What does SBI CBO Exam Include in Descriptive Paper?

The State Bank of India Circle Based Officer (SBI CBO) exam is a recruitment process aimed at selecting experienced banking professionals for mid-level officer roles. While the objective section of the exam evaluates the candidate’s aptitude and banking knowledge, the Descriptive Paper plays a crucial role in assessing a candidate’s written communication skills, a key requirement for any officer-level post. Understanding the structure and expectations of the descriptive section is essential to score well and make it through to the final selection phase.

SBI CBO Descriptive Paper

The Descriptive Paper in the SBI CBO 2025 exam is designed to test a candidate’s proficiency in formal communication, which is a vital skill for any officer managing customer relations and administrative responsibilities. Preparing for this section with regular practice in letter and essay writing, along with reviewing current banking topics, can significantly enhance a candidate’s performance. Success in this part of the exam not only boosts your total score but also reflects your readiness for real-world communication challenges in the banking environment.

Structure of the Descriptive Test

The Descriptive Test in the SBI CBO exam is a 30-minute English language paper carrying 50 marks in total. It consists of two questions — one on Letter Writing and the other on Essay Writing. The test is conducted immediately after the objective paper and requires candidates to demonstrate clarity of thought, professional tone, grammatical accuracy, and relevance to the topic.

Duration: 30 minutes

Total Questions: 2 (Letter & Essay)

Total Marks: 50 marks

Language: English only

Letter Writing in SBI CBO Descriptive Test

Letter writing in the descriptive paper is usually formal in nature, reflecting the professional setting in which Circle Based Officers operate. Candidates may be asked to draft letters related to customer complaints, branch operations, staff communication, or official requests.

In scoring well, candidates should maintain a formal tone, organize content logically, and use clear language with correct grammar and punctuation. Including appropriate salutations and closing phrases is also important.

Essay Writing in SBI CBO Descriptive Test

The essay topic typically revolves around current affairs, banking industry trends, financial awareness, or social issues relevant to the role of a bank officer. The essay is expected to be concise, informative, and well-structured.

To score well in the essay, candidates should present a clear introduction, a well-developed body with examples or arguments, and a concise conclusion. Logical flow, relevance to the topic, and clarity of language are key criteria for evaluation.

Importance of the Descriptive Test

Though the descriptive section may seem secondary to the objective paper, it holds significant weight in the final assessment. Poor performance in this section can impact the overall merit position, especially when multiple candidates have similar scores in the objective test. Additionally, good writing skills are essential for handling customer communications, internal reporting, and drafting official correspondence, all integral duties of a Circle Based Officer.