The Descriptive English Paper in the SBI Circle Based Officer (CBO) 2025 exam offers 50 marks — 25 for Essay Writing and 25 for Letter Writing — to be attempted in just 30 minutes. While many candidates treat it as a qualifying section, smart aspirants recognize it as an opportunity to stand out.
With the right approach, you can score a perfect 50/50 and boost your chances of final selection.
This guide outlines proven tips and expert strategies to help you write high-quality answers with accuracy, confidence, and speed.
📘 Descriptive Paper Format at a Glance
| Section | Marks | Time (Combined) | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 25 | Online | |
| Letter Writing | 25 | 30 Minutes | Typing |
🔹 Word Limit:
- Essay: Approx. 250 words
- Letter: Approx. 150–200 words
🔹 Nature: Online typing-based, formal writing expected
🎯 1. Understand What the Examiner Wants
Examiners are looking for:
- Clarity of Thought
- Logical Structure
- Language Accuracy
- Relevance to Topic
- Professional Tone (for letters)
Writing in a scattered, verbose, or vague way will lead to mark deductions. Scoring full marks requires precision + presentation.
📝 2. Essay Writing: Tips to Score 25/25
✅ Follow a 3-Part Structure
- Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic. Set context in 2–3 lines.
- Body Paragraphs: Present facts, analysis, and examples (2–3 paragraphs).
- Conclusion: Summarize key points and give a positive or solution-oriented ending.
✅ Write Relevant, Well-Organized Content
- Stay focused on the topic. Don’t drift.
- Use paragraphing and logical sequencing.
- Avoid fluff or generic statements.
✅ Use Banking & Current Affairs Examples
Mention RBI initiatives, government schemes (like PMJDY, Digital India), or recent trends (like UPI, CBDC, fintech).
✅ Sample High-Scoring Topic:
“The Role of Banks in Promoting Financial Literacy”
- Talk about campaigns, RBI policies, PMJDY.
- Use simple, structured language with short sentences.
✍️ 3. Letter Writing: Tips to Score 25/25
✅ Use the Standard Format:
Your Address
Date
Receiver’s Address
Subject: [Precise & Relevant]
Salutation (Respected Sir/Madam)
Body (3 paragraphs max)
- Purpose
- Details/Explanation
- Request/Conclusion
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
✅ Keep It Professional
- Avoid casual language and contractions.
- Use courteous tone and be direct.
✅ Include All Required Details
If the letter is about blocking a card, mention:
- Account Number
- Date of incident
- Request for action
✅ Sample High-Scoring Letter:
“Write to your branch manager requesting to block a lost ATM card.”
- State incident clearly.
- Request for action.
- Attach relevant document info.
⏱️ 4. Time Management – Master the 30-Minute Clock
| Task | Ideal Time |
|---|---|
| Essay Planning | 2 mins |
| Essay Writing | 13–15 mins |
| Letter Writing | 13–15 mins |
| Proofreading | 1–2 mins |
🕒 Pro Tip: Type a rough outline or bullet points in your mind before starting. Avoid backspacing too much — type steadily.
💡 5. Practice Daily with a Timer
- Write 1 essay + 1 letter daily.
- Use a stopwatch to replicate exam conditions.
- Improve both speed and accuracy.
Bank Whizz provides 30-minute mock tests with real exam interface.
✨ 6. Avoid These Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Impact |
|---|---|
| Exceeding word limit | Shows lack of control, gets penalized |
| Not following format | Reduces marks in letter writing |
| Spelling and grammar errors | Breaks flow, hurts professionalism |
| Using vague/general content | Fails to impress examiner |
| Repeating same ideas | Wastes words, shows poor structure |
📚 7. Improve Grammar, Vocabulary & Tone
- Use simple and correct grammar (no complex constructions).
- Stick to formal vocabulary:
- Use “request” not “ask”
- Use “initiate” not “start”
- Avoid:
- Slang
- SMS abbreviations
- Repetitions
🧠 8. Type Like a Pro
- Practice on a laptop or desktop, not mobile.
- Aim for 30–40 words per minute typing speed.
- Reduce errors — don’t depend on autocorrect.
Tools to use:
- Typing.com
- Google Docs with spellcheck off
🔍 9. Get Feedback from Experts
You might think your writing is great — but an expert eye can catch:
- Structural gaps
- Unintended tone issues
- Grammar oversights
Bank Whizz offers personal evaluation with actionable feedback on essays and letters.
📋 10. 10-Day Practice Plan to Maximize Score
| Day | Essay Topic | Letter Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Financial Inclusion | ATM card lost request letter |
| Day 2 | AI in Banking | Inform customer of new service |
| Day 3 | Cybersecurity in Banking | Complaint about failed NEFT |
| Day 4 | Role of RBI in Inflation Control | Request for account statement |
| Day 5 | Digital vs Physical Banking | Staff shortage letter to RO |
| Day 6 | NPA Crisis and Reforms | Letter to HO on ATM machine breakdown |
| Day 7 | Cryptocurrency and CBDC in India | Complaint about unauthorized debit |
| Day 8 | Green Finance and Sustainable Banking | KYC update request |
| Day 9 | Mock Full-Length Test | Mock Full-Length Test |
| Day 10 | Feedback & Revision | Feedback & Revision |
🎯 11. Mindset Shift: Treat It Like the Decider
- Many candidates neglect descriptive practice.
- In close-cutoff situations, a 5–10 mark edge in descriptive can be decisive.
- If others score 30–35, you scoring 45+ or full 50 will place you in the merit list confidently.
📘 12. Leverage Bank Whizz for Full Preparation
Bank Whizz offers a specialized SBI CBO Descriptive English Package, including:
✅ 30+ Model Essays
✅ 20+ Letter Samples
✅ Real-time Typing Mocks
✅ Evaluated Answer Scripts
✅ Daily Writing Prompts
✅ Personalized Feedback & Suggestions
🎓 Designed by banking professionals, for banking professionals.
🏁 Final Words
Scoring 50/50 in SBI CBO 2025 Descriptive English is not a fantasy — it’s a formula.
✅ Master the format
✅ Practice every day
✅ Type with clarity
✅ Stay relevant to the topic
✅ Get evaluated and improve
The key is consistent preparation + structured execution under time pressure. Don’t let descriptive be just “qualifying” — make it your strength and secure your seat.
Ready to score full marks in SBI CBO Descriptive English?
👉 Join Bank Whizz’s Descriptive Master Course and gain the edge you need.