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