Overview of NICL AO Descriptive English 2025
The NICL AO 2025 Descriptive English paper is one of the most scoring sections if approached strategically. The 2024 paper has set a clear trend: insurance and corporate-themed writing with strict word limits and a 30-minute time cap.
📋 NICL AO 2025 Descriptive Paper Structure (Expected Based on 2024)
| Section | Word Limit | Marks | Expected Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 200 words | 10 | Insurance-themed (choose 1 out of 3 topics) |
| Precis Writing | 150 words | 10 | Summary of an insurance-based passage |
| Comprehension | 150-word passage | 10 | Corporation-based with 4–5 questions |
⏱️ Total Time: 30 Minutes
📊 Total Marks: 30
✍️ Section-Wise Preparation Strategy
1️⃣ Essay Writing (200 words | 10 marks)
You’ll be provided with 3 topics, likely based on the insurance or finance sector. You need to choose one and write a concise 200-word essay.
📌 What to Expect:
- Topics like:
- Home and Property Insurance
- Role of Insurance in Economic Growth
- Government Schemes and Insurance Inclusion
✅ Strategy:
- Practice writing within 200 words.
- Follow a clear 3-part structure: Introduction, Body, Conclusion.
- Include data or real examples if available (IRDAI reports, PMJJBY, etc.).
- Avoid repetition, filler phrases, and over-explaining.
- Stay focused on the topic and maintain a formal tone.
🧠 Pro Tip:
Maintain a bank of 20+ insurance-related essays for practice. Write them in time-bound sessions of 10 minutes.
2️⃣ Precis Writing (150 words | 10 marks)
You’ll be given a passage around 300–350 words. Your job is to summarize it in your own words within 150 words.
📌 What to Expect:
- Dense content with policy, economic, or sectoral focus.
- Often includes data, case studies, or scheme impacts.
✅ Strategy:
- Identify the central theme, main points, and supporting ideas.
- Avoid copying phrases. Paraphrase professionally.
- Eliminate examples or quotes unless extremely critical.
- Use linking words like “therefore”, “moreover”, and “consequently” for flow.
🧠 Pro Tip:
Always give a title to your precis. Even though not mentioned as mandatory, it shows clarity and organization.
3️⃣ Comprehension (150-word passage | 10 marks)
You’ll be given a passage on a corporation-related theme, followed by 4 to 5 questions.
📌 What to Expect:
- Factual passage with some opinion-based content.
- Questions may be:
- Direct (Who/What/When/Why?)
- Inference-based
- Vocabulary (word meaning/context)
✅ Strategy:
- Read the entire passage first before attempting questions.
- Mark key phrases or data while reading.
- Frame your answers in complete sentences.
- Avoid repetition of question in your answer unless required for clarity.
🧠 Pro Tip:
Don’t waste time overthinking difficult questions. Attempt what’s clear first, then revisit the complex ones.
⏰ 30-Minute Time Management Plan
| Section | Recommended Time |
|---|---|
| Essay | 10 minutes |
| Precis | 10 minutes |
| Comprehension | 10 minutes |
⚠️ Strictly follow the 10-10-10 rule. Even a 2-minute delay in one section may hurt your final attempt in the next.
🧾 Scoring Criteria: What Examiners Look For
Essay:
- Relevance to topic
- Grammar and structure
- Clarity and logic
- Word limit adherence
Precis:
- Understanding of main idea
- Proper condensation (not missing key points)
- Language and coherence
Comprehension:
- Accurate answers
- Good interpretation
- Grammar and expression
🎯 Final Preparation Tips
- Practice daily – especially essay and precis writing.
- Read insurance and economy news – to improve vocabulary and content awareness.
- Attempt mock tests – in real exam conditions using a 30-minute timer.
- Join Bank Whizz’s Descriptive Test Series – to get evaluated answers and expert feedback.
- Don’t aim for perfection – aim for speed, clarity, and relevance.
🔚 Conclusion
The NICL AO 2025 Descriptive English test is not tough—it’s tactical. With just 30 minutes to prove your writing skills, every second and every word must count. By following the right structure, focusing on insurance-related practice, and evaluating your performance regularly, you can easily score 25+ out of 30.
Start preparing now with Bank Whizz’s expert-designed modules and take one step closer to becoming an NICL Administrative Officer.