SIDBI Phase II includes a Paper I – English Language (Descriptive), a 75-mark, 75-minute online test where you must type responses to three questions: an essay, a précis with a title, and a piece of business/office correspondence . This component is critical—it’s common to all streams (General, Legal, IT) and is evaluated separately after the objective tests.
In this guide, we’ll explore the format, a strategic preparation approach, timed practice methods, and expert insights designed to help you maximize your performance in the descriptive section.
1️⃣ Palpable Understanding of the Format
Let’s break down each part clearly:
Essay Writing
- One essay, approximately 400 words, typically on financial, economic, social, or banking themes.
Précis Writing + Title
- Summarize a passage in ~120 words, with a concise title; assesses synthesis and clarity SIDBI.
Business/Office Correspondence
- Formal letter or email (e.g., complaints, requests, memos), around 150–200 words to test functional writing skills
Time & Setup
- 75 minutes total typed on-screen using a keyboard.
- Practice on mock platforms replicating actual test environments to build familiarity.
2️⃣ Strategy Blueprint: Plan, Practice & Polish
📚 Create a Topic and Prompt Bank
- Essays (30+): finance inclusion, MSME creditability, sustainable banking, fintech security, rural entrepreneurship.
- Précis passages (20+): policy extracts, economic reports, social issue editorials.
- Correspondence prompts (20+): drafting official memos, complaint emails, feedback letters to clients/branches.
- This ensures you’re ready for any topic combination SIDBI uses.
🕒 Structured Mock Routine
- Mini mocks (every other day): 20-minute essays or 20 – minute Precis and 20 Minutes for Comprehension for quick drilling.
- Full mocks (twice weekly): complete sets (essay + précis + correspondence) under time pressure.
- Use realistic setups: no assistance, mimic test conditions fully.
3️⃣ Timed Writing Workflow
⏱ Mini-Mock (35 minutes):
- 3–4 min for planning (intro, key points, conclusion).
- 25 min drafting (~250 words).
- 2–3 min proofreading: grammar, logic, structure.
⏰ Full-Mock (75 minutes):
- 30 min for essay
- 20 min for précis + title
- 15 min for correspondence
- 5–10 min total proofreading
💡 Best Practices:
- Use bullet outlines to organize ideas quickly.
- Set your own mini timers to stay disciplined.
- Prioritize time: let correspondence and précis not extend beyond 20 min each.
4️⃣ Maximize Feedback & Review
Logging and analyzing mocks is critical:
| Mock # | Essay Words | Précis Words | Letter Words | Writing Errors | Areas to Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 400 | 120 | 170 | Comma splices | Grammar |
| 2 | 290 | — | — | Weak intro | Structure |
- Self-evaluate using rubrics (clarity, coherence, grammar).
- Seek peer or mentor reviews (Bank Whizz group, study partner).
- Rewrite weak mocks after 1–2 days—reinforces learning.
- Track progress monthly to validate improvement in speed, clarity, and depth.
5️⃣ Strengthen Structure & Language
✅ Essay Structure:
- Introduction: define topic, present thesis.
- Body: 3 points—each 3–4 sentences, supported with logic or stats.
- Conclusion: summarize and recommend.
📨 Correspondence Format:
- Letter: date, recipient, subject line, greeting, purpose, message, polite closing.
- Email: concise subject, greeting, body, closing signature.
✍️ Grammar & Style:
- Short, clear sentences; focus on precision and flow.
- Use connectors: furthermore, consequently, however.
- Avoid fluff; aim for formal, business tone.
📈 Content Depth:
- Include 1–2 data points per essay (e.g., RBI MSME lending stats, Fintech growth).
- Use up-to-date examples from MSME or digital banking news.
- Form a vocabulary bank: “pursuant to”, “digital ledger technologies”, “regulatory sandbox”.
6️⃣ Simulate Real Exam Environment
Practice in exam-mimicking conditions:
- Use Oliveboard/IxamBee for identical keyboard & interface feel.
- Block distractions: single-task, silence phones.
- Do “double mocks” twice monthly (essay + letter sets back-to-back) to build mental stamina.
Simulated pressure ensures you’re calm and collected on test day.
7️⃣ Build Confidence Through Progress Tracking
Consistency turns into confidence. Monitor:
- Typing speed: aim for 35+ WPM.
- Word limits: essays near 270–300; précis around 120; letters at 150–200.
- Error trends: grammar accuracy, format adherence.
- Time usage: allocate and follow strictly.
Log weekly in spreadsheets or journals, and revise strategies based on patterns.
8️⃣ 8-Week Mock-Driven Prep Plan
| Week | Mini-Mocks (essay/letter) | Full Mocks | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | 8 | 2 | Familiarize format, time drills |
| 3–4 | 8 | 2 | Add précis; refine clarity |
| 5–6 | 8 | 2 | Emphasize data + vocab depth |
| 7–8 | 8 | 2 (+1 double) | Simulate stamina / peer review |
Total ~32 mini-mocks + 4 full + 1 endurance mock—gives ~37 serious practice sessions, a robust base for excellence.
🔑 Expert Tips
- Daily writing: even 15 mins enhances fluency.
- Reading: The Hindu or ET helps generate essay topics and vocabulary.
- Peer sessions: monthly meetups for 2-way feedback.
- Mock ranking: track progress and simulate peer competition.
📣 Final Notes
The descriptive paper is where your writing finesse truly counts. By combining mock-based drills, detailed feedback, and disciplined tracking, you:
- Achieve clarity and structure
- Hone topical relevance
- Build exam-time organization
- Boost accuracy under pressure
Ultimately, it’s this thoughtful grind, backed with consistency, that propels your score into the 60–70+ range.
✅ Ready-to-Use Resources
Want instant tools to support this journey? Comment below with:
- “Template Kit” – essay, précis, letter formats
- “Mock Tracker” – Excel files + performance dashboards
- “Topic Bank” – 50 essay & 30 correspondence prompts