SBI PO 2019 - Check GD and Interview Preparation Strategy

SBI PO is a national-level exam conducted by State Bank of India for the recruitment of probationary officers in various branches of the bank across India.

• As the Mains examination is completed successfully on July 20, 2019, it is now time for candidates to enhance their preparation for Interview round.
• Candidates appearing for Interview phase must download their SBI PO Admit Card well in advance and check for all details if they are mentioned correctly.
• Candidates qualifying the Group Discussion and Interview will be eligible for receiving an appointment letter for Probationary Officer Post. 
• Candidates can go through the SBI PO Interview Tips by experts to get an idea about this stage and improvise the preparation.
• Along with Interview preparation, candidates must go through SBI PO Group Discussion Preparation Tips to know how to prepare for Group exercises.
• As the third phase involves Interview and Group Exercise, there are some documents that each candidate must carry to the center. Hence, check out which are the SBI PO Important Documents to be carried for the interview stage.
• SBI PO exam follows a three-tier selection process. The stages involved in the selection of aspirants are SBI PO Prelims, SBI PO Mains and Personal Interview. All the stages are qualifying in nature.

SBI PO Highlights 2019

SBI PO Exam Dates 2019

SBI PO Notification 2019 was released on April 1, 2019, and the application process concluded on May 13, 2019. Take a look at the below SBI PO Exam Dates and know the exam schedule.

• As the SBI PO Prelims and Mains exam have been completed successfully, it is now time for candidates to enhance their preparation for Interview.
• SBI is conducting a Group Exercise and Interview round for candidates who have qualified Mains exam.

SBI PO Group Discussion and Interview (GDPI)

SBI PO Interview Date is scheduled in the month of September 2019. Candidates appearing for SBI PO Exam must download the admit card for the interview well in advance and begin their preparation.

• Candidates who qualify the mains exam are eligible to appear for group discussion and interview.
• Post conduction of the interview, a combined score is generated which includes the sum of marks obtained in the main examination and interview.
• The final list of the selected candidates is made upon the performance in mains and GD/ PI round only.
• It is published on the official website of the bank’s website and also in Employment Newspaper.

SBI PO Vacancy 2019

SBI announced 2000 vacancies for the post of Probationary officers. The SBI PO Vacancies vary for each category. Given below is the SBI PO Vacancy announced for each category.

SBI PO Vacancy for General, SC, ST, and OBC

The total number of vacancies announced is 2000 and another 133 for PwD Categories. Find below the category-wise distribution of SBI PO Vacancies 2019:

Apart from 2000 posts, SBI also announced 133 PO(Probationary Officer) vacancies for candidates from PwD categories.

SBI PO Result 2019

• SBI PO will declare the result on the official website for each stage of the exam.
• The result for Prelims was declared on 29th June 2019.
• The mains result was declared on August 24, 2019.
• Candidates successfully clearing the Mains Exam will be eligible for Group Exercise and Interview round.
• Go through the detailed procedure to know how to check SBI PO Result 2019.

How to Check SBI PO 2019 Result?

1. Visit https://sbi.co.in/
2. Click on the “Careers” section.
3. Click on “Results” section.
4. Enter your roll number and DOB or enter your registration number and DOB.
5. You result card will appear on the screen.

SBI PO Cut off

The cut off for SBI PO 2019 has been released along with the SBI PO Result. The cut-off will help candidates to know about the minimum score required to ace the different levels of the exam in which SBI PO is conducted. Here is a glimpse of SBI PO Cut Off 2019 tabulated. 

SBI PO Notification 2019

The SBI PO 2019 Notification was released on 1st April 2019. The recruitment process began after the release of official notification and it is being conducted for the selection of candidates for the post of PO in State Bank of India and its Associate branches.

• The candidates selected are liable to be posted anywhere in India.
• Eligible and interested candidates must register online for the recruitment process.
• The 3-tier selection process consists of Preliminary and Mains Exams which will be conducted online, followed by a Personal Interview.
• Candidates must pass each exam to get shortlisted and progress to the next stage. Final selection will be based on merit.

SBI PO Exam Analysis 2019

SBI conducted SBI PO Preliminary examination on 8th and 9th June 2019, while SBI PO Mains on July 20, 2019. With the help of our student community and our exam experts, we have prepared detailed SBI PO Exam Analysis for Prelims and Mains for All shifts and all days.

• As per the feedback received by students, the SBI PO Prelims Exam was Easy to Moderate difficulty level.
• English section was the easiest amongst all other sections.
• Candidates were able to attempt 59-64 out of 100 questions.
• In the Mains, candidates shared that the paper was of moderate difficulty level.
• Candidates were able to attempt 79-88 out of 155 marks.

SBI PO Answer Key 2019

After PO Preliminary examination, many coaching centers will publish unofficial Answer Key to give you the complete idea of your performance in the examination. Using Answer Key, you can check if your performance in the exam was good enough to clear the SBI PO Prelims and Mains.

Check and download the SBI PO Answer Key 2019 to know how many answers you have got right.

SBI PO Selection Process

There are three stages of SBI PO Selection Process. Candidates in SBI PO recruitment are shortlisted upon their performances in the 3 stages mentioned below:

SBI PO Prelims Exam

• It is the very first stage of SBI PO Selection Process.
• SBI PO Prelims is an online objective test of 1-hour duration.
• SBI PO Pre comprises of 3 sections: English Language, Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude.
• Candidates must score minimum qualifying marks in all the sections to qualify for the next round.

SBI PO Mains Exam

• The main examination is the second stage of SBI PO recruitment process.
• SBI PO Main Examination is a 200 marks examination, comprising of 4 sections, i.e., English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning & Computers, and General/Economy/Banking Awareness.
• Descriptive test of 50 marks would be conducted immediately after the objective test.
• The corrected scores obtained by each of the candidates in different sessions (if held) are normalized using the equi-percentile method.
• Scores up to 2 decimal points are taken for the purpose of calculations.
• Candidates are shortlisted for interview by considering the scores obtained in the main examination.

SBI PO Exam Pattern 2019

SBI PO exam follows a three-tier selection process. Candidates are required to get through each of the stages to reach on to the next level. The stages involved in the selection of aspirants are as under:

• Stage I: SBI PO Prelims
• Stage II: SBI PO Mains
• Stage III: Personal Interview

Both the Prelims and Mains are conducted online whereas Personal Interview is conducted Face to Face.

SBI PO Exam Pattern

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern

• The SBI PO prelims is an objective type test and are conducted for a duration of 1 hour.
• The exam has 3 sections having a total of 100 questions with a maximum score of 100 marks.
• For each wrong answer, there is a negative marking of 0.25.

Any candidate who qualifies or scores as per the SBI PO Cut off for Prelims will be eligible to appear for SBI PO Mains 2019.

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern

• SBI PO Mains has two sections- Objective and Descriptive.
• Objective section is of 200 marks and Descriptive section carries 50 marks. Both of these tests are taken online.
• The SBI PO Mains objective test is of 3 hours duration and consist of 4 sections carrying a total of 200 marks.
• SBI PO descriptive test carries 50 marks with a time duration of 30 minutes. This section tests your English writing skills as it contains two sections: Letter Writing and Essay.

SBI PO Exam Pattern for Personal Interview and Final Selection

• Only those aspirants who clear the SBI PO Mains will be called for the Personal Interview.
• The total marks for Personal Interview are 100 and the minimum qualifying marks are 40 percent for General and others and 35 percent for SC/ST/PWD aspirants.
• Final merit list is based on the total marks secured by the aspirants in SBI PO Mains and Personal Interview. Mains will carry a weight of 80 percent whereas Personal Interview will carry 20 percent weight in the final score counting.

SBI PO Syllabus

SBI PO is conducted in three different stages with 2 stages being Prelims and Mains exam. Given below is the subject-wise SBI PO Syllabus for Prelims and Mains:

SBI PO Syllabus for Reasoning

In the table below, we have mentioned important topics for Reasoning;

SBI PO Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude/ Mathematics

In the table below, we have mentioned important topics for Quantitative Aptitude/ Mathematics;

SBI PO Syllabus for English

In the table below, we have mentioned important topics for English;

SBI PO Syllabus for GK and Current Affairs

In the table below, we have mentioned important topics for GK and Current Affairs;

SBI PO Syllabus for Computer Awareness

In the table below, we have mentioned important topics for Computer Awareness;

SBI PO Syllabus for Descriptive Test

For SBI PO Descriptive Test, candidates must prepare questions based on Essay Writing and Letter Writing.

SBI PO Preparation Books

Check below the subject-wise best books by Toppers for SBI PO:

SBI PO Best Books for Quantitative Aptitude/Maths

Also, check SBI PO Preparation Tips

SBI PO Best Books for Reasoning Ability

Check, SBI PO Best Books for Toppers

SBI PO Best Books for English

SBI PO Best Books for General Awareness Section

SBI PO Best Books for Computer Awareness Section

SBI PO Eligibility Criteria 2019

Candidates must fulfill certain eligibility criteria by SBI PO before applying for the PO post. Here are the basic eligibility conditions:

• The candidates must be Indian
• The applicants must be a graduate in any stream from a recognized university.
• The final year graduates can also apply.
• Candidates must be between 21 to 30 years as on April 1, 2019.
• SC/ ST/ ExS/ J&K Migrants get a relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit.
• OBC candidates with upper age limit 33 years can apply for the exam.
• PwD category candidates reserve a relaxation of 10-15 years depending on the category.

Number of Attempts in SBI PO 2019

• For General category: 4 attempts
• For General (PwD) category: 7 attempts
• OBC category: 7 attempts
• OBC (PwD): 7 attempts
• SC/ST (PwD): No restriction

SBI PO Application Form 2019

Follow the given below steps to fill the application form:

Registration for SBI PO

1. Click on the Direct Registration Link
2. Click on link “Career with us” on the home page.
3. Select ‘SBI PO 2019 Application Form’.
4. Fill the application form with complete details.

Upload Images

1. Upload scanned image of passport size photo(size-20 to 50 Kb) and signature (10 to 20 Kb) in JPEG format.
2. The photo must be of 200 × 300 pixels while the signature must be of 140 × 60 pixels.
3. Choose the correct file and click on open to upload.
4. After that, click ‘Submit’ to move to a fee payment window.

Pay Application Fee - SBI PO 2019

1. The application fee for general category and OBC is INR 600 and INR 100 for reserved categories.
2. Pay the fee online and submit.
3. Take a printout of the application form before submission for future reference.
4. You will receive a registration ID.

SBI PO Photo & Signature Upload

SBI PO Admit Card 2019

SBI issues separate SBI PO Admit Card for each stage of the exam.

• Admit card for SBI PO Prelims was issued to aspirants who register themselves successfully for the exam.
• Only the candidates who clear the Prelims will receive the call letter for SBI PO Mains.
• SBI PO hall ticket for Personal interview will be issued only to those candidates who clear the SBI PO Main exam.
• All notifications related to admit card will be out on the official website, https://sbi.co.in/
• The admit card for prelims is expected to be out in April 2019, while for Mains, it will release in May 2019.
• All candidates need to carry their admit cards on the day of the exam, failing which they will not be allowed to sit for the exam.

How to Download SBI PO Admit Card 2019?

• Visit the official website.
• Click on the link “SBI PO 2019 Admit card”.
• Enter your registration number and DOB/Password.
• Your admit card will appear on the screen.
• Download it and take a print-out of the same.

SBI PO Exam Centers 2019

SBI conducts the SBI PO exam at different locations across India for the 2000 vacancies. Given below is the list of Exam Centers for each stage of SBI PO 2019

SBI PO Exam Centers for Pre-exam Training 2019

• SBI provides pre-exam training as a part of government’s initiative to candidates belonging to SC/ST category or minority groups.
• SBI PO Pre-exam training is usually a 6-day program.
• Interested candidates can apply for it and download the call letters as per the schedule is given.
• The pre-exam training is conducted across India at different centers.

Following is the list of such training centers:

SBI has released the list of tentative exam centers for both prelims and mains exam centers. Candidates have to indicate their preference from the list of exam centers provided below at the time of filling the online application form.

SBI PO Exam Centers for Prelims

The SBI PO Exam takes place all over India in the SBI PO Exam Centers.The tentative list of exam centers for SBI PO 2019 Mains exam is as follows:

SBI PO Salary

SBI offers high salary package and various other perks due to which there is a high number of applicants every year. Check out the SBI PO Salary described below.

• The Probationary Officer in State Bank of India offers a handsome salary along with some amazing perks. The salary of an SBI PO differs as per the Bank location.
• Total In-Hand Salary after Deductions: Rs. 40,000/- Per month (approx.).

SBI PO Job Description

Here is the SBI PO Job Profile described below. Go through the roles and responsibilities of a Probationary Officer.

• The job of a bank probationary officer is considered as a lucrative career option and a white-collar job.
• The job offers high career growth and prospects for a bright future in banking.
• A bank probationary officer post is the entry-level position at which a bank officer starts work after posting.
• Typically, a bank PO undergoes a 2-year probation period or training and then gets the post of Assistant Manager on joining a branch.
• The normal prospect of this job is general banking and bank administration.

Responsibilities of a Bank P.O.

• Any kind of bank-related activity; clerical or assistant type of job.
• During the probation period training regarding the practical knowledge in finance, accounting, marketing, billing as well as an investment is given.
• After successful completion of the probation period, posting in any branch is done as an Assistant Bank Manager to handle works on daily customer transactions, viz. passing a cheque, draft issuance, cash management, etc.
• PO has to verify all the work done by the bank clerk and issue ATM cards, checkbooks, Demand Drafts, and take care of the loan-related documents