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SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2023: The State Bank of India (SBI) conducted the SBI PO Mains exam on January 30, 2023. However, the exam analysis for the exam is yet to be released. Until then candidates can check the previous year’s analysis to have a good idea of the difficulty level of the exam and the important topics that were asked in this article.
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The SBI PO Exam is conducted to recruit Probationary Officers for various SBI branches across the country. Candidates have to clear the Prelims exam to qualify for the Mains. This article provides the SBI PO topic-wise previous years’ exam analysis. Read on to know more about SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis.
Embibe has provided an in-depth SBI PO Mains exam analysis. This gives candidates detailed insights, including the overall and sectional level of difficulty, expected cut-off, sectional distribution of questions, ideal time, type of questions asked, and important topics.
According to experts, overall questions of the Mains exam is difficult and tricky therefore cut-off score goes down half of the total marks across various categories. For example, last, the SBI PO mains exam cutoff score was 93.10 marks out of a total score of 200. Moreover, the competitive level of the Mains exam is also high because of the ratio of test takers and the number of vacancies.
Data Interpretation and Analysis section is one of the toughest sections in the SBI PO Mains exam. According to experts, out of the total of 45 questions in this section majority were from the Data Sufficiency and Data Interpretation, Bar Graph (Population density-based), Two tables (Time and work-based), Venn Diagram (Probability-based), Sales and Purchase and Inverted Cone flow chart type.
The table below shows the subject and topic-wise questions asked in the SBI PO Mains 2019 exam in Data Analysis and Interpretation.
| Topic | Types of Questions | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Bar Graph (Population Density Based) | 5 |
| Data Interpretation | Two Tables (Time and Work Based) | 5 |
| Data Interpretation | Venn Diagram (Probability Based, Step Based, Ball Based) | 5 |
| Data Interpretation | Sales and Purchase Based | 5 |
| Data Interpretation | Inverted Cone Flow Chart Type | 5 |
| Data Sufficiency | 3 Statement Type | 2 |
| Statistics | Mean Mode Median Based | 1 |
| Partnership Based | Partnership Based | 1 |
| Number Series | Mixed with Inequality | 5 |
| Mensuration | Circle Based | 1 |
This section of SBI PO Mains was moderate to difficult. A total of 45 multiple-choice questions were asked in this section. As per the experts, the majority of questions in this section are from Seating Arrangement with Blood Relation, Country, States and Languages based Puzzles, Assumptions and Machine Input. According to experts, the good attempt in this section may be around 19 to 21 questions.
The table below shows the subject and topic-wise distribution of questions asked in the SBI PO Mains exam in Reasoning:
| Topic | Types of Questions | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzles | Seating Arrangement + Blood Relation Based | 5 |
| Puzzles | Country Based | 5 |
| Puzzles | States + Languages | 5 |
| Puzzles | Occupation – Based | 5 |
| Assumptions | Assumptions | 5 |
| Machine Input | Machine Input | 5 |
| Coding Decoding | Combined with Directions (Symbol Based Directions) | 5 |
| Logical Reasoning | Cause and Effect | 2-3 |
| Logical Reasoning | Assertion and Reason | 2 |
| Logical Reasoning | Conclusion from Passage | 2-3 |
| Logical Reasoning | Eligibility Test | 2-3 |
This overall analysis of the SBI PO Mains English section was Easy to Moderate. As compared to last year, the questions were easy. If any candidates have good comprehension and reading skills, they would have attempted many questions. Out of 35 questions, the reading comprehension has 20 questions. Also, there were questions about sentence replacement and rearrangement. According to experts, 24 to 27 questions will be of good attempt, which can fetch good marks in this section.
The table below shows the distribution of questions asked in the SBI PO Mains exam in English
| Topic | Types of Questions | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 6 (Set of 3-4) | 20 Questions |
| Filler Statements (Column Based) | Set of 5 | 5 Questions |
| Sentence Re-arrangement | Set of 5 | 5 Questions |
| Phrase Replacement | 5 | 5 Questions |
This section of the SBI PO Mains exam has the same paper pattern as asked in the previous year. 90% of questions were from current affairs. Most questions were from the events. Out of the total questions, nearly 13 were from July current affairs. The questions were from the government scheme, RBI and its functions, the Economic Survey of India, and Budget and Banking Affairs. According to experts, the good attempt for this section would be around 25 to 28.
The below shows the distribution of questions asked in the SBI PO Mains exam in General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness
Ujjwala Yojana, Jalamrutha Scheme, Mukhya Mantri Yuva Swabhiman Yojana, Indradhanush Yojana, Swabhiman Yojana, Sangam Project, RBI Current Affairs, Famous Personalities, Current Affairs, etc.
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Check the previous three years’ SBI PO Mains exam analysis in this article below. The analysis will give candidates an idea of how difficult the exam and what to expect in the upcoming exam.
Check the Data Analysis and Interpretation analysis below:
| Year | Topics and Weightage | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Partnership Caselet DI: 3Q Caselet – Venn Diagram: 2Q Caselet – Time and Work: 3Q Caselet – Discount Based: 2Q Caselet – Supply, Demand and Revenue: 5Q· DI – Bar Graph: 3Q· DI – Table: 3Q· DI – Missing Table: 4Q Data Sufficiency (3 Statements): 5Q· Quantity Comparison: 5Q | 18-22 | Moderate-Difficult |
| 2017 | Quant section in the SBI PO Mains 2017 had 35, most of which ranged from moderate to difficult. As expected, questions were based on a variety of Data, and one question even had a combination of Line and Table graphs. A New Pattern of Inequalities set of 3 questions was asked. Also, this section had some questions on Data Sufficiency and Probability. This section was very heavy on calculations. Missing DI Table Graph based on Profit and Loss and Discount: 5Q Line +Table Graph-Time and work: 5Q Comparison of Quantities (New Pattern):5Q Caselet DI: 5Q Probability:5Q Double Pie chart – Boats and streams:5Q Data Sufficiency: 5Q | 15-19 | Moderate-Difficult |
| 2016 | The overall difficulty level of this section was difficult, and the questions were calculation intensive and time-consuming. Double Pie chart: 5Q Double Line Graph: 5Q Bar Graph: 5Q Quadratic Equation: 5Q Probability: 2Q Time and Work: 3Q Missing DI: 5Q Data Sufficiency: 5Q | 18-22 | Moderate-Difficult |
This is another toughest section because of the lengthy and time-consuming questions. In the last three years, a lot of new pattern questions have been introduced, like Matrix, Coding-Decoding, and Number format. The table below shows the SBI PO mains exam analysis of reasoning.
| Year | Topic and Weightage | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The level of reasoning was difficult. There were NO questions about computer aptitude, but there were a few new type questions on AR, Input-Output, and Coding-Decoding. Following were the questions of puzzles and seating arrangement: Linear Double Line, 10 people seating. Circular Arrangement where circumference was given. Floors and Buildings based puzzle. Blood Relation and Age-based puzzle. Random Arrangement -3 Variables, Names of persons, their posts and fruits were given Linear Seating Arrangement- 3 Variable, the direction in which the persons were seated was not mentioned. Topics asked are below: Puzzles:10 Q New Pattern of Coding and Decoding: 5Q Matrix New type: 5Q Input-Output New type:3Q Coded Direction Sense Test New type: 4Q Linear Arrangement, Double row arrangement, and Circular arrangement: 4Q Statement assumption: 4Q Course of action and Conclusion, Inference:10Q | 15-20 | Difficult |
| 2017 | No questions on syllogism were asked this time. Besides the old puzzles, a new type of puzzle was asked – Calculation based on shelf and frames. No questions from Computer Awareness Section (This was the case for SBI PO Prelims 2017 too.) Topics asked are below: Input-Output New type: 3Q Direction Sense (Coded questions): 2Q Coding-Decoding Number Format new type: 3Q Multiple Linear arrangement questions including the distance between 2 rows given and Puzzle: 23Q Alphabet (Puzzle type): 3Q Logical Reasoning: 8Q Data Sufficiency: 2Q | 18-20 | Difficult |
| 2016 | The level of difficulty was Difficult to moderate for this section. Syllogism was missing the section. There were no questions from Computer Aptitude. The Logical Reasoning part featured questions based on Statement-Assumption and Inference. Topics asked are below: Puzzle and Arrangements: 15Q Data Sufficiency: 5Q Coding-Decoding:5Q Input-Output (Double Shifting):5Q Logical Reasoning:10Q Inequalities:5Q | 23-28 | Moderate – Difficult |
In the SBI PO mains exam, the English Language is another difficult section because of no fixed pattern of questions. According to experts, each year, this section of the SBI PO mains exam has a new pattern of questions with an increased difficulty level.
For example, in Reading Comprehension (RC), the question pattern was changed to 2 RCs with 5 or 6 passages, each with 5 or 6 questions. Similarly, Fillers from single fillers to triple fillers with one-word fits in 2 blanks and another word fits in the 3rd blank. Para jumbled questions, initially, were one passage with jumbled sentences, but in the new pattern, jumbled sentences were given in the options in that one sentence does not fit with the passage.
The following table depicts the analysis of the English Language section for the past 3 years:
| English Language | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Questions | No. of Questions |
| Reading Comprehension | 10 | 10 | 14 |
| Sentence Completion | – | – | 5 |
| Single Fillers (Statement Fillers) | 5 | – | – |
| Double Fillers | – | 4 | – |
| Triple Fillers | – | – | 5 |
| Irrelevant Statements of one Topic (Odd one out) | 5 | – | – |
| Relevant Statements (Which one would fit after the passage) | 5 | 4 | – |
| Sentence Connectors | 5 | – | 2 |
| Antonym and Synonym | 5 | – | 1 |
| Jumbled Paragraph | – | 2 | – |
| Error Detection | – | 10 | – |
| Phrase Replacement | – | 5 | – |
| New Pattern Cloze Test (Identify the correct phrases to be filled in the given blanks) | – | – | 5 |
| Sentence Correction/ Improvement | – | – | 5 |
| Total | 35 (Difficult) | 35 (Difficult) | 35 (Difficult) |
This section had 35 multiple-choice questions on the national and international levels of current affairs and banking affairs. The difficulty level of this section is moderate, with some tricky questions about the banking system. As per the review given by students who appeared for the exam last year, there were a few questions from static and banking awareness.
The last three-year analysis of the SBI PO Mains Exam of the General Awareness Section is given below.
| Categories | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | Moderate | Easy-Moderate |
| Analysis of Section on Current Affairs | Questions had wide coverage from the budget of various ministries and departments, government schemes (with a focus on banking), defence exercises of India, awards and personalities, sports, etc. Also, there were questions on reports published by international organizations, summits, and international indices. A major chunk of questions was from this section, and there were 18-20 questions from this section. | Questions were asked from the proposed budget of different items and fiscal deficit, various committees and commissions, sports and personalities, defence affairs of India, India’s economic growth, economic terms, etc. There were 20-22 questions from this section. | Questions were asked about government acts (FRBM), foreign direct investment, government schemes and budgets, summits and international indices. There were around 15-17 questions from this section. |
| Analysis of Section on Awareness of Banking and Financial System | More than 5 questions were based on payment banks, digital banking, and small finance banks. Questions were asked on currencies and motifs on newly printed notes. Also, there were questions on abbreviations and terms related to banking, RBI affairs, banking schemes, etc. There were 13-15 questions from this section. | Questions were from RBI affairs, banking terms, and theory, digital banking, NBFCs, mergers, and acquisitions, etc. Around 16-18 questions were asked from this section. | The question included the headquarters of banks, the current Managing Directors of banks, different types of accounts (BSBDA), monetary policy, international organizations, etc. Around 18-20 were asked from this section. |
| Analysis of Section on in Static GK | Questions on important dates, location of industries, national parks and tiger reserves etc. were asked. There were 4-5 questions from this section. | Questions on dates, and locations of institutes were asked. There were 3-4 questions from this section. | Questions were on the location of national parks/ reserves, the capital of countries, dance forms of states, etc. There were 6-7 from this section. |
| Good Attempt | 23-27 | 23-25 | 26-29 |
Candidates must check the frequently asked questions based on SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis to clear out their doubts.
Ans: The SBI PO Mains exam was conducted on January 30, 2023.
Ans: The SBI PO Mains exam consists of 4 sections – Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Banking/General/Economy Awareness, and English Language. Also, there will be one English Comprehensive descriptive paper.
Ans: Yes, 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer in the SBI PO Mains 2023 exam.
Ans: Candidates have to clear three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Personal Interview.
Ans: As per the exam analysis, the SBI PO Mains exam is difficult to crack in a single attempt.
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