English For Bank Exams, Syllabus, Weightage & Preparation Tips

English For Bank Exams

In Bank Exams, English is a crucial component that tests candidates’ grammar, vocabulary and comprehension skills. Aspirants preparing for bank exams must not overlook this section, as it not only carries substantial weightage in most banking exams but is also a vital part of communicating in the banking sector. A strong command of the English language can give you a significant advantage in getting good scores as well as selection. In this article, we will discuss the English section of the banking exam which includes the syllabus, weightage and effective preparation tips.

Syllabus of English for Bank Exam

The syllabus of the English for Bank Exam indicates the different topics that are commonly tested in language proficiency and assessments.

Weightage of English Section

The weightage of the English Section varies across different bank exams but typically ranges from 20% to 30%. The weightage of English in some common bank exams is tabulated below.

Note: In PO exams, there is a descriptive test also.

Tips To Prepare English for Banking Exams :

• Clear Basic Grammar Rules: Start by strengthening the basics of English grammar rules and vocabulary. Understand the fundamentals of sentence structure and parts of speech.
• Read Regularly: Develop a reading habit of various sources, such as newspapers, novels, magazines & articles (online). This will not only improve comprehension skills but also build vocabulary. Also, candidates will get to know the different writing styles and genres.
• Practice Mock Tests & Previous Years’ Questions: Regularly practice Mock Tests and Previous Years’ Question papers to familiarise yourself with the question types, exam patterns and difficulty levels.
• Build Vocabulary: Understanding word roots, prefixes & suffixes and antonyms & synonyms can help in deducing the meaning of unfamiliar words and thereby expanding vocabulary.
• Focus on Time Management: Develop time management strategies during practice, and try to complete questions within the allocated time to improve speed and accuracy.
• Revise & Review: Regularly review grammar rules, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Revise topics periodically to retain rules and concepts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the English Section of Bank Exams

The English language section of the Bank Exam is high scoring and usually takes less time to complete as compared to other sections. Making avoidable mistakes can cost valuable marks & may decrease the chance of selection. Here are the common mistakes to avoid in the English section of Bank Exams

• Neglecting Basic Grammar Rules:
  • Mistake: Overlook fundamental grammar rules such as tense, subject-verb agreement and correct usage of articles and prepositions. 
  • Solution: Prioritize revision of basic grammar rules/concepts and try to apply them while practising and in day-to-day life. Regularly review grammar rules and common error types to minimise errors in error-spotting and sentence correction questions
• Misunderstanding Question Types:
  • Mistake: Misinterpreting the question types and approach incorrectly or applying incorrect strategies.
  • Solution: Familiarise thoroughly with the various question types and practice by applying specific concepts or skills they assess. 
• Rushing through passage:
  • Mistake: Read comprehension passages hastily, which leads to misunderstanding and incorrect answers.
  • Solution: Approach reading comprehension passages systematically by first skimming through the passage to grasp the main idea and structure. Then go to questions and read it carefully.
• Ignoring Context in Cloze Tests:
  • Mistake: Filling the blanks in cloze test questions without considering the context of the passage.
  • Solution: Pay close attention to the context and tone of the passage when filling in the blanks. Use surrounding words and sentences to infer the meaning of the missing words and ensure coherence with the overall passage.
• Incorrect sentence correction:
  • Mistake: Choosing the wrong option in sentence correction questions due to a lack of understanding of grammatical rules or misinterpretation of the sentence.
  • Solution: Carefully analyze each part of the sentence and identify the error before selecting the correct option. Review common error types such as subject-verb agreement, parallelism, and modifier placement to improve accuracy in sentence correction questions.
• Improper Time Management:
  • Mistake: Spending too much time on a question which leads to an incomplete paper or rushed responses at the end.
  • Solution: Allocate time strategically to each question based on its difficulty level. If you encounter a particularly challenging question, consider skipping it temporarily and revisiting it later if time permits. Prioritize answering easier questions first to ensure maximum coverage within the allotted time.