SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2026: 12 Sept Review
The SBI PO Mains Exam 2026 takes place on 12 September 2026. Candidates can check the SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2026 here to know the difficulty level, good attempts, section-wise review, GA questions and descriptive topics.
The exam runs from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Moreover, this page covers the latest exam pattern and section-wise details. We will include difficulty levels and memory-based questions only after reliable candidate feedback becomes available.
Latest Update: SBI is conducting the PO Mains exam on 12 September 2026. Detailed good attempts, difficulty levels and memory-based questions will depend on candidate feedback.
SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2026 Overview
First, candidates should check the key details of the exam.
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | SBI PO Mains Exam 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | State Bank of India |
| Exam Date | 12 September 2026 |
| Exam Timing | 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Objective Questions | 170 |
| Objective Marks | 200 |
| Objective Test Duration | 3 Hours |
| Descriptive Questions | 3 |
| Descriptive Marks | 30 |
| Descriptive Test Duration | 30 Minutes |
| Total Mains Marks | 230 |
| Overall Difficulty Level | To be Updated |
| Overall Good Attempts | To be Updated |
| Analysis Basis | Candidate Feedback and Memory-Based Review |
The SBI PO Mains exam has 170 objective questions for 200 marks. In addition, candidates have to complete a 30-mark Descriptive Test with three questions.
SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 12 September 2026
The SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2026 helps candidates review their performance.
The objective test has four sections:
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- General Awareness/Economy/Banking Knowledge
- English Language
After that, candidates take the Descriptive Test of Communication Skills.
However, candidates should not judge the paper from one review alone. Instead, a reliable exam analysis should consider feedback from several candidates.
Therefore, the final review will focus on:
- Overall difficulty
- Section-wise difficulty
- Good attempts
- Lengthy questions
- Easy questions
- Memory-based questions
- GA questions
- Descriptive topics
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026
Next, candidates should understand the exam pattern.
The objective test contains 170 questions for 200 marks. Moreover, SBI gives a separate time limit for every section.
| Section | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 Minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| General Awareness/Economy/Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 Minutes |
| Objective Total | 170 | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Descriptive Test | 3 | 30 | 30 Minutes |
| Total Marks | — | 230 | 3 Hours 30 Minutes |
Therefore, candidates need both speed and accuracy to perform well.
SBI PO Mains Difficulty Level 2026
The SBI PO Mains Difficulty Level 2026 can help candidates compare their performance with the overall paper level.
However, every candidate may have a different experience. For example, one candidate may find Reasoning difficult, while another may struggle with Data Interpretation.
Therefore, we should use feedback from several candidates before giving a final difficulty level.
| Section | Difficulty Level |
|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | To be Updated |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | To be Updated |
| General Awareness/Economy/Banking Knowledge | To be Updated |
| English Language | To be Updated |
| Descriptive Test | To be Updated |
| Overall | To be Updated |
What Affects the SBI PO Mains Difficulty Level?
Several factors can affect the overall exam level.
For example:
- Complex reasoning puzzles can increase the difficulty.
- Lengthy DI sets can consume more time.
- Difficult Reading Comprehension passages can slow candidates down.
- Current affairs questions can test memory deeply.
- New question formats can surprise candidates.
- Tough descriptive topics can also affect performance.
Therefore, candidates should consider both difficulty and time before comparing their attempts.
SBI PO Mains Good Attempts 2026
The SBI PO Mains Good Attempts 2026 help candidates understand a safe range of attempts.
However, good attempts do not mean cut-off marks.
Instead, good attempts show how many questions a candidate may attempt with strong accuracy.
| Section | Total Questions | Good Attempts |
|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | To be Updated |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | To be Updated |
| General Awareness/Economy/Banking Knowledge | 60 | To be Updated |
| English Language | 40 | To be Updated |
| Overall | 170 | To be Updated |
How Do We Estimate Good Attempts?
Several factors help in estimating good attempts.
These include:
- Exam difficulty
- Section-wise difficulty
- Candidate accuracy
- Negative marking
- Number of lengthy questions
- Time management
- Question selection
- Candidate feedback
Therefore, candidates should focus on accuracy rather than only counting attempts.
For example, 80 accurate attempts may produce a better score than 100 attempts with many wrong answers.
SBI PO Mains Section-Wise Analysis 2026
Now, let us look at each section separately.
A section-wise review helps candidates understand which part of the paper was easier or more difficult.
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Analysis
The Reasoning & Computer Aptitude section has 40 questions for 60 marks.
Candidates get 50 minutes to solve this section.
| ParticularDetails | |
|---|
| Questions | 40 |
| Marks | 60 |
| Time | 50 Minutes |
| Difficulty Level | To be Updated |
| Good Attempts | To be Updated |
This section may test areas such as:
- Puzzles
- Seating arrangements
- Logical reasoning
- Data sufficiency
- Input-output
- Coding questions
- Computer aptitude
However, we will add the exact questions only after candidates confirm them.
Data Analysis & Interpretation Analysis
The Data Analysis & Interpretation section has 30 questions for 60 marks.
Candidates get 45 minutes for this section.
| ParticularDetails | |
|---|
| Questions | 30 |
| Marks | 60 |
| Time | 45 Minutes |
| Difficulty Level | To be Updated |
| Good Attempts | To be Updated |
This section may include:
- Data Interpretation
- Caselet DI
- Table DI
- Bar graph
- Line graph
- Pie chart
- Arithmetic questions
- Data sufficiency
Moreover, the calculation level can affect the overall difficulty.
Therefore, we will add the exact DI sets after receiving reliable feedback.
General Awareness, Economy and Banking Analysis
The General Awareness/Economy/Banking Knowledge section has 60 questions for 60 marks.
Candidates get 45 minutes for this section.
| ParticularDetails | |
|---|
| Questions | 60 |
| Marks | 60 |
| Time | 45 Minutes |
| Difficulty Level | To be Updated |
| Good Attempts | To be Updated |
This section may cover:
- Banking awareness
- Current affairs
- Indian economy
- Financial awareness
- Government schemes
- RBI updates
- National affairs
- International affairs
In addition, recent banking and financial developments may play an important role.
English Language Analysis
The English Language section contains 40 questions for 20 marks.
Candidates get 40 minutes for this section.
| ParticularDetails | |
|---|
| Questions | 40 |
| Marks | 20 |
| Time | 40 Minutes |
| Difficulty Level | To be Updated |
| Good Attempts | To be Updated |
The section may include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Para jumbles
- Fillers
- Error detection
- Sentence correction
- Connectors
- Phrase replacement
However, the exact topic distribution will depend on candidate feedback.
SBI PO Mains GA Questions Asked 2026
The SBI PO Mains GA Questions Asked 2026 are important for candidates who want to analyse the paper.
However, the complete verified list of questions is not available yet.
Therefore, we will add only reliable memory-based questions.
| GA CategoryQuestions Asked | |
|---|
| Banking Awareness | To be Updated |
| Current Affairs | To be Updated |
| Economy | To be Updated |
| Financial Awareness | To be Updated |
| Government Schemes | To be Updated |
| RBI Updates | To be Updated |
| National Affairs | To be Updated |
| International Affairs | To be Updated |
Meanwhile, candidates should avoid trusting every question list shared on social media.
Some memory-based questions may contain incomplete wording or wrong answers.
Therefore, candidates should cross-check important questions before using them for exam analysis.
SBI PO Mains Reasoning Questions Asked 2026
The exact Reasoning questions asked in SBI PO Mains 2026 will depend on candidate feedback.
Once we verify them, this section can include:
- Puzzle type
- Seating arrangement
- Logical reasoning
- Data sufficiency
- Input-output
- Coding questions
- Miscellaneous reasoning questions
Moreover, a topic-wise breakdown can help future candidates understand the latest SBI PO question trend.
SBI PO Mains Data Interpretation Questions Asked
Similarly, the detailed Data Interpretation questions will be added after verification.
The final review can include:
- Type of DI
- Number of questions
- Calculation level
- Arithmetic questions
- Lengthy DI sets
- Easy DI sets
- Overall difficulty
Therefore, candidates should check this section again after the detailed exam review becomes available.
SBI PO Mains English Questions Asked 2026
The English section analysis will also include the exact topics once candidates confirm them.
For example, the section may include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary questions
- Sentence arrangement
- Grammar questions
- Fillers
- Connectors
- Error detection
- New-pattern questions
However, we will avoid adding unverified topics.
SBI PO Mains Descriptive Test 2026
After the objective test, candidates have to complete the SBI PO Mains Descriptive Test.
The test has 3 questions for 30 marks.
Candidates get 30 minutes to complete it.
The descriptive test checks written communication skills.
It includes:
- Email Writing
- Situation Analysis
- Report Writing or Precis Writing
Therefore, candidates need clear ideas, simple language and proper structure.
SBI PO Mains Descriptive Topics Asked 2026
| Descriptive TaskTopic Asked | |
|---|
| Email Writing | To be Updated |
| Situation Analysis | To be Updated |
| Report Writing/Precis Writing | To be Updated |
We will add the exact topics after reliable candidate feedback becomes available.
SBI PO Mains Negative Marking 2026
SBI applies negative marking in the objective test.
For every wrong answer, SBI deducts one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question.
However, SBI does not deduct marks for unanswered questions.
Therefore, candidates should avoid random guessing.
Instead, they should attempt questions only when they can solve them with reasonable confidence.
How to Calculate SBI PO Mains Score
Candidates can estimate their objective score with a simple formula:
Estimated Score = Marks from Correct Answers − Negative Marks
First, calculate the marks from correct answers.
Next, calculate the penalty for wrong answers.
Finally, subtract the negative marks from the marks gained through correct responses.
Example
Suppose a candidate gets 90 marks from correct answers.
Also, suppose wrong answers lead to a total penalty of 5 marks.
Therefore:
Estimated Score = 90 − 5 = 85 Marks
However, this calculation only gives an estimate.
SBI will declare the official score later.
SBI PO Mains Sectional Cut-Off 2026
Candidates should also focus on sectional performance.
SBI may set minimum qualifying marks for different parts of the Mains examination.
Therefore, candidates should not depend only on a strong overall score.
They should perform well in:
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- General Awareness/Economy/Banking Knowledge
- English Language
- Descriptive Test
Moreover, SBI will decide the qualifying marks according to its recruitment rules.
SBI PO Mains Good Attempts vs Cut-Off
Many candidates confuse good attempts with cut-off marks.
However, both terms have different meanings.
Good Attempts: An estimated number of questions that candidates may attempt with good accuracy.
Cut-Off: The minimum score needed to move ahead in the recruitment process.
Therefore, reaching the estimated good-attempt range does not guarantee selection.
The final outcome can depend on:
- Accuracy
- Negative marking
- Sectional performance
- Overall marks
- Category
- Competition
- Number of vacancies
What Happens After SBI PO Mains 2026?
Candidates who qualify in Mains move to Phase III.
This stage includes:
- Psychometric Test
- Group Exercise
- Personal Interview
Therefore, candidates should start preparing for the next stage soon after the Mains exam.
In addition, strong communication skills can help candidates perform better in the Group Exercise and Interview.
SBI PO Mains 2026 Key Points
Here are the main points candidates should remember:
- SBI PO Mains takes place on 12 September 2026.
- The objective paper has 170 questions.
- The objective test carries 200 marks.
- Candidates get 3 hours for the objective test.
- The Descriptive Test has 3 questions.
- The Descriptive Test carries 30 marks.
- Candidates get 30 minutes for the descriptive section.
- The total Mains examination carries 230 marks.
- Each objective section has a separate time limit.
- SBI applies negative marking to wrong objective answers.
- SBI does not deduct marks for unanswered questions.
- Good attempts depend on both difficulty and accuracy.
- Detailed memory-based questions will need candidate verification.
SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2026 FAQs
When is the SBI PO Mains Exam 2026?
The SBI PO Mains Exam takes place on 12 September 2026.
What is the SBI PO Mains exam timing?
The exam runs from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
How many questions are there in SBI PO Mains 2026?
The objective exam has 170 questions across four sections.
How many marks does SBI PO Mains carry?
The objective test carries 200 marks. In addition, the Descriptive Test carries 30 marks.
Therefore, Phase II carries 230 marks in total.
How long is the SBI PO Mains exam?
Candidates get 3 hours for the objective test.
After that, they get 30 minutes for the Descriptive Test.
Which sections are included in SBI PO Mains?
The objective test includes:
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- General Awareness/Economy/Banking Knowledge
- English Language
In addition, candidates take a Descriptive Test.
What is the SBI PO Mains difficulty level 2026?
The final difficulty level will depend on verified candidate feedback.
Therefore, candidates should wait for the complete section-wise review.
What are the SBI PO Mains good attempts 2026?
The final good-attempt range is not available yet.
However, good attempts will depend on the paper level, accuracy and candidate feedback.
Is there negative marking in SBI PO Mains?
Yes. SBI deducts one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong objective answer.
However, unanswered questions do not attract a penalty.
How many Reasoning questions are there?
The Reasoning & Computer Aptitude section has 40 questions for 60 marks.
Candidates get 50 minutes for this section.
How many DI questions are there?
The Data Analysis & Interpretation section has 30 questions for 60 marks.
Candidates get 45 minutes.
How many GA questions are there?
The General Awareness/Economy/Banking Knowledge section has 60 questions for 60 marks.
How many English questions are there?
The English Language section has 40 questions for 20 marks.
What is the SBI PO Mains Descriptive Test pattern?
The Descriptive Test has 3 questions for 30 marks.
Candidates get 30 minutes to complete the test.
What happens after SBI PO Mains?
Candidates who qualify in Mains move to Phase III.
This stage includes the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Personal Interview.
Conclusion
The SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2026 for 12 September helps candidates understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, good attempts and section-wise performance.
The objective test has 170 questions for 200 marks. In addition, candidates take a 30-mark Descriptive Test.
However, candidates should rely only on verified information while checking good attempts and memory-based questions.
Therefore, we will add the final difficulty level, GA questions, Reasoning questions, DI sets, English topics and descriptive topics after reliable candidate feedback becomes available.
Finally, candidates should focus on accuracy instead of only comparing the number of attempts.
Bookmark this page for the latest SBI PO Mains Exam Analysis 2026, good attempts, questions asked and result updates.