What are the stages of SBI PO Selection Process 2026?

Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Phase III covering Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview.

Are SBI PO Prelims marks counted in the final selection?

No, Prelims marks are not included in the final merit list. Prelims is purely qualifying in nature.

What is the weightage of Mains and Interview in SBI PO final selection?

Mains carries 75% weightage and Phase III, comprising Group Exercise and Interview, carries 25% weightage in the normalized final score.

What does the SBI PO Psychometric Test evaluate?

It evaluates personality traits and behavioral patterns, with findings shared with the interview panel. There are no separate marks for this component.

What documents are needed for SBI PO document verification?

Interview admit card, proof of date of birth, application form copy, photo ID, educational documents, and category or age relaxation certificates where applicable.

Is the SBI PO result sent by post?

No, SBI PO results are released online only in PDF or merit-list format. No hard copy is sent by post.

What is the difference between the Group Exercise and the Interview in SBI PO?

The Group Exercise, worth 20 marks, assesses teamwork and communication in a group setting, while the Personal Interview, worth 30 marks, evaluates individual communication, banking awareness, and overall suitability.

How is the SBI PO final merit list prepared?

By combining normalized Main Examination and Phase III scores at a 75:25 ratio, then ranking candidates category-wise based on available vacancies.

SBI PO Selection Process 2026: Stages & Rules

The SBI PO Selection Process 2026 consists of three stages: Preliminary Examination (qualifying only), Main Examination (objective + descriptive, merit-counting), and Phase III covering a Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview. Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies in each category are shortlisted from Prelims to Mains, and roughly 3 times the number of vacancies are shortlisted from Mains to the Interview stage. The final merit list is based on normalized Mains and Phase III scores combined at a 75:25 ratio — Prelims marks are not counted at all.

On This Page

1Selection Process Overview
2Stage-by-Stage Breakdown
3Merit Score Weightage
4Step-by-Step Journey
5Documents for Verification
6How to Prepare for Stages
7Frequently Asked Questions

SBI PO Selection Process: 3-Stage Overview

Stage 1

Phase I: Preliminary Exam

Screens candidates for Mains; marks not counted in final merit list calculation.

Qualifying Only

Stage 2

Phase II: Main Exam

Objective + Descriptive modules; establishes the core marks for ranking.

Merit-counting

Stage 3

Phase III: Interview & GE

Group Exercise & Personal Interview; assesses suitability and traits.

Merit-counting

For detailed section-wise marks, duration, and marking schemes at each stage:Check Exam Pattern

Stage-by-Stage: What Happens and Why

Phase I: Preliminary Examination

Qualifying Only

The first screening round. Tests English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.

Shortlist Ratio: Roughly 10 times the category vacancies move to Mains.

Final Weight: Carries zero marks in the final merit list compilation.

Phase II: Main Examination

Merit-Counting (250 Marks)

The primary stage that builds your merit ranking. Combines an objective test with a descriptive test.

Components: 4 Objective Sections (200 Marks) + 2 Descriptive Questions (30 Marks).

Shortlist Ratio: Roughly 3 times the category vacancies move to Phase III.

Phase III: Personality Assessment

Merit-Counting (50 Marks)

Evaluates personality traits, group dynamics, communication skills, and overall banking suitability.

Psychometric TestPersonality profiling shared directly with the interview panel. (No separate marks)

Group Exercise (20 M)Assesses communication, consensus building, and teamwork in a group setting.

Interview (30 M)Assessments of banking awareness, suitability, logic, and self-expression.

Review what tasks and syllabus topics are assessed during Phase III:Check Interview Syllabus

SBI PO Final Selection: Merit Weightage

Phase II Score

Main Examination

Written objective + descriptive marks (230 marks total) normalized down to a 75 weight block.

75% Normalized Weightage

Phase III Score

Group Exercise & Interview

Interview (30) + Group Exercise (20) marks (50 marks total) normalized down to a 25 weight block.

25% Normalized Weightage

Mains Weight (75%)Interview Weight (25%)

Key Weightage Rules

Prelims marks are excluded entirely from the final merit list.

The final merit list ranks candidates by their combined normalized score, category-wise.

Selection is offered to top-ranked candidates within each category, based on available vacancies.

Check historical cutoff limits to set your target score parameters:Check Cut Off Trends

SBI PO Selection Method: Step-by-Step Journey

Online Application

Submit the online application form with the fee (₹750 for General/EWS/OBC; nil for SC/ST/PwBD).

Admit Card Release

Download 1-2 weeks before the exam using Registration Number and Password/DOB.

Preliminary Exam

Appear for the qualifying objective exam round.

Prelims Result

Check category-wise merit list; ~10x category vacancies are shortlisted for Mains.

Mains Admit Card & Exam

Download admit card and sit for the objective + descriptive Main exam.

Mains Result

Check score; qualified candidates (~3x vacancies) are shortlisted for Phase III.

Phase III Assessments

Appear for the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Personal Interview.

Document Verification

Shortlisted candidates verify original certificates at designated SBI centers.

Final Result

Final merit list published category-wise, based on normalized Mains + Phase III scores.

Result Delivery ClauseResults are released online in PDF/merit-list format only — no hard copy is sent by post at any stage.

Documents Required for SBI PO Document Verification

This checklist is for the document verification stage held alongside the Phase III Interview (not the exam hall itself):

Identity & Registrations

Printed Interview Admit Card
Proof of Date of Birth (Class 10 cert)
Online application form copy
Photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.)

Academics & Experience

Graduation marksheets
Degree / Provisional Certificate
Experience certificate, if applicable

Category & Exemptions

Caste certificate (OBC/SC/ST format)
PwBD Medical Board certificate
Discharge book & rank proof (Ex-Servicemen)
Nationality/Age relaxation proof

Tip: Carry the original plus self-attested photocopies of every document, ideally arranged inside a waterproof folder.

Review what documents you need to carry to the exam center on exam day:Check Admit Card Info

How to Prepare for Each Selection Stage

Focus Round 1

Phase I: Prelims Prep

Speed & Accuracy

Build speed and accuracy across English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning.

Focus Round 2

Phase II: Mains Prep

Analytical & Writing

Add Banking Awareness, Computer Aptitude, and Descriptive writing practice.

Focus Round 3

Phase III: Interview Prep

Personality & Knowledge

Focus on communication skills, general current affairs, and banking core knowledge.

Get access to a detailed, week-by-week study timeline:Get Week-by-Week Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

PrepBanker Editorial & Verification Standards

Written By

Yashraj Deshmukh

Senior Content Manager – Banking Exams, PrepBanker

Cleared IBPS PO (2021) • 7+ Years Experience • Verified 500+ mock papers

Yashraj Deshmukh has been writing and reviewing banking exam content for 7 years. He cleared IBPS PO in 2021, has a background in banking awareness content for 5+ years, and has reviewed 500+ mock test papers for accuracy against the latest SBI pattern. At PrepBanker, Yashraj tracks every SBI and IBPS notification the day it's released and personally verifies vacancy, salary, and exam-date updates against the official SBI/IBPS PDFs before they go live on this page.

Reviewed By

Divya Bhosale

Subject Matter Expert, Quantitative Aptitude, PrepBanker

IDBI Junior Assistant Manager • Bank of Maharashtra Customer Service Associate via IBPS PO

Divya Bhosale has been reviewing quantitative aptitude and banking exam material for PrepBanker. She has cleared the IDBI Junior Assistant Manager exam and served as a Customer Service Associate at the Bank of Maharashtra via IBPS PO, bringing invaluable real-world exam expertise to PrepBanker.

Last updated: July 10, 2026

Next scheduled review: August 2026 (admit card release)