Descriptive Questions in the SBI PO exam

The SBI PO exam, like other bank exams,also has a section on descriptive questions. These are typically question
typesthat you would have studied in school letter writing, essay writing, passagesetc. However, the major
difference is that because this test checks youraptitude for a bank job, there are a lot of real-life banking
situations woveninto the topics of the letter and essay.
Letter-Writing Tips and Common Topics:
These fall into two major categories professional and personal.
I. Professional
You may asked to write a letteras a bank employee, branch manager, relationship manager etc.
While the actual letter neednot be very technical, you need to give specific details in the letter.
Theletter needs to be concise and related only to the topic under discussion.
You should adopt a formal tonein such a letter and avoid slang.
Based on the recipient of theletter, they are sub-divided into two categories. Some of the
common lettertopics are listed below:
A. Internal Communication
To senior management/regional offices/head office
Invitations
1. New branch opening
2. Customer meet
3. Function/concert for HNIs (highnet worth
individuals)
4. Religious function/ceremony inbranch or branch
anniversary, etc.
Infrastructure Requirements
1. Lease renewal for branch
2. New lease requirements due tolease expiry or
location issues
3. Cost estimates for newpremises/physical
infrastructure (like laptops)/software
packages/manpower
4. Complaints againstinfrastructure requirements not
being met
Requests/Exemptions
1. Permission for leave forreasons like
illness/professional training/study
leave/marriage/death in thefamily etc
2. Permission to grantpersonal/auto/home loan
despite pending documents or without security
3. Permission to grant bigger loanto
corporate/business client than limits set for him
4. Permission to initiate accountopening process
without KYC documentation in place
To junior staff
Complimentary
1. On meeting sales or audittargets
2. On getting positive feedbackfrom customers
3. On new initiatives or process/systemsimprovements
4. On gettingcertifications/degrees relevant to his/her
role
Rebuke/Warning Based
1. Targets not being met
2. Negative audit report or auditcomments being
received
3. Negative customer feedback
4. Disciplinary issues
5. Inadequate knowledge of products,systems and
processes
General Communication
1. New products/schemes/offers
2. Staff movements new joinings,transfers,
promotions, etc
3. Change in office policies
4. Modifications in bankingguidelines or major banking
news
B. ExternalCommunication
To customers
Invitations
1. New branch opening
2. Customer meet
3. Function/concert for HNIs(highnet worth
individuals)
4. Religious function/ceremony inbranch or branch
anniversary, etc.
New products/schemes/features
1. Phone and net bankingfacilities
2. Change in interest rates
3. New loan products, credit cards
4. New ATM in locality, etc
Approvals/Rejections
1. Loans(personal/education/home/auto)
2. New account
3. Credit/Debit cards
4. Enhancement of credit limit onexisting account, etc
Notices/Reminders
1. Repayment of EMI
2. Submission of documents
3. Change in account status(active/dormant), etc
To vendors
Quotations For physical infrastructure, facilities, etc
Complaints Equipment malfunctions, service issues, renewal of
SLA,etc
II. Personal
You may asked to write a letterto friends/relatives on various issues
These are not as frequent inthe exam and are also similar to letters that you have practised in
school
The language can be informaland the letter can be longer than a professional letter
Some of the common topic areasin this category are:
A. Advisory
Career options after graduation
Potential jobs in the bank
Career options abroad, etc
B. Congratulatory
Marriage
Exam or professional success
Birth, etc
C. Caution/Condolence/Regret
Death/illness/injury/accident
Inability to attend functions like wedding, party, etc
Caution against bad habits, overspending, not studying forprofessional exams,
etc

Essay-Writing Tips and Common Topics:
Essays in bank exams generallylook at a macro picture in terms of banking and the economy
You should try and be well-readon areas related to banking like Microfinance, SMEs and MMEs,
financialproducts like Insurance and Mutual Funds, retail and corporate banking, etc.
Some sample topics that you canpractise are given below. Note that these are purely indicative
of the kind ofessays that you can expect:
Future of retail/corporate banking in India.
Linkages between banks and other financial products like insurance/mutualfunds.
Impact of plastic money ATMS, credit cards and debit cards
Woman's Bank and its overview
Rural banking, microfinance and its importance.
Modern Banking e-banking and mobile banking
Banking products like education and home loans
Role of banks in inclusive growth and financial inclusion.
Banking politics
Money laundering and linkage to terrorism
Banking and Currency Fluctuations
Banks and Markets stocks, derivatives etc
Women safety in India.
Politics blessing or curse.
Rise of Indias Economy.
Role of sales, customer service and marketing in banking.
Role of banks in various industries.

Note that all the topics given for letters and essays are purely indicative and should
practise more topics to do well in the exam.