If you have attempted SEBI Grade A Phase-2 mocks and your score is consistently stuck between 40 and 55, you are not alone.
In fact, this is the most crowded score band in SEBI Descriptive English — and also the most dangerous one.
Why? Because this range creates false confidence while quietly keeping aspirants out of the final merit list.
The difference between 40–55 and 60+ is not English fluency.
It is examiner alignment.
This post explains why most aspirants plateau at 40–55 — and what exactly changes when candidates start scoring 60+ consistently.
🔍 The 40–55 Score Band: What It Really Means
A score between 40 and 55 usually indicates that:
- You understand the questions
- Your language is broadly correct
- Your answers are readable
But it also indicates that:
- Your answers lack precision
- Examiner expectations are only partially met
- Marks are leaking across all three sections
👉 This is not failure.
👉 This is unfinished preparation.
📊 Where Marks Are Actually Lost (Section-Wise)
✍️ Essay (30 Marks)
Most aspirants scoring 40–55 typically get:
- 12–16 marks in Essay
Why?
- Generic introductions
- Overloaded examples
- Weak conclusions
- Lack of regulatory perspective
📌 SEBI does not reward information.
It rewards structured, relevant analysis.
🧠 Precis (30 Marks)
This is where the biggest silent damage happens.
Typical score:
- 10–14 marks
Common reasons
- Title too broad or opinionated
- Length deviation
- Subtle distortion of meaning
- Retained redundancy
📌 Many aspirants think their precis is correct — examiners don’t.
📖 Reading Comprehension (40 Marks)
Average aspirant score:
- 18–24 marks
Why marks are cut
- Over-interpretation
- Missing tone
- Writing beyond what is asked
- Partial answers without logical closure
📌 SEBI RC is about thinking discipline, not speed.
❌ THE 5 CORE REASONS ASPIRANTS REMAIN STUCK AT 40–55
1️⃣ Writing Without Examiner Consciousness
Most answers are written from a student’s perspective, not an examiner’s lens.
Examiners check:
- Relevance first
- Structure next
- Language last
Aspirants often reverse this order.
2️⃣ Overconfidence in Language
Good English ≠ High marks.
SEBI penalises:
- Flowery expressions
- Opinionated tone
- Unnecessary metaphors
📌 Neutral, institutional language scores better.
3️⃣ Ignoring the Technical Nature of Precis
Precis is treated casually, even though it carries 30 marks.
One title error or length deviation can:
- Drop 6–8 marks instantly
4️⃣ Practising More, Analysing Less
Many aspirants:
- Write multiple mocks
- Rarely rewrite answers
- Don’t internalise feedback
📌 Writing without correction only repeats mistakes faster.
5️⃣ No Consistent Framework
Answers change structure every time:
- Different intros
- Different flow
- Different tone
📌 Toppers use stable frameworks, not creativity.
🚀 WHAT CHANGES WHEN ASPIRANTS BREAK 60+
Crossing 60+ is not magic — it’s mechanical.
Here’s what successful candidates do differently:
✅ 1. They Fix Marks Leakage, Not Vocabulary
They identify:
- Where 2–3 marks are lost repeatedly
- Which mistake costs the most
Then eliminate those errors systematically.
✅ 2. They Treat Precis as a Scoring Weapon
- Exact length discipline
- Neutral, sharp titles
- Zero distortion tolerance
📌 Many 60+ scorers gain 18–22 marks in precis alone.
✅ 3. Their Essays Are Calm, Not Aggressive
- Balanced arguments
- Regulatory context
- Measured conclusions
📌 SEBI prefers mature reasoning over passionate writing.
✅ 4. They Answer RC Questions Surgically
- Direct responses
- No assumption
- No over-explanation
📌 One clear paragraph often scores more than three vague ones.
✅ 5. They Rewrite Evaluated Answers
This is the biggest separator.
They don’t just read feedback —
they rewrite answers applying it.
📈 HOW TO MOVE FROM 40–55 TO 60+ (ACTION PLAN)
✔️ Fix one section at a time
✔️ Prioritise precis correction
✔️ Reduce mock quantity, increase feedback quality
✔️ Rewrite weak answers
✔️ Maintain one consistent answer framework
One corrected pattern can add 10–15 marks overall.
🎯 FINAL WORD FROM BANK WHIZZ
Scoring 40–55 means you are close, not incapable.
But SEBI Phase-2 rewards precision over effort.
The final jump does not come from writing more —
it comes from writing correctly.
🔔 Call to Action
If your marks are stuck despite regular practice, ask yourself:
- Are my answers examiner-aligned?
- Are my mistakes recurring?
- Am I correcting or just writing?
📌 At Bank Whizz, evaluations focus on:
- Identifying exact mark-losing points
- SEBI-specific feedback
- Converting average answers into 60+ scoring responses
👉 Sometimes, one right correction changes the entire trajectory.