Step-by-Step Plan to Crack Descriptive English in PFRDA Grade A 2025
Descriptive English is the differentiator in PFRDA Grade A Phase II. While many aspirants focus heavily on objective sections, the 100 marks here (essay + précis + comprehension) determine who really shines. With the Bank Whizz approach and structured plan below, you can maximize your score in 60 minutes.
1. Understand the Exam Structure Clearly
Before diving into practice, clarity on what’s asked is vital:
| Section | Weightage | Task | Key Skill Tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | ~30 marks | Write on a topic (≈ 200 words) | Logical thinking, flow, expression |
| Précis Writing | ~30 marks | Condense a passage to one-third | Summarization, retention of essence |
| Reading Comprehension | ~40 marks | Answer 4-5 questions from a passage | Understanding, inference, vocabulary |
You must attempt all three in 60 minutes. That means speed + structure + precision.
2. Plan Your Time Allocation
A disciplined schedule helps avoid getting stuck. Here’s a recommended flow (60 minutes total):
| Time Window | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0–4 min | Skim the comprehension passage, glance through all essay topics |
| 4–24 min | Solve all comprehension questions |
| 24–27 min | Outline your essay (paragraphs, main points) |
| 27–40 min | Write the essay |
| 40–42 min | Proofread and tighten the essay |
| 42–47 min | Read/annotate the précis passage, mark key points |
| 47–57 min | Draft the précis, adjust to one-third length |
| 57–60 min | Final check: word counts, transitions, grammar |
Following this flow ensures no section is left unattended and leaves buffer time for proofreading.
3. Section-Wise Preparation Strategy
(a) Essay Writing
- Topic selection & scanning: If you get multiple prompts, pick the one where your content will be strongest.
- Framework: Use five segments — Introduction → Context → Issues/Arguments → Solutions → Conclusion.
- Support with evidence: Bring in real-life data, recent schemes or reports (especially in pension, finance, regulation) to strengthen your arguments.
- Transition & coherence: Use linking phrases: moreover, however, consequently, on the other hand.
- Word limit discipline: Aim for ~190–210 words. Go over by only a few words if necessary — excess words often lead to reduced clarity.
(b) Précis Writing
- Read twice: First for meaning, second to underline central ideas, topic sentences.
- Extract key points: Drop examples, illustrative details, repetitions; focus on core arguments.
- Rewrite in your own words: Don’t mimic the original unnecessarily.
- Length check: Precis must be exactly one-third of the original. Write first, then prune or polish to length.
- Title: Provide a crisp, relevant title (not counted in the word count, unless instructions differ).
(c) Reading Comprehension
- Read questions first: It helps you know where to look in the passage.
- Active reading: Mark signal words like however, therefore, moreover, in contrast.
- Answer in your words: Avoid copying long chunks, unless it is a small phrase.
- Inference & vocabulary questions: Base your choices on passage logic; reject options that introduce unsupported ideas.
- Manage tough questions: If a question takes more than 3 minutes, mark it and return later — don’t get stuck.
4. Four-Week Practice Roadmap
| Week | Focus | Suggested Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Build fundamentals | Write one essay daily (untimed), one précis from a newspaper editorials, 1 RC daily |
| Week 2 | Improve clarity & speed | Time your essays (20–25 min), précis (10–12 min), RC drills under 15 min |
| Week 3 | Mock simulations | Do 2 full descriptive papers (60 min), review mistakes, maintain an error log |
| Week 4 | Final polishing & review | 3 full mocks, refine weak areas (vocabulary, transitions, grammar), revisit low-scoring essays/précis |
After each mock, compare with model answers or Bank Whizz sample scripts to identify gaps in argument depth, coherence, or stylistic issues.
5. Language & Expression Toolkit
Use this selective advanced vocabulary and connectors wisely (sparingly, correctly):
- Connectors: moreover, nonetheless, consequently, thus, on the contrary
- Policy/Regulation verbs: calibrate, incentivize, safeguard, streamline, oversight
- Precise nouns: resilience, governance, inclusion, disclosure, sustainability
- Essay closers: “Looking ahead, coordinated action can ensure …”, “A calibrated policy mix is essential for …”
But remember: clarity over complexity. Never sacrifice meaning for fancy words.
6. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
- Going over word limit: Cut adjectives/adverbs; keep one idea per sentence.
- Patchwork Précis: Don’t copy parts of the original; rewrite wholly in your style.
- Overthinking RC inference: Choose the option that introduces the least new content beyond the passage.
- Last-minute proofread neglect: Always reserve final 2–3 minutes to catch spelling, grammar, connector errors.
- Overuse of obscure words: Use vocabulary you’re fully comfortable with — misuse can cost more than simple words.
7. Self-Evaluation & Scoring Rubric
To track your progress, use this internal scoring template (for each mock):
| Section | Criteria | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Relevance + content | 8 |
| Organization & coherence | 8 | |
| Language & grammar | 6 | |
| Word limit & neatness | 4 | |
| Insight / balanced argument | 4 | |
| Précis | Fidelity to original | 10 |
| Inclusion of all major points | 8 | |
| Coherence & flow | 6 | |
| Language & grammar | 4 | |
| Title + length accuracy | 2 | |
| RC | Factual answers accuracy | 12 |
| Inference / implication accuracy | 12 | |
| Vocabulary / tone / main idea / title | 16 (combined) |
After each mock, note where you lost marks and track recurring errors in an error log — then target those in subsequent practice.
8. Final-Day Strategy & Mindset
- Don’t experiment with new styles or vocabulary. Stick to what you’ve practiced.
- Read the comprehension passage first but answer it after solving the questions — helps with fluency.
- Outline your essay before writing; keep to time splits strictly.
- In the last 3 minutes, proofread both essay & précis — fix punctuation, repeated words, miscounts.
- Stay calm, stay focused; 2–3 correct sentences more or fewer can make the difference.
By following this step-by-step plan anchored in Bank Whizz’s methodology, you’ll systematically build speed, clarity, and confidence. Practice consistently, review your errors, and follow the time discipline. Do this, and Descriptive English will become your strength rather than a bottleneck.
All the best — conquer Descriptive English, and secure your success in PFRDA Grade A 2025!
— Team Bank Whizz