English is one of the most important subjects in bank exams, as it tests your ability to communicate effectively, understand complex texts, and apply grammar rules. English is also a common language of study and business in India and abroad, so having a good command over it can give you an edge in your career.

In this article, we will guide you on how to improve your English skills for bank exams, covering the syllabus, topics, tips, and strategies for the English section. We will also provide you with some useful resources and practice methods to help you ace the English section in bank exams.

Understanding the English Section in Bank Exams

The English section in bank exams consists of various types of questions that assess your reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, error detection, sentence rearrangement, cloze test, fill in the blanks, and writing skills. The weightage and difficulty level of the English section may vary depending on the exam and stage (prelims or mains), but generally, it accounts for 25-30% of the total marks.

The table below shows the expected number of questions from each topic in the English section for bank exams:

To prepare well for the English section in bank exams, you need to have a clear understanding of the syllabus and the exam pattern, and practice regularly with previous year question papers and mock tests.

Importance of Solving Previous Year Question Papers and Mock Tests

One of the best ways to score more in English for bank exams is solving previous year question papers and mock tests. This will help you:

• Understand the type and pattern of questions asked in the exam
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses in each topic
• Improve your speed and accuracy
• Manage your time effectively during the exam
• Boost your confidence and reduce exam anxiety
   

You can find previous year question papers and mock tests for various bank exams online or offline. You can also download them from here.

Reading Habits

Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve your English skills for bank exams. Reading can help you:

• Enhance your vocabulary and learn new words
• Improve your grammar and sentence structure
• Develop your comprehension and inference skills
• Expand your knowledge and awareness of current affairs
   

You should read a variety of English language newspapers, magazines, books, blogs, articles, etc. on a daily basis. Some of the recommended sources are:

1. The Hindu
2. The Economic Times
3. The Indian Express
4. Business Standard
5. Outlook
6. Reader’s Digest
7. India Today
8. The Economist
9. BBC News
10. Times of India (TOI)
     

While reading, you should highlight or note down the words or phrases that you don’t understand, look up their meanings in a dictionary or online, and try to use them in your own sentences. You should also summarize or paraphrase what you have read in your own words to check your understanding.

Read: How to Crack SBI PO in 6 Months Without Coaching: Tips and Tricks

Vocabulary Building

Vocabulary is an essential part of the English section in bank exams, as it can help you score well in topics like reading comprehension, cloze test, fill in the blanks, word association, etc. Having a strong vocabulary can also help you express yourself better in writing and speaking.

To build your vocabulary for bank exams, you should:

• Learn new words every day from various sources like newspapers, books, magazines, etc.
• Use flashcards or apps to memorize and revise the words regularly
• Learn the synonyms and antonyms of the words
• Learn the usage and context of the words in sentences
• Learn the root words, prefixes, suffixes, and word families to expand your word power
• Take vocabulary quizzes and tests to check your progress
   

Some of the useful resources for vocabulary building are:

• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• Barron’s 1100 Words You Need to Know by Murray Bromberg and Melvin Gordon
• Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
• Merriam Webster Dictionary
• Vocabulary.com
• Memrise
   

Grammar Rules

Grammar is another important aspect of the English section in bank exams, as it can help you score well in topics like error detection, sentence correction, active/passive voice, etc. Having a good grasp of grammar can also help you avoid mistakes and confusion in writing and speaking.

To improve your grammar skills for bank exams, you should:

• Review the basic rules of grammar from a reliable source like a book or a website
• Learn the common errors and exceptions in grammar
• Practice grammar exercises and questions regularly
• Identify and correct your own errors while writing or speaking
• Take grammar quizzes and tests to check your progress
   

Some of the useful resources for grammar improvement are:

• High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
• Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
• English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy
• Grammarly
• Duolingo
   

Listening and Speaking

Listening and speaking are also essential skills for learning English for bank exams, as they can help you improve your pronunciation, intonation, fluency, and comprehension. Listening and speaking can also help you acquire new words and phrases, and reinforce your grammar and vocabulary.

Read: Ace the SBI PO Interview: The Ultimate Preparation Guide

To improve your listening and speaking skills for bank exams, you should:

• Listen to English podcasts, radio, news, documentaries, etc. on topics related to banking, finance, economy, current affairs, etc.
• Watch English movies, TV shows, videos, etc. with subtitles or captions
• Repeat or imitate what you hear to practice your pronunciation and intonation
• Speak in English with your friends, family, or online partners on various topics
• Record yourself speaking in English and listen to it to identify and correct your errors
• Take listening and speaking quizzes and tests to check your progress
   

Some of the useful resources for listening and speaking are:

1. TED Talks
2. BBC Learning English
3. Voice of America
4. EngVid
5. FluentU
    

Time Management

Time management is a crucial skill for scoring well in the English section in bank exams, as you have to answer 25-30 questions in 15-20 minutes. Time management can help you avoid wasting time on difficult or lengthy questions, and allocate your time wisely among different topics.

To improve your time management skills for bank exams, you should:

• Solve previous year question papers and mock tests with a timer
• Set a time limit for each question or topic and stick to it
• Skip or mark the questions that you are not sure about or that take too much time
• Attempt the easy or familiar questions first and then move on to the difficult ones
• Review your answers carefully before submitting them
   

Regular Assessment and Feedback

Regular assessment and feedback are important for improving your English skills for bank exams, as they can help you measure your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and plan your improvement strategies. Assessment and feedback can also help you track your progress and motivate you to achieve your goals.

To get regular assessment and feedback for bank exams, you should:

• Solve previous year question papers and mock tests regularly and analyze your scores and accuracy
• Identify the topics or areas that you need to work on more or less
• Seek feedback from experts, teachers, mentors, or peers on your answers or solutions
• Use online tools or apps to check your grammar, spelling, vocabulary, etc.
• Set realistic and achievable goals for yourself and monitor them
   

Read: How to Prepare for the RBI Grade B Exam Without Coaching: A Comprehensive Guide
 

Final Words!

English is a vital subject for bank exams that can help you score high marks and enhance your career prospects. To improve your English skills for bank exams, you need to follow a systematic and consistent approach that covers all the aspects of the language: reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking. You also need to practice regularly with various resources and methods that suit your learning style and needs. With dedication, hard work, and smart work, you can master English for bank exams and achieve success. All the best!