Vocabulary

How difficult is the SBI PO compared to the IBPS PO?

In India, the two hottest exams for bank PO exams are definitely SBI PO and IBPS PO. The combined applications received for them are countless. The number of aspirants who sit in these exams can fill up a small city of India. Such a statistic suggests how popular these two exams are in India.  

Holi SaleHoli Sale

The debates over the two exams are long and can be talked about for hours. Today, we will look at certain markers or characteristics of both exams to see which one is more difficult than the other.  

First, let’s do the analysis for both the exams (Prelims pattern):

                IBPS PO PRELIMS EXAM PATTERN   vs   SBI PO PRELIMS EXAM PATTERN 

Subjects Questions Marks Time Subjects Questions Marks Time
English 30 30 20 min     – English 30 30 20 min
Quant Apt 35 35 20 min Vs SBI PO Prelims Quant Apt 35 35 20 min
Reasoning 35 35 20 min       – Reasoning 35 35 20 min
Total 100 100 1 Hour       – Total 100 100 1 hour

Well, there isn’t any difference between the exam pattern of both SBI PO prelims and IBPS PO prelims. But we can look at other factors for a meaningful comparison. One such factor is the number of applications received for each exam. And the other can be the number of vacancies available.  

Applications received for SBI PO – Nearly 1 million (based on previous year records) 

Applications received or IBPS PO – 8 lakhs (based on previous year records) 

So, not only applications received for SBI PO are higher but the vacancies are nearly half if compared with IBPS PO. The State Bank of India releases nearly 2,000 vacancies each year whereas the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection releases a notification for about 4000+ vacancies.  

In such a scenario, the SBI PO stands to be much more competitive than IBPS PO. The ratio of vacancies available per applicant makes the IBPS PO a winner here.  

Read the article – Why RRB PO is a better job than SBI PO for some aspirants? 

Analysis for Mains Exam Pattern

IBPS PO EXAM PATTERN MAINS                             VS             SBI PO EXAM PATTERN MAINS 

Section Question Mark Time Section Question Mark Time
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 45 60 60 min     – Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 45 60 60 min
General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness 40 40 35 min Vs SBI PO Prelims General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness 40 40 35 min
English Language 35 40 40 min     – English Language 35 40 40 min
Data Analysis & Interpretation 35 60 45 min     – Data Analysis & Interpretation 35 60 45 min
TOTAL 155 200 3 hrs TOTAL 155 200 3 hrs
English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) 2 25 30 min English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) 2 50 30 min

There is no difference in the mains exam pattern for the first four sections. Everything is the same for each section, a number of questions, marks allotted, time allotted, etc. However, there is one big difference between the English language and essay writing sections. Both exams will have two questions that will have to be answered within 30 minutes, but IBPS PO has the maximum marks like 25, and on the other hand, SBI PO has allotted 50 marks. The importance given to the English section in totality is much more in SBI PO if compared with the IBPS PO exam. Your writing skills should be on point if you are considering SBI PO.  

Some other notable exam pattern criteria’s for both the exams:

Interview Rounds – The ratio which SBI maintains for mains marks to the SBI PO interview is 75:25. However, IBPS PO maintains the same at 80:20.  

The IBPS PO has got a sectional cut-off for prelims. However, SBI doesn’t entertain any sectional cut-offs.

One other pattern of SBI is that they have come up with new types of questions year by year.

Conclusion

All such differences mentioned above make SBI PO tougher than the IBPS PO. It wasn’t the exam pattern as such which made SBI PO tougher but the additional factors such as availability of vacancies, number of applications received played a bigger role in the comparison. But so are the benefits of the SBI PO job. A much better exposure and career path. The perks and in-hand salary is any day better at the State Bank of India.  

In order to prepare better for SBI PO take a free mock test by PracticeMock and get a complete analysis done of where you stand among other test-takers. 

You might want to subscribe to our push notifications for such daily valuable articles.     

You can also find daily SBI PO news and updates posted on our official Facebook page as well.    

Still, have some doubts about what we discussed in this blog? Leave your queries in the comment section below. We will surely respond to them.      

Vishwas Agarwal

Recent Posts

Best RBI Grade B Study Material for Freshers

Looking for the best study material for RBI Grade B? Explore top courses and resources…

5 hours ago

SBI Clerk 2025 Practice Quiz for Mains Exam, Attempt 3000+ Important Questions

In this article we are providing the SBI Clerk 2025 Practice Quiz for Mains Exams.…

8 hours ago

Daily Routine Plan for SSC CGL Exam Preparation

In this blog, we have provided the Daily Routine Plan for SSC CGL Exam Preparation.…

8 hours ago

Exim Bank Management Trainee Salary 2025, Check Structure, Job Profile & Allowances

In this article, we have discussed in detail the Exim Bank Management Trainee Salary 2025,along…

10 hours ago

What Sections of the RBI Website Should Be Read for RBI Grade B Exam?

Know the essential sections of the RBI website to boost your preparation for the RBI…

10 hours ago

NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2025, Check Prelims & Mains Section wise Detailed Syllabus

In this article, we've discussed the NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2025 in detail for the…

10 hours ago