Advice to Aspirants - CAT: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | CAT Mock Test Series 2025 PDF Download

Introduction

• Over the past seven years, our team at EduRev has mentored thousands of students, including hundreds who secured admission to top B-schools like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and Lucknow.
• The common factor among these toppers? A well-planned strategy and consistent practice.
• With insights from IIM graduates and years of experience, we have compiled this document to provide you with the most effective strategies for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT exam. Our goal is to help you achieve a 99+ percentile and secure your dream B-school admission.

Importance of VARC for CAT

• The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section is one of the three core sections of the CAT exam, carrying equal weightage as Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). 
• A strong performance in VARC is crucial for a high overall percentile, as it tests your language proficiency, critical thinking, and comprehension skills—essential for management studies and beyond. 
• Moreover, VARC skills enhance your performance in group discussions (GDs), writing ability tests (WATs) and personal interviews (PIs) during the admission process. This document is designed to help you approach VARC strategically, not just for CAT, but also for other top B-school entrance exams like XAT, SNAP, and NMAT.

CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Details

The CAT exam does not have a predefined syllabus, which can make VARC preparation challenging. However, questions typically revolve around recurring themes. Our experts have compiled a comprehensive CAT VARC Syllabus based on the last 10 years' question papers. Access it here: CAT VARC Syllabus.

Topic-Wise Distribution of CAT VARC Section

The VARC section is divided into Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA). RC constitutes approximately 66% of the section, with 4 passages and 16 questions, while VA includes 8 questions on topics like para jumbles, para summary, odd sentence out, and para completion. Below is the topic-wise distribution for CAT 2024:

• Reading Comprehension: 16 questions (4 passages, 4 questions each)
• Para Jumbles: 2–3 questions
• Para Summary: 2 questions
• Odd Sentence Out: 2 questions
• Para Completion: 1–2 questions

For practice, access past year papers at CAT Past Year Papers and topic-wise RCs at 250 RCs for CAT.

Topics in CAT VARC

The VARC section tests a range of skills, including reading speed, comprehension, logical reasoning, and language proficiency. Key topics include:

• Reading Comprehension: Passages from science, literature, philosophy, economics, and more.
• Verbal Ability:
  1. Para Jumbles
  2. Para Summary
  3. Odd Sentence Out
  4. Para Completion
• Vocabulary: Word meanings, synonyms, antonyms.
• Grammar: Sentence structure, tenses.

Topic-Wise Weightage CAT 2024

Tips to Ace Questions in VARC for CAT Section

1. Strengthen the Basics

Mastering VARC requires a strong foundation in reading, vocabulary, and grammar. Regular practice with diverse texts builds comprehension and speed.

• Read The Hindu editorials, The Economist, or books like Sapiens for 1–2 hours daily to achieve 250–300 words per minute.
• Study Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis (30–40 minutes daily) for vocabulary. Practice Vocabulary MCQs and flashcards.
• Use High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin (1–2 chapters weekly) for grammar. Solve Grammar Tenses MCQs.

2. Practice Consistently

“VARC was my weakest section, but daily practice with EduRev’s RC and VA tests helped me improve my accuracy.” — Ananya Sharma, IIM Calcutta ‘24

• Practice 3–4 RC passages daily from 250 RCs for CAT.
• Solve 20–30 VA questions (MCQs and TITA) daily using the Verbal Ability Course.
• Watch video solutions for para jumbles to learn sequencing tricks.

3. Revision

Regular revision ensures retention and accuracy. Use EduRev’s VARC Course with 100+ tests, including topic-wise MCQs and TITA questions.

• Revise 10–15 new words weekly from the Vocabulary Course.
• Practice sectional mock tests to simulate exam conditions.

4. Practice Mock Tests and Past Year Papers

Mock tests and past papers build familiarity with the exam pattern and question types.

• Attempt 2–3 CAT Mock Tests weekly (40 minutes each). Aim for 14–16 correct answers for a 99+ percentile.
• Analyse past year papers to identify trends.
• Use CAT Mock Test Series for realistic practice.

5. Enhance Language Skills

For non-native English speakers or those weak in VARC:

• Speak in English daily (30 minutes) on CAT-related topics to improve fluency.
• Watch English documentaries (BBC, National Geographic) and note 5–10 new phrases weekly.
• Summarise articles in 50 words to boost retention for RC and para summary questions.

6. Track Your Progress

Monitor your performance to identify weak areas.

• Log mock test scores and solving times (1.5–2 minutes for RC, 1 minute for VA).
• Use EduRev’s analytics to pinpoint weaknesses, e.g., tone-based RC questions or para jumbles.
• Gradually increase RC difficulty and VA speed to handle exam pressure.

FAQs on Advice to Aspirants - CAT: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

1. What is the significance of VARC in CAT?
   VARC tests language proficiency, comprehension, and logical reasoning, which are crucial for management studies and admissions processes like GDs and PIs. A strong VARC score significantly boosts your overall percentile.
2. What are the topics covered in the CAT VARC section?
   Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out, Para Completion, Vocabulary, and Grammar (tenses, sentence structure).
3. How has the trend of the CAT VARC section been in the last 3 years?
   RC dominates with 66% weightage (16 questions), followed by VA (8 questions). TITA questions (4) focus on para jumbles and odd sentence out, with no negative marking.
4. What is the weightage of different topics in the CAT VARC section?
   RC: 66%, Para Jumbles: 8–12%, Para Summary: 8%, Odd Sentence Out: 8%, Para Completion: 4–8%.
5. What are some tips for excelling in the CAT VARC section?
   Read daily, practice RC and VA questions, revise vocabulary and grammar, take mock tests, and track progress using EduRev’s resources.