SBI PO-Preparation Tips & Strategy for English

Unlike Quantitative Aptitude, & Reasoning Ability. SBI PO Prelims English section is scoring and less time-taking. The English Language section invites questions on reading comprehensions, cloze tests, vocabulary (synonyms & antonyms).

Candidates get 20 minutes to attempt the English Language section in the SBI PO Prelims exam and there will be a deduction of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.

SBI PO English Language Highlights

Both paper-1 and paper-2 comprise English comprehension, error finding, paragraph completion, and cloze test, the essence of a paragraph, para jumbles, and spellings. To counter all these topics, you need to have a basic understanding of English grammar and possess good vocabulary power. The difficulty level of this section can be moderate to difficult.

SBI PO English Language: Topic-wise Weightage

Based on the observations and previous records, here are the topics that invite most questions in the English section:

Topic Name	Number of Questions
Reading comprehension	7-10
Cloze test	5-6
Match the column	4-5
Fillers	5-6
Error Spotting/ Sentence correction/ Sentence Improvement	5-6
Phrase replacement	5-6
Sentence connector	3-4
Sentence completion	3-4
Sentence formation	3-4
Para jumble	5-6

Note: All three sections have separate cut-offs which you have to clear to qualify for the exam. The average cut-off for the English language in paper-1 for the general category is 8.75 and for the reserved category, it is 5.75.

Tips & Strategy for English Preparation

The section-wise approach to SBI PO English preparation will be fruitful only when you follow certain study habits and patterns. These general practices and exercises for studying English are essential to make maximum use of your time.

1. Previous year’s question papers

Take help of previous year’s question papers to know what sort of questions come in the exam. This will give you a fair idea of the type of questions that are set from the information that you read. You will get to know which questions come again and again in the exam with slight changes. This is an old trick but has always been very rewarding.

2. Strengthen your strong points

Realize your weak and strong points and work on your weak points and strengthen your strong points.

3. Attempt the section you are good in

If your vocabulary part is strong and you are a quick reader, then you should attempt the reading comprehension first and then only should you move on to other topics like cloze test, error detection, phrase replacement, para jumbles. But if you are good at Grammar, you can attempt reading comprehension later in the end. Or whatever you feel comfortable in. You can make or break your own rules, but for better results.

4. Read newspapers regularly

Subscribe to national newspapers like The Hindu or Times of India or The Economic Times to keep you updated with current affairs. It will also help you improve your vocabulary. Read the editorial section daily, to improve your critical thinking power. Read anything and everything in English and consult a dictionary for difficult words.

5. Attempt questions based on vocabulary in RC

Attempt questions based on vocabulary and phrases, synonyms and antonyms, and word replacement first, in reading Comprehension. After doing such questions and other questions as well, and then attempt the questions which require serious thinking and reading between the lines to ascertain the underlying meaning.

6. Mock Tests

Give as many Mock Tests as possible to train your mind to confidently attempt Maximum questions in 20 minutes’ time. Practice Mock Tests with sectional time as much as you can. Verbal ability questions like sentence re-arrangement can sometimes be time-consuming or confusing. Practice them

7. Think strategically

The best strategy to score 25+ Marks in English of SBI Clerk Exam 2021 is to discover and master a technique by which you can attempt 30 questions in 20 minutes. Think strategically, how you will distribute these 20 minutes of the section.

8. Make notes

Make a short summary of notes on all the important English topics for the last-minute revision. You may not get the time you are getting right now. Whenever you come across an unfamiliar word, note it down and find its meaning. Also, learn the synonyms, antonyms, and the correct spelling of important words.

9. Practice with a time limit

Try to be as accurate as possible while practicing a question in speed. To make it easy, you can set a timer while practicing different topics from the English language syllabus. This will improve your speed along with your accuracy.

Two Important Exam-Time Tips

1.      Attempt English at the beginning

As reading the comprehension needs focus and time, make sure you attempt it right at the beginning before doing any other section in the paper.

2.      Avoid guesswork

Unless you are absolutely sure about the answer, do not attempt a question. If you have already qualified the subject-wise cut-off in this section, avoid such guess works.

Best Books to Prepare for the English Language in SBI PO 2021

We have listed some of the best books you can use for preparing each and every topic that is elemental to qualify SBI PO English language.

Name of Book	Publisher
High School English Grammar & Composition- Wren and Martin	S.Chand Publication
Objective General English- S.P. Bakshi	Arihant Publication
Objective English for Competitive Examinations (5th Edition)- Hari Mohan Prasad, Uma Rani Sinha	Mcgraw Hill Education
Word Power Made Easy- Norman Lewis	Goyal Publishers
English for General Competitions: from Plinth to Paramount (Volume – 1)- Neetu Singh	Paramount Reader Publications

Conclusion

The English sections in SBI PO Prelims are tougher for two kinds of students, those who think they are weak in English, and for those who get overconfident and neglect proper practice. You just have to invest proper time in it to maximize your marks and easily meet the subject-wise cut-off for English. Keep in mind all the points mentioned above and prepare accordingly. Regular practice and reading habits will surely prepare you well to counter all the questions on all the topics including Grammar and Vocabulary.