10 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid in NICL AO 2025 Descriptive English

📝 Introduction

The NICL AO 2025 Descriptive English Paper is a high-scoring section—if you avoid the traps most candidates fall into. Despite having good knowledge and writing ability, many aspirants lose marks not because of lack of ideas but because of avoidable mistakes in execution.

In this post, Bank Whizz highlights the 10 most common errors seen in NICL AO Descriptive English, with practical tips on how to eliminate them and improve your chances of scoring 25+ out of 30.

🚫 1. Ignoring the Word Limit

📌 Mistake:

  • Writing 250+ words for the essay (limit is 200)
  • Writing 170–180 words for precis (limit is 150)
  • Writing long comprehension answers

✅ Fix:

Stick strictly to the word limit. Exceeding it shows poor time and content control.
Essay: 190–210 words
Precis: 140–155 words
Comprehension: 1–2 lines per answer

🚫 2. Copy-Pasting from the Passage in Precis or Comprehension

📌 Mistake:

  • Lifting entire phrases or sentences without rephrasing
  • Especially common in precis writing

✅ Fix:

Use your own language while retaining the original meaning. Rewriting in your voice shows comprehension, not memorization.

🚫 3. Choosing the Wrong Essay Topic

📌 Mistake:

  • Selecting a topic just because it “sounds easy” without having content to support it
  • Realizing midway that you can’t develop points

✅ Fix:

Scan all three topics quickly and choose the one where:

  • You have at least 2 solid points
  • You can think of a clear introduction and conclusion
  • You understand the context (insurance, finance, governance)

🚫 4. Poor Structuring of Essay or Precis

📌 Mistake:

  • Writing in one big paragraph
  • Missing introduction or conclusion
  • Jumping between points with no logical flow

✅ Fix:

Use a clear structure:

  • Essay: Intro – Body – Conclusion
  • Precis: Central idea – Supporting points – Wrap-up
    Use linking words (furthermore, however, therefore) for coherence.

🚫 5. Missing the Title in Precis

📌 Mistake:

  • Not giving a title to the precis (even if not explicitly asked)
  • Giving vague or unrelated titles

✅ Fix:

Always add a precise and relevant title that captures the core theme of the passage. Keep it short and impactful.

🚫 6. Writing Informally or Using Casual Language

📌 Mistake:

  • Using phrases like “I think”, “In my opinion”, “a lot of people say”
  • Contractions (don’t, can’t) or slang

✅ Fix:

Maintain a formal and objective tone throughout.
Use neutral language suitable for insurance and professional communication.

🚫 7. Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation Errors

📌 Mistake:

  • Subject-verb disagreement
  • Tense confusion
  • Comma splices, run-on sentences, wrong capitalizations

✅ Fix:

  • Revise the final version quickly
  • Practice grammar through short drills
  • Use tools like typing mock tests to simulate writing under time pressure

🚫 8. Writing Incomplete or One-Word Comprehension Answers

📌 Mistake:

  • Giving one-word or incomplete answers like “Yes”, “Risk”, “Technology” to comprehension questions

✅ Fix:

Frame full, meaningful sentences.
Example: Instead of writing “Digital tools”, write “Insurance companies are using digital tools to streamline claims processing.”

🚫 9. Spending Too Much Time on One Section

📌 Mistake:

  • Taking 15+ minutes on essay and rushing precis/comprehension
  • Unbalanced time allocation

✅ Fix:

Use the 10-10-10 Rule:

  • Essay: 10 minutes
  • Precis: 10 minutes
  • Comprehension: 10 minutes
    Set a timer when practicing to build speed discipline.

🚫 10. Lack of Practice in Typing Format

📌 Mistake:

  • Not practicing in an online format
  • Difficulty adjusting to typing speed and exam interface

✅ Fix:

Practice mock tests on Bank Whizz’s online platform that replicates the actual exam environment—typing box, word count indicator, timer, and submission process.

🎯 Bonus Tips to Avoid These Mistakes

  • ✔️ Create checklists for each section
  • ✔️ Practice 2–3 full descriptive papers before the real exam
  • ✔️ Get feedback from mentors or use evaluated mocks
  • ✔️ Focus on clarity over complexity
  • ✔️ Develop habit of revising answers in last 2–3 minutes

🏆 How Bank Whizz Helps You Avoid These Mistakes

  • Section-wise practice for Essay, Precis, Comprehension
  • Word-count-enabled test interface
  • Personalised feedback from expert evaluators
  • Topic-wise writing drills to fix structure and language issues
  • Timed mocks with ranking and scoring analytics

🔚 Final Words

The NICL AO 2025 Descriptive English Paper is your opportunity to showcase clarity of thought, language proficiency, and comprehension skills. But even small mistakes can cause big score drops.

Avoid these 10 common pitfalls, stay consistent in practice, and take advantage of the structured support at Bank Whizz to write with confidence and precision.

Join Bank Whizz’s NICL AO Descriptive English Program Today – And Eliminate Mistakes Before They Cost You Marks!