalized to 75 + Phase-III (50) normalized to 25 = 100.