Introduction
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) conducts the Grade A (Assistant Manager) exam, and Paper 1 of Phase 2 is a Descriptive English test that carries high weight in the final selection process. Scoring well in this paper is crucial, yet many candidates underestimate it.
In this guide, we provide a complete breakdown of the syllabus, exam pattern, and a step-by-step preparation strategy to help you ace the paper with confidence.
📘 PFRDA Grade A 2025 – Descriptive English Exam Pattern
| Section | Marks | Word Limit / Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 30 | 250–300 words |
| Precis Writing | 30 | ~170 words from ~500–600 |
| Reading Comprehension | 40 | 5 questions based on a passage |
| Total Marks | 100 | Time: 60 minutes total |
- All three questions are compulsory.
- The exam is conducted in online mode.
- Typing speed and accuracy are critical factors.
📚 Detailed Syllabus Overview
1. Essay Writing (30 Marks)
This section evaluates your ability to express ideas clearly, logically, and persuasively.
Topics You Can Expect:
- Economic and financial issues
- Pension sector reforms
- Government schemes
- Digital transformation
- Socio-economic themes (AI, environment, etc.)
Ideal Structure:
- Introduction: Define the topic, show relevance
- Body: Discuss arguments, facts, data, and examples
- Conclusion: Summarize key points and give a future outlook
2. Precis Writing (30 Marks)
Precis writing tests your ability to summarize a long passage into one-third of its size while maintaining clarity and coherence.
What’s Expected:
- Accurate condensation
- Elimination of redundancy
- Logical flow
- No personal opinions or copied phrases
Key Tips:
- Read the passage twice
- Identify central idea + key supporting points
- Maintain original tone and third-person narration
- Write in a single paragraph, if not otherwise instructed
3. Reading Comprehension (40 Marks)
This section tests your ability to read, understand, interpret, and respond to questions based on a passage.
Question Types:
- Main idea or summary
- Vocabulary meaning in context
- Author’s viewpoint or tone
- Inference-based questions
- Logical conclusion
Strategy:
- Skim the passage for overall understanding
- Scan specific areas for answers
- Read all options carefully in MCQs (if any)
- Answer in your own words if subjective
⏱️ Ideal Time Management Strategy
| Section | Suggested Time |
|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 25–30 mins |
| Precis Writing | 15–18 mins |
| Reading Comprehension | 10–15 mins |
- Use the first 2–3 minutes to quickly read all three tasks and allocate your time accordingly.
- Save 3–5 minutes at the end to proofread.
📈 Smart Preparation Strategy
✅ 1. Start Early
- Give at least 45–60 days of regular practice.
- Create a rotation cycle: Day 1 – Essay, Day 2 – Precis, Day 3 – RC
✅ 2. Build Typing Speed
- Practice on Notepad or Word with a timer.
- Aim for 30+ words per minute.
✅ 3. Practice With Evaluation
- Get your responses evaluated (Bank Whizz offers expert evaluation).
- Learn from mistakes and keep refining.
✅ 4. Read Quality Editorials
- Recommended sources: The Hindu, Business Standard, Indian Express
- This helps improve vocabulary, comprehension, and content ideas.
✅ 5. Mock Tests are Non-Negotiable
- Take at least 10 full mocks before the exam.
- Simulate exact conditions and assess improvement.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing off-topic or using casual language in essays
- Copy-pasting sentences in precis
- Ignoring time allocation and rushing the last question
- Leaving grammatical errors uncorrected
- Writing beyond or below word limits
🎯 Final Words
The Descriptive English paper in PFRDA Grade A 2025 is a make-or-break section. A strong performance here can boost your overall merit significantly. Don’t underestimate its weightage—this is your chance to showcase written communication, analytical clarity, and structured thinking.
At Bank Whizz, we provide essay and precis mocks, evaluation services, and strategy workshops tailored to PFRDA and other regulatory exams. Join us to elevate your descriptive English performance to the next level.