Quick Reminder: Pattern & What’s Changed
- The descriptive test 2025 has two parts: one essay (15 marks) + one comprehension (10 marks).
- You get 30 minutes total to attempt both.
- The evaluation is automated (machine-based), so your responses must satisfy grammar, relevance, structure, word-limits. Pure verbosity or off-topic content won’t fetch marks even if language is good.
Thus, your goal is not to write as much as possible, but to write the right amount, with clarity, structure and correct language.
Strategy: Time Allocation & Priorities
Here is a recommended time plan you should stick to tomorrow. Adjust slightly depending on your writing speed, but don’t deviate too much.
| Phase | Purpose | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (planning) | Pick topics, map out skeletons / key points | 2–3 minutes |
| Phase 2 (essay writing) | Write the introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion | ~ 13–14 minutes |
| Phase 3 (comprehension) | Read passage, answer questions | ~ 8–10 minutes |
| Phase 4 (revision) | Scan and correct grammar/spelling, ensure flow & framing | ~ 2 minutes |
Why this split? Because the essay is heavier (15 marks) and must be coherent, you need a little more time. But you cannot afford to let comprehension suffer. Always preserve buffer for revision.
Key priority order (if time becomes tight):
- Make sure every answer is readable, coherent, and error-free
- Ensure you touch all parts asked in the prompt
- Use linking words, but avoid long, meandering sentences
- Stay within (or very close to) expected word-counts
Focus on the Essay: Balanced Depth Over Volume
Topic selection & brainstorming (first ~30 seconds − 1 min)
- If there’s a topic choice, quickly jot 3–4 possible themes/points for each, and pick the one you can support best with examples.
- Don’t waste time hunting for the “perfect” topic. The good topic + solid structure wins over perfect topic + weak content.
Outline first (1–2 minutes)
- Write 3–4 bullet points: intro idea, body point headings, conclusion plan.
- Decide the order of your body paragraphs.
- Keep it minimal — just enough to guide you.
Writing structure
- Introduction (30–40 words): Define, provide context, state your angle or thesis.
- Body (2–3 paragraphs): Each with one main idea + example / evidence + link to thesis.
- Conclusion (20–30 words): Summarize, possibly offer solution or forward-looking idea.
Example (if topic = “Digital Banking: Challenges & Opportunities”):
- Intro: Lay out what digital banking is, its growth in India, and mention you’ll discuss pros & challenges.
- Body paragraphs:
- Opportunities — broader reach, convenience, cost reduction, financial inclusion; example: UPI, mobile wallets.
- Challenges — cyber security risks, digital divide, lack of digital literacy; example: fraud cases in rural areas.
- Conclusion: Emphasize that balanced regulation + literacy/awareness is key for sustainable digital banking.
Language & style tips
- Keep sentences moderate length. Avoid overly long, winding sentences that can trip up the auto-evaluation machine.
- Use linkers (however, moreover, therefore, on the contrary) to guide the flow.
- Use simple but precise vocabulary rather than forcing big words — clarity matters more than showiness.
- Where useful, you can mention abbreviations and jargon (RBI, UPI, AI, GDP) but only when appropriate and you are confident with them.
- Avoid colloquial phrases or slang.
Don’t overextend
- If you’re past ~ 14 minutes into your writing and still on the essay, shift to comprehension. Better to leave the essay a bit short than to lose comprehension entirely.
- Always leave ~ 2 minutes at the end to proofread both parts.
Comprehension (Reading + Qs): Smart Handling
The comprehension is worth 10 marks. Use the following tips to maximize performance:
- First reading: Read the passage once quickly to get the gist (1 minute).
- Second reading: Skim more carefully, underline or note keywords, transitions, contrast words.
- Answering questions:
- Tackle direct factual questions first (easier).
- Then do inferential / opinion / tone questions.
- For long questions, plan your answer in 1–2 lines before writing.
- Be precise & to the point: The machine evaluation often penalizes overly long, rambling answers. Your answer should directly address the question, with minimal fluff.
- Use your own words where possible; avoid copying large chunks verbatim unless they perfectly match the question.
- Check for consistency (tense, pronouns, reference) — any mismatch may lose you marks.
Example scenario: Suppose the comprehension passage is about “Impact of Social Media on Youth.” A question: “What are two adverse effects mentioned?” You might answer:
“Two adverse effects are increased mental stress and reduced attention span due to constant notifications and comparison.”
This is concise, clear, and directly answers the question.
Revision & Self-Check (Last ~2 Minutes)
- Quickly scan both the essay and comprehension for spelling mistakes, typos, subject-verb agreement, missing articles, or wrong tenses.
- Check structural elements: headings (if applicable), paragraph breaks, connectors, etc.
- Ensure you didn’t miss any part of the prompt (for example, if the essay topic asked for causes + solutions, ensure you included “solutions”).
- If time remains, read the opening sentence and the conclusion of your essay to see if they align.
Mindset & Practical Tips for Tomorrow
- Stay calm. Anxiety slows you down. Breathe deeply before you begin.
- Don’t get stuck. If a segment is too difficult, move on and return later if time permits.
- Trust your preparation. You’ve practiced — now you just need to execute neatly.
- Type confidently. In online mode, avoid backspacing a lot or making long deletions. If something seems wrong, leave a short blank and move on; you’ll catch it in revision.
- Manage keyboard errors. If your typing falters, slow down for a moment — avoid too many typos.
- Use template phrases you’re confident in (e.g., “It is imperative that …”, “In conclusion, the way forward is …”) rather than inventing new ones on the spot.
Final Words: Balancing Time & Accuracy = Smart Execution
- Less is more: A shorter, clear, correct essay + good comprehension will score better than a long but muddled one.
- Stick to your time plan; don’t let one section swallow the entire 30 min.
- Clarity and relevance win — the automated evaluation gives weight to structure, coherence, grammar.
- Proofread — a few minutes of checking can save you 2–3 marks.
- Confidence counts — write with conviction and control.
You’ve come this far — tomorrow is the final step. Use your time wisely, stay focused, and be precise. All the best — you’ve got this! 💪