SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern Updated: In-Built Calculator Now Allowed in Mains Exam
State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced a major change in the SBI PO Mains Examination. Candidates are now permitted to use an in-built calculator on screen during the Data Analysis & Interpretation section. Read full details & updated exam pattern.
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern Changed: In-Built Calculator Allowed
In a major update for banking job aspirants, State Bank of India (SBI) has modified the exam pattern for the SBI PO Mains Examination. Under the updated guidelines, candidates appearing for the Mains exam will now be allowed to use an in-built calculator on their computer screen during the Data Analysis & Interpretation test section.
Key Highlights of SBI PO Mains Update
- In-Built Calculator Facility: Allowed exclusively for the Data Analysis & Interpretation section on the candidate's test screen.
- Objective Test Duration: 3 Hours for 170 Questions carrying 200 Marks.
- Descriptive Test Duration: 30 Minutes for 30 Marks (Communication Skills writing).
SBI PO Mains Objective Test Pattern
| Test | Name of the Test (Objective) | No. of Qs. | Maximum Marks | Duration | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes | Bilingual |
| II | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes | Bilingual |
| III | General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes | Bilingual |
| IV | English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes | English |
| TOTAL | 170 | 200 | 3 hours | - | |
Note: For the test of Data Analysis & Interpretation, the use of an in-built calculator is permitted, which will be made available directly on the computer screen.
SBI PO Mains Descriptive Test Pattern
The Descriptive Test is conducted immediately after the Objective Test. It evaluates Communication Skills in English with a duration of 30 minutes for a total of 30 marks.
| Test | Name of the Test | No. of Qs. | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Emails Writing | 1 out of 2 | 10 | 30 minutes |
| II | Situation Analysis Writing | 1 out of 2 | 10 | |
| III | Report Writing / Precis Writing | 1 out of 2 options | 10 | |
| Grand Total | 3 out of 6 | 30 Marks | 30 minutes | |
What Does This Mean for SBI PO Aspirants?
While the addition of an in-built calculator brings relief for complex calculation-heavy Data Interpretation (DI) sets, experts anticipate that the difficulty level of numerical questions might increase accordingly. Candidates are advised to practice using screen calculators during mock tests to build speed and familiarity before the actual exam day.