Introduction
Precis writing is an essential skill in the RBI Grade A Internal Exam 2025, testing a candidate’s ability to summarize a passage effectively while retaining its key ideas. Many aspirants lose marks due to common mistakes that can be easily avoided. In this guide, we highlight the most frequent errors in precis writing and provide expert tips to refine your technique for a high score.
Why Avoiding Mistakes in Precis Writing is Crucial?
Precis writing assesses:
- Analytical skills – Your ability to extract key information.
- Summarization ability – How effectively you condense information.
- Language proficiency – Clarity, grammar, and coherence.
Avoiding mistakes ensures that your precis is concise, accurate, and well-structured, helping you maximize your score.
Top 10 Common Mistakes in RBI Grade A Precis Writing
1. Copying Directly from the Passage
🚫 Mistake: Many candidates copy exact sentences from the passage. ✅ Solution: Always paraphrase in your own words while keeping the meaning intact.
2. Including Irrelevant Details
🚫 Mistake: Adding unnecessary details that don’t contribute to the main idea. ✅ Solution: Focus on the core message and remove redundant information.
3. Exceeding the Word Limit
🚫 Mistake: Writing a precis that is too long or too short. ✅ Solution: Follow the one-third rule—your precis should be about one-third the length of the original passage.
4. Adding Personal Opinions
🚫 Mistake: Including personal interpretations or opinions. ✅ Solution: Keep your precis objective and based strictly on the passage content.
5. Poor Sentence Structure and Grammar
🚫 Mistake: Using complex or incorrect sentence structures. ✅ Solution: Write clear, grammatically correct, and concise sentences.
6. Not Using a Title
🚫 Mistake: Skipping the title, which is essential for precis writing. ✅ Solution: Always provide a relevant, concise title summarizing the passage.
7. Changing the Meaning of the Passage
🚫 Mistake: Distorting the original meaning due to misinterpretation. ✅ Solution: Ensure accuracy in capturing the author’s intent.
8. Lack of Coherence and Flow
🚫 Mistake: Writing disjointed sentences that lack connection. ✅ Solution: Maintain a logical sequence of ideas for better readability.
9. Ignoring Key Points
🚫 Mistake: Missing important details that contribute to the main theme. ✅ Solution: Identify and retain all key points while summarizing.
10. Using Informal Language
🚫 Mistake: Writing in a casual or conversational tone. ✅ Solution: Use formal, professional, and precise language suitable for an exam setting.
Precis Format for RBI Grade A Exam
Title: (Summarize the passage in 3-5 words)
Precis:
- Introduction (1-2 sentences introducing the main theme)
- Main Body (Summarizing key points in a structured manner)
- Conclusion (Conveying the final message concisely)
Sample Precis for RBI Grade A Exam
Original Passage:
The global financial system has undergone rapid transformation with the rise of digital payments, financial technology, and decentralized banking models. These advancements have increased financial inclusion but also brought cybersecurity risks. Regulatory authorities, including the RBI, are continuously evolving policies to ensure a stable and secure financial ecosystem.
Precis:
Title: Evolution of Global Financial Systems
Digital advancements have transformed the financial sector, promoting financial inclusion while increasing cybersecurity risks. Regulatory bodies like the RBI are enhancing policies to maintain stability and security.
How to Avoid Mistakes and Improve Your Precis Writing?
✅ Practice regularly with previous years’ passages.
✅ Improve vocabulary to rephrase effectively.
✅ Use transition words for better coherence.
✅ Follow a structured approach—Title, Introduction, Body, Conclusion.
✅ Revise and proofread before submission.
Conclusion
Avoiding common mistakes in precis writing is crucial for securing high marks in the RBI Grade A Internal Exam 2025. By focusing on clarity, conciseness, and coherence, you can refine your summarization skills and enhance your performance in the descriptive section.