The Descriptive English Paper in Phase II of the SEBI Grade A 2025 Exam is your opportunity to display clarity of thought, depth of knowledge, and language precision.
Objective papers may open the door — but this paper determines how professionally you think and communicate.
Let’s unpack the entire paper step by step with Bank Whizz’s expert approach.
🧩 I. Exam Pattern & Overview
| Component | Marks | Word Limit | Duration | Weight in Paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 30 | ≈ 400 words | – | Content + Analysis + Language |
| Precis | 30 | ≈ 120 words | – | Comprehension + Brevity |
| Reading Comprehension (RC) | 40 | 5 descriptive Qs | – | Reasoning + Interpretation |
| Total | 100 | – | 60 minutes | – |
🖥️ Mode: Computer-based typing 💡 Sectional timing: No 🎯 Ideal split: Essay 25 min | Precis 15 min | RC 20 min
📝 Note on Word Limit and Marks Distribution (SEBI Grade A – Descriptive English)
As per SEBI’s official hand-out, the Descriptive English paper in Phase II carries 100 marks (Essay – 30 marks, Precis – 30 marks, Comprehension – 40 marks) with a duration of 60 minutes. The essay is officially prescribed to be around 400 words.
However, in the recent SEBI Grade A exams (2022–2024), the actual on-screen instruction has required essays of about 250 – 270 words.
Therefore, candidates are advised to:
- Practice essays in two modes:
- Exam Mode: 250 – 270 words (reflecting the latest trend).
- Practice Mode: 400 words (for skill building and expressive writing).
- Maintain a clear structure—Introduction → Body → Conclusion—with coherence and balanced analysis within the given limit.
(Bank Whizz mocks follow the updated 250–270 word guideline to simulate the actual SEBI interface.)
🖋️ II. Essay Writing – 30 Marks
1️⃣ Nature of Topics
Most essays are drawn from economics, finance, SEBI reforms, corporate governance, technology in finance, and social issues.
Your essay should show balance — information + insight + presentation.
2️⃣ Structure that Scores
| Section | Purpose | Word Range |
|---|---|---|
| Intro | Define theme + background | 60–70 |
| Body 1 | Analysis / facts / trends | 100 |
| Body 2 | Challenges / implications | 100 |
| Body 3 | Solutions / policy way-forward | 70–80 |
| Conclusion | Summary + forward vision | 40–50 |
3️⃣ Content Tips
- Start with a quote or statistic for impact.
- Mention recent SEBI or RBI initiatives (e.g. T+1 settlement, IFSC GIFT City).
- Maintain neutral tone and data support.
- End with a positive, solution-oriented note.
✅ Target Score: 21 + marks
📖 Read also: [Essay Writing Strategy to Score 21 + Marks in SEBI Grade A 2025]
📘 III. Precis Writing – 30 Marks
Precis tests how you compress ideas without distorting meaning.
You may get a 350-word passage to condense into ~120 words.
Step-Wise Approach
- Read twice: Identify tone and core idea.
- Underline keywords: Ignore examples.
- Draft summary: ≈ 1/3 length of original.
- Maintain flow + neutrality.
- Give a title: 2–5 words capturing essence.
Do’s and Don’ts
✅ Use own language ❌ Copy lines
✅ Logical sequence ❌ Add opinion
✅ Grammar check ❌ Exceed word limit
✅ Target Score: 20 + marks
📗 IV. Reading Comprehension (RC) – 40 Marks
Five descriptive questions based on a 400–500 word passage.
Topics often touch policy, finance, governance or ethics.
Smart Solving Technique (Bank Whizz 5-Step)
- Skim (2 min): Note theme & tone.
- Read Qs (1 min): Know targets.
- Keyword Mapping (6 min): Locate answers.
- Answer (10 min): 40–60 word complete sentences.
- Review (2 min): Grammar + clarity.
Tips:
- Reference passage phrases without copying.
- Keep answers analytical, not opinionated.
- Manage time – 20 min max.
📖 Read also: [Reading Comprehension in SEBI Grade A 2025 – Smart Solving Techniques]
⏱️ V. Integrated 60-Minute Time Plan
| Section | Time | Focus | Marks Aim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 0–25 min | Plan + write + review | 21 + |
| Precis | 25–40 min | Read + summarize | 20 + |
| RC | 40–60 min | Answer 5 Qs + check | 28 + |
| Total | 60 min | — | 70 + marks possible |
📊 VI. Marking Rubric – What Evaluators Look For
| Parameter | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Content Relevance | 10 | Understanding of topic/passage |
| Organization & Flow | 6 | Logical paragraphing + connectors |
| Language & Grammar | 6 | Accuracy + vocabulary |
| Presentation & Structure | 4 | Formatting + clarity |
| Original Insight | 4 | Analysis + value addition |
⚙️ VII. 4-Week Practice Blueprint (by Bank Whizz)
| Week | Focus | Daily Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Essay Structure & Typing Practice | 1 essay/day (400 words) |
| Week 2 | Precis Compression Drills | 2 passages/day |
| Week 3 | RC Sets & Timed Answers | 2 sets/day |
| Week 4 | Full-Length Mocks | 2 complete papers / week |
🧠 Use the Bank Whizz Descriptive Module for auto-timer, feedback and review.
🚫 VIII. Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Spending > 30 min on essay → no time for RC.
- Writing precis without title or count check.
- Copying RC lines verbatim.
- Overusing buzzwords without clarity.
- Ignoring grammar in haste.
- Lack of paragraph breaks in essay.
🏁 Final Words
The Descriptive Paper is where aspirants stand apart.
It is not about high-flown language — it’s about clarity, structure, and confidence.
Follow the 25-15-20 time model, practice topic-wise, and review your work with Bank Whizz evaluation tools.
Within weeks, you’ll notice your writing becoming more precise and powerful.
Think logically. Write simply. Score highly.
At Bank Whizz, we turn Descriptive English from a fear zone into a score zone — one structured answer at a time.