SBI CBO Exam Pattern : Marks, Sections and Merit Formula

The SBI CBO exam pattern has four stages: an online test of 170 marks, screening of your experience, an interview of 50 marks, and a local language proficiency test for provisionally selected candidates. The online test combines an objective paper of 120 marks with a typed descriptive paper of 50 marks.

This page explains the pattern used in the 2026 cycle (Advertisement No. CRPD/CBO/2025-26/18, dated 29 January 2026). The earlier CBO round of the same financial year (Advertisement No. CRPD/CBO/2025-26/03, dated 9 May 2025) used the same online test structure. Most importantly, the pattern has no negative marking and no reasoning or quantitative section, which changes how you should use your time.

Table of Contents

SBI CBO Exam Pattern at a Glance

Online Test Pattern

The online test is conducted on a computer. The objective paper has four sections, each with its own number of questions and time.

Every objective question carries one mark. Each section allows about one minute per question, so there is no extra time for lengthy calculations or long passages that run over. The syllabus for each test is on the SBI CBO syllabus page.

What each objective section tests

• English Language: Reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary questions at graduate level.

• Banking Knowledge: Banking concepts, regulation, operations and current developments. This is the largest section.

• General Awareness and Economy: Current affairs, the economy and finance-related static knowledge.

• Computer Aptitude: Computer fundamentals, software, networks and security.

Descriptive Test Pattern

The descriptive test is a test of English with two questions, letter writing and essay, for a total of 50 marks. It is held on the computer immediately after the objective test, and you type your answers. The duration is 30 minutes.

The advertisement does not state how the 50 marks are split between the two questions, or what the word limits are. Plan for two answers of equal effort and keep each to the point. Because the paper is typed, spelling checks and keyboard speed matter more than handwriting.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Objective test: One mark per correct answer. There is no penalty for wrong answers.

• Sectional marks: The Bank does not maintain sectional marks, so there is no sectional cut-off.

• Aggregate minimum: The Bank sets a minimum qualifying mark on the aggregate of the online test.

• Interview: Candidates must score the minimum qualifying marks decided by the Bank.

Since wrong answers are not penalised, never leave an objective question blank. If you are unsure, eliminate what you can and mark your best guess.

What the Pattern Means for You

• Attempt everything: With no negative marking, a guess can only help you. Practise quick elimination rather than skipping.

• Banking Knowledge is one-third of the objective test: 40 of the 120 marks come from the subject you work in. Strong preparation here gives the biggest return.

• No sectional cut-off means you can balance strengths: A weak computer section can be covered by a strong banking section, as long as the total clears the Bank's minimum and the Circle-wise merit line.

• English decides almost half the online marks: The English objective section and the descriptive test together carry 80 of 170 marks.

• Time per question is tight: One minute per question leaves little room for slow reading, so timed practice is essential.

You can practise the exact timing with SBI CBO online tests on Testkart, where each section can be attempted under a clock and reviewed afterwards with section-wise analysis.

Practice Targets for Mock Tests

SBI does not publish sectional benchmarks, so use these as starting targets for your own mock practice. Adjust them once you see how your scores compare across several tests.

After each mock, sort your wrong answers into three groups: concept not known, careless mistake, and ran out of time. Each group needs a different fix, and the pattern of your errors tells you which section deserves the next study block.

Pattern Changes Between the 2025-26 Rounds

SBI conducted two CBO rounds in the financial year 2025-26. The online test structure stayed the same, but vacancies and cut-off dates for age and experience changed. Check which round a page or video talks about before you trust its figures.

For a future notification, expect the pattern to stay close to this, but confirm the details in the new advertisement before you assume anything.

Screening Stage

After the online test, a Screening Committee checks your application against the advertisement. It looks at your experience and at whether your employer-certified job profile substantially matches that of a Scale-I Generalist Officer in SBI. Applications that do not match are rejected.

Merit is then drawn Circle-wise and category-wise on the online test aggregate. About three times the vacancies in each Circle and category are called for interview, subject to availability of qualified candidates. Qualifying the online test does not give any right to an interview call.

Interview Pattern

The interview carries 50 marks. The Bank decides the minimum qualifying marks, and you must clear them to be considered for final selection. You carry original documents and copies, including eligibility and date-of-birth proof, category certificates where applicable, and a no-objection certificate from your employer if you serve in a Government body, public sector undertaking, nationalised bank or Regional Rural Bank.

Prepare to discuss your current role, your reasons for choosing the Circle, banking developments and your ability to work in the local language.

Final Merit Calculation

SBI prepares the final merit list from normalised marks of the online test and the interview. Online test marks out of 170 are converted to 75. Interview marks out of 50 are converted to 25. The sum is out of 100, and the merit list is Circle-wise and category-wise.

The table below shows three illustrative score combinations. These are examples to show the method, not predicted scores or cut-offs.

Two points follow from the formula. One online mark is worth about 0.44 marks in the final score, while one interview mark is worth 0.5. The online test still carries three-fourths of the weight, so it is the stage where most of the ranking is decided. The interview can improve your position only if your online score is high enough to get you the interview call in the first place.

Local Language Proficiency Test

Provisionally selected candidates take a local language proficiency test before joining. You must be able to read, write and understand one specified language of your Circle. Candidates whose Class 10 or Class 12 certificate shows that they studied the language are exempt. Failing the test means no appointment, so it is not a formality for candidates who have not studied the language.

Time Management in the Online Test

The advertisement gives a separate duration for each section, so follow the on-screen instructions and your call letter about moving between sections. These suggestions are a starting plan for practice, not an official rule.

Exam-day tips

• Carry the right ID: One photo ID, original and self-attested photocopy, goes with your call letter.

• Practise typing: Regular typed practice for the descriptive test avoids losing marks to slow typing.

• Read the Acquaint Yourself booklet: SBI makes this booklet available with the call letter, and it shows how the online test interface works.

• Stay calm after the objective test: The descriptive test begins right after it, so do not carry stress over from one section to the next.

Older Pages and Official Source

Older pages may still show negative marking, a different vacancy count or the earlier round's dates. Follow the official advertisement and corrigendum for the cycle you are applying to, and read any new CBO notification fully before you register. The official SBI careers page is: https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings