The Descriptive English Paper in NABARD Grade A 2025 Phase II is a golden opportunity to boost your overall score and improve your chances of selection. This paper carries 100 marks, divided across Essay Writing (40 marks), Precis Writing (30 marks), and Letter Writing (30 marks), with a total time of 90 minutes.
Scoring high is not just about fluent English—it’s about aligning your answers with evaluation parameters used by examiners. Understanding these criteria will help you write targeted, structured, and impactful answers.
In this post, we break down:
- The exact evaluation criteria for each section
- What examiners look for in top-scoring answers
- Scoring tips to boost your performance in each component
📘 Exam Overview: NABARD Grade A 2025 Descriptive English
| Section | Marks | Word Limit | Time Allotted (Recommended) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 40 | ~500 words | 35 minutes |
| Precis Writing | 30 | ~120 words | 25 minutes |
| Letter Writing | 30 | ~250 words | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 90 minutes |
🧠 How Is the Descriptive Paper Evaluated?
Examiners follow a rubric-based evaluation, where your answer is scored on specific parameters such as relevance, coherence, grammar, structure, clarity, vocabulary, tone, and accuracy.
Let’s look at each section in detail.
✍️ Essay Writing (40 Marks) – Evaluation Criteria
A high-scoring essay demonstrates clarity of thought, logical flow, proper structure, and relevant content.
| Parameter | Weightage (% Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Relevance to the topic | 25% |
| Structure and organization | 20% |
| Language and grammar | 20% |
| Content richness & examples | 25% |
| Clarity and coherence | 10% |
✅ What Examiners Look For:
- Introduction that sets the context clearly.
- Body paragraphs with logical arguments, supported by facts, schemes, and examples.
- Conclusion that summarizes and offers a solution or future outlook.
- Use of connectors and transitions.
- Formal tone and correct grammar.
🎯 Scoring Tips:
- Brainstorm your outline in 3–4 minutes before writing.
- Use data and schemes like PM-KISAN, SHG, NABARD’s FPO initiatives.
- Don’t exceed 550 words or go below 450 words.
- Avoid repetition and vague statements.
- Always proofread in the last 5 minutes.
📝 Precis Writing (30 Marks) – Evaluation Criteria
Precis writing checks your ability to summarize clearly, concisely, and accurately.
| Parameter | Weightage (% Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Clarity of thought | 25% |
| Retention of core message | 30% |
| Coherence and flow | 15% |
| Language and grammar | 20% |
| Title relevance | 10% |
✅ What Examiners Look For:
- Concise summary—about one-third the length of the original.
- Written in own words, with no copy-pasting.
- A relevant and meaningful title.
- Written in the third person, past tense, and in a neutral tone.
- Proper grammar and paragraph construction.
🎯 Scoring Tips:
- Always count words: stay close to 120 words (±5%).
- Highlight only the core ideas, not examples or fluff.
- Never include your personal opinion.
- Write the title after summarizing the content.
- Structure the precis in a single paragraph.
💼 Letter Writing (30 Marks) – Evaluation Criteria
This tests your ability to communicate in a formal and structured manner, often involving issues related to banking, agriculture, or governance.
| Parameter | Weightage (% Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Format and structure | 25% |
| Relevance and clarity | 25% |
| Tone and language | 20% |
| Grammar and punctuation | 15% |
| Purpose and conclusion | 15% |
✅ What Examiners Look For:
- Adherence to formal letter format:
- Sender’s Address
- Date
- Recipient’s Designation & Address
- Subject
- Body (3 paragraphs)
- Closing and Signature
- Professional tone—clear, respectful, and concise.
- A letter that sticks to the topic without digression.
- Use of relevant schemes, facts, or real-world references.
- Proper sentence construction and spelling accuracy.
🎯 Scoring Tips:
- Use polite expressions: “I request your kind attention…”, “Kindly consider…”
- Avoid contractions: Use do not instead of don’t.
- Paragraph 1: Purpose
Paragraph 2: Details
Paragraph 3: Request or suggestion - Keep the letter within 220–270 words.
- Always include Subject line and salutation.
⏰ Time Management for Maximum Scores
| Section | Time Limit | Review Time |
|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 30 mins | 5 mins |
| Precis Writing | 20 mins | 5 mins |
| Letter Writing | 15 mins | 5 mins |
| Total | 90 mins | Integrated |
✨ General Scoring Tips for All Sections
1️⃣ Stick to the Word Limit
Going under or over the word limit may signal lack of planning or depth. Exceeding limits in one section can cost you time in others.
2️⃣ Use Formal Vocabulary
Avoid casual phrases. Use phrases like:
- “It is evident that…”
- “In this regard…”
- “Considering the above…”
3️⃣ Avoid Grammar Mistakes
Frequent errors in tense, subject-verb agreement, punctuation, or sentence structure will cost you heavily. Keep your sentences short and clear.
4️⃣ Practice Typing
Descriptive papers are computer-based. A slow typing speed can hurt your score, especially if you can’t finish all sections.
5️⃣ Include NABARD-Relevant Themes
In all sections, reference:
- NABARD’s role in FPOs, SHGs, RIDF, etc.
- Government schemes: PM-KISAN, PMFBY, eNAM
- Sustainable agriculture and financial inclusion
🛑 Mistakes That Lower Your Score
| Mistake | Impact |
|---|---|
| Informal tone in essay or letter | Penalized for lack of professionalism |
| Copying from passage in precis | Penalized for lack of comprehension |
| Missing letter format elements | Structure marks deducted |
| Repetition of ideas | Shows lack of depth |
| Exceeding word limit | Time penalty and deduction |
📚 Practice Strategy Based on Evaluation Criteria
| Week | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Format mastery for all three sections |
| 3–4 | Practice essays with current affairs |
| 5–6 | Weekly full mock with self-review checklist |
| 7–8 | Focus on weak sections + timed precis mocks |
| 9–10 | Final 5 mocks + revisions + scoring review |
✅ Evaluation Checklist for Self-Review
Before submitting your answers (in mock or real exam), ask yourself:
Essay:
- Is my introduction relevant?
- Did I include at least 3 well-developed body paragraphs?
- Is my conclusion thoughtful and solution-oriented?
Precis:
- Did I reduce the passage to one-third?
- Is the title capturing the essence?
- Is it in past tense and third person?
Letter:
- Did I include proper address, subject, salutation, and closing?
- Is my tone formal and respectful?
- Did I address the issue clearly and provide a solution?
🎯 Final Words
Scoring high in NABARD Grade A 2025 Descriptive English depends on strategy as much as skill. When you align your writing with the evaluation criteria, you not only meet the examiner’s expectations—you exceed them.
Use this post as your scoring compass. Refine your writing style, follow the structure, manage your time wisely, and review your answers against the parameters outlined here.
With discipline and practice, a score of 80+ out of 100 is within reach.