Many students find English is hard in the SBI PO exam. But if you prepare smartly, English can become your best scoring section in the SBI PO Prelims exam. Remember, a combination of a strategic approach, time management, and dedication will help you to score 35+ out of 40 easily.
You primarily need four things:
- A proper plan
- Good time management
- Regular study
- Strong focus
What Is in the SBI PO Prelims English Section?
In competitive examinations, the best performance comes when you know what to do and how. Before we learn how to score well, let’s understand what is in this section.
- You will get 40 questions in English.
- You will have only 20 minutes to answer them.
- The questions are not just about grammar or vocabulary. You need to understand ideas and read fast.
Important Topics in SBI PO Prelims English Section
Scoring 35+ out of 40 in SBI PO Prelims exam is very easy. Just focus initially on these areas:
Topic | What It Involves |
---|---|
Reading Comprehension (RC) | A passage is given with questions. Topics may be on society, economy, or general issues. Questions can be direct, indirect, or vocabulary/theme-based. |
Cloze Test | A paragraph with blanks is given. You must pick the right word based on grammar and meaning. |
Para Jumbles | Sentences are given in the wrong order. You must rearrange them to form a logical paragraph. |
Error Spotting | Find grammar errors in sentences. Focus on tenses, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, etc. |
Fill in the Blanks | Sentences with one or two blanks are given. Choose the correct word(s) to complete them. |
Sentence Improvement | A sentence with an underlined part is given. Choose the best replacement or correction. |
Vocabulary Questions | Questions based on synonyms, antonyms, or correct word usage in a sentence. |
Also Read: 35 Day Study Plan to Crack SBI PO 2025 Prelims
Best Way to Prepare for SBI PO Prelims English
Now, come to the most important part of this guide – how to prepare for English for your upcoming SBI PO exam. Follow these:
1. Read English Daily
Reading English daily is a good habit. It develops your fluency and speed. Even it helps you in time management as well. You can follow the below steps:
- Read newspaper editorials and opinion pages.
- Choose from The Telegraph, The Statesman, The Hindu, The Indian Express, Livemint, etc.
- Try to read for (minimum) 1 hour daily.
When you learn new words, it becomes easier to understand what you read. You can also understand long or difficult sentences better. With practice, you read faster and understand more.
2. Learn Grammar
Grammar is the foundation of the English language. It is very important for many questions. Prepare this way:
- Read from a simple grammar book like Wren & Martin.
- Use school-level grammar books if you are from a vernacular medium.
- Focus on tenses, prepositions, subject-verb rules, etc.
- Practice 15-20 questions every day.
It helps you become more accurate in English. You can find grammar mistakes easily and fix them quickly.
3. Focus on Vocabulary
Like grammar, vocabulary helps you in many areas, like RC, Cloze, and Fillers. So keep a word notebook to help you learn new words. Try to learn 5 to 10 new words every day. For each word, write its meaning, synonyms, antonyms, and use it in a sentence. Use flashcards or mobile apps to revise the words regularly.
This method helps you understand reading passages quickly. It also helps you answer vocabulary questions correctly in the exam.
4. Attend Mock Tests
Mock tests are very important. Apart from mock tests, solve previous year question papers.
- The previous years’ question paper helps to understand the exam pattern.
- You see which topics come again and again.
- Take 2–3 English section tests per week.
- Follow the 20-minute time limit strictly.
- After the test, check your mistakes and understand them.
5. Improve Your Accuracy Level
Only try to answer all 40 questions if you are very sure. If you are not sure about a question, it’s better to skip it to avoid negative marking. Avoid guessing, as wrong answers can reduce your total score. Focus on answering the questions you are confident about. While practicing, go slowly and try to get the answers right. This way, your accuracy will improve, and you can score higher without losing marks.
English is not learned in a day, but with consistency, anyone can easily score 35+ out of 40 in the upcoming SBI PO Preliminary exam.
Also Read: Tips to Score 25+ Out of 30 in SBI PO Prelims Quant Section
Daily English Plan for SBI PO Prelims
Discipline is the key to success. You can use this simple schedule as your daily English plan:
Time | Activity |
---|---|
Morning (30–45 mins) | 1. Read editorials, books, or blogs 2. Note new words and phrases |
Mid-Day (15–20 mins) | 1. Revise vocabulary 2. Practice 10 grammar questions |
Evening (30–45 mins) | 1. Solve 1 English mock test (20 mins) 2. Practice 2 RCs, 1 Cloze Test, or Para Jumbles 3. Check and learn from your mistakes |
Scoring 35+ out of 40 in English is very much possible. You just need to be regular. A smart plan and proper execution are the best way to score higher. Just practice daily and stay focused. Follow this guide, and you will see your English score improve fast. All the best!
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NOTE: This guide is mostly for the Prelims exam. But the Mains exam also has English. It has essay and letter writing. If you build a strong base in reading and grammar now, it will also help you in the Mains. Write a little every day to improve your writing skills.
FAQs
Q1. Can I score 35+ in SBI PO Prelims English Section?
Ans: Yes, if you practice daily and follow a smart plan.
Q2. What helps the most in SBI PO Prelims English Section preparation?
Ans: Daily reading of good English newspapers, especially editorials.
Q3. Is vocabulary more important than grammar?
Ans: Both are important. Vocabulary helps in RC. Grammar helps in error spotting.
Q4. Should I attempt all questions at SBI PO Prelims English Section?
Ans: No. Only answer those you are sure about to avoid negative marks.
Q5. Are mock tests useful to improve Score SBI PO Prelims English Section?
Ans: Yes. They help with speed, strategy, and finding weak areas.