You need about 26-27 attempts at 90%+ accuracy. Secure the rule-based questions (errors, fillers, cloze) first, read one RC and one editorial daily, and revise a short grammar list until it is automatic.
Do the arithmetic first. With a 0.25 penalty, 26 correct and 1 wrong gives 25.75. 25 correct and 3 wrong gives 24.25. So 25+ needs around 26-27 attempts with very few errors. That is possible in 20 minutes only if the quick questions take under 30 seconds each.
Know what usually appears
The mix varies each year, but Prelims English is usually built from reading comprehension (7-10 questions), error detection, fillers, para jumbles, cloze test and newer formats like word swap, phrase replacement or column-based questions.
Order inside the 20 minutes
- Fillers and error detection: about 6-7 minutes
- Cloze, word swap, phrase replacement: about 4 minutes
- Reading comprehension: about 7 minutes
- Para jumbles and the rest with the time left
Grammar rules that cover most error questions
- Subject-verb agreement (especially with "each", "either", "one of the")
- Tense consistency and conditional sentences
- Articles and prepositions after common verbs
- Pronoun case and agreement
- Parallel structure in lists and comparisons
- Adjective vs adverb, "fewer" vs "less"
A daily 60-minute routine
| Minutes | Task |
|---|---|
| 15 | Read one editorial, note 5 words |
| 15 | One RC passage with a timer |
| 20 | 20 questions: errors, fillers or cloze |
| 10 | Two para jumbles |
Vocabulary without cramming
Learn words from what you read, not from long lists. Note 5-10 new words a day from editorials and RC passages, write each in a short sentence of your own, and revise them every weekend. Learn common word pairs too (for example "bear the cost", "meet a demand"), because fillers and cloze tests often test which word fits naturally with another.
- SBI: Recruitment of Junior Associates 2026, detailed advertisement (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17)
- SBI: Junior Associates 2026 Prelims information handout (Acquaint Yourself)
Rules can change with each notification. Confirm on sbi.bank.in/web/careers.
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