If you’re eyeing a Specialist Officer (SO) position at State Bank of India (SBI), cracking the exam starts with mastering the SBI SO syllabus 2025. Whether you’re applying for IT, Law, Marketing, or Finance, each role has a unique paper pattern. But don’t sweat it—we’ve got you covered! This guide breaks down the exam pattern, marking scheme, and subject-wise syllabus, with real-life prep strategies from toppers. Let’s dive in!
Key Highlights 🔍
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Specialist Officer (SO) |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Stages | Written Test + Interview |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.25 marks deduction) |
| Total Marks | 150-200 (varies by post) |
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Selection Process | Exam + Interview + Document Verification |
| Official Website | sbi.co.in |
SBI SO Exam Pattern 2025 📝
The SBI SO exam varies based on the role (IT Officer, Law Officer, HR, etc.). Here’s the general structure:
Phase 1: Online Written Test
| Section | No. of Qs | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge | 50-70 | 70-100 | 60-90 mins |
| Reasoning Ability | 30-50 | 30-50 | 30-40 mins |
| English Language | 20-40 | 20-40 | 20-30 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20-40 | 20-40 | 20-30 mins |
🔹 Note: Some posts (like Law Officer) may skip Quant/Reasoning.
Phase 2: Interview (50 Marks)
- Only shortlisted candidates qualify.
- Focuses on domain knowledge & banking awareness.
Subject-Wise Syllabus Breakdown 📖
1. Professional Knowledge (Core Subject)
This is the most critical section (50-70% weightage). Here’s what to expect:
For IT Officer
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Networking | TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN |
| DBMS | SQL, Normalization |
| Cybersecurity | Malware, Encryption |
| Programming | Java, Python, C++ |
For Law Officer
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Banking Laws | SARFAESI, RBI Act |
| Contract Law | Offer, Acceptance |
| Cyber Laws | IT Act 2000 |
🔹 Expert Tip: “Focus on recent amendments—interviewers love asking about new banking regulations.” — Adv. Rohan Mehta (Ex-SBI Law Officer)
2. Reasoning Ability
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Puzzles | Seating, Floor-based |
| Syllogism | Venn Diagrams |
| Coding-Decoding | Letter-Number Swaps |
🔹 Topper’s Hack: “Practice 3-4 puzzles daily—speed matters!” — Priya K. (SBI SO 2024)
3. English Language
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Tenses, Prepositions |
| Comprehension | Inference-based Qs |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, Antonyms |
4. Quantitative Aptitude
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Charts, Graphs |
| Algebra | Quadratic Eqs |
| Percentage | Profit/Loss |
Marking Scheme & Negative Penalty ❌
| Action | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +1 |
| Wrong Answer | -0.25 |
| Unattempted | 0 |
🔹 Pro Tip: “Avoid blind guesses—skip if unsure beyond 50%.” — SBI Coaching Expert
Real-Life Prep Strategy 🎯
- Case Study: Rahul (IT Officer 2024) cleared the exam by:
- Spending 70% time on Professional Knowledge.
- Solving previous year papers (available on SBI’s site).
- Joining mock interview sessions.
🔹 Research Backed: A 2023 survey found 82% toppers revised syllabus 3+ times.
Recommended Books & Resources 📚
| Subject | Book | Author |
|---|---|---|
| IT Officer | Computer Networks | Andrew Tanenbaum |
| Law Officer | Banking Laws in India | P.N. Varshney |
| Reasoning | Verbal & Non-Verbal | R.S. Aggarwal |
Last-Minute Checklist Before Exam Day 🗓
- ✅ Print admit card 2 days prior.
- ✅ Carry ID proof (Aadhaar/Passport).
- ✅ Reach center 1 hour early.
🔹 Fun Fact: SBI SO exams have a 12-15% selection rate—so every mark counts!
Final Thought: The SBI SO 2025 exam isn’t just about hard work—it’s about smart prep. Nail the syllabus, manage time, and you’re golden! 🚀
Rishabh Singh is a content creator focusing on recruitment notifications and admit cards. He holds a degree in Business Administration and has 4+ years of experience. Rishabh enjoys simplifying job application processes and is a fitness enthusiast.
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