SBI PO Previous Year Cut-off (Prelims, Mains & Final) - Year-Wise Analysis

SBI PO Cut-Offs

The SBI PO cut-off is the minimum score required to qualify each stage of the recruitment process, including Prelims, Mains, and the Final selection. These cut-offs vary every year based on factors like exam difficulty, number of vacancies, and overall candidate performance. Checking previous year cut-offs helps aspirants understand competition levels and set realistic score targets. A clear idea of cut-offs also guides effective preparation and improves the chances of final selection.

Table Of Contents

SBI PO Previous Year Prelims Cut-off

Analyzing the SBI PO previous year cut-offs is essential for understanding the competition level and setting your target score. The last six years of SBI PO Prelims cut-offs clearly show rising competition and fluctuating difficulty levels. Analyzing year-wise and category-wise trends helps candidates understand how much they need to score to stay safe. These previous year SBI PO cut-offs also provide valuable insights for planning strategy, setting realistic targets, and predicting the expected cut-off for upcoming recruitment cycles.

SBI PO Prelims Cut-off: 2025

Category Cut Off (Out of 100)
UR 66.75
SC 59.25
ST 51.50
OBC 65.50
EWS 64.50

SBI PO Prelims Cut-off: 2024-25

Category Cut Off (Out of 100)
UR 61.75
SC 55
ST 49
OBC 60.50
EWS 60.25

SBI PO Prelims Cut-off: 2023

Category Cut Off (Out of 100)
GEN 59.25
SC 53
ST 47.50
OBC 59.25
EWS 59.25

SBI PO Prelims Cut-off: 2022

Category Cut Off (Out of 100)
GEN 59.50
SC 52.50
ST 47.75
OBC 58.25
EWS 59.50

SBI PO Prelims Cut-off: 2021

Category Cut Off (Out of 100)
GEN 63
SC 54.75
ST 49.25
OBC 61.25
EWS 62.75

SBI PO Prelims Cut-off: 2020

Category Cut Off (Out of 100)
GEN 58.5
SC 50
ST 43.75
OBC 56
EWS 56.75

Cut-Off Comparison

  • 2025 recorded the highest cut-off (66.75) in six years, showing a sharp rise in competition and reduced vacancies.
  • 2024 cut-off (61.75) increased notably compared to 2023, party because the exam pattern changed, affecting question distribution and difficulty.
  • 2023 cut-off (59.25) was slightly lower than 2022 despite similar difficulty levels.

  • 2022 cut-off (59.50) remained almost stable compared to 2023, showing minimal variation.

  • 2021 saw a major spike (63) due to easier paper level and higher candidate participation.

  • 2020 had the lowest cut-off (58.5) among all six years, reflecting tougher exam difficulty.

  • Overall, cut-off values show an upward trend, especially after 2024 and 2025.

  • The variation depends mainly on difficulty, vacancies, and normalization, but competition is consistently increasing.

SBI PO Previous Year Mains Cut-off

The SBI PO Mains cut-off fluctuates each year based on exam difficulty, vacancies, and candidate performance. Analyzing the previous six years’ cut-offs helps identify competition trends and set realistic score targets. The table below presents year-wise SBI PO Mains cut-offs, offering valuable insights for candidates preparing strategically and understanding how the benchmark has evolved over time.

SBI PO Mains Cut-off: 2025

Category Cut Off Marks (Out of 250)
UR 75
SC 62.75
ST 62.51
OBC 69.50
EWS 75

SBI PO Mains Cut-off: 2024-25

Category Cut Off Marks (Out of 250)
UR 87.50
SC 75
ST 75
OBC 75
EWS 87.50

SBI PO Mains Cut-off: 2023

Category SBI PO Cut-Off Marks (Out of 250)
GEN 70
SC 57.50
ST 57.50
OBC 62.25
EWS 70

SBI PO Mains Cut-off: 2022

Category Cut-Off Marks (Out of 250)
GEN 88.93
SC 73.83
ST 66.86
OBC 80.96
EWS 84.60

SBI PO Mains Cut-off: 2021

Category Cut-Off Marks (Out of 250)
GEN 94.85
SC 77.32
ST 75.01
OBC 86.54
EWS 90.01

SBI PO Mains Cut-off: 2020

Category Cut-Off Marks (Out of 250)
GEN 88.93
SC 73.83
ST 66.86
OBC 80.96
EWS 84.60

Cut-Off Comparison

The SBI PO Mains cut-off has shown significant fluctuations from 2020 to 2025 due to changes in exam difficulty, vacancies, and the major pattern shift introduced in 2024. The highest cut-off was recorded in 2021 (94.85), reflecting a competitive year with moderate difficulty. In 2020, the cut-off stood strong at 88.93, showing stability. A noticeable dip appeared in 2023, where the cut-off dropped to 70, followed by a sharp rise to 87.5 in 2024 after the new pattern was introduced. Interestingly, the cut-off again fell to 75 in 2025, indicating higher difficulty or reduced vacancies. Overall, the trend highlights how exam structure and competition directly shape year-wise cut-off movements.


SBI PO Final Cut-off : Year-wise

The table given below shows the year-wise SBI PO final cut-off, helping candidates understand how the merit list marks have changed over the years. This quick comparison highlights trends in competition, vacancies, and exam difficulty.

SBI PO Final Cut-off - 2025

Category Cut Off Marks (Out of 100)
UR 46.79
SC 37.84
ST 31.59
OBC 41.84
EWS 41.16

SBI PO Final Cut-off - 2024-25

Category Cut Off Marks (Out of 100)
UR 46.24
SC 32.50
ST 33.36
OBC 40.96
EWS 36.85

SBI PO Final Cut-off - 2023

Category Cut-Off Marks (Out of 100)
GEN 44.60
SC 37.15
ST 36.45
OBC 39.73
EWS 36.03

SBI PO Final Cut-off - 2022

Category Cut Off Marks (Out of 100)
UR 48.12
SC 40.41
ST 38.42
OBC 43.37
EWS 43.01

SBI PO Final Cut-off - 2021

Category Cut-Off Marks (Out of 100)
GEN 53.40
SC 44.93
ST 41.55
OBC 47.41
EWS 47.94

SBI PO Final Cut-off - 2020

Category Cut-Off Marks (Out of 100)
GEN 51.23
SC 44.09
ST 41.87
OBC 45.09
EWS 45.35

Factor Affecting Cut-off

  • Difficulty level of the exam: When the question paper is tougher than expected, fewer candidates score high marks, naturally reducing the cut-off for that particular year.

  • Number of applicants: As more candidates apply for the exam, the competition increases significantly, which often results in a noticeable rise in the final cut-off.

  • Vacancy count: When SBI announces fewer vacancies, the competition intensifies because more candidates compete for limited seats, ultimately pushing the cut-off higher.

  • Shift-wise variation: Different shifts may have varying difficulty levels, and the normalization process adjusts scores accordingly, impacting the final cut-off trends.

  • Overall candidate performance: If a larger portion of candidates perform exceptionally well, it increases the overall score distribution and leads to a higher cut-off.

  • Reservation policy: Category-wise seat allocation affects cut-off differences, as each category’s competition varies, creating unique cut-off levels for every group.

  • Changes in exam pattern: Any modification in question distribution, marking scheme, or exam structure directly influences candidate performance and subsequently alters the cut-off.

  • Normalisation process: Since SBI conducts the exam in multiple shifts, normalization balances score differences, sometimes increasing or decreasing an individual’s final marks.

  • Previous year trends: SBI often follows recent cut-off patterns and performance trends, making historical results a major indicator for predicting current cut-off levels.

  • Repeaters or Experienced candidates: When more experienced candidates or previous-year aspirants appear with stronger preparation, their high accuracy raises the overall cut-off.

Cut-off Calculation & Normalisation

The State Bank of India Probationary Officer exam is conducted in multiple shifts, and each shift often varies in difficulty. To ensure fairness for all candidates, SBI uses a normalisation system while preparing the final cut-off. Understanding how this process works helps candidates assess their performance more accurately.

1. Why Normalisation Is Needed

Since lakhs of aspirants appear across different shifts, every shift cannot be perfectly equal in difficulty. Some shifts may have tougher reasoning questions, while others may include easier English or Quant sections. Normalisation eliminates this variation so that no candidate is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged.

2. How the Normalisation Process Works

SBI uses an established statistical method called Equi-percentile normalisation. The process involves: 

  • Calculating the percentile rank for each candidate within their shift. 
  • Mapping these percentile ranks across all shifts. 
  • Assigning normalized scores based on these equivalent percentiles.

3. Shift-Wise Ranking

Within each shift, candidates are ranked based on their raw marks. These ranks are then mapped to a common scale that represents the entire candidate pool. A person scoring 70 marks in a tough shift may receive a higher normalised score than someone scoring 72 in an easier shift, depending on the overall performance distribution.

4. Conversion to a Standardised Score

After ranking, the scores are converted to a uniform scale out of 100. This allows SBI to compare candidates fairly while preparing the category-wise cut-off in the Prelims and Mains examinations.

5. Final Cut-Off Preparation

Once normalised scores are ready, SBI prepares the cut-off by considering:

  • Total number of vacancies

  • Category-wise reservation

  • Overall performance across shifts

This ensures that the final cut-off accurately reflects real competition and difficulty.

6. Impact on Candidates

Normalisation can increase or decrease a candidate’s final score depending on their shift’s difficulty. Therefore, candidates should not panic if their raw marks appear low—normalisation may work in their favour.

Expected Cut-off : 2026 Exam

The State Bank of India Probationary Officer exam is one of the most competitive banking exams in India, and predicting the expected cut-off helps aspirants plan their preparation more strategically. Although the cut-off varies every year, certain fixed factors—such as exam difficulty level, vacancies, and competition—play a major role in shaping the final numbers.

 Expected SBI PO Prelims Cut-Off 2026

Based on previous year trends, rising competition, and increasing accuracy levels among candidates, the expected SBI PO Prelims 2026 cut-off may fall in the following range:

Category Expected Cut-Off (Out of 100)
General (GEN) 63 – 67
OBC 59 – 63
EWS 59 – 63
SC 50 – 55
ST 47 – 51

These are estimated ranges and may vary depending on actual exam difficulty and normalization.

Expected SBI PO Mains Cut-Off 2026

Considering the rising complexity of Mains—especially Reasoning, Quant, and Data Interpretation—the expected range for 2026 could be:

Category Expected Cut-Off (Out of 250)
General (GEN) 88 – 96
OBC 80 – 88
EWS 80 – 88
SC 70 – 78
ST 60 – 72

Why the 2026 Cut-Off May Rise

The cut-off may rise due to:

  • Increasing number of serious repeat aspirants

  • Greater access to online preparation

  • Higher accuracy due to mock test exposure

  • Slight reduction in vacancy numbers (expected but not confirmed)

Why the Cut-Off May Drop

The cut-off may fall if:

  • The exam introduces new, tougher puzzle or DI formats

  • The reasoning section becomes more lengthy

  • SBI increases total vacancies

  • Shift-wise difficulty imbalance leads to favourable normalization

Final Words

The 2026 SBI PO Exam cut-off will depend heavily on the difficulty level, normalization process, and overall competition. Aspirants should aim for higher than expected scores to stay safe in both Prelims and Mains.

Users Query

Does SBI PO have sectional cut-off in prelims and mains examination?
In the SBI PO exam, there is no sectional cut-off in the prelims, which means candidates only need to score above the overall cut-off to qualify for the mains. However, in the mains exam, sectional cut-offs are applied for each section, including Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language. Additionally, there is a descriptive section cut-off for the English Language Candidates must clear both the sectional and overall cut-offs in mains to be considered for the interview process. This ensures a balanced performance across all
Does the normalization process affect SBI PO cut-off?
Yes, the normalization process can impact the SBI PO cut-off. Since the prelims and mains exams are conducted in multiple shifts, the difficulty level of each shift may vary. To ensure fairness, SBI applies normalization using a statistical formula that balances scores across shifts. This adjusted score is used to calculate the overall and category-wise cut-off. Therefore, even if a candidate scores slightly lower in a tougher shift, normalization may help in meeting the cut-off for qualification.
Since there is no sectional cut-off in SBI PO prelims exam, can one clear it by focusing on only two sections?
Even though there is no sectional cut-off in prelims, relying on only two sections is risky. The question level is often tough, making it hard to score very high in just two subjects. With the overall cut-off usually on the higher side, it is rare to qualify by ignoring one section. It’s better to aim for good scores in all three sections rather than targeting exceptionally high marks in just two, ensuring a safe qualification. Consistent attempts in all sections also reduce stress and improve overall accuracy, increasing the chances of clearing prelims comfortably.
Is it necessary to target previous year cut-off during preparation for SBI PO?
Targeting previous year cut-offs is not necessary while preparing for SBI PO. Cut-offs vary each year based on difficulty level, number of candidates, and category-wise trends. Focusing too much on past cut-offs can create extra stress during preparation and even in the examination. It’s better to concentrate on studying well and giving your best performance. Use previous year cut-offs only as a reference to understand trends, rather than making them the primary target of your preparation.
Can SBI PO prelims cut-off be achieved by focusing only on mains exam?
No, focusing only on the SBI PO mains cannot guarantee clearing the prelims cutoff. SBI PO prelims serve as a qualifying stage for mains, so focusing solely on mains may risk missing the cutoff, especially in reasoning and quantitative sections which are easier to score. However, if you have strong fundamentals, high accuracy, and speed, you can attempt mains-focused preparation while lightly revising prelim topics to ensure the cutoff is cleared. Strategically practicing previous year prelim papers alongside mains preparation increases your chances of success.

Related FAQs

The SBI PO 2025 prelims cutoff for the general category was 66.75 marks. Cutoffs vary for other categories like SC, ST, OBC, and EWS, reflecting category-specific competition and exam difficulty level.
The mains cutoff is generally lower than prelims in terms of marks per section, but it is calculated out of 250. It determines eligibility for the final interview stage, whereas prelims qualify candidates for mains.
Cutoffs vary due to factors like exam difficulty, number of applicants, number of vacancies, and category-wise performance. Higher difficulty usually lowers cutoffs, whereas more competition can increase them.
Yes, category-wise cutoffs differ for UR, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS candidates. Reservation rules and varying performance levels in each category affect the minimum qualifying marks required to move to the next stage.
Previous year SBI PO cutoffs are available on SBI’s official website and educational blogs. They help candidates analyze trends, prepare accordingly, and set realistic targets for upcoming exams.