Introduction
The Descriptive English paper in the PFRDA Grade A 2025 exam is a game-changer. With a total of 100 marks, this section assesses your writing, comprehension, and analytical skills. Achieving 80+ marks requires consistent practice, smart strategies, and mastery over essay writing, precis, and reading comprehension. This step-by-step guide from Bank Whizz provides actionable strategies to help you reach this target and secure a competitive edge.
Understanding the Exam Pattern
- Total Marks: 100
- Time Duration: 60 minutes
- Number of Questions: 3 (Essay, Precis, Reading Comprehension)
- Essay: 30 marks, ~200 words
- Precis: 30 marks, ~135 words
- Reading Comprehension: 40 marks, 5 questions
Knowing the structure is the first step toward effective preparation.
Step 1: Mastering Essay Writing (30 Marks)
Key Strategies:
- Understand the Topic: Analyze the given topics quickly and select one you know well.
- Structure Matters: Use a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Stay Relevant: Focus on financial, regulatory, and socio-economic themes.
- Time Management: Allocate 18-20 minutes to complete the essay.
Practice Tips:
- Write daily essays on trending financial and regulatory issues.
- Read editorials to improve content and vocabulary.
- Seek feedback to improve coherence and grammar.
Sample Topics to Practice:
- Pension reforms and financial literacy.
- Role of fintech in retirement planning.
- ESG factors in investment.
Step 2: Perfecting Precis Writing (30 Marks)
Key Strategies:
- Read Carefully: Understand the passage thoroughly before summarizing.
- Identify Main Points: Pick out the core ideas.
- Write in Own Words: Avoid copying sentences.
- Word Limit: Stay close to 135 words.
Practice Tips:
- Summarize articles from newspapers or reports daily.
- Focus on clarity, accuracy, and brevity.
- Review your precis for grammar and logical flow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Adding personal opinions.
- Missing crucial points.
- Exceeding or falling short of the word limit.
Step 3: Excelling in Reading Comprehension (40 Marks)
Key Strategies:
- Read Questions First: Helps to know what to look for.
- Active Reading: Highlight keywords mentally.
- Inference Skills: Practice understanding implied meanings.
- Time Management: Spend ~25 minutes on this section.
Practice Tips:
- Read financial journals and reports to get used to complex passages.
- Practice comprehension questions regularly.
- Build a strong vocabulary to answer meaning-based questions.
Question Types:
- Direct factual questions.
- Inference-based questions.
- Vocabulary in context.
- Analytical or critical reasoning.
Step 4: Enhancing Language and Presentation Skills
- Grammar and Syntax: Error-free writing boosts scores.
- Vocabulary: Use appropriate, context-relevant words.
- Neatness: Well-structured answers improve readability.
- Consistency: Practice leads to precision.
Step 5: Time Management and Revision
- Essay: 20 minutes
- Precis: 15 minutes
- Reading Comprehension: 25 minutes
- Revision: Last 2-3 minutes for final check
Tip: Always keep 2 minutes for proofreading; small corrections can make a big difference.
Building a Study Routine
- Daily Reading: Editorials, policy papers, and financial news.
- Weekly Tests: Attempt full-length descriptive mocks.
- Feedback Loop: Analyze mistakes and refine.
- Content Bank: Maintain notes on current affairs and financial concepts.
Resources to Use
- Bank Whizz Descriptive Tests
- Previous Year Papers
- Financial Newspapers and Magazines
- Online Writing Tools for Grammar Checks
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Writing without planning.
- Exceeding word limits.
- Ignoring time constraints.
- Using overly complex or irrelevant content.
Final Thoughts
Scoring 80+ in the PFRDA Grade A 2025 Descriptive English paper is achievable with focused preparation, practice, and strategy. Consistency is key—practice essays, precis, and comprehension regularly, stay updated on current affairs, and refine your writing skills. By following this step-by-step guide and leveraging Bank Whizz’s resources, you can confidently aim for high scores and strengthen your chances of success.