EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper is an online test. Candidates appearing for EPFO SSA Mains exam will have to appear for the descriptive test. This paper will carry a total of 30 marks, held for a duration of 45 minutes. The EPFO SSA Descriptive Test is an essential part of the EPFO SSA selection process as it’s present in Phase-II stage. And as you must know, candidates’ marks of EPFO SSA Phase-II (Mains) exam will be considered for final selection.
- The EPFO SSA descriptive paper tests candidates’ thorough knowledge of reading & writing English Language along with implementation of strong vocabulary skills.
- As per the official EPFO SSA Exam Pattern, aspirants will have to first appear for objective-type subjects such as Reasoning & Computer Knowledge, English, Quantitative Aptitude, General/Economy/Financial Awareness, followed by the descriptive paper.
- The EPFO SSA descriptive test paper assesses aspirants’ English writing ability through letter writing, precis writing, and comprehension analysis.
Study important Descriptive paper topics with the best EPFO SSA Coaching by Super Teachers!
Table of Contents
What is the EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper?
The EPFO SSA descriptive test paper is a part of the Mains paper. As per the official EPFO SSA Exam Pattern, the Phase-II stage is conducted for a total of 153 questions, carrying 230 marks. Out of which, the descriptive paper holds 3 questions for a total of 30 marks. Candidates must note that the EPFO SSA descriptive paper will be held in online mode. Aspirants will have to answer questions displayed on their computer screen by typing on keyboard only. The questions asked in this paper can be divided into three parts –
- Letter writing
- Precis writing
- Comprehension and analysis
EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper Pattern 2023
Aspirants must thoroughly go through the EPFO SSA descriptive paper pattern before starting their preparations for the Mains stage. The descriptive paper of EPFO SSA Mains exam will be conducted immediately after the 4 online objective-test sections are held. The detailed pattern of descriptive paper of EPFO SSA exam is given below.
Paper Type | Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration | Language |
Objective Test | Reasoning/Intelligence | 40 | 60 | 35 Minutes | Bilingual |
General/Economy/Financial Awareness | 40 | 40 | 20 Minutes | Bilingual | |
English Language | 30 | 40 | 30 Minutes | English | |
Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 35 Minutes | Bilingual | |
Descriptive Paper | (English Language paper with an emphasis on comprehension and analysis) | 3 (Letter, Precis, Comprehension) | 30 | 45 Minutes | English |
Grand Total | 153 | 230 | 2 Hours 45 Minutes |
Also check out the best EPFO SSA Books for descriptive paper preparation!
Letter Writing in EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper
In the EPFO SSA descriptive test, candidates will have to answer one letter-writing topic that carries 10 marks. Generally, two types of letters are asked in the EPFO SSA exam as follows –
- Formal Letters: It is usually written to higher authorities like school principal, administrator, govt. officials, etc in a formal tone for official purposes like informing something, seeking permission or grants, etc.
- Informal Letters: They are also known as personal letters that are written to non-formal recipients like family, friends, etc for conveying regards, wishes, etc in a very friendly and lighthearted tone .
Expert-Recommended Letter Writing Topics for EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper
Some of the top letter-writing topics asked in EPSO SSA previous year question papers for the descriptive test section are as follows –
- Write a letter to a bank manager for opening a new savings account.
- Write a letter to the Branch Manager requesting him for transfer of your savings account to a new branch location.
- Write a letter to a bank manager for obtaining a business loan.
- Write a letter to your branch manager as you were unable to transfer funds to your friend due to unavailability of UPI services
- Write a letter to the Bank Manager seeking time for payment of EMI
- Write a letter to Regional Manager of Bank informing about internet banking site problems
- Write a letter to the Branch Manager for availing international bank services that you stopped earlier
- Write a letter to a newspaper Editor explaining the views on export corruption
- Written a letter to the Bank Manager about your requirement of transport & shipment facilities to spread your export network.
- Write a letter to the Senior Editor stressing your views on ever-growing socio-political crimes against women and children
- Write a formal complaint regarding the day-to-day troubles faced by common people during demonetization or Note-bandi.
- Write a letter to the Branch Manager regarding the transactions posed in Employee Provident Fund
- Write a letter to lodge a police complaint about losing your EPF account details.
- Write an official letter to your Branch Manager asking about the procedure and rules for providing loans to corporate employees
- Write an official letter to your Branch Manager about opening a new Employee Provident Fund account & transfer of funds.
Also go through SBI PO Descriptive Paper Letter topics for advanced information.
Precis Writing in EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper
As descriptive writing in EPFO SSA job profile is mandatory, candidates are also required to write precis in the Mains exam. Precis Writing is basically like essay writing but here, aspirants will be given a passage of 300-400 words which they need to shorten and write in their own language in about 100-150 words. You are also required to give a unique title to your precis. As per experts, you need to divide your Precis for EPFO SSA descriptive paper in three parts –
- Introduction: Explaining background of the topic given .
- Body: Drafting middle paragraphs representing your point of view on the topic
- Conclusion: Giving final verdict to make sense without clubbing statements.
Comprehension in EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper
In any competitive government exam, Reading Comprehension is a major part of the English syllabus. Similarly, you need to attempt 1-2 questions from Comprehension in the EPFO SSA descriptive test round. Here, you will be given a 400-500 word passage with 5-6 questions. You will need to frame answers in your unique language with a keyboard. As per experts, you are recommended to frame not more than 40-50 words answer depending on the question.
Note: In the previous EPFO SSA descriptive paper, the passage for Comprehension and Precis writing were similar.
EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper Preparation Tips
The first step is to familiarise with the structure & format of letter, precis, and comprehension asked in EPFO SSA descriptive test. Without understanding the structure of writing assignments, descriptive test for EPFO SSA preparation will be incomplete. Follow the tips below.
- Present the information in a simple & concise manner with limited word count for each letter, precis, and comprehension questions asked.
- Refer to previous EPFO SSA descriptive paper solutions to gain proper understanding of the writing methods.
- Practice typing descriptive words and responses on keyboard to improve your speed and accuracy during the actual test.
- Ensure typing of descriptive letters’ and precis’ questions first without a timer. Then, once you get slowly acquainted with the pattern, time your responses as you will be required to solve the entire EPFO SSA descriptive paper within 45 minutes.
- Read a national newspaper everyday to both focus on news updates as well as improve your English vocabulary and writing skills simultaneously.
- Write at least one article on a daily basis in your own words from trending topics. Follow Testbook’s GK & Current Affairs blog for latest National & International news updates.
- Avoid repetition of sentences or using irrelevant or difficult words in your precis/letter as it creates a bad impression on writing skills.
- Read any letter/precis/comprehension question twice or more before starting to write on it.
- Present your content in short & lucid paragraphs as it will make reading task easier for the examiner, resulting in scoring good marks.
Also check EPFO SSA Cut Off for Descriptive Test here!
We hope that this article helped you deliver official information regarding the EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper 2023 in detail. Now download the Testbook App to access more live classes, test series, previous year question papers, practice set PDFs and more in expert guidance.
EPFO SSA Descriptive Paper FAQs
The EPFO SSA descriptive paper consists of 3 questions for a total of 30 marks.
The EPFO SSA descriptive paper syllabus includes topics on letter writing, precis writing & comprehension analysis.
The EPFO SSA descriptive paper will be conducted in online mode i.e., aspirants will have type answers to questions displayed on their screen by keyboard.
The format, structure and most asked topics on Letter & Precis for EPFO SSA descriptive paper is given in this article.
The EPFO SSA descriptive paper will be held immediately after the online objective-test sections are completed.