Introduction
The IRDAI Grade A 2025 Descriptive English Paper is a decisive part of the selection process, carrying 100 marks across four sections—Essay, Precis, Business Letter/Correspondence, and Comprehension. Scoring well in this paper can not only enhance your overall merit but also set you apart in a competitive pool of candidates.
Yet, many aspirants lose crucial marks not due to lack of preparation or knowledge, but because of avoidable mistakes in presentation, language, structure, or time management.
In this post, we highlight the most common mistakes aspirants make in each section of the Descriptive Paper, and more importantly, how to avoid them smartly to increase your chances of success.
1. Essay Writing Mistakes
🔴 Mistake 1: Lack of Structure
Many candidates dive straight into writing without planning, resulting in unstructured essays that lack flow.
Solution:
Use the proven structure:
- Introduction (40–50 words)
- Body (2–3 paragraphs, 180–220 words)
- Conclusion (30–50 words)
🔴 Mistake 2: Deviating from the Topic
Aspirants often wander off-topic, adding irrelevant facts or going too broad.
Solution:
Stick to the core theme. If the topic is “Role of IRDAI in the Insurance Sector”, avoid digressing into general economic reforms.
🔴 Mistake 3: Overuse of Jargon or Complex Vocabulary
Trying to sound “smart,” many use excessive technical terms or difficult words that reduce clarity.
Solution:
Use formal, simple language. Examiners value clarity over flair.
🔴 Mistake 4: Writing Personal Opinions
Including phrases like “I think” or “In my opinion” in formal essays reduces objectivity.
Solution:
Maintain a neutral, third-person tone. Support arguments with logic and data, not personal beliefs.
🔴 Mistake 5: Not Adhering to Word Limit
Either the essay is too short (under 250 words) or too long (beyond 400), both of which impact scoring.
Solution:
Practice writing within 300–350 words, using a timer and word counter.
2. Precis Writing Mistakes
🔴 Mistake 6: Copy-Pasting Sentences from the Passage
Many candidates lift exact lines from the original passage instead of paraphrasing.
Solution:
Summarize the ideas in your own words. Rewriting without originality leads to deduction.
🔴 Mistake 7: Missing the Central Idea
Some precis miss the main theme and focus on secondary details.
Solution:
Ask yourself: What is the author trying to convey overall? Build your precis around that idea.
🔴 Mistake 8: No Title or Vague Title
Skipping the title or writing one that’s too general or disconnected from the passage.
Solution:
Always give a relevant, concise title (4–7 words) that captures the central theme.
🔴 Mistake 9: Wrong Format
Using bullet points or multiple paragraphs breaks the norms of precis writing.
Solution:
Write the precis in a single paragraph, maintaining proper flow and sentence structure.
🔴 Mistake 10: Exceeding the Word Limit
Writing 150+ words when only 120–130 are allowed shows poor comprehension and editing skills.
Solution:
After your draft, do a quick word count. Aim for 120–130 words. Cut redundant phrases ruthlessly.
3. Business Letter/Office Correspondence Mistakes
🔴 Mistake 11: Using Informal Tone
Candidates often use casual phrases like “hope you are doing well” or “looking forward to hearing from you.”
Solution:
Maintain a professional, respectful tone throughout the letter.
🔴 Mistake 12: Missing Key Format Elements
Omitting sender’s address, subject line, or signature block.
Solution:
Stick to this format:
- Sender’s Address
- Date
- Recipient’s Address
- Subject
- Salutation
- Body (3 paragraphs)
- Complimentary Close & Signature
🔴 Mistake 13: Wordy or Unclear Sentences
Some letters have long, confusing sentences that don’t get to the point.
Solution:
Be concise and to the point. Use active voice and short sentences.
🔴 Mistake 14: Not Understanding the Letter Type
Writing an appreciation letter in the tone of a complaint—or vice versa—is a big red flag.
Solution:
Read the prompt carefully. Identify whether the letter is:
- Complaint
- Clarification
- Request
- Internal Communication
- Grievance Response
- Appreciation
🔴 Mistake 15: No Revision
Submitting the letter with grammar/spelling errors and awkward phrasing.
Solution:
Always leave 1–2 minutes at the end to revise.
4. Reading Comprehension Mistakes
🔴 Mistake 16: Not Reading the Passage Thoroughly
Skimming the passage leads to incorrect answers and misinterpretation.
Solution:
Spend 2–3 minutes reading carefully and underlining keywords.
🔴 Mistake 17: Guesswork in Answers
Writing answers based on assumptions rather than text evidence.
Solution:
Always answer based on what is explicitly stated or logically implied in the passage.
🔴 Mistake 18: Overwriting Answers
Writing long-winded explanations when a short 2-line answer is enough.
Solution:
Be precise. Avoid unnecessary repetition or elaboration.
🔴 Mistake 19: Ignoring Question Keywords
Missing words like “not,” “main idea,” or “author’s tone” can lead to wrong answers.
Solution:
Read every question carefully and understand what is asked before answering.
🔴 Mistake 20: Grammar or Spelling Errors in RC Answers
Even if your content is correct, poor language use can reduce clarity and marks.
Solution:
Write in short, grammatically correct sentences. Use proper punctuation.
5. Time Management Mistakes
🔴 Mistake 21: Spending Too Much Time on One Section
Writing a long essay or over-perfecting one section leaves little time for the rest.
Solution:
Stick to this plan:
- Essay – 20 minutes
- Precis – 15 minutes
- Letter – 15 minutes
- RC – 10 minutes
🔴 Mistake 22: No Time for Review
Many candidates finish just in time without revising for errors.
Solution:
Plan to spare last 3–5 minutes for final review.
6. Presentation & Language Mistakes
🔴 Mistake 23: Poor Handwriting (for pen-paper exam)
Illegible handwriting can ruin an otherwise excellent answer.
Solution:
Write clearly, leave space between paragraphs, and avoid overwriting.
🔴 Mistake 24: Repetition of Words
Using the same words again and again affects your language score.
Solution:
Build a vocabulary bank and use synonyms (e.g., regulate → supervise → monitor).
🔴 Mistake 25: Incorrect Grammar and Punctuation
Grammar errors weaken even good arguments.
Solution:
Focus on:
- Subject-verb agreement
- Tense consistency
- Proper punctuation
- Sentence completeness
7. Final Revision Checklist (5 Minutes)
Before submitting your answer sheet, ask yourself:
✅ Have I followed the format in all sections?
✅ Is my essay within word limit and logically structured?
✅ Does my precis have a relevant title and correct word count?
✅ Is my letter polite, clear, and correctly formatted?
✅ Are my comprehension answers accurate and concise?
✅ Have I checked for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors?
Conclusion
The IRDAI Grade A Descriptive English 2025 paper rewards clarity, structure, and professionalism. By avoiding the 25 mistakes listed above and applying corrective strategies, you’ll not only improve your writing but significantly boost your final score.
Preparation is not just about practice—it’s also about practicing the right way.
Start now. Practice regularly. Review every mock. And most importantly, learn from every mistake—before the exam does.