Across BCS, bank recruitment and many other government job written exams in Bangladesh, three writing formats appear again and again: the essay, the precis, and the formal application or letter. Candidates often try to memorise sample answers for each, but examiners can tell rehearsed writing from genuine skill. Building the underlying skill is both more reliable and less work in the long run.

Why these three formats appear again and again

Each format tests a different, genuinely useful skill: the essay tests how you develop and organise an argument at length; the precis tests how precisely you can compress meaning without losing it; and the application tests whether you can communicate a request formally and correctly. Together, they approximate real administrative writing.

Essay writing

Strong essays open with a focused introduction that states your position or angle, develop two or three well-supported points in the body, and close with a conclusion that ties back to the introduction without simply repeating it. Avoid vague generalities — specific examples, data points, or references to real policies make an essay memorable to the examiner.

Precis writing

A good precis captures the original passage's core meaning in roughly one-third of its length, written in your own words rather than copied phrases. Read the passage twice, underline the central argument and key supporting points, then draft the precis without looking back at the original — this forces genuine comprehension rather than copying.

Application and letter writing

Formal applications follow a fixed structure: a clear subject line, a respectful salutation, a concise statement of the request or complaint, supporting reasons, and a polite closing. Examiners penalise both excessive formality that obscures the point and casual language that is inappropriate for an official letter — practise finding the correct formal tone.

A practice routine that builds real skill

  • Write one essay per week on a current, exam-relevant topic, timed to your actual exam duration.
  • Practise precis writing on newspaper editorials — they are naturally the right length and register.
  • Rotate through common application scenarios (leave request, complaint, permission letter) until the structure feels automatic.
Writing skill improves through repeated, reviewed practice — not through reading more sample answers. Write first, then compare.

Final thoughts

Essay, precis and application writing are learnable skills, not talents you either have or don't. Practise each format regularly under real time constraints, review your own drafts critically, and you will notice steady improvement well before exam day.