SBI PO – Foundation & Exam Strategy
Topic: Best Resources
Goal: Equip you with a curated list of books, websites, apps, and study‑plan tools that are proven to give you a competitive edge for the SBI PO exam.
1️⃣ Simple Explanation
SBI PO (SBI Probationary Officer) is a competitive exam that tests your quantitative, reasoning, English, and general awareness.
Because the syllabus is broad, quality resources—not just quantity—are your best allies.
The “best resources” are those that:
| Criteria | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Syllabus coverage | Complete topics, no gaps |
| Up‑to‑date content | Current year updates, exam pattern |
| Practice & feedback | Mock tests, error analysis |
| Ease of use | Clear explanations, user‑friendly interface |
| Affordability | High ROI for your training budget |
2️⃣ Key Points
| # | Resource Category | Popular Choices | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standard Reference Books | • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams – Arun Sharma • General Intelligence & Reasoning – Nishit K. Sinha • General Awareness – Arun Sharma |
• Well‑structured chapters • Topics aligned with SBI syllabus • Lots of solved examples |
| 2 | SBI‑Specific Guidebooks | • SBI PO 2024 – Complete Guide – Guru99 • SBI PO 2024 – Practice Papers – StudyCha |
• Past exam patterns • Latest updates (cut‑off, marks distribution) |
| 3 | Online Course Platforms | • SBI PO 2024 – Course – Udemy • SBI PO 2024 – Testbook • SBI PO 2024 – Kijamii |
• Video lectures + quizzes • Live doubt sessions |
| 4 | Mobile Apps | • SBI PO 2024 – BYJU’S • SBI PO 2024 – Vedantu • SBI PO 2024 – Testbook |
• Offline practice • Push notifications for revision |
| 5 | Mock Test Platforms | • SBI PO Mock Tests – Testbook (paid) • SBI PO Practice Tests – Unacademy |
• Real‑time performance analytics • Time‑management drills |
| 6 | YouTube Channels | • JEE Bhuvan – quantitative • ExamMania – reasoning and English |
• Free video explanations • Step‑by‑step solutions |
| 7 | Study‑Plan Apps | • Google Calendar (customised study plan) • Notion (study tracker) |
• Visual progress tracking • Reminders for revision |
| 8 | Reference PDFs | • SBI PO 2024 Syllabus (official) – PDF • SBI PO 2024 Past Papers – PDF |
• Quick download for on‑the‑go review |
3️⃣ Worked Example: Building a 3‑Month Study Plan using Best Resources
| Week | Focus | Resources Used | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1‑4 | Quantitative Aptitude | 1. Quantitative Aptitude – Arun Sharma (books) 2. SBI PO 2024 – Video lectures (Udemy) |
- Read 2 chapters per day. - Watch 30‑min lecture on each topic. - Solve 20 practice problems from book. |
| Week 5‑8 | Reasoning & Logical Ability | 1. General Intelligence & Reasoning – Nishit K. Sinha (books) 2. SBI PO Mock Tests – Testbook |
- Practice daily puzzles (15 mins). - Take 1 mock test per week (timed). - Review mistakes with testbook analytics. |
| Week 9‑12 | English & General Awareness | 1. English for Competitive Exams – Nishit K. Sinha (books) 2. SBI PO 2024 – YouTube channel ExamMania |
- Read news daily (economic + current affairs). - Do 10 grammar/reading comprehension problems daily. - Watch 2 English videos each week. |
| Week 13‑14 | Full Mock Tests & Revision | 1. SBI PO Mock Tests – Testbook 2. SBI PO 2024 – Mobile App (offline) |
- 3 full‑length mock tests (timed). - Analyze scorecards; focus on weak areas. - Revise key formulas & charts. |
| Week 15 | Final Touch‑up | 1. SBI PO 2024 – Practice Papers (books) 2. Google Calendar – daily revision reminder |
- Solve 2 mock tests per day. - Quick flashcards for formulas. - Rest 1 day before exam. |
Tip: Use the Notion template to log daily scores, track weak points, and set weekly goals.
4️⃣ Quick Revision Summary
- Books: Arun Sharma (Quant), Nishit K. Sinha (Reasoning, English), SBI‑specific guidebooks.
- Online: Udemy/Tutorials, Testbook, Unacademy.
- Apps: Byju’s, Vedantu, Testbook, Google Calendar, Notion.
- Mock Tests: Testbook, Unacademy, official SBI past papers.
- YouTube: JEE Bhuvan, ExamMania.
- Study Plan: 3‑month cycle → Quant → Reasoning → English & GA → Mock & Revision.
- Analytics: Review mock test error reports; focus on weak topics.
- Revision: Flashcards, quick formula sheets, daily 15‑min review sessions.
Bottom line: Pick 2–3 resources per subject, stick to a disciplined study schedule, and use mock tests for real‑time feedback