SBI SO Exam Pattern 2025: Online Test Pattern, Marking Scheme

Thinking about cracking the SBI SO 2025 exam? You’re not alone! Every year, thousands of banking aspirants aim for Specialist Officer (SO) roles in India’s largest bank—State Bank of India (SBI). But here’s the catch: understanding the exam pattern is half the battle won.

The SBI SO 2025 selection process includes an online written test (70% weightage) and an interview (30%). The exam tests General Aptitude (Reasoning, Quant, English) and Professional Knowledge (varies by role). Some posts skip the written test and rely on shortlisting + interview.

This guide breaks down the latest SBI SO exam pattern, marking scheme, and expert tips to help you ace the test.


Key Highlights of SBI SO 2025 Exam 📌

Key PointDetails
Organization NameState Bank of India (SBI)
Exam NameSBI Specialist Officer (SO) Exam
Selection ProcessOnline Test (70%) + Interview (30%)
Total Questions110 (Paper 1: 50, Paper 2: 60)
Total Marks150 (Paper 1: 50, Paper 2: 100)
Exam Duration120 minutes (45 min + 75 min)
Negative MarkingNo penalty for wrong answers
Qualifying SectionsGeneral Aptitude (Paper 1)
Merit-Based SectionProfessional Knowledge (Paper 2)
Official Websitewww.sbi.co.in

SBI SO Exam Pattern 2025: Detailed Breakdown

1. Two-Paper Structure 📝

The SBI SO exam is divided into two papers:

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PaperSectionsQuestionsMarksDuration
Paper 1 (General Aptitude)Reasoning151545 mins
Quantitative Aptitude1515
English Language2020
Paper 2 (Professional Knowledge)IT/Finance/Law (Role-based)6010075 mins

🔹 Paper 1 is qualifying (must clear cutoff).
🔹 Paper 2 decides final ranking.

2. Section-Wise Syllabus 📚

A) General Aptitude (Paper 1)

SectionKey Topics
ReasoningCoding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Puzzles, Syllogism
Quantitative AptitudeProfit & Loss, Time & Work, Data Interpretation
EnglishReading Comprehension, Grammar, Error Spotting

B) Professional Knowledge (Paper 2)

This varies by role. Here’s a quick look:

PostKey Topics
IT OfficerDBMS, Networking, Cybersecurity, Java/C++
Law OfficerBanking Laws, Negotiable Instruments Act
Finance OfficerAccounting Standards, Taxation, Auditing

Marking Scheme & Cutoff Trends 📊

1. How is the Exam Scored?

  • No negative marking (great news!).
  • 70% weightage for the online test, 30% for interview.
  • Normalization is used for final merit lists.

2. Previous Year Cutoffs (Approx.)

CategoryGeneral Aptitude (Qualifying)Professional Knowledge (Merit)
General40-45/10055-60/100
OBC/SC/ST35-40/10050-55/100

💡 Pro Tip: Focus on Professional Knowledge—it’s the game-changer!


Expert Tips to Crack SBI SO 2025 🎯

  1. Master Your Domain80% of your prep should be on Professional Knowledge.
  2. Speed & Accuracy – Since there’s no negative marking, attempt all questions.
  3. Mock Tests – Take at least 10-15 full-length mocks before the exam.
  4. Interview Prep – If you clear the written test, banking awareness & role-based knowledge matter in interviews.

Final Thoughts

The SBI SO 2025 exam is a golden opportunity for specialists in IT, Law, Finance, and more. With no negative marking and a strong focus on domain knowledge, a structured approach can land you the job.

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🚀 Start preparing now—your SBI career awaits!

(Need a detailed syllabus? Check the official SBI website here.)

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