Introduction
The IBPS PO Descriptive English Paper is a high-stakes 25-mark test where you must write one essay (15 marks) and one letter (10 marks)—all within just 30 minutes.
Time is your biggest enemy here. Even well-prepared candidates often run out of time because they:
- Spend too long planning
- Type too slowly
- Don’t divide time between essay and letter properly
- Skip revision due to time pressure
To help you tackle this challenge, this post lays out a minute-by-minute strategy, tips to increase typing efficiency, and methods to boost your overall performance.
📝 IBPS PO 2025 Descriptive Paper Structure
| Task | Word Limit | Marks | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 250 words | 15 | 18 minutes |
| Letter Writing | 150 words | 10 | 10 minutes |
| Revision & Buffer | — | — | 2 minutes |
| Total | — | 25 | 30 minutes |
⏱️ Ideal Time Allocation Strategy
🔶 1. First 2 Minutes – Understand Both Questions
- Read both the essay and letter topics carefully
- Underline key words in each
- Choose the one essay and one letter topic you are most confident about
- Think of your points quickly
⚠️ Don’t start writing immediately without planning
🔶 2. Next 2 Minutes – Outline Your Essay
- Note 3–4 key points for the body
- Write a one-line introduction idea
- Think of a suitable conclusion
You can use a rough sheet or just type the points briefly in the document (to delete later)
🔶 3. 13–14 Minutes – Type Your Essay
- Use the structure:
- Intro (30–40 words)
- Body (2–3 paras, ~160 words)
- Conclusion (20–30 words)
- Maintain logical flow
- Don’t over-explain one point—keep moving
Keep an eye on the word count as you write
🔶 4. Next 1 Minute – Think About Letter Content
- Recall the correct format
- Write 2–3 points for the body
- Think of the tone (formal or informal)
🔶 5. 9–10 Minutes – Type the Letter
- Format your letter properly with:
- Address
- Date
- Subject (for formal letter)
- Salutation
- Body (3 small paras)
- Closing & Signature
Type with focus and avoid errors—you won’t have much time to redo
🔶 6. Final 2 Minutes – Revise
- Use this time to:
- Check spelling and grammar
- See if all formatting is correct
- Ensure salutation, date, signature are in place
A 2-minute revision can fix mistakes that might cost 2–3 marks!
💡 Pro Tips to Improve Time Efficiency
✅ 1. Improve Typing Speed
- Aim for 35–40 WPM (words per minute)
- Practice using:
✅ 2. Use Templates
Have templates in your mind for:
- Formal letter format
- Informal letter format
- Essay structure (IDEA or PEEL)
It helps you save time on format recall and focus only on content.
✅ 3. Practice Full-Length Mocks
- Set a timer for 30 minutes
- Type both essay and letter in one go
- Evaluate time spent on each
- Gradually improve your speed and accuracy
✅ 4. Avoid Overthinking
- Don’t get stuck trying to write a ‘perfect’ essay
- Keep moving—write clearly and simply
- Even a well-structured average essay scores more than a great idea delivered in a hurry
🧠 Sample 30-Minute Practice Plan
Here’s a sample weekly plan to train your brain and fingers for real exam conditions:
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| Mon | Essay writing (250 words in 15 mins) |
| Tue | Letter writing (150 words in 10 mins) |
| Wed | Full descriptive mock (30 mins) |
| Thu | Typing speed drills (10 mins) + grammar check |
| Fri | Revise essay and letter formats |
| Sat | Full descriptive mock + self-evaluation |
| Sun | Analyze previous essays and letters |
🖋️ Mistakes to Avoid While Managing Time
❌ Spending 5+ minutes planning
👉 Keep essay + letter planning within 3 minutes total
❌ Writing 300+ word essays
👉 Stick to 240–260 words max
❌ Using backspace too much while typing
👉 Focus more on clarity than perfection
❌ No revision at all
👉 Save at least 2 minutes to review
📚 Time-Saving Tools to Use in Practice
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| MS Word or Docs | Practice and track word count |
| Grammarly | Identify grammar issues |
| TypingClub | Increase typing speed |
| Bank Whizz Mocks | Simulate real exam environment |
🔍 Fast-Execution Framework: The 30-Minute Golden Formula
| Minute Range | Task | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 mins | Read & Select Questions | Pick one essay + one letter topic |
| 2–4 mins | Plan Essay | Write points, structure in mind |
| 4–17 mins | Write Essay | Intro + Body + Conclusion |
| 17–18 mins | Plan Letter | Format + points |
| 18–28 mins | Write Letter | Full letter with proper format |
| 28–30 mins | Final Review | Grammar + Format + Structure check |
📌 Quick Essay and Letter Planning Template
📋 Essay Planning:
- Intro idea: What is the topic, why is it important?
- Point 1: First argument + example
- Point 2: Second argument + data
- Point 3: Third point or counter view
- Conclusion: Balanced summary or suggestion
📋 Letter Planning:
- Receiver & subject
- Para 1: State the issue/request
- Para 2: Supporting details
- Para 3: Request or closure sentence
✅ Final Revision Checklist
Before submitting, ask yourself:
- ✅ Is the structure correct for both tasks?
- ✅ Is the essay around 250 words and the letter around 150?
- ✅ Is the tone appropriate?
- ✅ Are there grammar/spelling mistakes?
- ✅ Is the content relevant to the topic?
🔚 Conclusion
Time management is what separates toppers from the rest in the IBPS PO 2025 Descriptive Paper. With only 30 minutes, your success will depend not just on what you know, but on how well you execute it under pressure.
Use the strategies in this guide to build your own 30-minute mastery plan. Practice regularly, refine your structure, and let your content flow naturally within the time frame. With the right balance of speed and accuracy, scoring 20+ in this section is absolutely achievable.