SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 Review and Analysis – The SBI PO Mains Exam 2025, conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI) on May 5, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the recruitment process for 600 Probationary Officer (PO) vacancies.
This highly competitive exam, held in a single shift from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, tested candidates’ aptitude, reasoning, and communication skills through a combination of objective and descriptive tests.
Based on feedback from aspirants and expert analyses from trusted sources, this article provides a comprehensive review of the SBI PO Mains Exam 2025, covering its difficulty level, section-wise insights, good attempts, and preparation tips for future candidates.
toc=#(table of content)
Overview of SBI PO Mains Exam 2025
The SBI PO Mains Exam is the second stage of the recruitment process, following the Prelims held on March 8, 16, and 24, 2025. Candidates who cleared the Prelims were eligible to appear for the Mains, which consisted of:
- Objective Test: 170 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for 200 marks, covering four sections.
- Descriptive Test: 2 questions (letter and essay writing) for 50 marks.
- Total Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes (3 hours for objective, 30 minutes for descriptive).
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer in the objective test.
- Sectional Cut-Off: Applied for the Mains exam, requiring candidates to meet minimum marks in each section.
The Mains exam plays a crucial role in the final merit list, as its marks, combined with those from the Interview/Group Exercises (50 marks), determine the candidates’ selection.
SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 Review: Overall Difficulty Level
As per candidate feedback and expert reviews, the overall difficulty level of the SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 was Moderate to Difficult. This aligns with the exam’s reputation for challenging aspirants with complex questions, especially in Data Analysis & Interpretation and Reasoning sections.
The increased number of objective questions (170 compared to 150 in previous years) and the introduction of a sectional cut-off added to the challenge.
However, candidates with strong preparation found the English and General Awareness sections relatively manageable.
SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 Review: Section-Wise Analysis
The SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 comprised four objective sections and a descriptive test. Below is a detailed breakdown of each section based on aspirant reviews and expert analyses:
1. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (60 marks, 60 questions)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
- Key Topics:
- Puzzles (e.g., floor-based, scheduling, and circular seating arrangements)
- Seating Arrangements (linear and circular)
- Data Sufficiency
- Coding-Decoding
- Machine Input-Output
- Logical Reasoning (cause-effect, inference-based)
- Basic Computer Aptitude (flowcharts, networking)
- Good Attempts: 28–35 questions
- Insights: The section featured 3–4 complex puzzles and seating arrangement sets, each with 5–6 questions. Logical reasoning questions were time-consuming, requiring strong analytical skills. Computer Aptitude questions were straightforward but fewer in number compared to Reasoning. Candidates with practice in high-level puzzles managed better.
2. Data Analysis & Interpretation (50 marks, 40 questions)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
- Key Topics:
- Data Interpretation (5 sets, including tabular, bar graph, pie chart, and caselet DI)
- Arithmetic (profit & loss, time & work, percentages, ratios)
- Number Series (2 questions)
- Data Sufficiency
- Good Attempts: 20–25 questions
- Insights: The section was dominated by Data Interpretation, with 5 DI sets accounting for 20–25 questions. Arithmetic questions were calculation-intensive, and Number Series questions tested pattern recognition. Candidates found this section time-consuming due to lengthy calculations, but those with shortcut techniques performed better.
3. General/Economy/Banking Awareness (60 marks, 60 questions)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Key Topics:
- Current Affairs (last 6 months, focus on banking and economy)
- Banking Terminology (RBI policies, banking products)
- Financial Awareness (budget, economic survey)
- Static GK (important institutions, headquarters)
- Good Attempts: 40–45 questions
- Insights: This section carried the highest weightage and was a scoring opportunity for well-prepared candidates. Questions were straightforward, focusing on recent banking reforms, RBI announcements, and major economic events. Candidates who followed daily current affairs and banking awareness capsules excelled.
4. English Language (40 marks, 30 questions)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Key Topics:
- Reading Comprehension (1 set, 8–10 questions, topic: “Impact of Digital Banking”)
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Improvement
- Good Attempts: 22–27 questions
- Insights: The Reading Comprehension set was moderately lengthy but manageable, with direct questions. Cloze Test and Para Jumbles tested vocabulary and logical flow. Error Spotting questions required a strong grasp of grammar. Candidates with regular reading habits found this section scoring.
5. Descriptive Test (50 marks, 2 questions)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Tasks:
- Letter Writing: Formal letter (e.g., to a bank manager regarding loan issues)
- Essay Writing: Topics like “Role of Fintech in Banking” or “Digital India’s Impact on Rural Economy”
- Insights: The descriptive test evaluated candidates’ writing clarity and coherence. The letter required a formal tone, while the essay demanded structured arguments with relevant examples. Time management was critical, as candidates had only 30 minutes for both tasks. Those with practice in essay and letter formats performed well.
SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 Review: Good Attempts and Expected Cut-Off
Based on the exam’s difficulty and candidate feedback, the overall good attempts for the SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 ranged between 110–125 questions out of 170 in the objective test. Section-wise good attempts are summarized below:
| Section | Good Attempts |
|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 28–35 |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 20–25 |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40–45 |
| English Language | 22–27 |
| Overall | 110–125 |
The expected cut-off for the Mains exam varies by category and depends on factors like exam difficulty, vacancies (600), and candidate performance. Based on trends and analysis, the tentative cut-off for the General category is estimated at 90–100 marks (out of 200 for the objective test). Reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) may have lower cut-offs by 5–10 marks.
Key Observations and Changes in 2025
The SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 introduced several notable changes, as outlined in the official notification:
- Increased Objective Questions: The objective test now has 170 questions (up from 150), increasing the exam’s intensity.
- Sectional Cut-Off: Unlike the Prelims, the Mains exam enforced sectional cut-offs, requiring candidates to score minimum marks in each section.
- Higher Weightage for General Awareness: The General/Economy/Banking Awareness section had 60 questions, emphasizing its importance.
- Descriptive Test Focus: The descriptive section continued to test communication skills, with contemporary topics relevant to banking and economy.
These changes made time management and balanced preparation across sections critical for success.
SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 Review: Candidate Feedback
Candidates who appeared for the exam shared the following insights:
- Time Management: The increased number of questions made it challenging to attempt all sections within the 3-hour objective test duration. Prioritizing high-scoring sections like General Awareness helped.
- Descriptive Test: The essay topics were relevant to current banking trends, but the 30-minute time limit tested writing speed and clarity.
- Difficulty Variation: While English and General Awareness were scoring, Reasoning and Data Analysis sections were time-intensive and required strategic question selection.
Many candidates felt that the exam was tougher than the Prelims but achievable with thorough preparation. Those who practiced mock tests based on the revised pattern found the exam structure familiar.
Preparation Tips for Future Aspirants
Based on the SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 review, here are actionable tips for candidates preparing for future SBI PO exams:
- Master the Revised Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the updated exam pattern, especially the increased question count and sectional cut-offs. Practice full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions.
- Strengthen Data Interpretation: Focus on DI sets (tabular, pie chart, caselet) and practice quick calculation techniques to save time.
- Prioritize General Awareness: Read daily current affairs, focusing on banking, economy, and RBI policies. Use capsules and monthly magazines for revision.
- Improve Reasoning Skills: Solve high-level puzzles and seating arrangements daily. Practice logical reasoning and data sufficiency for accuracy.
- Enhance Writing Skills: Practice formal letter and essay writing on banking and socio-economic topics. Focus on structure, clarity, and time management.
- Time Management: Allocate time wisely during mock tests. Aim to attempt high-accuracy questions first in Reasoning and Data Analysis sections.
- Review Previous Papers: Analyze SBI PO Mains previous year papers to understand question trends and difficulty.
- Stay Updated: Monitor the official SBI website (sbi.co.in) for result announcements and Phase III (Psychometric Test, Group Exercises, Interview) updates.
SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 Review: Next Steps for Candidates
- Result Announcement: The SBI PO Mains Result 2025 is expected in the third week of May 2025. Candidates can check their results on sbi.co.in using their registration number and password.
- Phase III: Shortlisted candidates will proceed to the Psychometric Test and Group Exercises/Interview in May/June 2025. The Psychometric Test is qualifying, while Group Exercises (20 marks) and Interview (30 marks) contribute to the final merit list.
- Final Merit List: The final selection will be based on Mains (200 marks, normalized to 75) and Interview/Group Exercises (50 marks, normalized to 25).
Conclusion
The SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 was a challenging yet achievable test for well-prepared candidates. Its moderate to difficult nature underscored the importance of strategic preparation, time management, and familiarity with the revised exam pattern.
The General Awareness and English sections offered scoring opportunities, while Reasoning and Data Analysis demanded analytical rigor. Aspiring POs should leverage this analysis to refine their preparation, focusing on mock tests, current affairs, and writing skills.
For the latest updates, candidates are advised to visit the official SBI website (sbi.co.in) and trusted platforms like ibpsonline.in, . The SBI PO journey is a testament to perseverance, and with the right strategy, aspirants can secure a prestigious career in India’s largest public-sector bank.
Disclaimer
This SBI PO mains exam 2025 review is based on candidate feedback, expert analyses, and web sources as of May 6, 2025. Exam details, cut-offs, and result dates are subject to change. Verify information on sbi.co.in for accuracy.
