SBI PO exams weigh English quite heavily in both the prelims and the mains. It is considered essential in exams since English is the primary language of communication, verbally and in writing, being vastly used in all documentation purposes. So how does one prepare and crack English in an SBI PO exam? Here’s how.

Understand the Specific Weightage of English in all Phases

There are three rounds of exams, called phases. The first are the prelims, where English is scored for 30 marks where 20 minutes is allotted for the test. In the mains, English is assessed for 40 marks under 40 minutes. 

A descriptive English test is scored for 50 marks for 30 minutes. Understanding the syllabus and assessing your personal high score (the marks you expect from yourself instead of a cent percent) will determine how much value and focus you need to weigh in preparing that topic. 

Online Practice 

This is especially true for the descriptive exam since they’re conducted online. In such a time limit, you need to be a speedy typist without compromising on the content of your answers. Besides, most mock tests and past year papers are easily accessible online. 

Therefore dedicating time to practise dynamically across a variety of topics and formats by injecting current affairs and statistics is necessary. Mock tests are also incredible tools to constantly revise, and cheat harmlessly while at it. Analyze your performance and correct your mistakes on the next account. They bring to light your silly mistakes that you can be alert of while attempting the final paper. 

Newspaper Reading 

There can never be enough reading when preparing for bank exams in general, and never less for cracking English in SBI PO exam. Reading the newspaper broadens your vocabulary, introduces you to various opinions, perspectives and takes on any one prospect. Diversifying your reading into editorials, news columns across various regional, national and local newspapers offers you insightful details. 

The habit also prompts you to recognize unfamiliar words and the context they’re used in, thereby enhancing your ability to understand the style, structure and tone of the text. When preparing for the GD and the interview, you will be much better at answering comprehensively while also understanding what is enough of an answer to the interviewer’s questions. 

In addition to that, the sentences and paragraphs that you find in established texts are all edited and presented in the best possible manner. Reading improves your reading comprehension skills by allowing you to understand, interpret and conclude the context of the paragraphs you read. 

Learning Basic Grammar 

If your primary education was in a language other than English, it is daunting to learn English in such a short time. Even otherwise, retouching your basics of English—like verbs, forms of speech, voices, idioms and basic sentence structuring—is advised. This is basic English that you can learn at your own discretion and will help you solve the objective questions on the exams easier. 

Incorporate and Use New Vocabulary 

Just learning will not be enough. You are not preparing merely for cracking the English exam; the language holds importance in communication from the moment you seek to attempt the exam. Banking documents include niche terms and highly specific jargon arranged in the most formal manner. Failing to understand them will be detrimental. 

Use the new words you learn and find the context in which they suit the sentence. It will give you an advantage in your interview process. You can also listen to English news and key speakers, be it actors, sportspeople etc., speak in English during famed interviews to understand the depth and of the information being spoken. 

Practise and challenge yourself in all your preparation. All the best!