Whether you’re preparing for CSS, PMS, or UPSC, one thing is clear: precis writing is not just a skill; it’s a scoring opportunity. Done right, it can boost your performance significantly. Yet many students lose valuable marks simply because they don’t understand the correct format, approach, or style.
That’s why PrecisWritingLet is here, to make precis writing simple, structured, and score-ready.
What Is Precis Writing?
Precis writing is the art of summarizing a long passage into a shorter one, retaining only its essential ideas in clear and concise language. It requires you to
- Identify the central theme
- Remove redundant examples or details
- Use your own words while preserving the original meaning
- Follow a logical flow and maintain tone
Unlike paraphrasing or summarizing informally, precis writing demands strict adherence to formal structure and word count limitations, especially in exams like CSS and IAS.
Precis Writing Format
At PrecisWritingLet, we follow the standard format used in competitive exams
- Title
- A short, relevant phrase that captures the essence of the passage
- Precis Paragraph
- Around one-third of the original passage’s length
- Written in your own words, in a neutral tone
- Free from personal opinions, questions, or examples not found in the original passage
- Word Count
- Clearly mentioned at the end of the solution (as required in CSS, PMS, and UPSC)
Precis Writing Example
Let’s look at a sample.
Original Passage
Modern education often prioritizes information overload over meaningful learning. Students are trained to memorize facts and figures, which they frequently forget after examinations. This system rewards rote learning instead of nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, or ethical awareness. While grades have become the standard measure of success, they rarely reflect a student’s ability to apply knowledge in real-life situations. True education should focus on developing thoughtful individuals who can reason logically, make responsible decisions, and contribute positively to society. Yet in many institutions, education has become mechanical, losing its purpose of creating conscious, capable, and compassionate human beings.
Precis
Modern education emphasizes rote memorization and grades over curiosity, critical thinking, and ethics. It fails to prepare students for real-life application, making learning mechanical and neglecting the goal of shaping thoughtful, responsible individuals.
- Original Passage Word Count: 97 words
- Precis Word Count: 33 words
- Title: The Purpose Lost in Modern Education
This example demonstrates the ideal compression, tone, and structure expected in CSS, PMS, or UPSC exams.
Why Practice with PrecisWritingLet?
PrecisWritingLet offers
- Over 50 years of solved past paper precis from CSS, PMS, and UPSC
- Original practice passages crafted by Sir Syed Kazim Ali, one of South Asia’s top English language mentors, and his team
- Vocabulary support, central idea breakdowns, and strategy tips
- Completely free access, no subscriptions or login required
Educational platforms like CSSPrepForum, HowTests, and https://syedkazimali.info/ often cite PrecisWritingLet as the most reliable source for precisely this type of exam training. You can learn more about the site on the About Us page.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to master the format, learn through real examples, and access high-quality samples with answers, PrecisWritingLet is your one-stop solution. Whether you're just starting out or aiming to refine your technique for the final exam, our resources are designed to help you succeed, accurately, ethically, and efficiently.