Holi Offer - Use Code HOLI24

Register Now

How to score high in English section of IBPS and bank exams

Published on Sunday, August 04, 2013
English language is one of the important section of IBPS, SBI, SSC or any other recruitment exam. Although it is the most avoided and least prepared section. Most of the candidates unable to crack IBPS and other bank exams bacause they are unable to qualify sectional cutoffs and most of the candidates fails because they are unable to clear cutoff in this section. Today I made a study plan, please read it carefully, you will find intereting tips and shortcuts to score high in English section. Please share on Facebook if you find it useful.

During Exam Preparations

Read newspaper daily

Do you from where reading comprehension paragraphs come from in IBPS, SBI, RRB or any other recruitment exam ?

Most of the times these paragraphs comes from National newspapers and "The Hindu" is the most loved newspapers by question paper setters. I am not asking you to spend whole day in reading newspaper but reading it's editorial section will make you comfortable to their writing style. Mind it their writing style is really difficult to understand for a newbie.

If you want to score good in English section, then read "The Hindu" everyday. You will feel the difference while attempting questions in exam. There is no need to practice endless reading comprehension questions because practice papers are just a tool to measure performance but if you really want to improve your score then read newspaper everyday.

You can buy the newspaper or read it online on their website or download an app on your smart phone.

Improve your vocabulary

Without strong vocabulary it is almost impossible to score well in recruitment and bank exams. Further without strong vocabulary it is impossible to improve your reading speed and hence reading newspapers properly.

The best way to improve your vocabulary is reading Word Power made Easy book. This book will cost you around hundred rupees and trust me after reading this book you will feel a big change in your reading as well as writing skills.

Another way to improve vocabulary is learning a list of frequently used words. Download list of words from my previous post.

Read preparation books

Although there is no complete book for English language section but I strongly recommend you to follow at least one book for this section to become comfortable with exam type questions. Answering reading comprehension questions is an art, it is not like quantitative aptitude section where you can play with options. In English section of IBPS, options are really close and it is very difficult to answer rightly without understanding facts of paragraphs. Many time facts are wrong in answers, you need to answer on the basis of paragraph and not based on facts and general knowledge. Never guess answers in English section.
You can find IBPS books for English section in my list bank exams books.

Learn a list of words

Best way to improve your vocabulary quickly is by learning a list of words, download list of words in pdf format. Go through these words for atleast 3 times and try to use them in normal language.

Use a dictionary

Use a dictionary to improve your english everyday. I recommend you to stop using those low quality mobile dictionaries. Buy an Oxford Advanced English Dictionary which is expalins every word deeply you search in it. Further you can buy The Oxford Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms to take your writing and reading skills to next level. Try to invest more in books and less on coaching institutes. This is the most important tip.

Practice sample papers

Solve at least 20 previous papers of different levels. I have already shared 40+ question paper with answer key. Download previous bank exam papers in pdf format.

During Exam

Manage time

Time management is very important is IBPS and other recruitment exams. Attempting 200 questions in mere two hours is not an easy task. You to make a strategy to attempt exam. In my previous post I wrote about Time management in IBPS exams so don't want to repeat that here again.

Attempt last question sets first

Most of the times question at the end of English language is the easiest. Never leave those marks rich question. In case you run out of time, you can quit one reading comprehension set which you find really difficult but never leave sentence completion and grammar questions are those question are high scoring.

How to attempt Reading comprehension

Major part of English language section is consists of Reading comprehension sets. In many exam 20 out of 40 questions comes from reading comprehension. Many candidates leave these marks rich questions which is the biggest mistake. Tips to attempt reading comprehension sets :-

  • Write main points while reading as in long paragraphs it is very difficult to recall every point.
  • Read questions first so that you know what are you finding
  • Identify the tone of paragraph, it helps in answering very quickly. 
  • Read first and last para twice and thoroughly

Attempt English language section in the beginning

It takes a lot of efforts to read full length paragraphs after 90 minutes of hard on quantitative and reasoning section. I strongly recommend you to attempt English language section at first even if you are not good at this section.

Hope you will find the above tips very useful, in case of any query feel free to comment below, I will try to answer every query asap.

ebook store

About us

ramandeep singh

Ramandeep Singh is a seasoned educator and banking exam expert at BankExamsToday. With a passion for simplifying complex concepts, he has been instrumental in helping numerous aspirants achieve their banking career goals. His expertise and dedication make him a trusted guide in the journey to banking success.

  • Follow me:
Close Menu
Close Menu