The State Bank of India (SBI) successfully conducted the SBI PO 2025 Prelims Exam on August 4 and 5, across multiple exam centers.

SBI PO Prelims 2025 Exam Review: Difficulty Level, Sectional Analysis & Expected Good Attempts
Thousands of aspirants appeared for this crucial phase of the recruitment process. This article offers a shift-wise review of the paper's difficulty level, section-wise weightage, and safe attempt range to clear prelims.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 - Overview:
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Type: Objective MCQs
Negative Marking: 0.25 for each incorrect answer
No sectional cutoff, only overall qualifying score
Language: English/Hindi (except English section)
Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate to Tough
This year's prelims maintained a moderate-to-difficult standard across all shifts. While English was rated easiest, Quantitative Aptitude was tricky and time-consuming, making it the most difficult section for many candidates.
Section-Wise Breakdown & Key Questions
1. English Language (Easy to Moderate)
Topics Covered:
- Reading Comprehension
- Para Jumbles
- Error Detection
- Fill in the Blanks
- Cloze Test
RCs were story-based and direct, but vocabulary questions added complexity.
2. Quantitative Aptitude (Moderate to Difficult)
Topics Covered:
- Data Interpretation (Tabular, Pie Chart)
- Number Series (Missing/Wrong)
- Simplification/Approximation
- Arithmetic Word Problems (Profit-Loss, SI-CI, Time & Work)
DI questions required logical calculation and were time-intensive. Many skipped 1-2 questions here.
Reasoning Ability (Moderate)
Topics Covered:
- Puzzle & Seating Arrangements (Box, Linear, Circular)
- Syllogism
- Direction Sense
- Blood Relations
- Inequality
Some puzzles were lengthy with tricky setups, especially in shift 2.
Expected Good Attempts (with 90% accuracy)
| Section | Good Attempts |
| English Language | 23 - 26 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 18 - 22 |
| Reasoning Ability | 22 - 26 |
| Total | 60 - 66 |
Candidates attempting between 60-65 questions with high accuracy are likely to cross the expected cutoff for SBI PO Prelims 2025.
Student Feedback Snapshot
"Puzzles in Reasoning were time-consuming; I left one."
"Quant section had unexpected DI sets. I spent more time there than planned."
"English was manageable-RCs were easy, but error spotting was tricky."
What's Next?
Prelims Result: Expected by mid-August 2025
Mains Exam: Likely in September 2025
Mains Admit Card: To be released around 10-12 days before the exam date
Mains Pattern: Includes Descriptive Paper + Objective Sections (GA, Data Analysis, Reasoning, English)
Pro Tips for Mains Prep
- Start revising banking awareness and current affairs
- Practice advanced-level puzzles and DI sets
- Improve typing speed for the Descriptive English section
- Review RBI & SBI updates for current affairs
Note:
The SBI PO 2025 Prelims Exam set a balanced yet competitive tone. Most serious candidates should focus on accuracy and time-bound problem solving to maximize performance. A score above 60+ can be considered safe, but final cutoffs will depend on shift difficulty and number of vacancies.


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