How to Prepare for CAT VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) - Expert Advice, Tips

The CAT VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) preparation requires the candidate to develop the skills of English language efficiently. How to Prepare for CAT VARC is one of the most commonly asked questions by the candidates appearing for CAT. In this article, we will discuss the Preparation Strategies, Expert Advice, Tips for a sound preparation experience of CAT VARC examination. The CAT VARC examination will be conducted for 34 marks which will then be added with the total marks in the CAT examination.

The VARC part of CAT is often considered as the most scoring part of CAT. The part can bring the student an improved overall score if the candidate can develop a good verbal communication level in the English Language.

Quick Tips for CAT VARC Preparations

The strategical planning for CAT VARC can help the candidate a lot. It is suggested that the student divide a topic into small sections of sub-topics and prepare with different strategies for different topics as the topics are varied and deal with different spectrums of the subject.

• Read many books, newspapers and magazines
• Take up mock tests from sample papers and increase speed
• Learn to address own mistake and learn how to rectify
• If you come across a difficult word, know the meaning and usage from the dictionary
• Keep tracking and taking brief notes from the materials studied
• Develop critical thinking abilities by reading a lot of editorials
• Avoid MCQs in preparation level
• Solve puzzles like crosswords, word games
• Segregate your day in portions and do efficient time management

Following is the question type and number awarded for each topic of CAT VARC

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Exam Pattern of CAT VARC

Check the exam pattern of CAT VARC(Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) section from the table provided below.

CAT VARC Topics and Marks

Following are the two main areas of focus for CAT VARC examination which are Reading Comprehension and English Usage. The English Usage portion can be divided into 2 different sections:

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How to Prepare for Reading Comprehension of CAT VARC

Reading comprehension has 16 marks in total. Only candidates who have practised reading a lot of English literature can attempt the Reading Comprehension test with ease.

The CAT topper of 2018, Rickshesh Manchanda said that he found this particular section very challenging. He added that taking several section tests will help cope with the section. Reading comprehension paper must receive most of the candidate’s focus. He said that since the last two years, the VARC section of CAT has been easy to attempt.

Also Read: Types of Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT 2020: Sectional Analysis and Tips

Another CAT Topper of 2019, Jagesh said regarding the Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR) section that he practised as many passages as possible. Reading newspaper and editorials can help one by increasing his/her reading speed. With these, solving passage questions are also very important.

Chhavi Gupta who is the topper of CAT 2017 and is now studying at IIM Ahmedabad said that selection of the questions were important to solve that portion. She allocated 5 to 7 minutes for selection of the questions and then started answering according to convenience. She answered a total of 24 questions in Reading Comprehension and spent around 45 minutes. In general, the accuracy in VARC questions was low, so for the rest of the VA questions (Fill in The Blanks and Jumbled sentences), she spent nearly 15 to 20 minutes.

Either factual or inferential question can make their appearance in Reading Comprehension from different areas of Interest. The candidate should have knowledge about those.

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She informed that there were 5 passages which carried 4 questions each. This portion generally carries around 45 to 60 per cent of the marks of the total VA portion. In this portion, detailed knowledge of information and current affairs may be needed.

Another CAT topper in 2017 who is now admitted in IIM Bangalore, Soumyajit Ghosh said that reading newspapers, editorials, magazines and novels are important for cacking the VA portion. Ghosh informed that fluency is important in the Reading Comprehension portion. He used to read passages of different lengths for preparation.

Avinash Iyer of IIT Bombay who is among one of the CAT 2017 toppers with 99.61 percentile in the first attempt said that he first solved the Reading Comprehension portion of VARC as it is highly time-consuming. And then solved fill in the blanks and jumbled paragraphs.

A CAT 2017 topper Ankit Gupta who got through IIM Calcutta said that one can simply develop an idea to crack the reading comprehension portion. He says that it is important to read and prepare from comprehensions from the field of science, literature, art etc. Googling and reading online journals also helps.

How to Prepare for Vocabulary Questions of CAT VARC

This portion consists of questions which contain antonym, synonyms, sentence construction, analogies etc which are more technical in approach. The candidates who have a strong grammatical and vocabulary base can only crack this portion very efficiently. It is required to have a thorough knowledge of words and the English language to crack this part.

The candidate who scored 100 percentile in CAT 2017, Mayank Raj says that VARC was his weak area. He started to read newspapers and magazines thoroughly to make that strong. This helps in increasing the reading speed by developing an understanding of vocabulary and usage of words in sentences. It is important to keep track of the new words one comes across.

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CAT 2016 topper Nikhil Raj Singh Says that taking mock tests and then assessing the results works effectively for cracking this portion. He informed that it helped in creating a strategy by giving him an idea of his weak and strong portions.

How to Prepare for Deductive Logic and Para Jumbles of CAT VARC

This, being a non-logic based section, can be practised easily by playing puzzles and quizzes like crosswords as described by a CAT topper Rubel Bagde. He informed that it is useful as it builds the skill and ability to filter out the wrong answers from the correct ones.

How to Prepare for Sentence Correction of CAT VARC

These are the less time-consuming portions of CAT VARC. This section requires good knowledge of English Sentences which can be achieved by reading newspapers and magazines and practice to enhance the grammatical base. Students are advised to avoid guesswork in these questions and not to take a lot of time.

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The students need not worry about cracking CAT VARC as this section generally has questions pertaining to current affairs and literature. To prepare well for this section, one doesn't need to do study rigorously as such but just read novels, books, newspaper and editorials.

CAT 2020 Preparation Strategy/ Tips

You can check these articles provide below to know preparation strategies and tips to prepare other sections of the CAT entrance exam. 

Best Books to Prepare for CAT VARC

Check the table provided below to know some best books for VARC section of CAT exam. 

Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2020 Scores

The table provided below contains some top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores. You can check the table provided below to know their average fee and location. 

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