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Expert Tips for Tier 3 Descriptive Paper in SSC CGL 2016-2017 Examination


As you know the SSC CGL Tier 2 exam is now over. And for the first time SSC has come up with a new pattern for the Tier 3 exam. The interview or personality test has been replaced by the Written Descriptive Exam. This Descriptive Paper that aims to test your proficiency in writing. The offline, pen and paper based exam may also be a means to test you on how you formulate your ideas to form firm arguments and opinions on certain topics. This would be especially done by the essay writing. The descriptive paper is also a means to evaluate your communication skills to determine how effectively you convey ideas in a precise manner. These 20+ Expert Tips for Tier 3 Descriptive Paper in SSC CGL 2016-2017 Examination will prepare you to tackle and ace the paper.


Pattern & Particulars of SSC CGL Tier 3 Exam

  1. The SSC CGL Tier III Paper is worth 100 marks.
    1. The Essay may carry 50-60 marks
    2. If there is both Letter/Application writing as well Précis Writing, they may each carry 20-30 marks each. If just one of these two are asked, expect the Letter/Application to be worth 40 marks.
  2. It would be an offline exam based on pen and paper.
  3. Duration of the paper will be 1 hour.
  4. The topics would include Essay Writing (250- 300 Words)/ Precis Writing/ Letter Writing.
  5. The marks of this exam will be included in the preparation of final merit.
  6. The paper is bilingual. You can choose to write in either Hindi or English.

Tips to Prepare and Tackle SSC CGL Tier 3 Paper

As already mentioned, the new pattern aims to test you on your writing skills. Therefore “Practice” is the key to your success. Since you have only limited time to frame and write your essay, you need to focus on honing your essay writing skills. Follow some of these tips and instructions to bring efficiency to your writing skills.

  1. Where to Prepare for SSC CGL Tier 3 Paper from?

Read newspapers, articles and political magazines as much as possible. Not only does this increase your vocabulary but also helps you bring flow in your writing. English medium students must read The Hindu, The Indian Express, Economic Times. Since you have only a few days left, you need to make sure that you read at least 20 articles a day on a range of topics from here on out.

  1. What to Read for SSC CGL Descriptive Paper?

The articles you read must cover a range of topics including –
  • Social Issues like Poverty, Education, Equality, Social Evils (Child Marriage, Dowry, Rape etc.)
  • Finance & Economy (e.g. Demonetization, RBI Rates, GDP Rates etc.)
  • Politics, Schemes & Governance (e.g. Upcoming and recently concluded elections, coups, revolutions and agitations, political deaths etc.)
  • Technology (e.g. UPI, Payment Wallets, Vaccines, Social Networks etc.)
  • Sports (e.g. Recent wins, retirements etc.)
  • Environmental Concerns like Pollution, Overpopulation.
  • Geopolitics (e.g. Chinese aggression in Indian Ocean, Syrian Refugee Crisis)
Also make sure you are up to date on FACTS. It is these FACTS that will help you frame and write a better essay. You don’t need to go into too much details but you need to be aware of the basics. So make sure you are still reading up on Current Affairs.

  1. Tips for Effective Time Management for SSC CGL Tier III Paper

Remember that you have only 60 minutes to attempt 2-3 descriptive topics, so do not spend unnecessary time on any of them. If there is Precis, spend no more than 15 minutes on it, 15 minutes on Letter, and 30 minutes on Essay. If there is no Precis, you can equally distribute the extra time between the Letter and the Essay.

  1. What should be Order Attempt in SSC CGL Descriptive Paper?

    Attempt the Essay first as it would require some brainstorming and may also carry the maximum marks. Attempt the Letter next as it has a set format and you need to only flesh out the body. This can easily be achieved in a set amount of time. Finally attempt the Precis (if it appears) as it requires on-the-spot thinking and creation of content within a specified number of words. This often takes a lot of rewrites.

  2. Language Skills Needed for Descriptive Paper –

Since you will be involved in the business of writing a descriptive paper, you should be thorough with your grammar. Don’t make any grammatical errors. For this you will need to improve your grammar. Take any school level book and learn the basic grammar rules. You may also refer to books in order to improve your vocabulary. Reading also comes in handy when it comes to bringing a desired proficiency in your language and grammatical skills.

  1. Presentation Tips

Try to be neat in your presentation. Do not cut or overwrite. Make sure that if not very good, your handwriting is legible. An actual person is going to try and read your content.

Essay Writing Tips for Tier 3 Descriptive Paper in SSC CGL Exam

  1. What to Expect in SSC CGL Essay?

This is an important topic which would test you not only on your facts and grammar but also on your opinions. The expected topics may be based on polity, governance, current affairs, social issues (gender, caste, and communalism). Topics related to role of media, characteristics of a responsible media or censorship of media may be other possible topics. Refer to the list of expected topics mentioned below.

  1. How to Prepare for SSC CGL Essay?

Read newspaper carefully. The newspapers (esp. The Hindu and The Indian Express) not only gives you facts but also help you to formulate opinions on particular subject matters.  Reading editorials is one of the best ways get ideas on how to approach an essay. Read good books of interest to prepare for the essay topic.

  1. What Should be the Structure of the Essay?

Let your essay have 3 parts: Introduction, Body and Conclusion. The Body can be further divided into 3 to 5 paragraphs. Don’t worry, you have enough time to write that much. Make sure that each paragraph talks about one or two important aspects and not more. Try to complete an idea within the paragraph and introduce a new idea in the next paragraph.

  1. How to Tackle the Essay in SSC CGL Tier III Paper?

In the examination hall, after selecting the topic that you want to attempt, first decide the points that you would include in your essay. Write down the points roughly. This makes it easier to flesh out the points later.
You can start by writing a few keywords and then writing all the Social, Political, Legal, Technological, Economic and other factors that influence or are affected by the topic on hand. Alternatively, you can pick a side in the topic and perform a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) analysis on it.
Your flow of writing will be easier when you have these points to guide you. Don’t worry, if something pops up in your mind at some later point while writing the essay. You can always add to your essay.

  1. How to Make the Essay Better?

If you think that your vocabulary is not very good, use simple words to properly explain your ideas. Pay careful attention to grammar and see that your language is correct. To validate your points, quotes from some author are welcome if only you remember them properly. Try to validate your points with relevant examples.

  1. When to Stop Writing the Essay?

Make sure that you do not go on writing whatever comes to your mind and end up writing unnecessary things. Remember that at the end of the day, the quality and not the quantity matters. Make sure that you’ve covered all the important points in your initial pointers within the prescribed time frame.

  1. How to Practice Writing Essays

For the purpose of practice, pick up topics of your choice and write them with a limited time frame. You can pick up the topics mentioned below.

List of 20+ Expected Topics for Essays:

  1. Demonetization
  2. Digital payments, E- Wallets
  3. Unified Payment Interface
  4. The Seventh Pay Commission
  5. Corruption
  6. Intolerance
  7. Women Empowerment
  8. The Technological Revolution
  9. Sexual Harassment
  10. Reservation in educational institutions
  11. Right to Information
  12. Right to Equality
  13. Gender sensitivity/ Gender specific roles
  14. The GST bill
  15. Reservation of women in Parliament
  16. Violence and peace
  17. Terrorism
  18. The Kashmir Issue
  19. The India Pakistan Relations
  20. Globalization
  21. OROP

Letter-Writing Tips for Tier 3 Descriptive Paper in SSC CGL Exam

There are a few factors you must keep in mind while writing the essay.

  1. Language

In this topic the use of formal language is tested. They are bound to ask you formal letters based on recent social issues. You will be judged on your ability to present the problem using formal vocabulary.  Do not use slang, contractions, etc. in the letter.

  1. Fluency

Brainstorm to point out relevant points before you begin writing the letter. While writing, organize these ideas to maintain appropriate fluency by putting all the similar ideas together with proper transition of paragraphs. You must also take care of the format and stick to the relevant problem without mentioning any insignificant data.

  1. Accuracy

This involves structuring of the sentences with grammatical correctness. You should present your ideas clearly.

  1. Presentation

The presentation of the paper has equal importance. Good handwriting must be maintained with proper space between two words or two paragraphs. There should be no mistake, overwriting, cutting in the paper. Proper margins must be maintained to give the letter a formal look.

List of Expected Topics for Letters:

Letters to the Editor/Governing Body/In-Charge:

  1. Complain letter regarding increasing noise pollution in your locality.
  2. Complain letter regarding trouble faced by common people due to demonetization.
  3. Complain letter regarding recent articles in a popular newspaper being based only on Bollywood stars rather than relevant and important news.
  4. Complain letter mentioning chaotic state of traffic near your locality.
  5. Letter to present views on Women empowerment.
  6. Letter to present views on demonetization.
  7. Letter to present views on Corruption.
  8. Letter to present views on Education beyond classroom teaching.
  9. Letter to present views on ‘Nature and its protection’
  10. Letter to present views on effect of digitalization on today’s youth.
Application Letter:
  1. Application for the post of a manager/clerk/assistant etc. in a company.
  2. Letter to reschedule an interview date due to unavoidable circumstances.
  3. Letter to accept a job opportunity.
  4. Letter to reject a job opportunity.
  5. Letter to postpone date of joining.

Précis Writing Tips for Tier 3 Descriptive Paper in SSC CGL Exam

  1. Read the given/original passage carefully and try to grasp the idea that it wants to convey. Look for the theme of the passage and decide the heading based on the same.
  2. Now quickly make a table consisting of columns and rows according to the number of words you have to write. For instance, make a 10×10 table, if you have to write 100 words.
  3. Size of the precis should be less than the original paragraph (about 1/3rd the number of original words).
  4. Since you have already understood what the passage is saying, write the précis in your own words. Use words which can encompass several words. Try not to rewrite sentences as they are.
  5. You may drop sentences that you think are redundant.
  6. This topic will require a lot of practice. Try to practice one-word substitution type of questions.
  7. Express the meaning and the central message of paragraph in your own words.
  8. Remember not to exceed the word limit by a huge margin. 2 words more or less will not be an issue. The whole point of writing a précis is how precise yet clear and expressive you can be.
Conclusion
Writing is all about what you read, how much you read, how you critically process it and how you reproduce it as an original content. So for the SSC CGL Tier 3 descriptive paper, read as much as you can and practice/ write even more.