4 Tips for English Language & Comprehension of EPFO Steno

If you are aspiring to become a stenographer in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), you need to clear the EPFO Steno exam. This exam consists of two phases: a computer-based test (CBT) and a skill test. The CBT has three sections: General Aptitude, General Awareness (includes Computer Awareness) and English Language and Comprehension. The skill test is a stenography test where you have to type 80 words per minute in English or Hindi for 10 minutes.

One of the most important sections of the CBT is the English Language & Comprehension section. This section tests your knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension and error detection. You need to score well in this section to qualify for the skill test and secure a good rank in the merit list.

In this article, we will share 4 tips on how to prepare for the English Language & Comprehension section of the EPFO Steno exam. We will also provide some resources and practice questions to help you ace this section.

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Tip 1: Review the syllabus and exam pattern

The first step in preparing for any exam is to review the syllabus and exam pattern. This will help you understand what topics are covered, what types of questions are asked and how much time you have to solve them.

The syllabus for the English Language & Comprehension section of the EPFO Steno exam is as follows:

Grammar: Parts of speech, tenses, voice, narration, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, etc.
Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases, spelling errors, etc.
Reading Comprehension: Passages on various topics with questions based on inference, facts, opinions, tone, etc.
Error Detection: Sentences with grammatical or spelling errors that need to be identified and corrected.

The exam pattern for the English Language & Comprehension section of the EPFO Steno exam is as follows:

Number of questions: 100
Maximum Marks: 400
Negative marking: 0.25
Time allotted: 130 minutes of composite time for all the 3 sections.

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Tip 2: Strengthen your grammar and vocabulary

Grammar and vocabulary are the foundation of any language. To score well in the English Language & Comprehension section of the EPFO Steno exam, you need to have a strong command over these two aspects.

To improve your grammar, you need to revise the basic rules and concepts of grammar and practice them regularly. You can use books like Wren and Martin’s High School English Grammar and Composition or SP Bakshi’s Objective General English for reference. You can also watch online videos or take online courses on grammar topics.

To improve your vocabulary, you need to learn new words and their meanings every day. You can use books like Norman Lewis’s Word Power Made Easy or Kiran Prakashan’s A Mirror of Common Errors for reference. You can also use online tools like flashcards, quizzes or games to learn new words. You should also read newspapers, magazines or books on various topics to expose yourself to different words and contexts.

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Tip 3: Practice reading comprehension

Reading comprehension is a skill that requires regular practice and improvement. To score well in the reading comprehension section of the EPFO Steno exam, you need to develop your reading speed, accuracy and comprehension skills.

To improve your reading speed, you need to read more and more passages on different topics and genres. You can use books like Objective General English by S.P.Bakshi for reference. You can also use online tools like speed reading apps or websites to measure and improve your reading speed.

To improve your accuracy and comprehension skills, you need to read each passage carefully and understand its main idea, tone, purpose and message. You also need to pay attention to the details, facts, opinions and assumptions in the passage. You should then answer the questions based on the passage without referring back to it. You should also eliminate wrong options by using logic and elimination techniques.

Tip 4: Practice error detection

Error detection is a skill that can help you improve your accuracy and score in the English section of SSC Steno exam. Error detection involves finding and correcting grammatical, spelling, punctuation, or vocabulary errors in a given sentence or passage. Here are some tips on how to practice error detection for SSC exams:

Review the basic rules of grammar, such as subject-verb agreement, tense, voice, pronouns, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, etc.
Read a lot of English texts from different sources, such as newspapers, magazines, books, websites, etc. Pay attention to how sentences are constructed and how words are used in context.
Practice error detection exercises from previous SSC exam papers or mock tests. Identify the errors and explain why they are wrong. Check your answers with the answer key or a reliable source.
Learn from your mistakes and avoid repeating them. Keep a notebook of common errors and their corrections. Review them regularly and revise the rules if needed.
Seek feedback from others who are good at English or from experts. Ask them to point out your errors and suggest improvements. Learn from their suggestions and apply them to your own writing.

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These were the tips to improve your English Language & Comprehension section for EPFO Steno exam. We hope that by practising these tips, you will be able to score more in the exam. Also, keep practising through mock tests so that you can check the status of your performance and improve it gradually. Wishing you good luck with your preparation.

Nikunj Barnwal