In the major bank exams like SBI PO, IBPS PO, IBPS RRB PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, RBI Assistant, the English Language section is there, and it is considered to be highly scoring if you are good with the basics of the language. To prepare for English in bank exams, concentrate on Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Vocabulary. Read newspapers, practice questions such as error spotting, cloze tests, and para jumbles, and take sectional mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Learn 5–10 new words every day with proper usage, strengthen grammar fundamentals like tenses and prepositions, work on increasing reading speed, and regularly analyze your practice performance to identify and improve weak areas. Learn how to start English preparation for bank exams with basics, grammar, reading strategy, and a daily study plan by exploring our article.
Is English Difficult for Bank Exams?
A majority of applicants for Bank PO, Clerk, and SO find the English Language section to be scoring and less difficult. For any English questions for bank exams, you don’t need to memorize any formula or rules like the Reasoning or Quant section. With regular reading, clear grammar basics, and consistent practice of exam-level questions, most candidates find English one of the most scoring sections.
English Syllabus for Bank Exams
|
English Section
|
Topics/Sub-topics
|
|
Grammar
|
Noun
Verbs
Adverbs
Articles
Voice Change
Gerund, Infinitive, and Participle
Conditional Sentences
Sentence Structures
Subject Verb Agreement
Rules of Tenses
Prefixes & Suffixes
ConjunctionsVocabulary
|
|
Vocabulary
|
Phrasal Verbs
Spellings
Synonyms & Antonyms
Word Swapping
Idioms and Phrases
Error Spotting
|
|
Verbal Ability
|
Cloze Test
Reading Comprehension
Para Jumbles
Para Fillers
Fill in the Blanks
One Word Substitutions
Odd Man Out
|
Weightage of the English Section for Bank Exams
In the table below, we have provided the exam-wise weightage of English marks for both Prelims and Mains stages.
|
Weightage of the English Section for Bank Exams
|
|
Bank Exam Name
|
Exam-wise Weightage of English Marks
|
|
Prelims
|
Mains
|
|
SBI PO
|
30
|
40
|
|
IBPS PO
|
30
|
40
|
|
IBPS RRB PO
|
-
|
40
|
|
SBI Clerk
|
30
|
40
|
|
IBPS Clerk
|
30
|
40
|
|
IBPS RRB Clerk
|
-
|
40
|
|
SBI SO
|
35
|
|
IBPS SO
|
25
|
-
|
|
RBI Grade B
|
30
|
100
|
|
RBI Assistant
|
30
|
40
|
How to Start English Preparation from Zero
1. Build Basics First
Start with basic grammar topics like parts of speech, tenses, subject–verb agreement, prepositions, and articles.
2. Develop Reading Habit
Read newspapers (The Hindu / Indian Express) or simple English articles daily to improve vocabulary and comprehension.
3. Strengthen Vocabulary
Learn 5–10 new words every day with meaning, usage, and synonyms/antonyms; revise them regularly.
4. Practice Easy Questions
Begin with simple exercises such as fill-in-the-blank, error spotting, and sentence correction.
5. Focus on Reading Comprehension
Start with short passages, understand the idea, then move to exam-level RCs gradually.
6. Practice Daily
Give at least 30–45 minutes daily to English for consistency and confidence.
7. Take Mock Tests
Once the basics are clear, attempt sectional mocks to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
8. Analyze Mistakes
Review every practice test to understand errors and avoid repeating them.
Topic-wise English Preparation for Bank Exams Tips
We have categorized the English syllabus for bank exams into four major areas: Grammar, Vocabulary, Verbal Ability, and Reading Comprehension. Below are section-wise tips to help you begin your English preparation effectively:
Verbal Ability
The Verbal Ability section evaluates your understanding of sentence structure and logical flow.
-
This section commonly includes questions on para jumbles and para fillers in bank exams.
-
Improving vocabulary will directly enhance your verbal ability skills.
-
Read each question carefully and identify the central idea or theme of the jumbled sentences to arrange them correctly.
-
Practice regularly through mocks and quizzes to gain confidence in topics like cloze tests, one-word substitutions, and odd man out.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary forms a crucial part of the English syllabus for bank exams. A strong vocabulary helps in understanding and solving various question types.
-
Learn new words daily along with their meanings, synonyms, and antonyms using reliable dictionaries like Oxford or Merriam-Webster.
-
Read newspapers, articles, columns, and short stories regularly to understand word usage in context.
-
Maintain a vocabulary notebook and organize words alphabetically for easy revision.
-
Refer to books like Wren and Martin, which are widely regarded as effective for vocabulary building.
-
Try to use newly learned words in daily conversations to reinforce learning.
-
A good vocabulary will help you easily tackle questions such as word swapping, idioms and phrases, fillers, and error spotting.
Grammar
While preparing for English Grammar for bank exams, follow these tips along with standard study materials:
-
Be thorough with syntax rules and parts of speech to solve questions from topics such as tenses, error spotting, fill-in-the-blanks, and sentence correction.
-
Start with NCERT or basic-level English books to clearly understand fundamentals like subject–verb agreement.
-
Develop the habit of writing sentences while practicing grammar questions, as it helps in identifying spelling errors and misplaced words more easily.
Reading Comprehension / Passage
Reading Comprehension tests your overall command of Grammar, Vocabulary, and Verbal Ability.
-
Read lengthy passages daily to improve reading speed and comprehension skills.
-
Some RC questions are inference-based, so focus on understanding the context and implied meaning rather than looking for direct answers.
-
A strong knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and phrases is essential, as questions related to word meanings are often asked from the passage.
If you are starting English preparation for bank exams, focus on these core grammar topics first. They form the foundation for almost all English questions.
Basic Grammar You Must Learn First
Parts of Speech- Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, and Interjection.
Subject–Verb Agreement- Correct use of singular and plural verbs according to the subject.
Tenses- Present, Past, and Future tenses with their simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous forms.
Articles- Usage of a, an, and the, and when not to use articles.
Prepositions- Correct use of prepositions like in, on, at, by, for, since, from, etc.
Pronouns- Personal, reflexive, relative, and demonstrative pronouns and their correct usage.
Adjectives & Adverbs- Difference between adjectives and adverbs and rules for comparison.
Active & Passive Voice- How to convert sentences from active to passive voice correctly.
Direct & Indirect Speech- Rules for changing narration and reporting speech.
Conjunctions- Usage of coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions.
Sentence Structure- Basic sentence patterns and common errors in sentence formation.
Mastering these topics will help you easily solve questions like error spotting, sentence correction, fillers, cloze tests, and reading comprehension in bank exams.
Vocabulary Building Strategy for Beginners
1. Start Small and Be Consistent
Begin with 5–10 new words daily instead of memorizing long lists.
2. Learn Words in Context
Understand how a word is used in a sentence by reading newspapers, articles, or editorials.
3. Use a Dictionary Daily
Check meanings, pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, and usage from reliable dictionaries like Oxford or Merriam-Webster.
4. Maintain a Vocabulary Notebook
Write words with meanings, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences; revise them regularly.
5. Revise Frequently
Use weekly and monthly revision to ensure long-term retention of words.
6. Practice with Questions
Apply vocabulary while solving cloze tests, fillers, error spotting, and reading comprehension.
7. Learn Word Roots & Prefixes
Understanding common roots, prefixes, and suffixes helps guess the meanings of unfamiliar words.
8. Use Words Actively
Try to use new words in writing or daily conversations to improve recall.
9. Focus on Exam-Relevant Words
Give priority to words frequently asked in bank exams, like idioms, phrasal verbs, and one-word substitutions.
Daily English Study Plan for Bank Exams
1. Reading Practice (20–25 minutes)
Read The Hindu or Indian Express editorial. Focus on understanding tone, main idea, and new words.
2. Vocabulary Building (15 minutes)
Learn 5–10 new words with meanings, synonyms/antonyms, and usage. Revise old words regularly.
3. Grammar Practice (20–25 minutes)
Study one grammar topic daily (tenses, subject–verb agreement, prepositions, etc.) and practice related questions.
4. Verbal Ability Practice (15 minutes)
Solve questions like para jumbles, cloze tests, fillers, and sentence rearrangement.
5. Mock Test / Analysis (Weekly)
Attempt sectional English mocks 2–3 times a week and analyze mistakes thoroughly.
Common Mistakes in English Preparation
-
Ignoring basic grammar rules and directly attempting advanced questions
-
Memorizing vocabulary without understanding usage
-
Not revising learned words and grammar topics
-
Skipping mock tests or not analyzing errors
-
Reading without focusing on comprehension
-
Practicing randomly without following a study plan
-
Focusing only on speed and neglecting accuracy
Following a structured daily plan and avoiding these mistakes will help you score consistently well in the English section of bank exams.
FAQs
Q. How should I start English preparation for bank exams?
Start English preparation for bank exams by learning basic grammar, building vocabulary daily, reading simple English passages, and practicing bank exam questions regularly.
Q. Can beginners prepare English for bank exams?
Yes, beginners can prepare English for bank exams by starting from basics and practicing consistently.
Q. Is English compulsory in bank exams?
Yes, English is a compulsory section in most bank exams like IBPS, SBI, and RRB, and it also has sectional cut-offs in many exams.
Q. Is English tough for beginners?
No, English is not tough for beginners if they start with basic grammar, daily reading, and consistent practice.
Q. How much time is needed for English preparation?
With regular practice, 2–3 months are enough to build a good command of English for bank exams.
Q. Which English topics are important for bank exams?
Reading Comprehension, Grammar (error spotting, sentence correction), Vocabulary, Cloze Test, and Para Jumbles are the most important topics.
Q. How to improve English accuracy?
Focus on grammar basics, read questions carefully, practice regularly, and analyze your mistakes after mock tests.
