Did you know that the State Bank of India(SBI) is the 43rd largest bank globally? India’s largest bank has a 23% share in the overall banking sector. SBI also recruits a maximum number of new employees every year.
SBI Probationary Officer (SBI PO) exams are among the most competitive exams considering the number of seats and applicants. Candidates need to clear three stages to become an SBI PO, prelims, mains and interview exam.
The entrance exams happen online, and applicants who clear both appear for a final face to face interview.
In 2021, more than 20 lakh graduate candidates applied for 2056 seats. Every year the probability of securing a place is getting lesser. Hence, the candidates must know the Best books SBI PO SBI PO exam pattern and detailed syllabus.
Another important aspect is to choose the best books for the specific subject. This article will discuss the best reasoning book for bank po books that will help you cover the syllabus of SBI PO prelims and mains.
Best Books For SBI PO (2022)
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern
Strategies for Preparation
English Language
English is a high scoring subject and doesn’t require much time for preparation for SBI Bank PO exams.
Syllabus:
The English syllabus broadly covers vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and verbal ability.
Section-wise marks distribution:
For Prelims
Section | Marks |
Cloze Test | 5 |
Reading Comprehension | 10 |
Error Detection | 5 |
Para Jumbles | 5 |
Fillers | 5 |
Miscellaneous | 10 |
For Mains
Section | Marks |
Cloze Test | 10 |
Reading Comprehension | 14 |
Error Detection | 5 |
Para Jumbles | 6 |
Fillers | 10 |
Miscellaneous | 5 |
SBI PO Preparation Books for the English Language
Here is a list of the best books for enhancing your English language skills.
1. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
Penguin has published this book, and it is available at a reasonable ₹132 (paperback edition) price and is one of the best to learn and enhance your English skills.
The book is specially designed to improve vocabulary. Instead of giving you many words at once, there are specific chapters.
It discusses words, their usage, pronunciation and their origin so that you can master them effectively. The book has various tools and tricks and clearly defined steps that help your preparations.
Video Review
2. Bank PO English Chapterwise Solved Papers
Published by Kiran Prakashan, the best seller question bank has solved all question papers of Bank PO exams since 1999.
The latest edition is available at ₹435. However, you can get discounts as well.
The comprehensive book contains more than 7000 objective type questions that help you prepare and test your skills, including,
Features
Video Review
3. Objective English for Competitive Examination
Published by McGraw Hill Education Publications, this book is a must-have for all aspiring candidates irrespective of the exams they want to appear in.
It helps improve vocabulary, spotting errors, sentence-making skills, and more. The book also has practice papers for various exams,
Including Bank PO, Defence, Management Entrance, etc. You can buy this book for ₹670.
Although the book’s latest editions aren’t available, it is an excellent choice for SBI Bank PO English section preparations.
Video Review
4. Descriptive General English by SP Bakshi and Richa Sharma
Published by Arihant Publications, it comes at a nominal price of ₹130. The book is mandatory for SBI PO aspirants. The book covers comprehension, grammar, verbal skills, essay writing and expansion writing.
This book prepares you for enhancing your English comprehension and writing skills, which is crucial for the SBI PO Mains exams.
Writers have ensured to incorporate all the relevant topics keeping in mind the current socio-political events.
There is enough practice material to brush up on your descriptive writing skills.
Video Review
Quantitative Aptitude
The quantitative aptitude section is very crucial. It covers 35 marks in SBI Bank PO prelims exams.
Syllabus
Prelims | Mains |
Simplification/Approximation | Graphs (tabular, linear) |
Profit and Loss | Missing case DI |
Mixture and Alligation | Charts and Tables |
Permutation, Combination and Probability | Radar Graph Caselet |
Work and Time/ Time and Distance | Probability |
Sequence Series | Data Sufficiency |
Ratio and Proportion | Let it case DI |
Number System/Percentage | Permutation and Combination |
Data Interpretation | Pie Charts |
Surd and Indices | Bar Graphs |
SBI PO Preparation Books for Quantitative Aptitude (Prelims & Mains)
Here is a list of some of the best books for preparing your quantitative Aptitude for the SBI Bank PO exams
1. Advanced Maths for General Competitions
The book is published by KD Publications and effectively prepares for competitive exams, including Bank PO.
You can get it for ₹289. The book incorporates all aspects of general competitions such as trigonometry, algebra, mensuration, geometry and more.
Video Review
2. Magical Book on Quicker Mathematics by M Tyra
The book published by BSC Publishing Co Pvt Ltd comes ₹257. The bestseller book covers all essential topics:
Surds, profit and loss, fractions, ratio and proportion, time and work, simple interest, compound interest, trigonometry, and data analysis.
You can learn to solve the problems with a better understanding and tricks quickly, saving you much time in exams.
Video Review
3. Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
Published by Arihant Publications, the book is available online at ₹286. As the name suggests, it focuses on shortcuts and techniques to solve problems quickly.
It contains questions from recent exams and covers all fundamental formulae and methods.
If you have issues with geometry, mensuration, and trigonometry, this book will be definitely helpful.
Video Review
4. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Agarwal
Published by S Chand Publications, the latest 2022 edition of this book is available at ₹395.
One of the top-rated books by students has reinvented itself and added appropriate methods and techniques to solve objective-type questions quickly.
It has fully covered topics with formulae, solving strategies and easily understandable solutions.
Video Review
5. Bank PO Quantitative Aptitude Chapterwise Solved Papers
Published by Kiran Prakashan, the book has more than 7500 objective type questions with their solutions.
You can buy the latest version online at ₹535. The best thing is that questions arrange the question chapter wise instead of simply providing the complete question papers.
So you can focus on your specific topics at the time of revision.
Video Review
Reasoning Ability (Prelims and Mains)
The reasoning ability section is applicable in both prelims and mains with a weightage of 30 and 60 marks, respectively.
Syllabus
Prelims | Mains |
Alphanumeric Series | Verbal Reasoning |
Directions | Circular Seating Arrangement |
Logical reasoning | Double Line up |
Data sufficiency | Scheduling |
Ranking and Order | Input-Output |
Alphabet test | Ordering and Ranking |
Seating arrangement | Course of Action |
Tabulations | Critical Reasoning |
Input Output | Analytical and Decision Making |
Puzzles | Code Inequalities |
Coded Inequalities | Coding and Decoding |
Syllogism | Blood Relations |
Blood Relations | Direction and Distances |
SBI PO Preparation Books for Reasoning Ability (Prelims & Mains)
1. Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
Published by BSC Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. The fourth edition of this book is available for ₹247. Unlike other books, the book is not for quick revision;
it helps you clear your concepts and fundamentals. Each concept is explained concisely and clearly,
Making it easier for students to learn and apply them while attempting the reasoning questions.
Video Review
2. A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal
This book has been helping aspirants for decades; the revised version covers all the topics as per the current syllabus.
Published by S Chand Publication, this book is available online at ₹500.00. The latest edition also has video tutorials for better understanding.
This book is specifically helpful for aspirants who want to improve non-verbal reasoning.
Video Review
3. A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal & Non-Verbal by BS Sijwali
Published by Arihant Publications, the book’s third edition with revised content is available at ₹391.
The book has three sections: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and analytical skills.
There are ample practice questions to attempt and practise every type of reasoning problem.
Video Review
4. Bank PO Reasoning: Chapterwise Solved Papers 1999 to till date
Kiran Prakashan publishes the comprehensive question bank, available at ₹675. It contains all the solved papers from 1999 till the present.
The latest edition contains more than 9000 objective type questions and easy-to-understand solutions.
So you can practice and understand every kind of question-related to reasoning and analytics.
Video Review
General Awareness (Mains)
The SBI Bank PO mains exam has a weightage of 20%. The question covers awareness about banking, the economy and current affairs.
Syllabus
Topics |
Current Affairs |
Financial Awareness |
Static Awareness |
General Knowledge |
Banking Awareness |
Banking Terminologies |
Principles of Insurance |
SBI PO Preparation Books for General Awareness (Mains)
1. Banking Awareness by Arihant
Published by Arihant Publication, this is one of the best books for general awareness. The latest revised edition covers the current syllabus and is available at ₹133.
There are 11 chapters, with theories, solved questions and practice questions for revision. The book also contains updated Banking Glossary 2022 Budget details.
Video Review
2. Lucent General Knowledge
Published by Lucent Publication and written by multiple authors who are experts in their fields.
This scientifically curated book is available for ₹146. Ten chapters cover everything from history, geography, Indian polity, Défense and culture.
Video Review
3. Banking Awareness
Published by Ramesh Publishing House, this book benefits all banking exam aspirants.
The latest edition is available for ₹173. The book provides updated banking industry knowledge, solved questions and concise study and practice material.
Video Review
4. Banking Awareness for SBI/IBPS Bank Clerk/PO/SO/RRB & RBI exams
Published by Disha Publications and curated by a team of experts. This book is a must for SBI PO aspirants.
The latest revised edition also includes all the latest developments in banking, including digital banking,
financial awareness, and marketing. The book has 35 chapters, including theory and 1500 multiple-choice questions. You can buy this online at ₹260.
Video Review
5. Reading Newspapers
Apart from books, reading English newspapers and their editorials is a must for SBI Bank PO aspirants.
It would be best to read newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express regularly. They also have their digital version available online for easy access.
Video Review
Computer Awareness (Mains)
Computer awareness questions come within the reasoning sections of the SBI PO mains exam and has15% weightage.
Syllabus
Topics |
Internet |
Memory |
Keyboard Shortcuts |
Abbreviation |
MS Office |
Computer Hardware |
Computer Software |
Networking |
Operating Systems |
Computer Fundamentals and Technologies |
SBI PO Preparation Books for Computer Awareness (Mains)
1. Computer by Rani Ahilya Lucent
Published by Lucent Publications, this is a terrific book for learning computer fundamentals for competitive exams.
This book’s 2020 edition comes at a reasonable price of ₹70. The book provides concise theory and easy-to-understand solutions to enhance and brush up on your computer awareness.
Video Review
2. Objective Question Bank of Computer Awareness for General Competitions
Published by Arihant Publications, the comprehensive question bank is essential for Bank PO exam prep.
The book has 22 chapters, more than 35 hundred MCQs with solutions and 70+ tables containing a concise summary of each concept.
The book is available at a nominal price of ₹190.
Video Review
3. Objective Computer Awareness
Published by Arihant Publications and curated by an expert team of teachers, authors, editors and proofreaders.
This book is available online for ₹90. The book is suitable for beginners who don’t have much computer knowledge.
There are 12 easy to understand chapters with plenty of prior year questions. There are self-assessment questions to check your progress.
Video Review
4. Computer Literacy And Knowledge
Published by Kiran Prakashan, the book is available online for ₹151.
The latest edition from 2019 contains more than 2300 solved objective-type questions from all major competitive exams.
You also get 25 model test papers for mock exams and self-practice.
Video Review
Data Analysis and Interpretation (Mains)
The data analysis and interpretation section are very crucial. It covers 60 marks and has a 30% weightage in SBI Bank PO exams.
Syllabus
Mains |
Graphs (tabular, linear) |
Missing case DI |
Charts and Tables |
Radar Graph Caselet |
Probability |
Data Sufficiency |
Let it case DI |
Permutation and Combination |
Pie Charts |
Bar Graphs |
SBI PO Preparation Books for Data Analysis & Interpretation (Mains)
1. Data Interpretation Decoded by Oliveboard
Published by Oliveboard, this book is very effective and is available online for ₹395. This book’s special edition,
2019, covers all major topics of the SBI Bank PO syllabus under Data Analysis and Interpretations.
There are various questions for practice—a must-have for all the aspirants.
Video Review
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT
Published by Tata McGraw-Hill, this is one of the best books for DI and Logical reasoning preparation.
Although this book is designed for CAT aspirants, it covers all the significant concepts of the SBI PO mains syllabus. You can buy the latest revised 2021 edition for ₹725
Video Review
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which is the best source of current affairs for the SBI PO Exam?
Reading prominent English Daily newspapers such as The Hindu and The Indian Express is the best way to keep your general knowledge and current affairs. You can also read specific books and refer to online portals that provide updated content.
Q2. Where can I get free SBI PO mock tests to practice?
You can get the latest SBI PO mock tests from web portals like Byju’s and Testbook.
Q3. What is the application fee for the SBI PO exam?
The online application fee for general candidates for 2021 was ₹725. It will be similar for 2022. Please refer to the latest notifications by SBI.
Here are the best books for English Language :
Here are the best books for Quantitative Aptitude:
Here are the best books for Reasoning Ability (Prelims and Mains):
Here are the best books for General Awareness (Mains):
Here are the best books for Computer Awareness (Mains):
Here are the best books for Data Analysis and Interpretation (Mains):