The State Bank of India (SBI) has started conducting the SBI PO Prelims Exam 2026 on 1 and 2 August 2026 for the recruitment of 1,500 Probationary Officer (PO) posts. The preliminary examination is being held in four shifts each day across various exam centres in India.
The SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 provides candidates with a detailed overview of the exam’s difficulty level, section-wise review, good attempts, and important topics asked in each shift. This analysis is based on real-time feedback from candidates and expert reviews, helping aspirants appearing in upcoming shifts understand the latest exam pattern.
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SBI PO Preliminary Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,500 Posts |
| Exam Dates | 1 & 2 August 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Sections | English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability |
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs |
| Maximum Marks | 100 Marks |
| Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 Marks for Each Wrong Answer |
| Official Website | sbi.co.in |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Shift 1 Review
The first shift of the SBI PO Prelims Exam 2026 was reported to be Moderate in overall difficulty. Most candidates found the English section easy to moderate, while Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning required better time management.
| Section | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25-30 | Easy to Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 15-18 | Moderate |
| Reasoning Ability | 20-22 | Moderate |
| Overall | 68-76 | Moderate |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Shift 1 Important Topics
English Language
• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Error Detection
• Sentence Rearrangement
• Fill in the Blanks
Quantitative Aptitude
• Data Interpretation
• Simplification
• Arithmetic Word Problems
• Number Series
• Quadratic Equations
Reasoning Ability
• Seating Arrangement
• Puzzle
• Syllogism
• Blood Relation
• Coding-Decoding
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Shift 2 Review
According to candidates, Shift 2 was Easy to Moderate overall. The paper followed the sequence of English → Quantitative Aptitude → Reasoning Ability.
| Section | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22-25 | Easy to Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 18-20 | Moderate |
| Reasoning Ability | 18-24 | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | 59-72 | Easy to Moderate |
Candidates attempting around 60 to 70 questions with good accuracy are expected to have a competitive score.
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Shift Wise Difficulty Level
| Shift | Overall Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Shift 1 | Moderate |
| Shift 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| Shift 3 | To Be Updated |
| Shift 4 | To Be Updated |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Shift Wise Expected Good Attempts
| Shift | Expected Good Attempts |
|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 68-76 |
| Shift 2 | 59-72 |
| Shift 3 | To Be Updated |
| Shift 4 | To Be Updated |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Overall Good Attempts
Candidates should focus on maintaining high accuracy because every incorrect answer attracts a penalty.
| Section | Total Questions | Good Attempts | Target Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 22-26 | 90%+ |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 18-22 | 95%+ |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 22-26 | 95%+ |
| Overall | 100 | 58-68 | 90%+ |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Shift Wise Exam Timings
| Shift | Reporting Time | Gate Closing | Exam Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 8:00 AM | 8:30 AM | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | 10:30 AM | 11:00 AM | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | 1:00 PM | 1:30 PM | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM |
| Shift 4 | 3:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Shift Wise Review
| Shift | Review |
|---|---|
| Shift 1 | Moderate paper with lengthy puzzles and Data Interpretation. English section remained scoring. |
| Shift 2 | Easy to Moderate paper. Multi-variable puzzles and arithmetic questions dominated the exam. |
| Shift 3 | Analysis will be updated after the exam concludes. |
| Shift 4 | Analysis will be updated after the exam concludes. |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Memory Based Questions
The official question paper is not released immediately after the examination. Coaching institutes prepare memory-based questions using candidate feedback after each shift.
These memory-based questions help candidates:
• Understand the latest exam trend.
• Identify important topics.
• Estimate their expected score.
• Practice similar questions before the next shift.
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Exam Day Guidelines
Candidates should follow these important instructions on the examination day.
• Carry the printed admit card.
• Bring an original photo identity proof.
• Reach the exam centre at least one hour before reporting time.
• Do not carry mobile phones, calculators, smart watches or electronic devices.
• Complete biometric verification before entering the examination hall.
• Read all instructions carefully before starting the examination.
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Expected Cut Off Factors
The preliminary cut-off will depend on several factors, including:
• Overall difficulty level.
• Number of candidates appearing.
• Total vacancies.
• Normalisation process.
• Candidate performance across all shifts.
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When is the SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 available? | The analysis is released after every exam shift based on candidate feedback. |
| What information does the SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 include? | It includes difficulty level, good attempts, section-wise review, important topics, and expected trends. |
| Is the analysis based on real candidate feedback? | Yes. It is prepared using expert reviews and real-time feedback from candidates. |
| Will memory-based questions be released? | Yes. Coaching institutes usually release memory-based questions after each shift. |
| What are considered good attempts in the SBI PO Prelims Exam 2026? | Around 58 to 68 attempts with high accuracy are considered safe based on current trends. |
SBI PO Exam Analysis 2026 Disclaimer
| Information |
|---|
| This article is based on expert analysis and feedback received from candidates who appeared in the SBI PO Prelims Exam 2026. The official question paper and answer key will be released by the State Bank of India separately. Candidates should refer to the official website for the latest updates. |