The Reading Comprehension (RC) section in the IFSCA Grade A 2025 Descriptive English paper is not just about understanding a passage—it’s about processing, analyzing, and responding accurately within a time limit. This section can be a real score booster if approached with the right strategies.
Most aspirants struggle here due to vague answers, poor comprehension, and weak time management. With targeted practice and structured techniques, you can aim to score 20+ out of 35, giving your overall descriptive score a solid boost.
In this Bank Whizz guide, you’ll learn the complete strategy to master RC for IFSCA Grade A 2025.
📘 Exam Pattern Snapshot
| Section | Marks | Questions | Recommended Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 35 | 5 | 20 minutes |
You will be presented with a passage of around 400–500 words, followed by 5 subjective questions. The questions may be factual, inferential, vocabulary-based, or analytical.
🎯 Why RC Matters
- High ROI: Each correct answer can fetch up to 7 marks.
- Precision Over Length: Short, accurate responses fetch more marks than long, vague ones.
- Skill Over Memory: RC doesn’t require prior knowledge—only smart reading and answering.
🧠 Understanding the Types of Questions
1. Factual
Questions directly answered in the text.
Tip: Use keywords to locate the answer quickly.
2. Inferential
Requires reading between the lines.
Tip: Ask yourself, “What is the author suggesting?”
3. Vocabulary
Meaning of words/phrases in context.
Tip: Don’t rely on your existing vocab—use sentence clues.
4. Tone/Purpose
What is the tone of the passage?
Tip: Look at language indicators—critical, optimistic, sarcastic?
5. Analytical
Questions testing your ability to interpret ideas.
Tip: Be logical and consistent with the passage.
✍️ How to Answer RC Questions in Descriptive English
| Component | Tip |
|---|---|
| Word Limit | Aim for 30–50 words per answer |
| Style | Formal, clear, grammatically correct |
| Avoid | Personal opinions, bullet points |
| Structure | Answer in full sentences |
| Focus | Address the keyword in the question |
✅ Step-by-Step Approach to Solving RC
Step 1: Skim the Passage
- Read quickly to get the central idea.
- Underline or note keywords in each paragraph.
Step 2: Read the Questions
- Before going deep, read all 5 questions.
- Identify factual vs inferential questions.
Step 3: Go Back and Scan
- Now read passage again, line by line.
- When you locate the answer, stop and note it.
Step 4: Draft Answer Clearly
- Use formal tone.
- Begin with the subject of the question.
- Avoid filler words like “I think” or “maybe”.
📋 Sample Question & Model Answer
Passage Summary: Talks about India’s fintech growth, its impact on banking, and regulatory challenges.
Question: What are the key benefits of fintech growth in India’s financial sector?
Model Answer:
Fintech growth in India has improved financial inclusion, enhanced the speed and efficiency of transactions, reduced dependency on physical branches, and introduced innovative services such as digital wallets and lending platforms.
🕒 Time Management Strategy
| Activity | Time Allocation |
|---|---|
| Skim & Understand Passage | 5 minutes |
| Read and Mark Questions | 2 minutes |
| Scan Passage for Answers | 8–9 minutes |
| Write All 5 Answers | 5 minutes |
| Proofread | 2 minutes |
Total: ~20 minutes
Stick to this limit in both mocks and real exam to finish all three descriptive tasks on time.
📚 Daily Practice Plan
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| Monday | 1 RC from newspaper editorial |
| Tuesday | 1 RC mock test (Bank Whizz) |
| Wednesday | Focus on tone/purpose Qs |
| Thursday | Practice summarizing passages |
| Friday | Vocabulary from RCs |
| Saturday | Full descriptive mock |
| Sunday | Analyze answers, fix gaps |
🧾 Common Mistakes in RC Answers
| Mistake | Impact |
|---|---|
| Rewriting large portions of passage | Shows poor comprehension |
| Too short/incomplete answers | Reduces marks drastically |
| Including opinions | Irrelevant in factual questions |
| Writing informally | Shows lack of professionalism |
| Ignoring question directive | Misses the answer focus |
🗣️ RC Vocabulary Strategy
You don’t need a huge vocabulary, but knowing words in context helps.
| Word | Contextual Meaning Example |
|---|---|
| Disruptive | “Fintech is a disruptive force in traditional banking.” |
| Inclusion | “Financial inclusion is a key goal of digital policy.” |
| Regulation | “The regulator introduced new norms to ensure compliance.” |
Tip: Maintain a vocab diary of words you encounter in RC practice. Write down:
- Word
- Meaning
- Sentence from RC
- Your own sentence
🔍 Where to Practice RC for IFSCA
| Source | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Bank Whizz RC Mocks | Exam-style passages with feedback |
| The Hindu Editorial | Good for tone and inference practice |
| Indian Express Op-Ed | Ideal for analytical reasoning |
| Yojana Magazine | Social/economic themes |
| SEBI/RBI Past Papers | Similar pattern & vocabulary level |
💡 How to Improve Comprehension Speed
- Read editorials daily: Build familiarity with finance/economy language.
- Summarize each paragraph in one sentence after reading.
- Ask questions: What’s the author’s main point? What is he/she proving?
- Practice active reading: Engage with the text, not just passively read it.
- Reduce regression: Avoid re-reading full paragraphs unless needed.
🔍 Bonus: Sample Practice Passage Themes
You may encounter passages related to:
- Role of IFSCA in international finance
- Cross-border banking regulations
- Environmental finance and ESG trends
- Rise of digital currencies and CBDCs
- Impact of technology on banking operations
Pro Tip: Try writing 5-line summaries after reading such articles.
🏁 Final Takeaway
The Reading Comprehension section in IFSCA Grade A 2025 is a golden opportunity to earn marks—provided you practice smart. Instead of overcomplicating, focus on clarity, conciseness, and comprehension.
With Bank Whizz, you can:
- Attempt real-time mocks
- Get expert-evaluated answers
- Practice relevant RC topics
- Fix your gaps before the exam
RC success is about accuracy, not just reading.
Train your eyes, sharpen your understanding, and make every word count.