The Descriptive English Paper in NABARD Grade A 2025 can be the deciding factor between selection and rejection. Comprising three sections—Essay Writing, Precis Writing, and Letter Writing—the paper is of 100 marks and to be attempted in 90 minutes.
That means just 1.5 minutes per mark, including time to think, plan, write, and review. Hence, time management is not just important—it’s essential.
In this article, we provide a section-wise strategy to manage your 90 minutes efficiently, maximize your output, and avoid common pitfalls that cost marks.
🧠 Overview of the Descriptive English Paper
| Section | Marks | Suggested Word Limit | Recommended Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 40 | ~500 words | 35 minutes |
| Precis Writing | 30 | ~120 words | 25 minutes |
| Letter Writing | 30 | ~250 words | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 90 minutes |
Why Time Management Is Crucial
- Multiple formats: Each section requires a different approach.
- Strict word limits: You must write effectively within limits.
- Typing speed matters: Slow typing = less time to think and review.
- No extra time: If you exceed on one question, the others suffer.
- Pressure and fatigue: Last-minute rush leads to errors and missed ideas.
🧭 Ideal Time Allocation Strategy
Here’s a practical time split you can follow:
| Activity | Time (Minutes) |
|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 35 |
| Precis Writing | 25 |
| Letter Writing | 20 |
| Buffer (Review/Adjustment) | 10 |
| Total | 90 |
Let’s now break this down section-wise.
✍️ Section 1: Essay Writing (40 Marks, 500 Words)
🕒 Time Allocation: 35 Minutes
✅ Ideal Flow:
- Read all topics carefully – 2 minutes
- Choose the best-suited topic – 1 minute
- Create an outline (Intro, Body, Conclusion) – 5 minutes
- Write the essay – 22 minutes
- Proofread and correct – 5 minutes
🧠 Tips:
- Choose a topic where you can include current facts, schemes, and balanced opinion.
- Avoid spending more than 3 minutes choosing a topic.
- Use a structured format: Introduction → 3–4 body paragraphs → Conclusion.
- Watch your word count—don’t exceed 550 or go below 450.
🧨 Mistake to Avoid:
Spending too much time drafting the essay at the cost of other sections.
📝 Section 2: Precis Writing (30 Marks, 120 Words)
🕒 Time Allocation: 25 Minutes
✅ Ideal Flow:
- Read the passage thoroughly (twice) – 5 minutes
- Mark key points & title ideas – 5 minutes
- Write the precis – 10 minutes
- Review for errors & word count – 5 minutes
🧠 Tips:
- Aim for ~120 words, not more than 130. Use 1/3rd rule.
- Use your own words—don’t copy exact lines.
- Maintain logical flow and original meaning.
- Title matters—spend a few seconds crafting it.
🧨 Mistake to Avoid:
Exceeding the word limit or copying sentences from the original passage.
💼 Section 3: Letter Writing (30 Marks, 250 Words)
🕒 Time Allocation: 20 Minutes
✅ Ideal Flow:
- Understand the prompt – 2 minutes
- Plan the content structure – 3 minutes
- Write the letter – 12 minutes
- Review formatting and grammar – 3 minutes
🧠 Tips:
- Stick to formal format only: your address, date, recipient, subject, body, closing.
- Use proper salutation and sign-off.
- Mention schemes, data, or solutions relevant to rural or banking issues if applicable.
- Aim for clarity over complexity.
🧨 Mistake to Avoid:
Using an informal tone or writing like an essay.
🔁 Buffer Time: 10 Minutes
Use the final 10 minutes as a flexible buffer for:
- Rechecking word count
- Correcting spelling or grammar
- Revising arguments or weak points
- Balancing any spillover from a previous section
Pro tip: If you’re ahead in one section, use that time to refine the others.
🔡 Typing Speed Considerations
Since the paper is computer-based, your typing speed plays a big role.
| Typing Speed (WPM) | Impact on Paper |
|---|---|
| 20–25 WPM | Comfortable pace |
| 10–15 WPM | Risk of exceeding time |
| 30+ WPM | High-speed advantage |
If your speed is below 20 WPM, start practicing today with tools like:
📌 Daily Practice Routine (Suggested)
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Write 1 essay (500 words) | 40 min |
| Write 1 precis (120 words) | 30 min |
| Write 1 letter (250 words) | 25 min |
| Review all answers | 25 min |
| Total Practice Time | 2 hrs/day |
🎯 Practice Time Management with Full Mocks
Doing 10–12 full-length mock descriptive papers before the exam builds speed, accuracy, and confidence.
Use platforms like:
- Bank Whizz NABARD Mocks
- Self-timers with MS Word or Google Docs
- Offline practice with a stopwatch
Track:
- Time taken per section
- Word count
- Grammar/spelling errors
- Improvement areas
🚫 Common Time Management Mistakes
| Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Spending 40+ minutes on essay | Fix a hard stop at 35 mins |
| Writing without planning | Use first 5 mins to outline key points |
| Leaving no buffer time | Reserve last 10 mins for review |
| Writing overly long answers | Stick to the suggested word limit |
| Not proofreading | Allocate 5 mins after each task to edit |
💡 Smart Hacks to Save Time
- Use keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+A, Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V for editing
- Avoid complex words that slow your typing
- Type in short sentences to improve clarity and speed
- Use bullet practice for outlining before typing full content
- Auto-correct features in MS Word can help spot errors early (if allowed)
🧠 Mental Time Anchors
Create mental alerts:
- At 30 minutes: You should be done or nearly done with the essay
- At 55 minutes: You should have completed precis
- At 75 minutes: Letter should be finishing
- Last 15 minutes: Full focus on refining answers
🏁 Final Thoughts
Time management in the NABARD Grade A 2025 Descriptive Paper is not about rushing—it’s about planning, pacing, and prioritizing.
Follow this 90-minute time strategy to:
- Avoid last-minute panic
- Ensure each section gets fair attention
- Write better-quality answers
- Ultimately maximize your score and boost your chances of final selection
Start practicing this strategy from today—your exam day performance will thank you.