Mistakes to Avoid in Essay Writing for IBPS PO Mains 2025

IBPS PO Mains 2025 is just around the corner, and with it comes the Descriptive Paper, an often overlooked section that can make or break your final score. While most students focus heavily on the objective section, the descriptive part, especially essay writing, is left for the last minute. And that’s where the real trouble begins. An essay requires a lot of practice as you need to write 3-4 paragraphs in 10-15 minutes. In this blog, we’ll discuss the common mistakes students make in essay writing for IBPS PO Mains and how to avoid them to ensure your selection.

 

Descriptive Test Format – Essay Writing in IBPS PO Mains

The Descriptive Test includes two sections: Essay and Comprehension. You’ll be given two essay topics, and you have to choose one and write within 250–300 words. The essay carries 25 marks, and you’ll get 30 minutes to complete both tasks. That means time management and clarity of thought are key.

Mistakes to Avoid in Essay Writing for IBPS PO Mains

The most common mistakes students commit while writing essays in IBPS PO Mains descriptive test are mentioned below. Read carefully and observe your own practice; if you’re making any of these, it’s time to fix them.

Writing Without a Clear Structure

Many students start writing without planning the structure. They just begin with whatever comes to mind and end up with an unstructured essay. But remember, a well-structured essay has three parts: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. Without this, your essay lacks flow and clarity.

Ignoring the Word Limit

Usually, in IBPS PO, the word limit is 250-300 words. Writing too short shows a lack of content, and writing too long shows a lack of clarity. So, stick to the limit. Practice writing essays with a timer and word counter to manage your time appropriately. Don’t forget, if you exceed the word limit, it may affect the outcome, and consequently the result.

Using Informal Language in Your Writings

This exam demands a formal writing style. Therefore, you need to avoid slang, casual phrases, or conversational tone in your writing. For example, Phrases like “you know,” “stuff like that,” or “I think so” should not be used in the essay. Keep it professional and to the point. One more thing, support your points using logical facts and keep the tone informative and neutral. 

Not Understanding the Topic Properly

Students often misinterpret the topic and go off track. Before you start writing, spend a minute understanding what the topic demands. Is it asking for your opinion, a solution, or an analysis? Tailor your essay accordingly. Usually, the topic asked in the examination demands analysis. In these types of topics, you need to just analyse and not present your opinion or give unnecessary suggestions.

Lack of Examples or Data

An essay feels incomplete without relevant examples. Support your arguments with data, facts, or references to current affairs, where necessary. But use them smartly. Your goal should be to write a clear and structured essay reflecting genuineness. At the same time, your target should not be to bombard the reader with data and facts and turn your essay into a news article. In short, when you put the facts in their right places, your statements will gain authenticity. Ultimately, this exam is made to test the way you think. And also, how you respond to different situations. It’s not just about examining your theoretical knowledge.

Repeating the Same Point

Repeating the same idea in different words doesn’t add value. It just wastes space. Make sure each paragraph introduces a new point or perspective. Avoid redundancy as it will also waste your time and word limit without adding an appropriate value. 

Weak Conclusion

Some students end their essay abruptly or just restate the introduction differently. Your conclusion should summarise the key points and leave a lasting impression on the evaluator. It’s your final chance to show clarity and maturity in thought. So make it according to that standard. 

Spelling and Grammar Errors

This is a typing test. So while content matters, so does your language. Spelling mistakes, wrong tenses, or poor sentence construction can cost you marks. Practice typing essays and get them evaluated. You can use certain websites, such as typing.com, typing test, to practice speed typing. Apart from this, for overall preparation of descriptive writing, you can take our descriptive writing course, where you’ll get a descriptive writing test as well. Your answers will be evaluated by the experts, and they will provide better insights to improve your performance. 

No Revision

Students submit their essays as soon as they finish writing. But a quick revision can help you spot silly errors, improve sentence flow, and polish your conclusion. Always keep 2–3 minutes for review. To make it easy, set a 12-minute time limit for essays to complete and 3 minutes to review what you’ve written. This will help you spot even the smallest of your mistakes, if there are any. 

Conclusion

Essay writing in IBPS PO Mains is not just about writing. It’s about writing in a smart way. Avoiding the above-mentioned mistakes can help you stand out and score well in the descriptive section. Practice regularly, get your essays evaluated, and observe your own writing patterns. If you want expert feedback and practice, check out our IBPS PO Descriptive Course and start preparing to ace the exam successfully.

 

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