How to Tackle Reading Comprehension in SBI Clerk Exam 2025?

The SBI Clerk Exam 2025 is going to be held in September, and we want you to give your best and clear it in your very first attempt. We are here to guide you to achieve it. And to achieve it, you’ll have to score maximum marks in all the sections of the exam, including English. In it, you will get 30 questions for 30 marks, which you have to solve in just 20 minutes. Out of these, Reading Comprehension (RC) plays a very important role. If your RC preparation is strong, you can easily score well and make English your scoring section. RC tests your reading ability, understanding of the passage, and vocabulary skills through questions like synonyms, antonyms, and inference-based queries. Many students skip it thinking it is time-consuming, but with the right approach, RC can be the easiest part to attempt. In this blog, we will share useful tips to help you attempt RC smartly in SBI Clerk 2025.

What is Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension means the ability to read a text, understand it, and find what it wants to convey. It mainly depends on two things: word reading (being able to read and recognize words) and language understanding (knowing what those words and sentences mean).

When we read, we don’t just remember the exact words. Instead, our mind creates a clear picture or idea of what the text is saying, almost like a small movie playing in our head.

Good reading comprehension is very important because it gives a purpose to reading. It helps us to learn, understand, and connect with the text. Most importantly, it allows us to enjoy what we are reading and use that knowledge in real life.

Weightage of RC in SBI Clerk Exam

As per subject experts’ analysis of previous years’ SBI Clerk exams, Reading Comprehension (RC) is asked every single year without fail. If we look at the previous year trends, around 7–10 questions always come from RC in the prelims exam. This makes it the highest weightage topic in the English section. Unlike some other topics which may or may not appear, RC is a fixed part of the paper. That is why you cannot skip this topic at any cost. If you want to clear the exam and score 25+ in English, you must prepare RC thoroughly. Strong RC skills will not only help you score well in English but also save time, as direct questions like synonyms, antonyms, and factual answers are easy to attempt once you understand the passage properly. Simply put, mastering RC is a must if you want to crack the SBI Clerk exam.

Types of Questions Being Asked in Reading Comprehension

Many students find RC tricky because it tests both comprehension skills and command of English. To score well, it is important to understand the types of questions that are usually asked in this section. Below are the most common types of RC questions :

1. Fact-Based or Direct Questions

These are the easiest type of RC questions. The answer is directly available in the passage, and you just need to locate it. No extra analysis or assumption is required. You simply read carefully, find the relevant sentence, and choose the correct option.

2. True/False Questions

In these questions, a statement will be given, and you need to decide whether it is true, false, or not mentioned in the passage. These questions test your ability to identify facts and differentiate between what is stated and what is assumed.

3. Vocabulary-Based Questions (Synonyms & Antonyms)

This is one of the most scoring parts of RC. A word or phrase from the passage is highlighted, and you need to find its synonym (similar meaning) or antonym (opposite meaning) from the given options. Since the word comes directly from the passage, context plays an important role.

4. Inference-Based Questions

These questions are a bit higher level compared to direct questions. You are asked to draw a conclusion or understand the hidden meaning from the given lines. The answer may not be directly written in the passage but can be logically understood.

5. Fill in the Blank Questions

In some RC sets, you may get a fill-in-the-blank type question where a sentence related to the passage is given with a missing word. You need to choose the correct option that fits meaningfully.

6. Error Detection Questions (Expected)

This is a new type of question that examiners are now including in RCs. A sentence from the passage will be highlighted, and it may contain a grammatical or structural error. You will be asked to find out the part of the sentence where the error lies.

Tips to tackle RC in SBI Clerk 2025

Many students are told to read newspapers, editorials, or novels to improve their Reading Comprehension (RC). While this advice helps to build language and vocabulary, it does not fully prepare you for the online exam environment of SBI Clerk. Reading RCs in exams requires a more focused and exam-oriented approach. Here we are sharing some tips to tackle RC in SBI Clerk 2025 : 

1. Paper vs Screen Reading: Reading on a screen is very different from reading on paper. On screen, the font, spacing, and light put more strain on your brain and eyes. Since the exam is online, you must train yourself by practicing on screens instead of paper. Start reading editorials, articles, or even novels in digital format—on apps, PDF readers, or websites. This helps your brain adapt to screen reading, so you feel comfortable during the actual exam.
2. No Highlighting Option: In online exams, you cannot underline or highlight sentences as in offline exams. So, make it a habit to mentally note or quickly summarize the important parts of the passage in your own words while reading. This way, you don’t waste time re-reading the whole passage.While reading the passage, try to form a quick summary in your mind or even in your native language. This helps you understand the theme clearly and connect the key points faster when answering.
3. Be Exam-Oriented: RC passages in SBI Clerk are generally factual or narrative. Just keep in mind, the examiner only asks questions from the passage. Don’t overthink or get lost in the arguments, like you do while reading newspapers or editorials. In the exam, your only focus should be is to read and find answers quickly.
4. Practice via Mock Tests: The best way to solve RC is to answer it through sectional tests and full-length mocks. These passages are made as per the actual exam style and difficulty. By practicing them regularly, you will build speed, improve accuracy, and get used to exam vibes and pressure.

Best Mock Test For SBI Clerk Exam 2025

When you start preparing, first give a free mock test to check where you stand. This will help you understand how the exam is being set and the type of questions asked. After that, note down your weak areas and start improving them. Once you begin working on them, practice with topic-wise tests. This will slowly boost your score as you cover your weak points. Next, move on to sectional tests to build speed and accuracy in each subject. Finally, attempt full-length mocks regularly. If you follow this flow seriously, your chances of clearing the exam on your first attempt are high.

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