How to Tackle Different RC Genres in CAT 2025 Exam?

Reading Comprehension (RC) is a crucial and challenging part of the CAT exam, testing not just your ability to read but also your skills in analytical thinking, inference, and critical reasoning. The difficulty level of the RC passages may vary depending on the genre, and you might find yourself stuck with one such challenge while solving practice questions. Fret not, we have provided a complete guide on how to tackle different reading comprehension genres like factual & data-driven passages, philosophical and abstract passages, narrative and descriptive passages etc. to make your preparation journey easier. Read this complete article to know how you can handle different RC genres in CAT 2025.

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Understanding the Different RC Genres in CAT Exam

Before we delve into the various strategies to handle the RC genres, you must know what are the common genres of reading comprehension that will be asked in the CAT 2025 exam . Check the different types of RC genres below:

• Factual and Data-Driven Passages: These passages have factual information, figures, and scientific and technical content.

• Philosophical and Abstract Passages: These passages are based on abstract ideas, theories, and philosophical arguments and contain complex sentence structures.

• Narrative and Descriptive Passages: These passages are based on stories and usually have a clear flow of events or descriptions, making it easier to follow chronology and themes.

• Critical and Analytical Passages: These passages analyse and critique topics like literature, social trends and policies. They require spotting arguments, counter-arguments, evidence, and logical conclusions.

• Humorous or Sarcastic Passages: As the name suggests, the passages have a sarcastic tone.

• Mixed or Multigenre Passages: These are a mixture of different RC genres.

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Strategies to Handle Different RC Genres in CAT 2025

Check the strategy to handle different RC genres in the CAT exam below:

• Quickly go through the passages and get the gist of it, and identify the genre. Identifying the genre of the RC can help you tailor your reading style accordingly

• Try to read factual information faster by focusing on the data points, and read the philosophical or abstract parts thoroughly

• Identify the tone of the author for the subjective passages, like the attitude of the author towards the subject, as it is very crucial for answering the related questions

• The best preparation strategy is to have exposure to different genres, so you must practice regularly with diverse passages. Read editorials, scientific journals, literary critiques, and stories.

• Allocate time smartly; don’t get stuck on one passage. Attempt easier genres first, if possible, in the exam for building confidence.

• One effective way to improve is by solving previous years’ CAT RC passages and mock tests available online, which include detailed explanations and video solutions to help you understand the reasoning behind each answer. Start with simpler passages and gradually move to more complex ones to build confidence and stamina for the exam.

Getting a hold on different RC genres requires not just language skills but also keen observational, thinking, and analytical skills. By identifying the type of passage and applying the right approach, like scanning the data, deciphering the philosophical arguments, or detecting the tone, you can enhance accuracy and speed. Practicing across different genres will build confidence and prepare you well for the VARC section in the CAT exam.

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