Essential Topics for the IBPS PO Mains Descriptive Section (2019)

Introduction

The IBPS PO Mains exam is a critical step towards a successful career in banking, particularly in the Preliminary Descriptive Section. To excel in this section, candidates must be well-prepared with a variety of topics and a strong focus on practice. This article delves into the key topics that should be prepared for, along with tips to help candidates perform to their best potential.

Topics to Prepare

1. Essay Writing

Current Affairs: Keeping up with current events is crucial. Topics could range from:

Digital banking and its impact on the economy The significance of financial literacy Environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility The role of technology in transforming the banking sector

2. Letter Writing

Types of Letters:

Application letters for jobs and internships Letters to the editor addressing social issues or current events Complaint letters regarding services or products Request letters for information or assistance

3. Précis Writing

Précis Writing Skills: Candidates must be able to summarize a given passage, retaining the main ideas and essential details. It's important to focus on clarity and coherence in your summaries.

4. Report Writing

Report Writing Skills: Familiarize yourself with the structure of a report. Possible topics include:

Reports on recent events or seminars Reports on the performance of banking products Analysis of a social issue based on survey data

Preparation Tips

1. Regular Practice

Writing on various topics will help build your confidence and improve your writing skills. Practice essays, letters, and reports regularly to stay well-prepared for the exam.

2. Stay Informed

Read newspapers and magazines to stay updated on current events and trending topics. The Harvard Business Review, New York Times, Business Standard, The Economic Times, The Hindu, The Mint, and research papers are excellent sources for this purpose.

3. Review Format and Structure

Ensure you understand the formats for essays, letters, and reports, including proper salutations, closings, and paragraphing. Pay special attention to the word limit and date in letters.

Rewriting the Key Dos and Donos

Don'ts

Forget to put the date in your letter. Cross the word limit of essay and letter writing. The word count will show in the right top corner. Pay attention to how fast others are typing as this can cause nervousness and limit your ability to think broadly and innovatively. Be politically biased or put a negative opinion in your essays. Write words that require a dictionary. Use simple language. Use short forms of words.

Dos

Practice 10 essays and 10 letters (both formal and informal) a week before the exam. Practice using MS Word or any writing software. Refer to Meritshine essays and letters PDFs that can be found on YouTube or Facebook before the exam. Read newspapers and magazines daily to stay informed about current events and trending topics. Write essays and letters and check them on the meritshine and infinitesimal Facebook groups for feedback. Plan how much time to spend on essays and letters and focus on your areas of comfort.

By covering these topics and practicing your writing skills, you'll be well-prepared for the Descriptive Section of the IBPS PO Mains exam.

Conclusion

By focusing on these key topics and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your chances of scoring well in the Descriptive Section of the IBPS PO Mains exam. Good luck!