How SBI SO selection works
Both advertisements follow the same broad route. You need the minimum qualifying marks in the general aptitude tests and a score at or above the Bank’s cut-off to be called for interview. The final merit list then combines your written-test and interview marks, after normalisation, in a 70:30 ratio. What differs is the written test itself, and BMO’s extra language test.
Stage-by-stage flow
- Online written testHeld on 23 August 2026 for both posts. The general aptitude tests only need the minimum qualifying marks set by the Bank. Professional Knowledge (plus the descriptive test for Law) counts for merit.
- Shortlisting for interviewCandidates who score at or above the Bank’s cut-off and the minimum marks in the other papers are ranked in each category. If candidates tie at the cut-off, the older one ranks higher.
- InterviewAn adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by the Bank, are called. The interview carries 100 marks, and original documents are checked.
- Final merit & provisional selectionWritten-test and interview marks are combined 70:30 after normalisation. BMO merit is drawn circle-wise and category-wise.
- Language test & joining formalitiesBMO candidates take the Local Language Proficiency Test unless exempt. Every offer depends on medical fitness and checks on eligibility, certificates, references and antecedents.
Law — written test
For Assistant Manager (Law) and Deputy Manager (Law). The objective test has 110 questions in 90 minutes, in two separately timed parts. General Aptitude has Reasoning (25 questions, 25 marks) and English Language (35 questions, 35 marks) in 45 minutes. Both are qualifying only. Professional Knowledge has 50 questions for 50 marks in 45 minutes. There is no negative marking. The descriptive test follows straight after and is typed on the computer, in Hindi or English: you answer any 5 of 8 questions, 10 marks each, in 45 minutes. You must qualify in the objective and descriptive tests separately. Your written-test merit is your Professional Knowledge score plus your descriptive score. The indicative syllabus covers constitutional law, administrative law, financial sector laws, procedural laws, the new Labour Codes, and statutory interpretation and legal drafting.
Bank Medical Officer — written test
An objective test of 100 questions and 150 marks in 90 minutes, in two separately timed parts. General Aptitude has Reasoning (15 questions, 15 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (15 questions, 15 marks) and English Language (20 questions, 20 marks) in 45 minutes. All three are qualifying only, and the Bank may waive the minimum marks at its discretion. Professional Knowledge has 50 questions for 100 marks in 45 minutes. There is no descriptive test. Each wrong answer costs one-fourth of the marks for that question. To be called for interview you must score at or above the Bank’s cut-off in Professional Knowledge, as well as the minimum marks in the other tests. The indicative syllabus is clinical: cardiovascular, respiratory, haematology, gastrointestinal and liver, orthopaedics, infectious diseases, psychiatry and more.
Interview
Based on the written test, the Bank calls an adequate number of candidates in each category for interview (the BMO advertisement calls it an “interaction”). It carries 100 marks, and the Bank sets the qualifying marks. Interview intimation is uploaded on SBI’s website or sent by email, and no hard copy is posted. All details and documents are checked against the originals when you report. If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria, you won’t be allowed to take the interview or be paid travel costs. As of 12 October 2026, SBI had not announced interview dates for either post.
Language test & documents
BMO candidates must be able to read, write and understand one of the local languages listed for the circle they applied to. The Local Language Proficiency Test is held for provisionally selected candidates, after the written test and interview and before joining. If you fail it you won’t be offered appointment. You don’t need to take it if your 10th or 12th standard mark sheet or certificate shows you studied that language as a subject. For both posts, bring the certificates for any category you claimed to the interview. That means an OBC (non-creamy layer) certificate issued between 1 April 2026 and the interview date, an EWS Income & Asset Certificate for FY 2025-26, an SC/ST caste certificate, or a PwBD certificate dated on or before the last date of registration.
Candidates working in government offices, PSUs, nationalised banks or financial institutions should bring a No Objection Certificate from their employer to the interview, and a relieving certificate when joining. Outstation candidates called for interview are reimbursed economy airfare for the shortest route, up to ₹10,000 to-and-fro, or their actual travel cost if lower. Local transport isn’t reimbursed.
Final merit & joining
The final merit list is prepared after normalising the written-test and interview marks, weighted 70:30. If candidates tie at the cut-off, the older one ranks higher. A wait list is kept post-wise and category-wise for Law, and circle-wise and category-wise for BMO. Candidates are released from it against non-joining, resignation or termination, if they have the minimum qualifying marks. It stays valid for one year from the final result, or until a fresh advertisement for the same post, whichever is earlier. Appointment depends on medical fitness, verification of eligibility and certificates, satisfactory references and antecedents, and the CIBIL condition. Selected officers serve probation under the Bank’s policy.
Crack SBI SO with your own daily plan
Daily targets, practice tests & date alerts — mapped to your post’s written test.
Focus on the paper that counts
Professional Knowledge (and, for Law, the descriptive test) builds your written-test score, while the aptitude tests only need to be cleared. JobSafal keeps the qualifying tests ticking over so you can spend most of your time on your subject.
Post-wise plan
A daily plan built around the Law or BMO test structure.
Practice tests
Timed practice for the qualifying reasoning, English and quant tests.
Date alerts
Written-test result, interview and final result reminders.
Daily targets
Small daily goals that keep your preparation steady.
