Top Mistakes in SEBI Precis Writing (That Cost You Marks)

📌 Introduction

Precis writing in SEBI Grade A Phase II looks simple on the surface.

Many aspirants think:

👉 “Just shorten the passage and I will score well”

But when results come, they are surprised:

👉 Marks are low despite writing a “decent” precis.


👉 The reason is not lack of effort.
👉 The reason is hidden mistakes.

These mistakes are subtle, but they directly impact your score.

In this post, you will learn the most common mistakes in SEBI precis writing — and how to avoid them.


⚠️ Reality Check

👉 In SEBI precis:

  • One mistake → Loss of meaning → Loss of marks
  • Small errors → Big impact

👉 Examiner checks:

  • Clarity
  • Accuracy
  • Logical flow

❌ TOP MISTAKES IN SEBI PRECIS WRITING


🔴 Mistake 1: Copy-Pasting from Passage

This is the most common mistake.


❌ What students do:

  • Pick lines from passage
  • Slightly modify them

👉 Problem:

  • No originality
  • No understanding shown

✔ Correct Approach:

  • Rewrite in your own words
  • Maintain original meaning

👉 Precis is a test of:
Understanding, not copying


🔴 Mistake 2: Missing the Central Idea

Many students focus on small points and miss the main theme.


❌ Result:

  • Precis becomes disconnected
  • No clear message

✔ Correct Approach:

  • Identify:
    • What is the passage about?
    • What is the main argument?

👉 Everything in precis should revolve around:
Central theme


🔴 Mistake 3: Including Examples and Data

Students try to include everything.


❌ Problem:

  • Wastes word limit
  • Reduces clarity

✔ Remove:

  • Examples
  • Statistics
  • Detailed explanations

👉 Keep only:
✔ Core ideas


🔴 Mistake 4: Distorting the Meaning

This is a serious mistake.


❌ What happens:

  • While shortening, meaning changes
  • Tone gets altered

👉 Result:

Immediate loss of marks


✔ Correct Approach:

  • Ensure:
    ✔ Meaning remains same
    ✔ Tone remains neutral

👉 Golden Rule:
Shorten content, not meaning


🔴 Mistake 5: Poor Structure

Many students write:

  • Random sentences
  • No flow

❌ Result:

  • Difficult to read
  • Weak impression

✔ Ideal Format:

  • One paragraph
  • Logical flow
  • Smooth transition

👉 Structure creates:
Clarity + impact


🔴 Mistake 6: Ignoring Word Limit


❌ Too long:

  • Poor compression

❌ Too short:

  • Missing ideas

✔ Ideal:

👉 Around 120 words


👉 Maintain balance:
✔ Complete
✔ Concise


🔴 Mistake 7: Adding Personal Opinion

Some students try to improve passage by adding their thoughts.


❌ Problem:

  • Changes original intent
  • Reduces marks

✔ Correct Approach:

  • Stick to passage
  • No personal views

👉 Precis must remain:
Objective


🔴 Mistake 8: No Title or Weak Title

Many students ignore title.


❌ Problem:

  • Miss easy marks
  • Weak presentation

✔ Good Title:

  • Short
  • Clear
  • Reflects theme

👉 Example:
“Digital Economy and Regulation”


🔴 Mistake 9: Overuse of Complex Language

Students try to impress with vocabulary.


❌ Problem:

  • Reduces clarity
  • Looks artificial

✔ SEBI prefers:

  • Simple
  • Clear
  • Precise language

👉 Clarity > Vocabulary


🔴 Mistake 10: No Practice with Evaluation

Most students:

  • Practice randomly
  • Don’t check mistakes

❌ Result:

  • Same errors repeated

✔ Correct Approach:

  • Practice regularly
  • Get answers evaluated
  • Improve systematically

👉 Without feedback:
No improvement


🧠 MOST IMPORTANT INSIGHT

👉 Precis is not about writing
👉 It is about avoiding mistakes


👉 Top scorers don’t write perfect precis
👉 They avoid these mistakes consistently


🚀 HOW TO FIX THESE MISTAKES

✔ Step 1:

Identify central theme

✔ Step 2:

Remove unnecessary content

✔ Step 3:

Rewrite logically

✔ Step 4:

Maintain word limit

✔ Step 5:

Get evaluation


👉 This improves score significantly


💡 FINAL TAKEAWAY

👉 Your marks are not lost due to difficulty
👉 They are lost due to wrong approach


👉 Remove these mistakes →
Your precis score will automatically improve


📣 Why Bank Whizz Helps You Improve Faster

At Bank Whizz, we focus on:

  • Identifying your mistakes
  • Detailed precis evaluation
  • Model answers (exact word limit)
  • Structured improvement

👉 Because in SEBI,
precision + clarity = marks