Students who are preparing hard for SBI PO exam know that the mains exam checks your speed and accuracy in solving questions; on the other hand, the descriptive paper checks how well you can express your thoughts in writing. As a future probationary officer, you will always have to write emails, reports, and official letters in your day-to-day work. That is why this section has been included in the exam to test your professional communication skills. In this part of the exam, you need to write a report, a precis or a situation analysis, and one email in just 30 minutes. Together, they carry 50 marks, which can play a big role in your final merit. Many students give more attention to the objective part and ignore the descriptive part, but in reality, this is a scoring section if you prepare smartly. So in this blog, let’s focus on one part of the descriptive exam. Email writing is especially very important because it is a regular part of corporate and banking communication. In this blog, we will discuss the format and tips you can use while writing emails for official purposes.
The Descriptive Paper for 2025 has been updated to test students’ communication skills. It consists of three questions:
| Section | Details / Choice | Marks |
| Emails | One out of two options | – |
| Reports | One out of two options | – |
| Situation Analysis / Precis Writing | Choose one out of the two options | – |
| Total | 3 writing tasks (some compulsory, some choice-based) | 50 marks |
| Time Limit | 30 minutes |
| Part | Details |
| Email Address | Mention the email ID correctly |
| Subject Line | Mention the main purpose of your email clearly and shortly. |
| Salutation | Start with a formal greeting, like “Dear [Recipient’s Name],” or “Respected Sir/Madam,” if you don’t know the name. |
| Body | Introduction – Write a short intro about yourself and the reason for writing. Main Content – Share the details clearly and briefly. Conclusion – End the body with the main point and mention if any action is needed. |
| Closing | Use a polite closing line like “Yours sincerely,” or “Best regards,” and then write your full name and designation (if needed) |
Students, you know very well that email writing is an important part of professional communication. Many times, people do not reply to emails if the message is not interesting enough. This is why you should learn how to write good emails. Write your point directly. A good email is always short, simple, and clear.
There are some tips you should remember while writing emails. Emails can be casual (informal) or professional (formal). The format changes based on the type, but grammar and spelling should always be correct.
We have already provided the format above, so always begin with a clear subject line and follow the proper email format (salutation, body, and closing). You need to stick to one tone and it should be professional. It will properly define your clarity of thought, which examiners look for.
One common mistake students make is going off-topic or mixing two different issues in the same email. For example, if the subject is about “requesting funds,” do not add details about any other topic. Stick to the given topic. This is how you communicate well through emails.
Emails are sometimes read on mobile devices, so keep them clear, concise, and to the point. At the same time, don’t make them so short that your thoughts sound incomplete. Divide your email body into three parts: Introduction (reason for writing), Main Content (details and explanation), and Conclusion (summary and action needed).
In formal emails, tone is everything. Never use casual language, slang, or gossip. Keep your language polite, respectful, and professional. Also, be mindful of “who” you are addressing, whether it’s a single person or a group. The SBI PO descriptive exam also tests how professional you will be in your tone.
You know very well, in the exam you have to type your email on a computer system, not on paper. That’s why daily practice is very important. Try writing at least two/ three emails in a week on your computer using the proper format. This will help you improve your typing speed and accuracy, and it will also make you comfortable with the digital format. Try to complete it in 8 minutes and keep 2 minutes for proofreading.
Here we are providing a sample question of email writing that can be asked in the SBI PO Descriptive exam.
Ans:
Email Address:
Subject: Stay Safe – Beware of Phishing and Fraud Calls
Dear Customer,
Your security is our priority. Please be cautious of fraudulent calls, emails, or SMS requesting your banking credentials.
Remember:
Stay vigilant and enjoy safe banking with us.
With regards,
< Name>
<Branch Manager>
< Branch Name>
< Address in Short with City and pin code>
<Contact details>
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