In NABARD Grade A Mains, Descriptive English is not about brilliance — it is about discipline.
Most aspirants lose marks inside the exam hall, not during preparation.
This one-page checklist is designed to be read once before entering the exam hall so that you don’t commit avoidable, score-killing mistakes in Essay, Precis, and Reading Comprehension.
Think of this as your final mental reset.
🧠 PART 1: Examiner Mindset (Lock This First)
Before attempting any question, remind yourself:
✔ I am writing for a NABARD evaluator, not for myself
✔ Answers must be neutral, structured, and passage-bound
✔ Simplicity > sophistication
✔ Accuracy > aggression
Once this mindset is fixed, half the battle is already won.
⏱️ PART 2: Time Discipline Checklist
✔ Essay time is pre-decided (do not stretch emotionally)
✔ Precis and RC have hard stop timings
✔ I will not borrow time blindly from another section
✔ 5 minutes buffer is non-negotiable
📌 Remember: NABARD rewards completion with quality, not partial brilliance.
✍️ PART 3: Essay Writing Checklist
Before writing:
✔ Read the question twice
✔ Identify demand of the topic (issue / analysis / way forward)
✔ Fix a 3-part structure (Intro–Body–Conclusion)
While writing:
✔ Formal, policy-oriented tone
✔ Balanced arguments (no extreme opinions)
✔ Examples only if directly relevant
Before moving on:
✔ Word limit respected
✔ Clear conclusion present
✔ No casual language
🧾 PART 4: Precis Writing Checklist
Before drafting:
✔ Central theme identified
✔ Examples, data, illustrations mentally removed
✔ Passage sequence clearly understood
While writing:
✔ Third-person narration only
✔ Original meaning strictly preserved
✔ Logical flow maintained
Title check:
✔ Reflects theme, not opinion
✔ Short, precise, neutral
Final check:
✔ Word limit maintained (slightly under is safer)
✔ No interpretation added
📘 PART 5: Reading Comprehension Checklist
Before reading passage:
✔ Questions read first
✔ Identify factual vs inferential questions
While reading passage:
✔ Focus on author’s viewpoint
✔ Track cause–effect and contrast words
While answering:
✔ Direct answer first, explanation next
✔ Answers strictly derived from passage
✔ No moral judgement, no general knowledge
⚠️ PART 6: Common Final-Day Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Writing RC answers like essays
❌ Adding personal opinions
❌ Over-condensing Precis
❌ Changing answers repeatedly
❌ Ignoring grammar in a hurry
These mistakes alone can cost 10–15 marks.
🧩 PART 7: Language & Presentation Check
✔ Handwriting legible
✔ Paragraphs clearly separated
✔ No overwriting or clutter
✔ Grammar checked quickly but calmly
Presentation matters more in Descriptive English than aspirants realise.
🎯 PART 8: Final 30-Second Mental Checklist
Before submitting your paper:
✔ I followed structure
✔ I respected word limits
✔ I stayed passage-bound
✔ I remained calm
✔ I trusted my preparation
That’s it. Do not overthink.
🔍 Bank Whizz Insight
NABARD selections are often decided by small margins.
Those margins come from:
- Time discipline
- Evaluator-aligned answers
- Avoiding silly mistakes
This checklist reflects exactly how NABARD evaluates Descriptive English — not how coaching myths teach it.
✅ Final Word
You don’t need new content on exam day.
You need clarity, control, and confidence.
Read this once.
Walk into the hall calm.
Write like a future NABARD officer.
All the best for NABARD Grade A Mains
— Team Bank Whizz