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Is there a descriptive paper in SBI PO Mains?
On this page
Yes. The SBI PO Mains has a descriptive paper called Communication Skills. It has 3 questions for 30 marks in 30 minutes, it is typed on a computer straight after the objective test, and you must qualify in it.
The format in the 2026 advertisement
The paper tests three kinds of writing:
- an email,
- a situation analysis,
- a report or a precis.
You get a choice of questions in each part. For example, you pick one of two. The paper is typed, not handwritten, so typing speed and accuracy affect how much you can write in the 30 minutes.
Where it fits in the Mains
| Part | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective test (four sections) | 170 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Descriptive: Communication Skills | 3 | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 230 | 3 hours 30 minutes |
The Mains has a sectional qualifying score in each test, descriptive included, so a poor writing score can end your attempt. The Mains total of 230 marks is normalised to 75, and it carries 75% of the final merit; the group exercise and interview carry the other 25%.
The old format is gone
Older articles and books describe a 50-mark paper with a letter and an essay. That does not match the 2026 advertisement. If you are practising long essays and formal letters, shift towards short, structured business writing: a clear email, a decision-oriented situation analysis and a tight report.
IBPS PO has one too
IBPS PO's Mains also has a descriptive test, but it is Essay and Comprehension for 25 marks in 30 minutes, and IBPS notes it may be evaluated by an automated scoring mechanism. See IBPS and SBI differences.
Preparing for it
Write one timed email, one situation analysis and one report or precis each week in the last months, typing as you would on exam day. Our descriptive writing guide covers formats, structure and evaluation, and the SBI PO preparation strategy places it in the Mains plan. PrepMatic practice is multiple-choice only, so it does not replace writing practice.
Source
- SBI PO 2026 detailed advertisement CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 (18 June 2026): Mains structure and descriptive test.
Check the latest advertisement for any change. The full pattern is in the SBI PO syllabus and exam pattern.
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- Descriptive writingDescriptive writing for bank exams: SBI PO's email, situation analysis, report or précis and IBPS PO's essay, with structures, outlines and typing practice.
- SBI PO syllabus and patternSBI PO 2026 pattern and syllabus: prelims English 40, Quant 30, Reasoning 30; mains with the new email and situation-analysis descriptive; 75:25 merit weights.
- SBI PO preparation strategyHow to prepare for SBI PO: what differs from IBPS PO, a 24-week plan, mains-level DI and reasoning, the new descriptive test, and interview prep.
- Negative marking in SBI POSBI PO deducts one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong answer in Prelims and Mains. See the penalty by section for 2026.
More in Bank exams
- SBI PO attempt limitSBI PO allows 6 attempts for UR/EWS, 9 for OBC and PwBD, and no limit for SC/ST. Only appearing in Mains counts. Rules from the 2026 advertisement.
- SBI PO Prelims sectional cut-offSBI PO Prelims 2026 has no sectional cut-off; about ten times the vacancies are shortlisted on total score. IBPS has one. Here is how it works.
- SBI PO age limitSBI PO age limit is 21 to 30 years as on 1 April 2026. See upper-age relaxation for OBC, SC/ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen, and why relaxations do not stack.
- SBI PO salarySBI PO starts at a basic pay of ₹48,480 plus four advance increments in scale JMGS-I. See the pay scale, the advertised CTC, bond and probation terms.
- RRB PO and Clerk togetherYes. In IBPS RRBs-XV you can apply for Office Assistant and one officer post, with a separate application and fee for each. Dates, fees and limits.
- RBI Grade B salaryRBI Grade B starts at a basic pay of ₹78,450 a month in a 16-year scale. The 2026 advertisement states gross emoluments of about ₹1.55 lakh a month.
- RBI Grade B interview marksThe RBI Grade B interview carries 75 marks and final merit is Phase II plus the interview. Phase I marks do not count. 2026 rules and how it compares.
- Negative marking in IBPS POYes. IBPS PO deducts one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong answer, in Prelims and Mains. See what it costs per section.