Précis, Report Writing and Situation Analysis: Writing Clear, Correct English

Drafted with AI assistance and fact-checked on 28 October 2026; not yet read line by line by a human editor. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Editorial standards & corrections

The other tasks

In the SBI PO 2026-27 notification, the descriptive test has three questions of 10 marks each: email writing (one out of two), situation analysis writing (one out of two), and report writing or précis writing (any one out of two), all to be answered in English. The IBPS CRP PO/MT-XVI paper pairs the essay with a comprehension. Every task tests the same core skill, saying exactly what is needed in plain, correct English, but each has its own shape.

Précis

A précis is a shortened version of a passage that keeps its central idea and main points, in your own words. Read the passage twice, find the one idea that holds it together and note the supporting points; then drop examples, repetition, quotations and figures of speech. Write in the third person and in reported speech, keep the author's order of ideas, and add nothing of your own: no opinion and no new fact. The traditional rule of thumb is about one-third of the original length, but a word count given in the question always overrides it. Add a short title if one is asked for.

Report writing

A report records facts for a reader who was not there. A useful outline is a title; an introduction saying what happened, when, where and why the report is being written; the findings, in logical or time order; and a conclusion or recommendations. Write in the past tense and in an impersonal style ('A financial literacy camp was held at ...'), and keep observations separate from recommendations. A report on a village financial literacy camp, for example, would give the date and place, who conducted it, what was explained (savings accounts, keeping ATM PINs and OTPs secret, small loans), how people responded and what to improve next time.

Situation analysis and comprehension

In a situation analysis, state the problem in one sentence, name the people affected, set out the options briefly, then choose one and justify it as a responsible bank officer would. In a comprehension answer, answer only from the passage, in your own words, and keep its facts separate from your own inferences.

Paragraph flow and linking words

Each paragraph opens with a topic sentence, and every other sentence supports it. Linking words show the reader how ideas connect: addition (moreover, in addition, furthermore), contrast (however, on the other hand, nevertheless), cause and effect (therefore, as a result, consequently), example (for instance, such as), sequence (first, then, finally) and conclusion (in short, to sum up). Use them where the logic needs them, not at the start of every sentence. 'However' at the start of a sentence, when it means 'but', takes a comma after it ('However, the branch was closed'), and two complete sentences cannot be joined by a comma alone.

Errors evaluators notice

Subject-verb agreement ('The number of customers has risen'; 'One of the branches is closed'). Articles ('an honest officer', 'a university', 'an MBA'). Wrong or extra prepositions ('discuss the issue', not 'discuss about'; 'comprises three parts', not 'comprises of'; 'return', not 'return back'). Office Indianisms that are not standard English ('do the needful', 'revert back', 'I am having two accounts'). Commonly misspelt words: receive, separate, necessary, occurrence, accommodate, committee, guarantee, government, environment, beneficiary. Pairs that get mixed up: its and it's, their and there, affect and effect, loose and lose. Choose British or American spelling and stay with it.

Simple beats ornate

Long words and borrowed flourishes do not earn marks; clarity does. Compare 'In the contemporary epoch, the phenomenon of digitalisation has metamorphosed the financial landscape' with 'Digital payments have changed the way Indians bank.' The second is shorter, exact and impossible to misread. Prefer sentences of 15 to 20 words, the active voice and the plain word (use, not utilise; help, not facilitate). The IBPS PO/MT-XVI notice says its paper may be scored by an automated mechanism for writing-proficiency features, one more reason to write correct, well-organised English rather than decorated English.

Key facts

SBI PO 2026-27 descriptive test: three 10-mark questions in English: email (one out of two), situation analysis (one out of two), report or précis (any one out of two).
Précis: central idea and main points in your own words, third person, reported speech, the author's order, no opinion; about one-third of the original unless the question gives a word count.
Report outline: title; introduction (what, when, where, why); findings; conclusion or recommendations. Past tense, impersonal style.
Situation analysis: the problem in one sentence, the people affected, the options, and one choice justified as a responsible officer would.
Linking words: moreover (addition), however (contrast), therefore (result), for instance (example), finally (sequence), to sum up (conclusion).
Correct forms: 'The number of customers has risen'; 'One of the branches is closed'; 'discuss the issue'; 'comprises three parts'; 'an MBA'.
Avoid office Indianisms: 'do the needful', 'revert back', 'I am having two accounts'.
Spell them right: receive, separate, necessary, occurrence, accommodate, committee, guarantee, beneficiary.
Plain beats ornate: 'Digital payments have changed the way Indians bank' beats 'the phenomenon of digitalisation has metamorphosed the financial landscape'.

Quick revision

SBI PO 2026-27: email, situation analysis, report or précis, 10 marks each, in English; précis = central idea in own words, third person, about one-third unless told otherwise; report = title, introduction, findings, recommendations, past tense; topic sentence plus linking words; watch agreement, articles, prepositions, Indianisms, spellings; short active sentences of 15-20 words beat ornate prose.

All 11 lessons on Beyond the Written Exam: Descriptive Paper, Interview and Other Stages