The SBI CBO Exam 2026 has been successfully conducted by State Bank of India for the recruitment of Circle Based Officers across various circles in India. Thousands of banking aspirants appeared for the exam, making it one of the most competitive specialist banking recruitment exams. The exam analysis provides insights into the difficulty level, section-wise question distribution, and the types of questions asked. In this blog, we will discuss the detailed SBI CBO Exam Analysis 2026, including section-wise difficulty level, good attempts, and the topics asked in the exam.
Overall Difficulty Level
According to the feedback shared by candidates who appeared for the SBI CBO Exam 2026, the overall difficulty level of the exam was moderate.
| Section | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
| English Language | Easy to Moderate |
| Banking Knowledge | Moderate |
| General Awareness | Moderate |
| Computer Aptitude | Easy |
| Overall | Moderate |
Candidates who had strong preparation in banking awareness and current affairs found the exam manageable.
Section-Wise SBI CBO Exam Analysis 2026
English Language
The English section was considered easy to moderate. Most of the questions were based on comprehension and grammar.
Topics Asked
- Reading Comprehension
- Misspelt
- Error Detection
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Phrase Replacement
- Cloze Test
- Word Swap
- Idiom
The reading comprehension passage was based on a banking or economic theme, which required careful reading but was not very difficult.
Good Attempts: 22–25 Questions
Reasoning
The Reasoning section was considered easy to moderate.
Topics Asked
- Coding Decoding
- Inequalities Coded
- Coded Direction
- Coded Syllogism
- Machine Input Output
Banking Knowledge
This section played a crucial role in the SBI CBO Exam 2026 because the exam specifically tests candidates’ understanding of banking concepts.
Topics Asked
- Banking Regulations
- Financial Awareness
- RBI Policies
- Types of Accounts
- Priority Sector Lending
- Basel Norms
- NPA and Asset Classification
Candidates with prior banking experience or those who regularly studied banking awareness found this section manageable.
Good Attempts: 26–30 Questions
General Awareness / Economy
The General Awareness section mainly focused on current affairs related to banking, economy, and financial institutions.
Topics Asked
- Recent Banking News
- Government Schemes
- Economic Developments
- Important Appointments
- Financial Institutions
- International Financial News
Most of the questions were from the last 6–8 months of current affairs.
Good Attempts: 20–24 Questions
Descriptive Test Analysis
The descriptive test evaluated candidates’ writing skills through essay and letter writing.
Essay Writing
Candidates were asked to write an essay on topics related to banking, economy, or digital banking trends.
Examples of Essay Topics
- Rapid digitisation of banking in India in the finance sector
- Working in banks for up to four days
- Did the role of UPI increase the expenses?
Letter Writing
The letter-writing question required candidates to write either a formal or semi-formal letter.
Examples
- Letter to a bank manager to organise a loan awareness programme
- Letter to the zonal manager on the issue of the credit card
- Letter about digital banking complaints
Candidates who practised descriptive writing beforehand found this section manageable.
Good Attempts in SBI CBO Exam 2026
Based on the difficulty level and student feedback, the good number of attempts in the SBI CBO Exam 2026 is estimated as follows:
| Section | Good Attempts |
|---|---|
| English Language | 22–25 |
| Banking Knowledge | 26–30 |
| General Awareness | 20–24 |
| Reasoning | 15–18 |
Overall Good Attempts: 85–95 Questions
Final Thoughts
The SBI CBO Exam 2026 maintained a moderate level of difficulty, with the banking awareness section playing a key role in overall performance. Candidates who prepared well in banking knowledge, current affairs, and basic computer concepts were able to perform well in the exam.
For future aspirants, the key preparation strategy should include:
- Strengthening banking awareness
- Staying updated with financial current affairs
- Practicing English comprehension and grammar
- Reviewing basic computer concepts
With the right preparation strategy and consistent practice, candidates can improve their chances of success in the SBI Circle Based Officer.
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