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

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.
| 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)
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.
1. English Language (Easy to Moderate)
Topics Covered:
RCs were story-based and direct, but vocabulary questions added complexity.
2. Quantitative Aptitude (Moderate to Difficult)
Topics Covered:
DI questions required logical calculation and were time-intensive. Many skipped 1-2 questions here.
Reasoning Ability (Moderate)
Topics Covered:
Some puzzles were lengthy with tricky setups, especially in shift 2.
| 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.
"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."
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)
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.