The IFSCA Grade A 2025 Descriptive English paper can be a golden opportunity to gain a competitive edge—if you avoid the common traps that pull many aspirants down. Despite being well-prepared, candidates often lose precious marks due to avoidable mistakes in structure, language, and approach.
In this comprehensive guide, Bank Whizz outlines the most frequent errors in Essay, Precis, and Reading Comprehension, along with actionable tips to avoid them. By the end of this article, you’ll know what not to do—which is as important as what to do.
🧾 Exam Recap: IFSCA Grade A Descriptive Paper Overview
| Section | Word Limit | Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | ~300 words | 30 | ~20 mins |
| Precis Writing | ~170 words | 35 | ~20 mins |
| Reading Comprehension | 5 Subjective Qs | 35 | ~20 mins |
| Total | – | 100 | 60 minutes |
⚠️ Part 1: Common Mistakes in Essay Writing
❌ 1. Lack of Structure
Many aspirants write the essay in a single paragraph or with poorly organized thoughts.
✅ Fix:
Use the tried-and-tested Intro – Body – Conclusion format:
- Intro (30–40 words): Define topic + introduce importance
- Body (200–220 words): 2–3 points with examples or analysis
- Conclusion (30–40 words): Summarize with a future view
❌ 2. Exceeding or Falling Short of Word Limit
Writing 350+ words or just 200 words makes your response ineffective.
✅ Fix:
Practice writing within 280–320 words. Track your word count in mocks.
❌ 3. Using Informal or Fluffy Language
Using phrases like “I think,” “stuff like that,” or writing as if in a WhatsApp chat reduces professionalism.
✅ Fix:
Stick to formal tone, use concise and impactful language, and avoid contractions.
❌ 4. Repetition of Ideas
Repeating the same point in different words shows weak content knowledge.
✅ Fix:
Plan 2–3 strong points before writing. Use mind mapping in the rough space.
❌ 5. Lack of Balance
Essays with only one-sided views look biased and immature.
✅ Fix:
Present both pros and cons, and give a balanced conclusion. Show depth of thought.
❌ 6. Weak Introduction or No Conclusion
Jumping straight into points without an introduction or ending abruptly weakens the impact.
✅ Fix:
Spend at least 2–3 minutes planning a crisp intro and strong conclusion.
✍️ Common Essay Topics Where These Mistakes Are Seen:
- Fintech evolution in India
- Role of IFSCA in GIFT City
- Green finance and ESG
- Cybersecurity in digital banking
- Cross-border regulations
✂️ Part 2: Common Mistakes in Precis Writing
❌ 1. Copying Sentences from the Original Passage
This is the biggest red flag for examiners.
✅ Fix:
Write in your own words. Summarize concepts, not text.
❌ 2. Missing the Central Idea
Many candidates focus on examples and statistics instead of the core message.
✅ Fix:
Ask: “What is the main argument?” Write a summary based on that.
❌ 3. Lack of Coherence and Flow
Jumping from one idea to another without transition reduces readability.
✅ Fix:
Maintain a logical sequence. Use transitions like “Moreover,” “As a result,” etc., to connect ideas.
❌ 4. Exceeding or Undershooting Word Limit
Writing 200+ words or just 100 words affects evaluation negatively.
✅ Fix:
Follow the 1/3rd rule. If the original passage is 500 words, your precis must be around 165–170 words.
❌ 5. No Title or Irrelevant Title
Missing title or one that doesn’t reflect the main idea shows carelessness.
✅ Fix:
Create a crisp, relevant title—often after writing the precis to better reflect the summary.
❌ 6. Including Opinions or Conclusions
Many write statements like “This is why the author believes…” which changes the tone.
✅ Fix:
Stick to a neutral, factual tone. You are not analyzing or evaluating, only summarizing.
📋 Example of Good vs Poor Title
| Original Passage Topic | Poor Title | Good Title |
|---|---|---|
| Impact of AI in Financial Sector | “AI is Amazing” | “AI in Modern Financial Systems” |
| Role of UPI in Digital India | “Digital Payments” | “UPI and India’s Digital Push” |
📖 Part 3: Common Mistakes in Reading Comprehension (RC)
❌ 1. Writing Opinions Instead of Answers
This is a descriptive paper, not a discussion forum.
✅ Fix:
Answer exactly what is asked, based on the passage—not personal views.
❌ 2. Writing Too Long or Too Short Answers
Writing 100+ words per answer wastes time; under 20 words often lacks depth.
✅ Fix:
Aim for 30–50 words per question, to the point and focused.
❌ 3. Ignoring Keywords in Questions
Missing words like “explain briefly,” “in your own words,” “mention two reasons” leads to incomplete answers.
✅ Fix:
Underline keywords before answering. Address each instruction carefully.
❌ 4. Poor Grammar and Sentence Formation
This leads to miscommunication, even if your point is valid.
✅ Fix:
Revise basic grammar. Use complete sentences and avoid fragments.
❌ 5. Not Reading the Passage Properly
Skimming without understanding causes incorrect or vague answers.
✅ Fix:
Read once for the main idea, then scan a second time to locate answers accurately.
📅 Weekly Plan to Eliminate Mistakes
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| Monday | Write one essay and review structure |
| Tuesday | Practice 1 precis and check word count |
| Wednesday | Attempt 1 RC and revise grammar |
| Thursday | Review common errors in past mocks |
| Friday | Attempt descriptive mock under time limit |
| Saturday | Evaluate performance + maintain mistake log |
| Sunday | Revise all essay/precis content for the week |
🧠 Expert Tips to Stay Error-Free
✔️ Use the Rough Sheet
Plan structure and points before writing the final version.
✔️ Keep a Mistake Log
Maintain a notebook with your frequent errors and weekly improvements.
✔️ Get Answers Evaluated
Use platforms like Bank Whizz for mock tests with detailed feedback.
✔️ Don’t Multitask During Practice
When practicing essays or precis, simulate real exam conditions.
📚 Resources for Error-Free Writing
| Resource | What It Helps With |
|---|---|
| Bank Whizz Mocks | Full-length descriptive tests + feedback |
| Grammarly / LanguageTool | Grammar & sentence clarity |
| “Descriptive English” by SP Bakshi | Essay and precis formats |
| Editorials (The Hindu, LiveMint) | Real-world topics for practice |
✅ Summary Table: Section-Wise Mistakes and Fixes
| Section | Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | No structure, repetition, too long | Intro–Body–Conclusion, plan before writing |
| Precis | Copying text, no title, off-point | Summarize in your own words with structure |
| RC | Opinion-based answers, too long/short | Answer exactly as per question instruction |
🏁 Final Takeaway
To succeed in the IFSCA Grade A 2025 Descriptive English Paper, your first goal is to avoid preventable mistakes.
Even a well-read aspirant can underperform without attention to format, tone, and structure.
With Bank Whizz, you can:
- Identify your weak spots
- Get evaluated and improve steadily
- Access exam-standard mocks and model answers
- Sharpen your writing under time pressure
Remember:
“Excellence is not just about doing the right thing—it’s also about not doing the wrong thing.”
Train smart, write smart, and score high!