Here’s a last-moment, battle-ready checklist + tips you can use tomorrow to maximize your performance in the IBPS PO 2025 Mains – Descriptive English (Essay + Comprehension). Use this as your mental “go-kit” before you sit for the exam.
🔍 Key Facts to Remember (Pattern & Weightage)
First, be crystal clear on what to expect:
- In 2025, the descriptive test has been revised: you will write one essay + one comprehension (i.e. no letter)
- Total marks = 25 marks (Essay ~15, Comprehension ~10)
- Word limit for essay: ~250–300 words
- Time available: 30 minutes total (divide between essay and comprehension)
- You must type your responses (computer) — so typing speed & accuracy matter.
Because this section is subjective, good content, clarity, language, and structure can push you above average even if your speed is moderate.
⏱️ Time Management Strategy (Tomorrow, in Exam)
You have 30 minutes. Here’s a time-level strategy you can follow (adjust slightly as you’re comfortable):
| Phase | Time Allotted | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Quick scan & planning | 2 minutes | Read comprehension passage & questions; decide which essay angle to take |
| Comprehension attempt | 8–10 minutes | Read passage twice, answer all sub-questions |
| Essay writing | 12–14 minutes | Draft introduction, body points, conclusion |
| Review & polish | 2–3 minutes | Correct spelling/grammar mistakes, refine transitions |
Why this split? Comprehension is less “creative” — you must understand and extract. Essay allows you to show your command. If you leave comprehension until last, you may mess up answers under fatigue. So do it early when your mind is fresh.
Also, don’t over-write or go well beyond word limits — being coherent but concise is better than overstuffed fluff.
🧠 Comprehension: Smart Tricks
This section often becomes a “score safe zone” if you do it smartly. Here’s how to maximize:
- First Reading — Get the Gist
- Skim quickly to capture theme, tone, structure, main idea of each paragraph.
- Second Reading — Underline & Note Key Points
- Underline or mentally tag keywords, signal words (however, moreover, thus, on the other hand).
- Note relationships: cause–effect, comparison, examples, counterarguments.
- Answering Questions
- If asked “What does author imply …?” or “Which is true/false …?”, anchor answers in the passage.
- Use “in the passage it is said that…” phrasing when possible — it shows you’re not inventing.
- For inference-type questions, don’t stretch beyond what is supported.
- If there’s a “vocabulary in context” question, first guess from your understanding of the sentence, then cross-check nearby words.
- Word Limit / Answer Length
- Stick to the word limit (if given). Don’t over-answer.
- Use bulleting (if allowed) to maintain clarity in multi-point answers.
- Don’t Leave Any Blank
- Even if unsure, attempt an answer based on the passage. A reasoned guess is better than zero.
Example: Suppose the passage says, “While digital banking has enabled inclusion, cybersecurity remains its Achilles’ heel.”
A question: “What challenge does digital banking face, as per the author?”
Good answer: “The author notes that although digital banking helps inclusion, cybersecurity threats remain a major challenge.”
That shows you read and paraphrase.
📝 Essay: Structure + Strategy + Content Tips
Your essay is your chance to show your thinking, clarity, examples, and language command. But you must be strategic — not elaborate aimlessly.
A. Choosing the Approach / Angle
- Usually the topic will be related to economy, banking, technology, social issues, ethics etc.
- First think: Which side I will emphasize — optimistic, balanced, cautionary?
- Jot down 2–3 major points you want to highlight (with examples or data if possible).
B. Structure (Classic, safe, strong)
- Introduction (1 short paragraph, 30–40 words)
- Define the topic / state importance
- Indicate the direction of your essay (what you’ll discuss)
- Body (2–3 paragraphs)
- Each paragraph: a clear point + example/illustration + linking sentence
- Use transitions (“Firstly,” “However,” “On the other hand,” “Moreover,” etc.)
- Conclusion (1 short paragraph, 30–40 words)
- Summarize key points
- Provide a forward-looking statement or call to action
Tip: Don’t introduce a brand new idea in conclusion; just reframe.
C. Content & Examples
- Use relevant, recent, factual examples as far as you can (e.g., mention UPI adoption, digital payments, government scheme, RBI digital currency, banks promoting green finance).
- Avoid wrong or fabricated statistics — it hurts credibility. If unsure, better not include numbers.
- Present balanced views: mention benefits and challenges. Essays with nuance are appreciated.
- Keep tone formal, avoid colloquial language or overuse of “I feel / I think”.
Example outline (topic: “Digital Banking & Financial Inclusion”)
- Intro: define digital banking & inclusion
- Body1: How mobile banking & UPI have increased access in remote areas, reduced transaction costs
- Body2: Challenges — cyber fraud, infrastructure gap, digital literacy, unequal access
- Body3 (optional): Policy measures or case of success (e.g. Jan Dhan / fintech)
- Conclusion: The way forward combining access + security + regulation.
D. Language, Clarity & Grammar
- Prefer simple, clear sentences. Don’t complicate just to sound smart.
- Use variety in sentence beginnings and connectors — but avoid overuse of big words incorrectly.
- Watch subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, articles (“the,” “a”), prepositions.
- Don’t repeat the same word too often — use synonyms judiciously.
E. Review
If time permits, quickly skim essay for:
- Spelling mistakes
- Missing words (typos)
- Awkward sentences
- Connector usage — add or adjust if needed
- Ensure the transitions between paragraphs are smooth
Even a 2-minute polish can save you from avoidable errors.
✅ Pre-Exam Checklist (Night / Early Morning)
- Sleep well— at least 6 hours. No all-nighter.
- Light breakfast, stay hydrated.
- Revise common vocabulary and idioms (10–20 words).
- Quick run through 1–2 previous essay topics in your mind.
- Warm up typing for 5 minutes.
- Don’t attempt new topics or grammar rules now — mistakes are high when you experiment under pressure.
- Enter exam hall with a calm mind — confidence helps writing.
🧮 Scoring Mindset & What Examiners Look For
- Clarity of thought & relevance: stay on topic, avoid wandering.
- Coherence & flow: logical progression, good linking.
- Language & expression: vocabulary, grammar, variation, readability.
- Examples / Illustrations: make your points credible.
- Accuracy over complexity: simple, correct is better than complex, wrong.
- Answer completeness: in comprehension, address every question; in essay, cover all key angles.
Because this is subjective, examiners expect some creativity — but the primary test is: can you communicate cogently?
🧭 Final Mental Tips (Just Before You Start Writing)
- Breathe deeply, focus — five calm breaths clears stress.
- Mentally “see” your structure before typing.
- If you feel stuck mid-essay, pause, think for 10 seconds, then continue. Don’t delete too much — minor fixes are okay.
- Don’t panic if the first line doesn’t feel perfect — keep moving forward.
You’ve prepared enough. Tomorrow, clarity, structure, steady pace, and confidence will carry you. You can do this — go in there, write smart, and let your best English speak.
All the best for your exam! 🙌