How to prepare for English SBI PO? – English as a subject will have to be prepared for both prelims and mains. The unique pattern about SBI PO is that the focus on English is emphasized. 90 marks are what English can offer you in the mains. No other subject holds this much value.
The overall difficulty level of the SBI PO exam is higher if compared with other banking exams.
The other advantage is English can be a scoring subject if you prepare properly. By having a clear strategy one can really ace the English section.
Let’s look at the exam pattern for prelims first:
| S.No. | Section | No. Of Questions | Max. Marks | Time allotted for each test |
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| TOTAL | 100 | 100 | 1-hour |
Exam pattern for SBI PO Mains 2021
| S. No. | Section | No. Of Questions | Max. Marks | Time allotted for each test |
| 1 | Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| 2 | General Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| 3 | English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| 4 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hours | |
| 5 | English (Letter writing and assay) | 02 | 50 | 30 minutes |
SBI PO English Exam Syllabus
- Reading Comprehensions
- Idioms and Phrases (Can be given in RC only)
- Phrasal Verbs
- Fill in the qualifying words
- Advance Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles (5-6 liners)
- Error Spotting
- Fill in the blanks
- Phase Replacement
- Miscellaneous – word swap, column matches
How to prepare for English SBI PO Tips
Online Practice
India is becoming a digital bird now. Especially, since the arrival of COVID-19 cases in India, we have seen a tectonic shift in the consumption of data. From private coaching to schools everybody has shifted online. So, why does English require online practice?
- You will give your exam on a computer screen that has got a portrait dimension whereas solving questions or doing RC’s out of study material has a landscape type of view. It’s better to prefer screens over printed material because it will get you used to the online view format and experience.
- Mock tests are only available on online platforms.
Newspaper Reading of Hindu, Indian Express
Reading comprehension passages of such exams often come from a prestigious newspaper like “The Hindu” due to its high-quality editorial content. It’s a no-brainer as to why you should be reading such a newspaper. Some other advantages of reading newspaper can be the following:
- Vocabulary enhancement – adding new words daily in your word bank.
- Sentence formation skills will get better as you read editorials.
- Reading speed will get better. A fast reader can attempt all the questions in time.
- And remember, letter and essay writing can offer 50 marks. Both are long-form types of content and so are editorials. You will learn how to begin an article or an essay and how to end the same and everything in between.
Regular Mock Tests
English is a high-scoring subject. A score of 80-90 in English can’t be achieved without giving mock tests. Here are some advantages of giving mock tests.
- You get to analyse and track your score and weak areas daily
- Mock tests help in identify the silly mistakes
- You get to know your all-India rank which is a clear indicator of where you stand in the race of SBI PO.
Looking for an excellent mock experience. Sign-up for a free mock test today to crack SBI PO 2021.
Get Used to Typing
As you are aware there will be two questions of essay/letter writing for a total of 50 marks. You will have to write them by typing on the computer screens. If you are not used to typing via keyboards then you should practice now. There is a difference between an occasional typist vs a regular typist. Being slow at typing can be overwhelming as it will become very difficult to finish the portion within 30 minutes.
Focus on Basics if you are Weak in English
Manya aspirants complain from Day 1 of English being too big a deal for them. It is especially common among Hindi medium students. But in reality, nearly all students have gaps when it comes to English. It’s not our mother tongue. Someone might be good at spoken English but grammatical and written English can actually reveal all the flaws. Things you should remember about English:
- Learning basics about grammar and tenses and regular reading will make all the difference
- Basics will boost your confidence and will subside your fear about English
How to prepare for English SBI PO – Conclusion
You can’t mess around with English if you really want to crack SBI PO 2021. The notification for 2021-22 isn’t out yet so why don’t you make the most of it by acing all the mock exams you can start right now. Have some questions? Ask us in the comments below. We will be happy to help all the aspirants.
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