Quick answer
SBI PO Prelims has 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes (3 × 20). Sections: English Language (40 questions, 20 min), Quantitative Aptitude (30 questions, 20 min), Reasoning Ability (30 questions, 20 min). 1 mark for each correct answer; a wrong answer costs a quarter of the question's marks, and a blank costs nothing. SBI's notice gives a total of 100 marks for the 100 questions, so each question carries 1 mark.
Section-wise pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time | Time per question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 min | 30 seconds |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 20 min | 40 seconds |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 min | 40 seconds |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes (3 × 20) |
Marking scheme
1 mark for each correct answer; a wrong answer costs a quarter of the question's marks, and a blank costs nothing. SBI's notice gives a total of 100 marks for the 100 questions, so each question carries 1 mark.
On exam day
Each section has its own 20-minute timer and opens in order. You cannot return to a section once its time ends. The English section stays in English; Quant and Reasoning can be switched to Hindi.
Practise on the real SBI PO pattern
2 full mocks with the same sections, timer and marking. The first two are free.
Questions students ask
How many questions are there in SBI PO Prelims?
100 questions for 100 marks, in 60 minutes (3 × 20).
Is there negative marking in SBI PO?
1 mark for each correct answer; a wrong answer costs a quarter of the question's marks, and a blank costs nothing. SBI's notice gives a total of 100 marks for the 100 questions, so each question carries 1 mark.
What is the SBI PO exam interface like?
Each section has its own 20-minute timer and opens in order. You cannot return to a section once its time ends. The English section stays in English; Quant and Reasoning can be switched to Hindi.
What is the SBI PO Prelims exam pattern?
100 questions in one hour, in three separately timed sections of 20 minutes each: English Language (40), Quantitative Aptitude (30) and Reasoning Ability (30), for 100 marks, as per advertisement CRPD/PO/2026-27/09.
Is there negative marking in SBI PO Prelims?
Yes. A quarter of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. There is no penalty for a question left blank.
Is there a sectional cutoff in SBI PO Prelims?
No. SBI's 2026 notice says there is no sectional cut-off in the preliminary exam. About 10 times the vacancies in each category are called for Mains, on aggregate marks.