How to Crack Complex RC Passages in CAT 2025 Exam

Reading Comprehension passages are an important part of the VARC section in CAT exam. Around 16 questions out of 24 are typically based on RC passages which contributes to a great weightage. While most of the RC passages are easy to solve and scoring, some may seem tricky or complex. These complex RC passages are designed to test an aspirant's ability to understand, assess, and reason with abstract, difficult content. However, there's no need not panic; you can solve such RC questions if you keep in mind some strategies - read articles from different sources, understand the main point, and do not fear such complex passages. Read this article to get the tips on how to crack complex RC passages in the CAT 2025 exam.

Also Check - Effective Tips to Build a Strong Vocabulary for CAT 2025 VARC Section

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What Makes CAT RC Passages Challenging?

Before we move to discuss how to crack complex RC passages in the CAT 2025 exam , let's identify the major challenges that students often face while solving the reading comprehension part.

• Complex Passages: The CAT RC passages cover difficult passages like economics, literature, philosophy and sociology, which can be quite difficult for students to understand.

• Inference-Based Questions: Sometimes, the CAT RC questions are often difficult because they ask you to think more deeply, like figuring out what the author really means, how they feel, or what they are trying to say. This can be confusing for the test-takers.

• Time Management: The RC passages are typically lengthy, so students must read extensive passages and answer multiple questions within a limited time frame. Therefore, it is essential to strike a balance between speed and accuracy.

• Diverse Subjects: To answer a diverse range of topics and subjects, you need a strong vocabulary and the ability to understand the topics quickly.

Also Check - Tackling Grammar-Based Questions Effectively in CAT VARC

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Most Effective Tips to Crack Complex RC Passages in the CAT 2025 Exam

Almost 70% of the questions in the VARC section are RC-based, so your ability to comprehend and analyse the complex passages will directly impact your CAT percentile. You can expect inference-based CAT questions in the upcoming exam, so to tackle them, we have provided some tips below:

• Understand the Passage Structure: Most RC passages follow a certain pattern, which is an introduction, a body and a conclusion. You need to comprehend whether the topic is an abstract one or based on a current event.

• Identify Keywords: Each RC passage will have certain keywords that will be present in the sentences. Identify such keywords, continue reading the passages and improve your CAT preparation. This will help you to answer the questions in the exam. You can also strengthen your understanding of the passage if you can predict what the author might say in the next line.

• Focus on the Central Idea: Concentrate on the main idea of the RC passage, not just the small details. Ignoring each minute detail will save you a lot of time and also help answer the questions quickly.

• Build your Vocabulary: While practising RC passages, try to remember the difficult words when you come across them. You can learn the root words to know the meaning and gradually learn the antonyms and synonyms of such complex words. This will make your vocabulary stronger.

• Don’t Fear Unfamiliar Topics: CAT intentionally includes passages from diverse and unfamiliar fields to test the candidates. So, you should not panic if you see a passage on quantum physics or African tribal rituals. Focus on what the author is saying, not how much you know about the topic.

• Read Articles from Best Sources: Prepare for CAT 2025 RC passages from the best and reputable sources. Some of the sources are The Hindu editorials, Aeon Essays, New Yorker or The Atlantic articles, The Indian Express, GMAT OG and RC99 passages etc.

A student can improve their CAT 2025 RC passages preparation through diverse reading. We hope the above tips prove useful and helps boost confidence as you prepare to ace the CAT RC questions.

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