How to Improve VARC for CAT 2023?: Best Books, Main Issues PDF Download

To excel on the CAT Exam, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of all sections. As the 2024 CAT Exam is rapidly approaching, it is important to devise a strategy for the final stage of preparation. The exam format will remain unchanged and the time-sensitive nature of the test will require efficient time management skills.
To excel in the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT Exam, strong reading and comprehension skills, as well as good English grammar, are crucial. Merely having good comprehension skills is not enough, candidates must also be able to read quickly and solve related sentence reordering questions. In the last few days before the exam, reading a novel or magazine to improve comprehension will not be productive. Instead, focusing on improving verbal ability and grammar will be more beneficial. 

CAT VARC 2024 Pattern

For the past few years, however, the VARC syllabus of the CAT focuses on 4 major topics:

• Reading Comprehensions: Most of this section is made of Reading Comprehension. Usually, 4 to 5 passages are seen in this section every year and each passage contains 3 to 6 questions.
• Para Jumbles: There are 2 types of Para jumbles that are generally tested in the CAT Exam and are a part of the CAT Syllabus. The normal Para jumbles which are multiple-choice and the Subjective Para jumbles where the answer needs to be filled in.
• Para Summary: While there are other topics that have been tested in the CAT Exam, the Para summary topic is tested practically every year and is, therefore, an immovable part of the CAT Syllabus.
• Odd Sentence Out: They are a recent addition to the CAT verbal ability section. It is very similar to para jumbles. The only difference is that in para jumbles you are asked to arrange the sentences to form a coherent paragraph, whereas in odd sentences you are asked to find the sentence that is not a part of the paragraph, thus the name odd one out.

If you’re a B-school/IIM aspirant planning to get admission in top IIMs, you can prepare with EduRev Infinity for CAT to boost your preparation.

How to Improve VARC for CAT Exam 2024?

1. Focus on Keywords

Many students struggle with decoding the Reading Comprehension (RC) section of the CAT Entrance Exam. The key is not to try to understand every single word in the passage, but instead to grasp the main theme. For fact or data-based passages, it is helpful to jot down important numbers on the rough page for reference when answering questions. Simply understanding the summary is not enough. To effectively Prepare for the RC Section, develop the habit of eliminating unnecessary details and focusing solely on essential keywords.

2. Enhance Your Reading Pace

Having a fast reading speed is essential for completing the CAT Exam within the allotted time. Few students realize that reading while moving the lips can slow down their speed. A better approach is to use a pen while reading, as this helps to coordinate the eyes, brain, and hand. Skimming and scanning are effective techniques for tackling the reading comprehension section of the CAT Exam.
Also Read: How to Prepare For VARC in CAT

3. Online Practice for Reading Comprehension

Start practising reading comprehension passages online. This will help you become familiar with the format, allowing you to read passages quickly and efficiently on the exam screen. Regular practice of reading comprehension passages can help improve your reading speed, comprehension skills, and ability to answer questions accurately and effectively. EduRev provides you with a complete course on 100 RC Passages.

Also Read: Types of Reading Comprehension in VARC

4. Read Newspaper Daily

It's a well-known fact that daily newspaper reading is a crucial aspect of preparing for the CAT Exam. By reading a daily newspaper, candidates can expose themselves to a wide range of topics and writing styles, improve their vocabulary, and enhance their reading and comprehension skills. Additionally, by staying current with news and events, candidates can develop a better understanding of the context and perspective of the passages they will encounter in the VARC section of the CAT Entrance Exam.

5. Take Regular Mock Tests

Keep practicing. It will help you build a strategy for the VARC section. Mock exams are a one-stop destination for VARC preparation for CAT. The tests will also get you in the habit of answering such questions and allow you to develop your strengths and weaknesses.

6. Revise Regularly

To excel in the VARC section of the CAT exam, which assesses your ability in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, it is important to have a strong understanding of the syllabus and other important topics. To improve your understanding and gauge your preparedness for this section, it is crucial to revise the material after completing it. Regular revisions during your free time can help you identify areas that may need further attention, evaluate your preparedness for the exam, and take necessary steps to improve your skills. Therefore, it is recommended that you create a revision schedule and incorporate various revision techniques, such as summarizing, mind mapping, and practicing questions, to reinforce your understanding of the material and increase your chances of success in the VARC section of the CAT exam.

Main Issues One Faces With VARC For CAT

Let us try and understand the main problems that a candidate may face with respect to the VARC section:

• Trouble while trying to focus on the RCs.
• Most answers that a candidate may assume to be correct end up being wrong. 
• Confusion about trying to attempt the question or leaving the question if a candidate has removed two options.
• Failure to link or connect various sentences in the VA section.
• Managing the time to attempt all the questions. For example, a candidate may read the RC but may not be able to answer the questions owing to time constraints.

Best Books For VARC Preparation For CAT

Following is a list of some of the most recommended books while preparing for VARC:

• How To Prepare for Verbal Ability And Reading Comprehension For CAT by Meenakshi Upadhyay and Arun Sharma.
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.
• High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
• The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
• The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability for the CAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations by Sujit Kumar

How to prepare for CAT VARC with EduRev Infinity?

EduRev Infinity Package for CAT VARC includes:

• Subject-wise Course: A complete full fletched course on Verbal Aptitude & Reading Comprehension (VARC) which offers topic-wise video lectures, detailed notes & online tests for each topic.
• Mock Test Series for CAT VARC Preparation: Mock Test Series for CAT VARC Preparation course on EduRev offers section-wise mock tests.
• Level-wise Tests for CAT  VARC Preparation: This course offers Level-Wise Tests for each topic to help you prepare exhaustively for the CAT VARC.
• 100 RCs for CAT Preparation: 100 RCs for CAT Preparation course offers 100+ RCs to help you prepare & master in RCs, which will give you an edge in the CAT Exam and move a step closer to your IIM dream.
•  CAT VARC Crash Course & Others: Along with the above courses, you also get Crash Course & other various courses of EduRev.

Not just VARC, you get a complete course on Quantitative Aptitude and DILR with EduRev Infinity Package for CAT.
Watch the video below to know more about EduRev Infinity for CAT

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on How to Improve VARC for CAT 2023

What is VARC section CAT 2024?

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, or VARC, is one of the most important sections in the CAT Exam.
The VARC for CAT consists of below 4 main parts:

• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Verbal Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension 

What are the topics in VARC? 

The Verbal Ability section covers topics like Vocabulary, Grammar, Verbal Reasoning, Paraphrase Completion, and Para jumbles. 

A total of 24 questions of 72 marks will be asked in the CAT 2022 VARC Question Paper. Candidates must prepare for this exam by taking part in seasonal practice exams and solving sample papers.
Check out the detailed syllabus of CAT from here.

What study material should I use for VARC? 

Some of the best and most recommended VARC books for CAT are as follows: 

• A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning: R.S.Agarwal
• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT: Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT: Nishit K Sinha

At EduRev, we provide comprehensive study material for CAT VARC. Our study material includes a variety of resources such as videos, lectures, solved CAT question papers, practice tests, and more. Our content is designed to help students understand the concepts better and build a strong base for VARC. We also have an experienced team of mentors who are available to help and guide students through their preparation journey. With our wide range of resources, students can be assured of a comprehensive preparation for VARC.

How much hours should I dedicate for VARC CAT Preparation? 

You should dedicate at least 3 to 4 hours of your day to prepare for VARC CAT. To make sure you're making the best use of your time, be sure to go through the quality content available on EduRev.
It provides you with a comprehensive set of study material, practice tests, and video lessons to help you Prepare for the VARC Section of the CAT Exam. So, make sure to make the most of it to help you score better in the VARC section of the CAT Exam. 

What is a good score in CAT VARC? 

A score of around 80-85 percentile is considered a Good Score in the VARC Section. A score of 95 percentile or above is considered excellent, and a score of 70 percentile or above is considered average. Keep in mind that the CAT Exam is competitive and a high score in the VARC section is important to secure a good overall percentile in the exam.

How can I ace VARC CAT? 

• Read the question thoroughly and identify the question type: To ace VARC, you need to be able to identify and solve questions of various types. Look out for keywords in the questions such as compare, contrast, inference, etc. and figure out what the question is asking.  
• Develop an approach: It is important to develop a strategy for attempting the questions. Try to eliminate the wrong options first and then narrow down to the one that is most likely to be the correct answer.  
• Time management: Time management is key to success in VARC. Make sure you plan your approach to the questions and do not spend too much time on any single question.
  Check out the  120 Day plan for VARC offered by EduRev to help you ace the exam 
• Practice: The more you practice, the better you will get at solving the questions. Make use of the various resources available online such as EduRev for CAT to find practice material and test your skills. 

Where can I practice mocks for VARC for CAT?

Yes, there are mock tests available for VARC CAT preparation. EduRev offers a variety of Mock Tests that are designed to help you prepare for the VARC CAT Exam. Our tests include detailed explanations, performance analytics, and other essential features that can help you improve your VARC CAT scores. You can access the VARC Mock Tests from the EduRev platform today and take your preparation to the next level!

Which newspaper is best for CAT VARC?

Reading a variety of material can help improve your Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) skills for the CAT Exam. Some of the best newspapers for improving VARC skills are:

• The Hindu
• Economic Times
• The Times of India