30 days Study Plan to Prepare for CAT RCs | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) PDF Download

Reading Comprehension (RC) is the most crucial part of CAT’s Verbal Ability section, often making up 70% of the score. CAT RCs aren’t just about reading—they test your speed, analysis, and decision-making under pressure. Passages cover diverse topics like philosophy, economics, and science, with tricky questions that demand sharp thinking.

But here’s the good news—RC skills can be built systematically. This 30-day plan will help you improve your reading speed, master key strategies, and tackle every RC type with confidence. Let’s get started!

Week 1: Building the Foundation

Days 1-2: Understanding RC Basics

• Learn the types of RC passages: Factual, Analytical, Inference-based, Opinion-based, and Mixed.
• Identify question types: Main idea, inference, tone, fact-based, and vocabulary in context.
• Read editorials from The Hindu, The Indian Express, or The Economist for exposure to different writing styles.

Days 3-4: Developing Reading Speed

• Practice skimming and scanning to improve efficiency.
• Use online tools to track and enhance your reading speed.
• Read one editorial and one RC passage daily from the RC of the Day: 100 RCs to build consistency.

Days 5-6: Identifying Main Ideas & Structure

• Learn to identify the central theme and the author's perspective.
• Practice RCs with a focus on recognising paragraph structure.
• Attempt 2 moderate-level RCs per day.

Day 7: Summary & Revision

• Review mistakes from previous RC attempts.
• Identify weak areas and revisit strategies using RC Concepts: Learn to Solve RCs for guidance.

Week 2: Mastering Question Types

Days 8-9: Inference-Based Questions

• Understand how to infer implicit meanings.
• Solve past CAT inference-based questions.
• Attempt 2-3 RCs with an inference focus.

Days 10-11: Fact-Based & Vocabulary Questions

• Focus on direct information retrieval.
• Learn strategies for answering vocabulary in context.
• Attempt 2-3 RCs with fact-based questions.

Days 12-13: Tone & Style Analysis

• Learn common tones in RCs: Sarcastic, Analytical, Critical, Neutral, etc.
• Solve passages focusing on tone and the author's intent.
• Attempt 2 RCs daily.

Day 14: Revision & Full-Length Practice

• Solve one full-length RC set (4-5 passages).
• Analyse time management and mistakes.

Week 3: Exposure to Different RC Topics

Days 15-16: Business & Economics Passages

• Read articles from Harvard Business Review & The Economist.
• Attempt 2 RCs per day focused on business themes.

Days 17-18: Science & Technology Passages

• Read articles from Scientific American & Wired.
• Attempt 2 science-based RCs daily.

Days 19-20: Philosophy & Literature Passages

• Read excerpts from Plato, Kant, or Indian philosophy texts.
• Attempt 2 RCs daily.

Day 21: Full-Length Practice & Time Management

• Solve one full-length RC set under exam conditions.
• Focus on time management strategies.

Week 4: Advanced Practice & Mock Tests

Days 22-23: Difficult RC Passages

• Solve complex, abstract, or lengthy RCs.
• Identify patterns in difficult questions and strategise accordingly.

Days 24-25: Mixed RCs & Accuracy Focus

• Attempt varied difficulty RCs.
• Prioritise accuracy over speed.

Days 26-27: Mock Tests & Error Analysis

• Attempt sectional mocks for VARC.
• Analyse errors and revise strategies.

Days 28-29: Final Strategy & Weak Areas

• Focus on your weakest RC types.
• Review common mistakes and refine the approach.

Day 30: Full-Length Test & Mindset Prep

• Attempt a full VARC section test.
• Review strategies, confidence-building, and relaxation techniques.

Final Tips

• Read daily from Daily Reads for VARC: Aeon Essays or News-Based RCs.
• Use a timer to simulate exam conditions.
• Review mistakes after every attempt to ensure steady progress.
• Stay consistent and aim for gradual improvement.

By following this structured plan, you will build confidence, improve reading speed, and enhance accuracy in tackling RCs for CAT.