Practice Like a Topper – Mock Tests and Evaluation Tips for PFRDA Grade A 2025 Descriptive English
Descriptive English in PFRDA Grade A Phase II is one of the most decisive papers. With Essay (30 marks) + Précis (30 marks) + Comprehension (40 marks – 5 questions), it totals 100 marks to be completed in 60 minutes.
Top scorers tend to follow a disciplined regimen built around mock tests and rigorous self-evaluation. Below is an in-depth roadmap — a “topper’s style” approach — to using mocks to sharpen skills and maximize your Descriptive English score.
Why Mock Tests Are Non-Negotiable
- Exam simulation under time pressure
Real test conditions are harsh. Mocks let you internalize pacing, avoid “freeze” moments, and condition your mind to write under pressure. - Diagnosis of weak spots
Mistakes recur in structure, coherence, grammar, linking, or time allocation. Mocks surface these so you can focus practice. - Building endurance
Writing for an hour continuously is draining. Frequent mocks build stamina and discipline. - Mindset & confidence boost
As you consistently perform in mock settings, exam anxiety drops and clarity increases.
Building a Mock Test Schedule (8–12 Weeks)
| Phase | Number of Mocks / Week | Focus / Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 1 mock per 3 days | Familiarize format, test pacing, baseline errors |
| Weeks 3–4 | 1 mock every alternate day | Begin timed writing, stricter evaluation |
| Weeks 5–7 | 1 full mock every day | Simulate exam rigor, identify recurring mistakes |
| Week 8+ (Final) | 2 mocks per day (1 morning, 1 evening) | Peak training, adaptive strategies, fatigue management |
Tips:
- Always attempt on laptop/PC (typing mode) because the real exam is computer-based.
- Use realistic question sets: Essay topics drawn from recent themes (finance, pensions, regulation, social justice). Bank Whizz has published Top-30 Expected Essay Topics for PFRDA 2025.
- Use passages for précis and comprehension that mirror the complexity seen in previous PFRDA papers (e.g. topics of digital finance, inclusion, regulatory challenges)
How to Evaluate Yourself Like a Topper
Doing mocks is only half the battle — evaluation is where true gains lie. Here’s how to dissect each mock:
1. Section-wise Rubric & Weighting
Use this internal rubric to grade your mock:
| Section | Key Criteria | Max Marks Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (30 marks) | Relevance / coverage of topic; structure & coherence; arguments & examples; language & grammar; introduction & conclusion | e.g. 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 |
| Précis (30 marks) | Fidelity to original; inclusion of all main points; clarity & flow; conciseness & language; length exactness | e.g. 8 + 8 + 6 + 6 + 2 |
| Comprehension (40 marks) | Accuracy in factual questions; quality of inference answers; clarity & brevity; citation of passage; language & grammar | Distribute across 5 Qs proportionately |
Mark your own script (or exchange with a peer) using such a rubric. Note down areas where you lost marks — conceptual gap, structure error, weak language, exceeding length, or time mismanagement.
2. Error Log & Pattern Identification
Keep a running error log with these columns:
| Date | Section | Mistake Type | Frequency | Action Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e.g. 12 Sept | Essay | Weak transitions | 4 mocks | Practice linking phrases; insert connectors in next mock |
| 15 Sept | Précis | Omitted a main point | 2 mocks | Re-read central thesis carefully |
Over weeks, patterns emerge. If “grammar slips under pressure” recurs, do grammar drills. If “losing structure in the last paragraph”, practice micro outlines.
3. Time Audit & Adjustment
For each mock, record time spent section-wise. If you consumed 25 minutes on essay and had to rush précis, adjust in the next mock:
- Enforce a sub-limit within essay: finish introduction + outline by minute 5, first two paragraphs by minute 15, etc.
- Force yourself to pause and check time at intervals (20, 40, 55 min) so you don’t overshoot.
4. Comparative Benchmarking
Once you have 5–7 mock scores, compare them:
- What is your highest, lowest, average?
- Which mocks had better performance in Essay vs. Précis vs. Comprehension?
- Which topics / passage types gave you trouble (e.g. technology, regulation, social policy)?
This helps tailor your last phase of preparation.
Smart Mock Variations to Challenge Yourself
To avoid plateauing, introduce these mock variants:
- Topic constraint mocks
Try only financial / regulatory essay prompts or policy-theme passages for précis/RC. - Half mock + blind section
Write essay + précis in one sitting on unseen topics, then after a break attempt comprehension — this mimics mental fatigue. - Peer review swap
Exchange scripts and evaluate each other with your rubrics. You’ll spot errors you might miss in your own writing. - Back-to-back mocks
Simulate real test stress: do two mocks in a row, one after the other, to test stamina and retention.
Latest Updates & Trends to Note (2025)
- The official advertisement confirms the Descriptive English Paper 1 in Phase II will remain 3 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes.
- Recent analysis shows the trend of essay topics gravitating toward pension reforms, inclusive finance, fintech regulation, sustainability in pensions — so mocks should include such themes.
- In recent years, passages for precision and RC have tested digital inclusion, gender equity, climate finance — expect continuity.
- Many top aspirants are increasingly evaluating typing speed and error rate during mocks because the exam is computer-based; a 2% typo rate can cost time in proofreading.
Daily Mock + Micro Practice Ritual
Even on mock-light days, keep the momentum:
- Morning (15 min): Read a high-level editorial, write a 120-word summary or opinion paragraph.
- Afternoon (20 min): Solve one comprehension with inference + vocabulary.
- Evening (Mock attempt): Full mock or section (essay + précis) under timed conditions.
- Night (Review): Score the mock or section, update error log, and plan next day’s micro fixes.
From Mock to Mastery: Final Push (Last 7–10 Days)
- Do 1 full mock + 2 sectional mocks daily — alternate essay + gist + comprehension to avoid fatigue.
- Revisit your weakest 2 topics or passage types (as per error log) via “spot mocks.”
- For final 2 days, reduce volume; switch to light mocks and confidence building.
- On exam day, treat the actual paper as just another mock: trust your pace, planning, and practice.
Descriptive English can be turned from a “risky section” to a score booster — but only if your mocks are rigorous, evaluative, and adaptive. Use the “topper style” approach above: frequent mock tests + detailed self-analysis + targeted correction. Do this consistently until D-Day, and you’ll approach the exam with clarity, speed, resilience—and a high score.
All the best from Bank Whizz — may your mocks today become your triumph tomorrow!