SBI CBO Exam Pattern 2025: The State Bank of India (SBI) conducts the Circle Based Officer (CBO) exam for experienced banking professionals every year. If you’re preparing for SBI CBO 2025, understanding the exam pattern is your first step toward success. This blog post will walk you through the latest SBI CBO exam pattern 2025, including the objective test, descriptive test, and interview process in detail.
The SBI CBO selection process includes:
✅ Online Written Test (Objective + Descriptive)
✅ Screening of Applications
✅ Personal Interview
✅ Local Language Test (if applicable by the Circle)
Let’s break down each stage.
This is the first phase of the SBI CBO 2025 written exam. It is conducted online and consists of 4 sections.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | – |
| Banking Knowledge | 40 | 40 | – |
| General Awareness/Economy | 30 | 30 | – |
| Computer Aptitude | 20 | 20 | – |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 2 Hours |
✔️ Key Points:
Total Time: 120 minutes (2 hours)
No negative marking
Sectional timing may or may not be disclosed in the notification
This is conducted right after the objective paper. You must type answers on the computer.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 1 | 25 | |
| Letter Writing | 1 | 25 | |
| Total | 2 | 50 | 30 minutes |
✔️ Key Points:
You must write one formal letter and one essay (~250 words)
Topics are usually related to banking, economy, or social issues
Shortlisted candidates from the written test will be called for a Personal Interview, which carries 50 marks.
There is no group discussion (GD)
You will be assessed on:
Banking knowledge
Leadership & communication skills
Experience in handling operations
Understanding of regulatory environment
✔️ Minimum qualifying marks are decided by SBI and may vary for different categories.
Candidates who have not studied the local language of the Circle in 10th or 12th must pass a language proficiency test.
It is qualifying in nature and mandatory for final selection.
The final merit list is prepared based on:
Online Written Test (170 marks) + Interview (50 marks)
Candidates must qualify in both stages separately to be considered for selection.
| Stage | Mode | Marks | Qualifying? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective Test | Online | 120 | Yes |
| Descriptive Test | Online | 50 | Yes |
| Interview | In-person/Online | 50 | Yes |
| Language Test | Offline | – | Qualifying |
📘 Focus on Banking & Financial Awareness
📰 Read daily newspapers for Essay & GA
⌨️ Practice typing for the Descriptive Test
🧾 Go through previous year papers & sample questions
🎤 Prepare for Interview with scenario-based Q&As
Want to keep the pattern handy?
👉 Download SBI CBO Exam Pattern PDF
Q1. Is there negative marking in SBI CBO 2025?
No, there is no negative marking.
Q2. Is the descriptive paper typed or handwritten?
Typed on the computer immediately after the objective test.
Q3. How is the final selection done?
Based on performance in the Online Test + Interview.
Q4. What is the total time duration of the exam?
2 hours for Objective + 30 minutes for Descriptive.
Q5. What is the medium of the exam?
The paper is conducted in English only.
📝 SBI CBO Syllabus 2025: Detailed Section-Wise Pattern & Topics
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