The State Bank of India (SBI) conducted the SBI Probationary Officer (PO) Prelims Exam 2025 across various examination centers. This crucial first stage of the recruitment process witnessed thousands of banking aspirants appearing for the test. The exam was conducted in multiple shifts, and candidates have shared their experiences regarding the difficulty level, types of questions, and expected cut-off trends.

Exam Structure and Overall Difficulty Level

The SBI PO Prelims Exam consisted of three sections:

1. English Language
2. Quantitative Aptitude
3. Reasoning Ability

The total duration of the exam was one hour, with each section having a separate time limit. Based on candidate feedback and expert analysis, the overall difficulty level of the exam ranged from moderate to difficult across different shifts.

Section-Wise Breakdown and Analysis

1. English Language (Easy to Moderate)

The English Language section was considered relatively easy compared to the other two sections. Most candidates found Reading Comprehension and Error Detection to be manageable. The topics covered included:

• Reading Comprehension (RC) – Moderate difficulty
• Cloze Test – Easy
• Sentence Rearrangement – Easy to Moderate
• Error Spotting – Easy
• Word Swapping – Moderate

Good Attempts: 22-25 questions

2. Quantitative Aptitude (Moderate to Difficult)

The Quantitative Aptitude section posed a moderate to high difficulty level, with questions requiring strong conceptual understanding and speed. Topics covered included:

• Data Interpretation (DI) – Difficult
• Quadratic Equations – Moderate
• Number Series – Moderate
• Arithmetic Problems (Profit & Loss, Time & Work, etc.) – Difficult

Good Attempts: 18-22 questions

3. Reasoning Ability (Moderate)

The Reasoning section was moderate in difficulty, with a mix of easy and challenging puzzles. The questions were well-balanced, covering:

• Seating Arrangement & Puzzles – Moderate to Difficult
• Syllogisms – Easy to Moderate
• Coding-Decoding – Moderate
• Blood Relations – Easy
• Inequalities – Easy

Good Attempts: 21-24 questions

Expected Cut-Off Marks

Based on the difficulty level and student feedback, the expected cut-off marks for different categories could be:

• General – 62-65 marks
• OBC – 58-62 marks
• SC/ST – 50-55 marks

Final cut-off marks will be officially announced by SBI once all shifts are completed and normalization is applied.

Key Takeaways for Candidates

1. Time Management is Crucial – Many candidates found it difficult to complete the Quantitative Aptitude section within the given time. Future aspirants should practice time management strategies.
2. Accuracy Over Speed – Since SBI follows negative marking, candidates should focus on accuracy rather than attempting more questions.
3. Focus on Puzzles and Data Interpretation – A major portion of the Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude sections included puzzles and DI questions. Regular practice of these topics can be beneficial.
4. Sectional Cut-Off Awareness – As all sections have separate cut-offs, candidates must aim for balanced performance across all sections.

Next Steps for Candidates

• The SBI PO Prelims Results 2025 will be announced soon on the official SBI website.
• Qualifying candidates will proceed to the SBI PO Mains Exam, which will be more challenging and will include a descriptive section.
• Candidates should begin their Mains preparation, focusing on data interpretation, current affairs, and essay writing.
  

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