Precis Writing is one of the three sections of SEBI Grade A Phase 2 – Descriptive English (Paper 1) and carries significant weightage (≈30 marks out of 100). It tests your ability to read carefully, extract key ideas, and present them concisely in your own words.
Many aspirants underestimate precis writing and focus heavily on essays. But a well-crafted precis can give you an edge, improve your overall score, and help you clear the cut-off comfortably.
This guide will cover precis writing basics, rules, examples, common mistakes, and a practice plan to help you score 22–25 marks consistently out of 30.
📊 Precis Writing – Section Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Part of Paper | SEBI Grade A Phase 2 – Paper 1 (Descriptive English) |
| Weightage | ~30% (≈ 30 marks) |
| Word Limit | Approximately one-third of the original passage |
| Skills Tested | Comprehension, condensation, vocabulary, grammar |
| Mode | Online typing – answer to be typed on the screen |
🧾 What Exactly is a Precis?
A precis is a concise summary of a given passage, written in your own words, preserving the core message, tone, and logical flow of the original text.
Think of it as distilling a long article into a short, meaningful paragraph without losing its essence.
📋 Rules of Precis Writing
To score well, you must follow some essential rules:
- Read Carefully Twice – First to understand, second to identify main points.
- Find the Central Idea – Every passage has a main theme. Your precis must revolve around it.
- Omit Redundancies – Remove examples, illustrations, and repetitive details.
- Use Your Own Words – Do not copy sentences from the passage (except key terms).
- Maintain Proportion – Length should be around one-third of the passage.
- Logical Flow – Arrange points in the same order as the passage.
- Tone Preservation – Keep the tone (serious, formal, analytical) intact.
🖋️ Step-by-Step Approach to Write a Good Precis
Step 1: Read & Understand
Read the passage thoroughly to grasp the theme. Ask yourself:
- What is the passage mainly about?
- What is the author trying to convey?
Step 2: Highlight Key Points
Underline important arguments, facts, or data. Ignore examples or anecdotes.
Step 3: Make Notes
Create a rough outline or bullet points.
Step 4: Write the First Draft
- Combine key points into sentences.
- Use clear, concise language.
- Ensure proper sequence.
Step 5: Edit & Finalize
- Reduce wordiness.
- Check word limit (≈ one-third).
- Proofread for grammar and spelling.
🧠 Example for Better Understanding
Original Passage (≈ 150 words):
Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing. Lack of financial literacy is a global problem. People with low financial knowledge often make poor decisions, such as accumulating high-interest debt or not saving enough for emergencies. In India, financial literacy is especially important due to the growing number of retail investors in stock markets. SEBI and RBI have taken several initiatives to improve financial awareness, including investor education programs and mass campaigns. The goal is to empower individuals to make informed decisions, reduce susceptibility to frauds, and contribute to economic growth.
Precis (≈ 50 words):
Financial literacy, which includes managing money, budgeting, and investing, is vital for making informed financial decisions. Lack of it leads to debt and poor savings. SEBI and RBI promote awareness through education campaigns to empower investors and boost economic growth.
Key Observations:
- Word count reduced to one-third.
- No examples or illustrations.
- Central idea preserved.
- Written in own words.
🧩 Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Hurts Your Score |
|---|---|
| Copy-pasting sentences | Shows lack of comprehension, leads to lower marks |
| Too short or too long | Shows poor judgement of proportion |
| Adding personal opinions | Changes meaning of the passage |
| Ignoring tone or flow | Makes precis disconnected |
| Grammar errors | Reduces impression and marks |
⏱️ Time Management
You have 60 minutes for Essay + Precis + RC. Spend around 20 minutes on precis writing.
| Stage | Recommended Time |
|---|---|
| Reading & Highlighting | 5–6 minutes |
| Drafting Precis | 10 minutes |
| Proofreading & Word Count Check | 4 minutes |
📆 4-Week Practice Plan
| Week | Focus Area | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Basics & Reading | Practice summarizing newspaper editorials in 4–5 lines |
| Week 2 | Structure & Flow | Work on arranging points logically |
| Week 3 | Time-Bound Practice | Write 3–4 precis under 15–20 minutes |
| Week 4 | Full Mocks | Combine with essay + RC to simulate exam conditions |
🏆 Tips to Score 22–25 Marks out of 30
- Stick to one-third length strictly.
- Focus on clarity, brevity, and coherence.
- Avoid complex words; keep language simple but formal.
- Proofread to eliminate grammatical errors.
- Practice with previous years’ passages and get them evaluated.
🎯 Key Takeaways
- Precis Writing is about quality, not quantity – a crisp, clear precis fetches more marks than a long, clumsy one.
- Regular practice is essential – write 3–4 precis per week leading up to the exam.
- Work on comprehension, grammar, and typing speed together.
- Consistency is the key – even small daily practice improves summarizing skills.
With the right approach and practice, you can easily score 22–25 marks, ensuring a strong overall descriptive score.