Introduction
Scoring 80+ in the IRDAI Grade A 2025 Descriptive English Paper is not a far-fetched dream—it is an achievable target with the right strategy and consistent practice. This paper not only evaluates your command of English but also your clarity of thought, precision, formal communication skills, and comprehension abilities.
Whether you’re from a finance or non-finance background, mastering this paper can give you a clear edge in final selection. This post will walk you through every section of the Descriptive English paper—essay, letter, précis, and comprehension—with actionable tips and resources to help you crack it with confidence.
Understanding the Paper Pattern
Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to understand the structure of the IRDAI Grade A Descriptive English paper:
- Total Marks: 100
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Components:
- Essay Writing – 30 marks
- Precis Writing – 30 marks
- Letter Writing – 20 marks
- Reading Comprehension – 20 marks
Each section is a test of not just your English skills but also your understanding of formal expression and clarity.
Section-Wise Strategy to Score 80+ Marks
1. Essay Writing (30 Marks)
The essay tests your ability to present ideas in a structured, logical, and coherent manner.
Tips to Ace the Essay:
- Stick to the word limit (300–350 words): Avoid fluff. Be concise and impactful.
- Follow the ideal structure:
- Introduction – Define the topic and set the tone.
- Body – Present 2–3 main points with examples or data.
- Conclusion – Summarize and give a balanced viewpoint.
- Use current data: Quote recent policies, reports (e.g., IRDAI guidelines), or statistics if relevant.
- Focus on relevance: Most topics will be insurance-related, economic, or social.
Practice Topics:
- Role of Insurance in Financial Inclusion
- Digital Transformation in the Insurance Sector
- ESG Norms and their Impact on Insurance
Bonus Tip: Create essay outlines for probable topics and memorize 4–5 strong introductions and conclusions.
2. Precis Writing (30 Marks)
Precis writing is about summarizing a given passage in about 1/3rd of its length while retaining the core message.
Tips for High-Scoring Precis:
- Read carefully: Understand the central idea before writing.
- Avoid your opinions: Stay true to the author’s tone and message.
- Do not copy: Use your own words without repeating phrases from the passage.
- Title matters: Add a relevant and crisp title (1–6 words).
- Follow the word limit: Generally, write in 110–130 words depending on the original length.
Key Skills to Develop:
- Summarization
- Vocabulary for paraphrasing
- Grammar accuracy
Practice Resource: Use editorials from The Hindu, LiveMint, and Financial Express for daily précis practice.
3. Letter Writing (20 Marks)
The letter writing section tests your ability to communicate in a formal, structured manner, often as a complaint, request, inquiry, or report.
Tips for Scoring 18–20 Marks:
- Choose formal tone always: Avoid contractions and casual phrases.
- Follow format strictly:
- Sender’s Address
- Date
- Receiver’s Designation and Address
- Subject
- Salutation
- Body (Intro, Purpose, Conclusion)
- Complimentary Close
- Signature
- Use professional language: Example: “I am writing to express…” or “This is to bring to your attention…”
Common Themes:
- Complaint about insurance policy delay
- Letter to IRDAI requesting policy clarification
- Feedback on digital insurance services
Avoid These Mistakes:
- Wrong format
- Informal language
- Exceeding word limit
4. Reading Comprehension (20 Marks)
This section includes a passage followed by 4–5 questions. It checks your ability to extract key information and interpret meaning accurately.
Tips to Ace Comprehension:
- Skim first, then read thoroughly
- Underline keywords in questions
- Answer in your own words unless specifically asked
- Stick to word limit if instructed
Most Asked Question Types:
- Inference-based questions
- Meaning of phrases/words
- Title of the passage
- Author’s tone and opinion
Daily Practice:
- Solve 1 passage daily from editorial content.
- Practice summarizing each paragraph in one line.
Daily Practice Plan (45 Days Target to 80+)
| Days | Focus Areas | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–10 | Foundation | Grammar basics, sentence structure, format of letter and précis |
| Day 11–20 | Essay and Precis Focus | 1 essay + 1 précis daily, evaluate and improve |
| Day 21–30 | Letter Writing and Comprehension | 1 letter + 1 RC passage daily |
| Day 31–40 | Full Mock Practice | Full mock paper every alternate day, self-evaluation using rubric |
| Day 41–45 | Final Review and Speed Boost | Revise model essays/letters, speed writing practice, formatting check |
Tools and Resources
- Bank Whizz Descriptive English Course: Curated content for IRDAI Grade A with mock tests and evaluations.
- Grammarly: For grammar and clarity improvement.
- Hemingway Editor: To make your writing bold and clear.
- Previous Year Questions: Analyze themes and formats.
Evaluation Tips
Scoring high depends not only on writing but also on how you present. Here’s how you can impress evaluators:
- Clarity of expression
- Logical flow
- Grammar and punctuation
- Relevance to the topic
- Professional presentation
Always proofread your answers before submitting—silly grammar errors can bring down your score significantly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing in a casual tone
- Exceeding or falling short of word limits
- Ignoring format in letter or précis
- Not practicing timed writing
- Copy-pasting phrases from questions or passages
Final Thoughts
Scoring 80+ in the IRDAI Grade A 2025 Descriptive English Paper is very much within reach if you approach each section strategically. Consistency, practice, and evaluation are the keys. Make use of the 60 minutes wisely and always aim for clarity and structure in your responses.
Remember, this paper is not just about language—it’s about how effectively and formally you can communicate your ideas. Train your mind for structured thinking, and your pen will follow naturally.
Ready to practice? Join Bank Whizz’s IRDAI Grade A Descriptive English Test Series now and get personalized evaluations!