The Importance of RCs in CAT Exam | 250 RCs for CAT Exam PDF Download

• Reading Comprehension, or RC, is a very important part of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in the Common Admission Test (CAT) and most other Master of Business Administration (MBA) entrance exams.
• It’s much more than just a few questions. RCs test how well you can understand and analyse written information, think critically, and process complex ideas quickly – all skills you need to be a successful business leader.

Why is Reading Comprehension Crucial in MBA Entrance Exams?

RCs are a major part of MBA entrance exams for good reasons. Exam creators use them to check if you have the skills needed for success in business studies and as a manager.

• RCs have a lot of marks: In exams like CAT, RC passages often make up the largest part of the VARC section. This means you need to do well in RC to get a good score in the whole section. Doing poorly in RC can really hurt your total score and make it hard to get into a good MBA program, even if you’re good at other things like grammar or vocabulary.
• RCs prepare you for MBA classes: In most MBA programs, you’ll read and discuss many long and complex case studies about real business situations. RC passages, which cover topics like economics, social issues, science, and philosophy, help you get ready for this. They train you to quickly understand the main points in new texts, find key arguments, and notice important details – just like you’ll need to do with business cases in your MBA.
• RCs test skills managers need: Beyond just reading, RCs test your ability to think critically and analyse information. You need to understand not just what the text says, but also how strong the author’s arguments are, what assumptions they’re making, and whether their reasoning is sound. You also need to be able to make good judgments based on the information given. These are all skills that good managers use every day to make decisions, solve problems, and lead their teams.

In short, RCs are a key way for MBA programs to find students who have the thinking skills to succeed in their challenging courses and in the business world.

What Skills Do RCs Really Test?

To do well in RC, you need to know what skills are being tested. It’s not just about reading words on a page.

• Understanding the Main Idea: Can you figure out the most important point the author is trying to make? This means seeing the big picture and not getting lost in the details.
• Finding Supporting Details: Can you find the specific facts, examples, or reasons the author uses to back up their main idea?
• Making Inferences: Can you understand what the author means, even if they don’t say it directly? This is like reading between the lines.
• Understanding Vocabulary in Context: Can you figure out the meaning of a word or phrase based on how it’s used in the passage? Sometimes words have special meanings in certain contexts.
• Understanding Organisation and Structure: Can you see how the author has organised their ideas? Are they comparing things, explaining a problem and solution, or telling a story in order?
• Identifying the Author’s Tone and Purpose: Can you tell if the author is trying to be objective, persuasive, or critical? Do you understand why they wrote the passage?
• Evaluating Arguments: Can you decide if the author’s arguments are strong or weak? Do they use good evidence and logical reasoning?

Why RCs Matter Beyond the Exam

• Reading Comprehension is not only essential for cracking the CAT but also plays a key role in various GD-PI-WAT rounds during the MBA selection process.
• Your ability to analyse written arguments and respond thoughtfully during personal interviews often stems from strong comprehension skills.
• Moreover, in B-school coursework, you'll regularly encounter complex case studies, academic readings, and industry reports. Mastery of RC now will make that transition smoother and more productive.

Strategies for Acing RC Questions

Now that you know what RCs are testing, here are some strategies to help you improve your skills and score higher:

• Read Widely and Regularly: The more you read, the better you’ll get at understanding different types of texts and topics. Try to read articles, books, and essays on a variety of subjects, not just the ones you find easy or interesting.
•  Focus on Understanding, Not Just Speed: While it’s important to read efficiently, don’t rush so much that you miss important details or misunderstand the main points. It’s better to read at a comfortable pace and understand what you’re reading.
• Practice Active Reading: As you read, ask yourself questions about the text. What is the author’s main point? What evidence are they using? Do I agree with their arguments? This will help you stay engaged and understand the material more deeply.
• Improve Your Vocabulary: While you don’t need to know every word, having a good vocabulary will help you understand RC passages more easily. When you come across new words, try to figure out their meaning from the context. You can also make a habit of looking up new words and trying to use them in your own sentences.
• Learn to Identify Passage Structure: Pay attention to how the author organises their ideas. Are they presenting a problem and then a solution? Are they comparing and contrasting different things? Understanding the structure can help you follow the author’s argument and find information more quickly.
• Practice Answering Different Types of RC Questions: Familiarise yourself with the different types of questions that are asked in RC sections. This will help you understand what to look for when you read the passage and how to approach each question type.
• Eliminate Wrong Answer Choices: Often, it’s easier to find the wrong answers than the right one. Look for answer choices that are too extreme, irrelevant, or contradict what’s stated in the passage. Eliminating these options can help you narrow down your choices and increase your chances of picking the correct answer.
• Manage Your Time: RC passages can be long, and you have limited time. Practice pacing yourself so you can read the passage and answer all the questions within the given time limit.

EduRev Tip: For a more detailed guide on how to tackle RC questions, click here.

Exercises: Build Mastery in RC

Use these targeted exercises to transform your RC preparation from passive reading to active improvement.

1. Daily 30-Minute RC Practice Drill

• Time: Set a timer for 30 minutes.

• Task: Attempt 2-3 RCs (10–12 questions total) from the 250 RCs collection.

• Goal: Focus on accuracy, not speed at first. Maintain a log of:

  • Number of correct answers

  • Time taken per passage

2. 5-Minute Summary Writing (3x a Week)

• Task: Choose any editorial from The Hindu, The Economist, or Aeon based RCs.

• Action: Write a 5-line summary of the central idea and supporting arguments.

• Outcome: Builds skill in identifying main ideas and condensing arguments—key RC competencies.

3. Tone & Attitude Identification Practice (Twice a Week)

• Task: Read one article and answer: What is the tone? (e.g., critical, optimistic, analytical)

• Checklist to Use: Is the author neutral, persuasive, sarcastic, or reflective?

• Bonus Tip: Maintain a table of tones with definitions and examples from your reading.

4. Weekly RC Topic Mix Challenge

• Task: Solve at least one RC from each of the following themes every week:

  • Business/Economics

  • Science/Technology

  • Philosophy

  • Environment/Sociology

  • Literature or Humanities

• Why: CAT RCs cover diverse themes. This trains your mind to switch styles and vocabulary effortlessly.

5. Blind Review Once a Week

• How it Works: After solving 2 RCs, wait for 2 hours. Then, revisit the questions without looking at the passage and try to justify your answer choices.

• Purpose: Sharpens memory, deepens understanding, and highlights over-reliance on surface reading.

Conclusion: Embrace the RC Challenge

• Reading Comprehension is a critical skill for success in MBA entrance exams and beyond.
• By understanding what RCs test and by practising regularly with the right strategies, you can significantly improve your performance.
• Remember that mastering RC is not just about getting a good score; it’s about developing the analytical and critical thinking skills that will help you succeed in your MBA program and in your future career.
• So, embrace the challenge, keep practising, and you’ll be well on your way to acing the RC section!