Crack the SBI CBO Exam with Confidence: Know the Section-Wise Difficulty Level! The State Bank of India (SBI) is one of the most prestigious employers in the banking sector, and its Circle Based Officer (CBO) recruitment is a golden opportunity for aspiring candidates. The selection process is comprehensive, comprising an Online Test, a Descriptive Test, and a Personal Interview. The exam is expected to be conducted in July 2025. To excel in this competitive exam, understanding the difficulty level of each section is important. By analysing the previous year’s exam pattern and performance, we’ve curated a detailed section-wise breakdown to give you clear insights into what to expect. Whether you’re just starting your preparation or refining your strategy, this analysis will act as your roadmap to success. Let’s dive into the exam structure and previous years’ difficulty levels to power up your preparation journey!
SBI CBO Exam Pattern
The SBI CBO exam pattern provides the complete information about the number of questions from each section asked in the exam, the duration of the exam, and the maximum marks allotted to each section in the exam.
Online Test (2 hours)
- English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks, 30 minutes
- Banking Knowledge: 40 questions, 40 marks, 40 minutes
- General Awareness/Economy: 30 questions, 30 marks, 30 minutes
- Computer Aptitude: 20 questions, 20 marks, 20 minutes
- Total: 120 questions, 120 marks, 120 minutes
- No negative marking
Descriptive Test (30 minutes)
- Letter Writing: 1 question, 25 marks
- Essay (approx. 250 words): 1 question, 25 marks
- Total: 50 marks
Interview
- 50 marks
- Candidates must meet a qualifying score.
Local Language Proficiency Test
- Required only if your 10th/12th grade doesn’t cover the relevant local language.
SBI CBO Exam Section-wise Difficulty Level
The SBI CBO exam difficulty level is considered moderate to difficult. The overall complexity of the exam paper depends on the nature of the questions presented and how difficult the exam is perceived to be. The exam consists of four sections: English Language, Banking Knowledge, General Awareness/Economy, and Computer Aptitude. Each section’s difficulty level is generally considered moderate to difficult.
| Sr. No. | Sections | Difficulty Level | Maximum Marks/ Number of questions |
| 1. | English Language | Moderate | 30 |
| 2. | Banking Knowledge | Moderate to Difficult | 40 |
| 3. | General Awareness/ Economy | Moderate to Difficult | 30 |
| 4. | Computer Aptitude | Moderate | 20 |
Section-wise Previous Year Trends in SBI CBO Exam
The Previous Year Trends in all four sections of the SBI CBO Exam are provided below.
- English Language:
- Reading comprehension and grammar-based questions were straightforward. Strong vocabulary and accuracy help in scoring well.
- Banking Knowledge:
- In-depth and specific to the banking domain (like RBI circulars, current banking updates, banking terminologies). Requires conceptual understanding and work experience.
- General Awareness / Economy:
- Mostly current affairs from the past 6 months, especially finance/economy-focused topics. Static GK questions were limited.
- Computer Aptitude:
- Questions were basic – MS Office, networking, internet, input-output devices. Easily scorable with basic computer knowledge.
SBI CBO Exam Descriptive Paper Analysis
The descriptive paper is 30 minutes long and consists of 1 Letter Writing and 1 Essay Writing question. The difficulty level of questions is usually moderate.
| Components | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | Topics from where most of the questions were asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter Writing | 1 | Moderate | Formal/business letters based on customer issues, branch transfers, complaints, etc. |
| Essay Writing | 1 | Moderate | Banking and social issues dominate; requires clarity, structure, and relevancy to current affairs. |
SBI CBO Interview Round
The interview consists of a total of 50 marks. The difficulty level of the questions asked in the interview is moderate to difficult.
| Parameter | Difficulty Level | Topics from where most of the questions were asked |
|---|---|---|
| Interview (50 marks) | Moderate to Difficult | Questions are experience-based (related to your work in the banking sector), current banking policies, and situational judgment. Being a promotional-level post, in-depth knowledge is tested. |
Few Tips to Prepare for SBI CBO Exam
- Focus more on banking knowledge and descriptive writing, as these carry heavy weightage and are harder to guess.
- Use your work experience to your advantage—examples from real banking scenarios help in interviews and descriptive answers.
- Revise RBI updates, NPA norms, financial inclusion topics, and important government schemes related to banking.
- Attempt the maximum number of questions through PracticeMock SBI CBO tests based on the latest exam pattern.
Summary
The overall difficulty level in the SBI CBO exam is moderate to difficult. The most challenging questions include Banking Knowledge and descriptive paper. The easiest section is Computer Aptitude. And the most scoring sections include Computer and English sections if prepared well.
- Overall Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Most Challenging Sections: Banking Knowledge and Descriptive Paper
- Easiest Section: Computer Aptitude
- Scoring Sections: Computer + English, if prepared well
Related Blogs
| SBI CBO Notification 2025 | SBI CBO Syllabus and Exam Pattern |
| SBI CBO Salary 2025 | SBI CBO Study Plan 2025 |
FAQs
The SBI CBO exam is considered moderate to difficult level.
Yes, the SBI conducts Circle Based Officer exam every year.
An SBI CBO receives the basic salary of Rs. 48,480.
The job profile of an SBI CBO is managing core branch functions, approving loan applications, developing relationships with customers, and ensuring smooth operations.
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