SBI PO 2025 Prelims Exam Dates Announced – Check Schedule, Pattern and Preparation Tips

The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced the SBI PO 2025 Preliminary Exam dates, scheduled for August 2, 4, and 5, 2025, providing clarity for lakhs of aspirants nationwide. The official notification was released on June 24, and the application process closed on July 14.

This year’s recruitment aims to fill 541 Probationary Officer posts through a rigorous three-phase selection process: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Psychometric Test with Interview. The prelims will consist of a 100-mark online test across English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning sections, each with sectional timing and negative marking.

Admit cards are expected by late July, and candidates are advised to focus on mock tests, revision, and current affairs for effective preparation.

SBI PO 2025 Prelims Exam Dates Announced: A Crucial Update for Aspirants

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially announced the examination dates for the SBI Probationary Officer (PO) Preliminary Exam 2025. This highly anticipated announcement provides much-needed clarity for lakhs of banking aspirants across the country. The preliminary examination is scheduled to be conducted on August 2, 4, and 5, 2025, across designated centers nationwide.

Key Highlights of SBI PO 2025 Recruitment

• Official Notification Released: The SBI PO 2025 notification (Advertisement No: CRPD/PO/2025-26/04) was released on June 24, 2025.
• Application Period Concluded: The online application process for SBI PO 2025 commenced on June 24, 2025, and concluded on July 14, 2025. Candidates who successfully registered can now focus entirely on their prelims preparation.
• Total Vacancies: This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 541 Probationary Officer posts, comprising 500 regular vacancies and 41 backlog vacancies.

SBI PO Selection Process: A Three-Phase Journey

The SBI PO selection process is rigorous and comprises three distinct phases:

1. Phase I: Preliminary Examination: This is an online objective test designed to screen candidates for the Mains examination.
2. Phase II: Main Examination: This phase consists of both objective and descriptive tests, evaluating a candidate’s in-depth knowledge and analytical abilities.
3. Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview: Candidates shortlisted from the Mains exam will undergo a psychometric test, followed by a group exercise and a personal interview to assess their personality, communication skills, and suitability for the role.

Preliminary Exam Pattern

The SBI PO Preliminary Exam is an online test of 1 hour duration carrying a total of 100 marks. It comprises three sections with separate sectional timings:

• English Language: 30 Questions, 30 Marks, 20 Minutes
• Quantitative Aptitude: 35 Questions, 35 Marks, 20 Minutes
• Reasoning Ability: 35 Questions, 35 Marks, 20 Minutes

Important Note: There will be a negative marking of $\frac{1}{4}$th of the marks assigned to that question for each wrong answer in the objective tests. There will be no sectional cut-off in the preliminary examination; however, candidates must clear the overall cut-off to qualify for the next stage.

Eligibility Criteria (as per the official notification)

• Age Limit (as on April 1, 2025): Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years old. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government norms (e.g., OBC: 3 years, SC/ST: 5 years).
• Educational Qualification (as on September 30, 2025): A candidate must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government. Final year/semester students can also apply provisionally, but must produce proof of their graduation on or before the date of the interview.

Admit Card and Preparation Strategy

The admit cards for the SBI PO Prelims 2025 are expected to be released in the third or fourth week of July 2025. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official SBI careers website (sbi.co.in/web/careers) for the latest updates, including admit card release, exam center details, and detailed guidelines.

With the exam dates now officially declared, aspirants should intensify their preparation. Focus on:

• Thorough revision of all subjects.
• Practicing full-length mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
• Analyzing mock test performance to identify weak areas and work on them.
• Staying updated with current affairs, especially banking-related news.

The SBI PO examination is a highly competitive endeavor, and a focused, strategic approach in these crucial weeks will be paramount for success. Candidates are urged to remain dedicated and utilize all available resources to perform their best.