Precis Writing in IFSCA Grade A 2025 – Rules, Tips & Practice Guide

Introduction

The IFSCA Grade A 2025 Descriptive English Paper is a high-stakes component of Phase 2, carrying 100 marks to be completed in 60 minutes. Within this, Precis Writing accounts for 35 marks, making it the highest-scoring single component of the paper.

Precis writing is not about shortening a passage mechanically—it is about capturing the essence in one-third words with clarity, brevity, and coherence. For regulatory exams like IFSCA, the precis section evaluates an aspirant’s ability to process complex financial or regulatory content and present it in a concise form, a skill directly relevant to the job of an officer.

This article explains the rules of precis writing, common mistakes, scoring tips, and practice methods to help aspirants secure maximum marks.

1. What is Precis Writing?

A precis is a summary of a longer passage, usually 250–300 words, condensed into around one-third of its length (80–100 words).

Key Features:

  • Short, precise, and clear.
  • Retains core ideas, eliminates examples and details.
  • Written in your own words.
  • Logical flow with no distortion of meaning.

In IFSCA Grade A 2025, this task checks whether you can:

  1. Identify the main theme of financial/economic passages.
  2. Present it professionally and concisely.
  3. Avoid unnecessary elaboration.

2. Importance in IFSCA Exam

  • High Weightage (35 Marks): Almost 1/3rd of the Descriptive English paper.
  • Skill-Relevant: Regulators often draft summaries, notes, and briefs.
  • Scoring Potential: Unlike essays, precis has fixed evaluation criteria.

A well-structured precis with the right word count can easily fetch 25–28 marks, giving you a big advantage.

3. Rules of Precis Writing

  1. One-Third Rule: Always reduce to one-third of original passage.
    • Example: 300 words → ~100 words.
  2. Retain Core Idea: Focus on what the author is saying, not how he is saying it.
  3. Use Own Words: Paraphrase; don’t copy sentences.
  4. Maintain Sequence: Follow the passage’s logical order.
  5. Neutral Tone: Avoid personal opinions or emotional language.
  6. Title: If asked, provide a short, meaningful title.

4. Step-by-Step Strategy

Step 1: Read Carefully

  • Read passage twice → once for overall theme, second for details.

Step 2: Identify Main Points

  • Underline/mark core ideas.
  • Eliminate data, illustrations, and quotations.

Step 3: Draft Outline

  • Make bullet notes → later arrange them in logical flow.

Step 4: Write Precis

  • Convert notes into a smooth paragraph.
  • Stick to word limit.

Step 5: Revise

  • Count words.
  • Check grammar and clarity.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Exceeding Word Limit: Writing 120+ words when only 100 are required.
  2. Too Short Precis: Cutting down to 60–70 words loses essence.
  3. Copy-Pasting: Using author’s sentences instead of rephrasing.
  4. Adding Examples: Precis must retain ideas, not illustrations.
  5. Skipping Title: If required, missing title costs marks.
  6. Poor Grammar: Even one error can reduce marks.

6. How Examiners Evaluate Precis

Marks Distribution (35 Marks):

  • Content & Relevance (15 marks): Capturing main ideas.
  • Clarity & Coherence (10 marks): Logical structure, easy flow.
  • Language & Grammar (5 marks): Professional writing.
  • Word Limit Accuracy (5 marks): Strict adherence to one-third rule.

👉 Hence, even if your ideas are correct, exceeding word limit or poor grammar will drag your score down.

7. Tips to Score High

  1. Practice Word Reduction: Regularly condense long editorials into 1/3rd.
  2. Build Vocabulary: Strong synonyms help paraphrasing.
  3. Improve Reading Speed: Read financial passages quickly to save time.
  4. Use Linking Words: Moreover, However, Therefore, In conclusion.
  5. Stay Neutral: Don’t add personal opinion.
  6. Count Words Accurately: Always leave 2 minutes for word check.

8. Sample Precis Practice

Original Passage (Example – 270 words)
Global financial centers have evolved rapidly in the past two decades… (long passage on GIFT City and its role).

Precis (90 words)
Global financial hubs such as London, Singapore, and Dubai have shaped international trade flows. India’s GIFT City is emerging as a competitive hub, offering tax incentives, regulatory ease, and global connectivity. The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) plays a pivotal role in regulating financial institutions and services here. Its aim is to provide a robust ecosystem for cross-border trade, fintech innovation, and sustainable finance, thereby positioning India as a global financial player.

👉 Notice: Core idea retained, one-third length, own words, neutral tone.

9. Practice Roadmap

Daily Routine

  • 10 minutes: Read financial editorial.
  • 15 minutes: Write precis (100 words).
  • 5 minutes: Check word count + revise.

Weekly Routine

  • Attempt 3 full-length passages.
  • Get feedback (self/mentor).
  • Maintain a notebook of model precis.

After 4–6 weeks, you’ll see improvement in speed, clarity, and marks.

10. Time Management in Exam

  • Total Paper Duration: 60 minutes.
  • Suggested Allocation for Precis: 15 minutes.

Breakdown:

  • Reading passage – 3 min
  • Draft outline – 2 min
  • Writing – 8 min
  • Revision & word count – 2 min

11. Precis Writing & Professional Life

IFSCA officers frequently deal with reports, regulatory guidelines, and international updates. The ability to draft short, accurate summaries is a key professional skill. That’s why this section holds such high importance in the exam.

12. Final Words of Advice

Precis writing may look simple, but it demands discipline, clarity, and repeated practice.

If you want to score 25+ out of 35 in this section:

  • Stick to one-third length.
  • Avoid copying.
  • Use professional language.
  • Practice daily.

Master precis writing, and it will become your scoring weapon in IFSCA Grade A 2025.