The State Bank of India (SBI) is one of the most prestigious and recognized banks in India. Becoming a Probationary Officer (PO) or Clerk at SBI is a dream for many aspiring candidates. The recruitment process for these positions is challenging yet rewarding. Once you’ve passed an SBI exam, the journey doesn’t end there. It is just the beginning. Here in this blog, we will talk about the usual timeline by becoming a PO or a Clerk after passing the SBI exam with all the stages plus preparing your preparations. Planning one’s preparation and sticking on to it in that kind of normal timeline with respect to becoming a PO or a clerk after passing an SBI exam is truly necessary.
After the prelims, aspirants have to prepare for mains followed by interviews for PO exam aspirants. It takes months for the entire process from registration to final selection. The understanding of the time is very important since it will help you plan your preparation effectively and not miss out on any critical stage for either Clerk exam or PO exam.
Introduction: The Road to SBI PO and Clerk
Before we proceed further with the general timeline to becoming a PO or Clerk, let’s first understand what these roles are. Both these positions are in high demand from banking aspirants because of their prestigious nature, job security, attractive salary packages, and career growth opportunities. SBI exam for PO and Clerk exam is the door to those respective roles, and so proper time and preparation must be understood in order to be successful in such competitive exams.
- SBI PO: This is a probationary officer who is a management trainee. It takes on all types of banking operations, leads teams, and manages the branch operations with effective performance.
- SBI Clerk: Clerk is referred to as Junior Associates and are related with customer services, office work like account management, cashiering, and clerical work.
To be in SBI, one needs to clear the SBI PO or Clerk exam. This is a very long process; however, with the proper strategy, you can crack this successfully. Let’s break down the journey into various stages so that we can get to know the typical time cycle.
Stage 1: SBI Exam Notification and Application Process
Notification issued along with application procedure. Stage 1 marks the beginning of the SBI exam process with the release of notification followed by application procedure. This stage initiates a general timeline for PO exams as well as the Clerk exams. Read the notification carefully and apply in due dates to move further.
Notification Release
The first process of SBI PO or Clerk recruitment is the SBI exam notification. Generally, SBI issues the notification of both PO and Clerk exams- one in April/ May for PO and another for Clerk in April/May or June. This notification mentions the eligibility criteria, the pattern of the exam, syllabus, number of vacancies, and procedure followed for application.
Application Procedure
After the release of the notification, online application follows. Normally, the online application process begins immediately after the release of the notification. Application forms can be filled from the official website of SBI.
- Application Process: Normally, the application process takes about 20-30 days. So, one has to be active on the official website to avoid the deadline.
Stage 2: Preparing for SBI PO and Clerk Exam
The second stage of the SBI exam procedure is preparing for the PO exam and Clerk exam. Generally, this includes a study plan and concentration on major subjects along with practice with mock tests. It is the most important step towards being successful in both exams as well as being well-prepared.
Preparing for the Exam
Once you’ve successfully submitted your application, the next crucial step is exam preparation. Both the SBI PO and Clerk exams are competitive, and it is essential to prepare strategically to increase your chances of success.
- SBI PO: The PO exam is tough because it encompasses quantitative aptitude, reasoning, English, and general awareness. Candidates should know clearly about the syllabus and should give sufficient time to every subject.
- SBI Clerk: In comparison to the PO, the Clerk exam is tough comparatively but surely needs proper focus. It tests the candidate’s reasoning ability, mathematics aptitude, and the language English.
During this period, ixamBee offers several online courses, mock tests, and study materials focusing on SBI PO and Clerk exams. Online coaching keeps the students on their toes while also providing them with all-rounded exam preparation through ixamBee.
- Timeline: This period differs in each student, though on average, most will take 3 to 6 months to prepare for their prelims exams depending on earlier knowledge and the level of complexity they wish to attain proficiency in.
Stage 3: Prelims Exam Result
It is the Prelims exam of stage 3 in SBI Exam. For both PO as well as Clerk exam, it’s the most critical time step of the usual timetable. Students after completing the exam look for their result to know they would qualify or not at the Mains exam level for further process.
SBI PO Prelims, SBI Clerk Prelims
In the case of SBI PO and Clerk, both of the tests contain a preliminary exam. The preliminary exam comes in the selection procedure wherein the test is objective type holding questions from reasoning, the English language, and also quantitative aptitude.
- SBI PO Prelims: Total questions in SBI PO prelims are 100 that are answered by students in 1 hour.
- SBI Clerk Prelims: Same, so, it happens that the examination for clerk is of 100 questions of time duration 1 hour
Candidates have to qualify as per the cut off mark then only can go through for the next process which comes under the Main Examination.
- Time: Time duration: Preliminary Exam generally on June/July. While results come in the first 2 weeks of its exam schedule.
Stage 4 : Mains Exam and Result
This is the most important stage for most aspiring SBI exam candidates as this is the stage 4 of the test taking process that represents the Mains exam. It is highly critical while comparing the typical time with the PO and Clerk exams. The declaration of results after the test will decide whether the candidates who took the test get picked at the final selection process/ interview of PO exam.
SBI PO and Clerk Mains
This is the Mains Exam, which clears the Prelims. It’s more comprehensive in nature than the previous one, and carries questions that are subjective type, aside from objective-type ones.
- SBI PO Mains: Questions on a subject of the kind reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general awareness, English and computer knowledge make up this exam of 3 hours’ test duration with a mark score of 200.
- SBI Clerk Mains: The Clerk Mains is an objective-type exam but less in terms of subjects covered.
Interview Process for SBI PO
After getting through the Mains level, SBI conducts an interview process for the PO position. In this interview process, the panel assesses personality, communication skills, and real-life banking situations facing the candidate.
- Time: Mains SBI PO examination is conducted in July-August. The results are declared within 2 weeks. Interviews of the candidates shortlisted for interviews usually occur during August-September.
Step 5: Final Merit Selection
Stage 5 is Final Selection in the SBI Exam procedure. After the declaration of PO Exam, and Clerk Exam results, the exam candidate gets under document verification as well as final testing to be selected. Such marks the end of normal duration, and finally offered to the selected candidates in this exams also.
Final Result and Selection
The final selection is given after the Mains examination and interview if the post is SBI PO. Applicants are ranked according to their respective Mains examination and interviews. Those applicants are called for the job who clear the Mains examination and interviews respectively
For SBI Clerk Candidates are short listed directly according to the scores of Mains examinations they have cleared.
- Timeline: The result will be declared in a period of 1-2 months from the interview or Mains examination. An appointment letter is dispatched within a short period of declaration of the result.
Stage 6: Joining the Bank
The result declared, selected candidates are issued joining letters.
- SBI PO: As soon as a candidate gets selected as a PO, then it follows 2 years of probationary training. During the probation period, candidates are given training about all the operations related to banks and are deputed at all the branches throughout the nation.
- SBI Clerk: SBI Clerks undergo training for a few weeks after joining the bank, and their job duties begin after the completion of the training.
- Timeline: The joining process usually begins around October/November after the results and the probation period for PO continues for 2 years.
Typical Timeline Summary
Here’s a summarized typical timeline for becoming an SBI PO or Clerk after passing the SBI exam: First, candidates take the prelims, followed by mains. For PO exam candidates, an interview follows. The entire process, from application to final selection, typically spans several months, depending on the exam:
| Stage | SBI PO | SBI Clerk |
| Notification Release | April/May | April/May/June |
| Application Process | 20-30 days | 20-30 days |
| Preparation Time | 3-6 months | 3-6 months |
| Prelims Exam | June/July | June/July |
| Prelims Result | 2 weeks after exam | 2 weeks after exam |
| Mains Exam | July/August | July/August |
| Mains Result | 2 weeks after exam | 2 weeks after exam |
| Interview (PO only) | August/September | N/A |
| Final Result | 1-2 months after interview | 1-2 months after exam |
| Joining | Oct/Nov (for PO) | Oct/Nov |
Common Mistakes to Avoid During SBI PO and Clerk Exam Preparation
Becoming an SBI PO or an SBI Clerk requires huge concentration; however, some common mistakes that candidates commit during the preparation process have been outlined below. This will be useful to you as you avoid unwarranted delays and remain on course based on the standard timeline of the exam process.
1. Lack of Consistency
Consistency is a must for both PO exams and Clerk exams. Students begin with enthusiasm but soon lose focus in the middle of preparation. Avoid such things by sticking to the schedule and allotting a fixed time every day for study.
2. Not taking General Awareness and Current Affairs seriously
General Awareness section is crucial for SBI PO and Clerk, too. Ignore it, and you’ll lose marks. Keep reading newspapers and watching news programs. In addition, keep up-to-date monthly current affairs compilations subscribed.
3. Not Enough Mock Tests.
Mock tests form a major part of preparation. This is because it gives an experience of the pattern in which the exam will take place, assesses one’s performance, and raises their level of confidence. Platforms like ixamBee provide a series of mock tests for the SBI exam.
4. Omitting Revision
Some students omit the revision process by considering that they will remember whatever has been studied. But one should revise regularly to help them remember and recall better at the time of the examination.
Why Choose ixamBee for SBI Exam Preparation?
At ixamBee, we understand the significance of a well-planned study schedule and proper preparation. Our platform offers everything you need for your SBI PO and Clerk exam preparation, keeping you on track with the typical timeline and ensuring you are fully prepared for the SBI exam stages:
- Comprehensive Online Courses: With customized courses for both SBI PO exam and Clerk exam, you get a step-by-step guide to mastering each topic.
- Real-Time Mock Tests: Our SBI exam mock tests are designed to give you a feel of the actual exam. By practicing mock tests regularly, you can track your performance and pinpoint areas for improvement.
- Expert Guidance: We have experienced mentors who can help you understand the typical timeline of the SBI exam and offer tips to improve your chances of success.
Conclusion
The journey to becoming a PO or Clerk at SBI is demanding, but with proper preparation and guidance, one can make it through. The whole process, starting from application to joining the bank, takes 6 to 12 months depending on the position for which you are applying and the stages of the exams.
It would keep you on track and will be helpful in practicing the test through mock tests and get guidance from platforms like ixamBee. It is all about keeping the focus on it, adapting the preparation if necessary, and working towards it with all your might.
We hope that this blog has made it clear for you to understand the usual time period that takes for a candidate to become a PO or Clerk at SBI after clearing the SBI exam. Keep positive, keep motivated, and good luck with your preparations!
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