Descriptive Test Preparation

Pattern & Syllabus of the Descriptive Test: As per the notification for the SBI PO 2015 Exam,

1. The Descriptive Test will be of 1 hour duration with 50 marks.

2. This Test will contain questions from Letter Writing & Essay topics.

3. The Descriptive test will be conducted in online mode and candidates will have to answer the test by typing on the computer.

Note: The minimum qualifying marks for the descriptive test in the previous year's exam were 20 marks for General category candidates and 18 marks for other category candidates.

Now, the point is "How to prepare for the Descriptive Test"? For this, you have to devise a well-thought out exam strategy and prepare accordingly.

Now let's discuss the topics covered in the descriptive test of SBI PO 2015 Exam:

1. Letter Writing:This topic tests a candidate's ability to precisely and effectively communicate with the person to whom the letter is addressed.

Important points to keep in mind before writing a letter:

1. Format of the letter:Writing a letter in the correct format is very important to score good marks in the descriptive test. An examiner always looks at whether the letter is written in the correct format and gives marks accordingly.

2. Everything should be written on the left hand side (left aligned).

3. In the first line, write your name;below that, write your street address, city, state and ZIP code.

4. Leave one line below your name and address.Now, mention the date.

5. Leave one line.Now mention the recipient's name, followed by his address.

6. After the recipient's name and address, write down the subject of the letter.

7. Start the body of the letter with a salutation (greeting, acknowledgement).

If you're writing a formal letter, you can use "Dear Sirs," "Dear Madams," or "Dear Sirs/Madams." "Respected Sirs/Madams".

If you're writing an informal letter, you can use "Dear" or "Hello," as well as more informal greetings such as "Hi" or "Hey."

8. After the salutation, write the main text of the letter.Try to make one significant point per paragraph, and make sure you use the correct punctuation, spelling and grammar.

9. Always end your letter with a complimentary ending and your name. For formal letters, write "Sincerely yours," "Kindest regards," or "Yours faithfully."For an informal letter, you can use "Sincerely," "Regards," or "Best." You could also use "Very sincerely," "Very best," or "Cordially."

10. What is a Formal letter: If you're writing to a Bank Manager, any government official, dignitary, academic official or anyone else with whom you hope to have a professional relationship, the letter should be formal.

11. What is an Informal letter: If you're writing to your friend, to your relatives, a co-worker, a distant or elderly relative, the letter should probably be informal.

12. It is important to note that, during the exam,you should not mention your name in the letter. You can use ABC or XYZ in place of your name.

Format of the letter:

ABC

B - Wing, 602

Galaxy Enclave

Dadar, Mumbai

Maharashtra - 400014

Date: May 15, 2015

To,

The Branch Manager,

State Bank of India

Dadar, Mumbai

Subject: ______________.

Dear Sir,

Body: Write your message here.

Yours faithfully

ABC

2. Essay: Essay writing is another essential part of the descriptive test. It involves organising and structuring your thoughts and ideas. It requires good writing skills and imagination. Before writing an essay, plan your thoughts and ideas and put them on the paper in a very structured manner.

How to prepare for essay writing:

1. Make a habit of reading daily English Newspapers. This will improve your general awareness and help you in essay writing.

2. Read articles and editorial columns of newspapers and try to write some of those articles in your own words in your notebook and also type out the same on your desktop or laptop.

3. Always refer to the dictionary if you do not know the meaning of a word or when you are in doubt about any unfamiliar usage of a word.

4. Reading and writing articles will help you in putting your ideas on paper and will ensure that you have good command over language.

5. Buy books for essay writing and start your preparation. Write two essays daily on a regular basis.

Important points to keep in mind before writing an essay:

1. Please read the questions and instructions carefully, before you start writing any essay in the exam.

2. Select the topic in which you are most confident and about which you have proper knowledge.

3. Before you start writing your essay, note down all your ideas on a rough sheet.

4. Also try to write your essay in three parts - Introduction, Subject and Conclusion.

5. Always try to write in a simple and precise (to the point) manner.

6. Do not repeat any sentence in the essay.

7. Avoid spelling and grammar errors.

Note: Please buy a good book for letter writing& essay and start your preparation early. As the descriptive test will be conducted in online mode, you should practice two letters(formal or informal) and two essays on a daily basis. Write a letter or essay in your notebook; then, type out the letter on your desktop or laptop. This will improve your writing skills and also improve your typing speed.

Here are some suggested books for the descriptive test portion of the SBI PO 2015 Exam:

1. Descriptive English book - Kiran Prakashan

2. Descriptive General English book- S.P. Bakshi and Richa Sharma

3. Crack Descriptive English - Varuna Sharma

4. Descriptive English- SC Gupta

5. Descriptive English - K. KundanLetter Writing Topics Asked in SBI PO & SBI Associate PO 2014 Exam1. A letter to Complaint Letter : Being a customer of a so and so bank, you have to write a complaint letter to the Bank Manager about the negligence / irresponsibility of the employees

2. Letter to Editor : About tampering the currency notes by punching pins to it.

3. An Informal Letter about telling your friend about the advantages of PPF account and suggesting him to open a PPF account.

4. You are withdrawing money from ATM but the ATM turn out to be malfunctioned. So, money didn't come out but deducted from account. Write a letter to bank manger for refund.

5. Letter to regional manager for change in bank timing as it is inconvenient for customers.

6. A Letter to Superintendent of Police raising the concern over the increased cases of theft near ATM.

7. A letter to bank for applying educational loan providing all particulars.

8. A letter to friend for encouraging and wishing him for civil service examination which he is writing for the third time.

9. A letter to editor for publishing some articles on stress management since these are exam season.

10. A letter to bank manager about the bad habit of stapling currency notes

11. A letter to friend to aware him about the importance and benefit of PPF (Public Provident Fund) account.

12. A letter to the Bank Manager for the rude behavior of one of the employee.

13. A letter to the Manager of the Bank for the Overdraft Facility which you stopped long ago with the bank.

14. Write a letter to the K/S for giving you consignment glassware in which one of the consignment was damaged and asked for the compensation to the K/S Company.

15. Letter to the editor for disturbance of pigeon caused to society

16. Letter to Branch manager to add your daughter's name as a second nominee for your savings account

17. Letter to your friend to avoid junk food and inform her/him about its bad consequences

18. Write a letter to your friend explaining him your retirement plan

19. Mr. Piyush applied for loan of Rs. 26 lacs but he is eligible only for Rs. 22 lacs. Write a letter as a Bank Manager telling him about the refusal of his loan in a polite manner.

20. Write a letter to a client of your bank who got a car loan from you 2 years ago and has sold it now without paying the load.

21. Write a letter to your friend whose pet has been stolen

22. Write a letter to editor of news paper about unregulated load shading in your area

23. Write a letter to your those friend who spend whole time in computer and Mobile phone to encouraging him about to outdoor game

24. Write a letter to your friend sharing experience of selection in SBI PO Exam.

25. Write an application to branch manager as you have lost your receipt of term deposit which matures in next week asking him what steps needs to be taken next.

26. Write a letter to a friend asking him to stop eating junk food and take care of health.

27. Write a letter to a bank manager asking him to make her daughter as 2nd nominee.

28. Write a letter to a friend who has got scholarship to study in abroad but is not willing to go as he is a single child of his parents.

29. Write a letter to the Airlines Authority that you have left your cabin bag yesterday in the flight.

30. You completed B.com (Banking & Insurance). Write an unsolicited letter to bank manager for the job.

31. Write a letter to a friend advising him/her not to loose hope after failure in university exam.

32. Letter to the Editor about Air Pollution and giving some suggestions.

33. Write a letter to a letter to client as Manager to help him close his savings account.

34. Write a letter to the newspaper regarding loan easiness.

35. Write a letter to the bank manger reporting him about missing of debit card

36. Write a letter to your friend telling him to don't lose heart but hope for better future from her vast experience from life

37. Write a letter to your friend suggesting him to visit the Capital's Museum. Also, give importance of the visit.

38. Write a letter to the higher authority of your bank to give promotion on the basis of your efficiency and loyalty as you have given 24 years of service to the bank

List of Topics Asked in SBI Associate PO 2014 Exam

Letter Writing

1. Letter to the Editor for describing the menace of Electronic Waste

2. Letter to your DTH Operator to deactivate your connection for one month since you'll be out of station!

3. Letter to ISRO team to congratulate them about their Mars Orbitor mission

4. Letter from you (bank manager) to account holder asking him not to deactivate his debit card and provide him information about benefits of debit card

5. Letter to the BSNL Manager to Surrender your Land line Phone Number

6. Letter to a Bank Manager to open a branch in your neighbourhood

7. Letter to an Editor about your views on ever increasing crime against women.

8. Letter to a leading computer manufacturer for OS upgrade of your bank's terminals (PCs).

9. Write a letter to your Bank Manager seeking loan for a second home. Also inform him about the loan on your first home that has not been repaid fully, yet.

10. Lodge a police complaint for having lost your wallet.List of Essay Writing Topics Asked in SBI PO & SBI Associate PO 2014 Exam1. Is election commission right in banning election symbols during casting of votes?

2. Roll of uneducated people in Indian Economy.

3. Is generation gap a myth?

4. Enslavement of man by technology.

5. Is presidential form of government is suitable for India?

6. Those who saved More Taxed More. Justify

7. The Viability of Presidential Form of Govt In India.

8. Benefits of Mutual fund investments.

9. United Nation Organizations contribution towards the recent turmoil's in Ukraine.

10. India's Place in research paper survey.

11. Suggestions to alleviate unemployment problem.

12. Role of newspapers in influencing society or youth.

13. Contribution of unskilled labour in Indian economy.

14. How can education on economy are indulged in the college study?

15. Future of Banking Industry.

16. Pros and cons of allowing 10 year old children to open accounts.

17. How economy is is related to common man?

18. Global Market.

19. How far can a press have license to infringe in others privacy?

20. Corporate Social Responsibility.

21. Relevance of Swadeshi on Globalization.

22. There is no permanent friend or enemy in politics give examples from Indian politics.

23. Two types function of government are necessary and optional.

24. If I were minister of Banking Industry.

25. How to stop farmer suicides?

26. Role of effective credit rating.

27. Tackling communication gap between the families due to mass media and internet.

28. Advantages of classroom education over distance learning

29. Transformation caused on workplace by information technology In past two decades

30. Use of animals in scientific research.

31. Economic importance of tourism.

32. Will India ever be a developed country?

33. Women Empowerment

34. Banking Risk and Management.

35. Delinking of commodities to drop price hike in share market

36. Setting personal financial goal early in life.

37. Women's Safety - It is our responsibility

38. Village v/s Town.

List of Essay writing topics asked in SBI Associate PO 2014 Exam

1. Benefit and Disadvantages of E-Commerce.

2. Pros and Cons of outsourcing of banking activities.

3. Mutual Fund.

4. Stable government is important for economic growth.

5. How NABARD is a boon to Indian Agricultural Sector?

6. How Nationalized Banks has contributed to the growth of Economy in India?

7. How would you arrest Global Warming?

8. How Tourism effects Religious pilgrimage?