Strategies to Avoid Negative Marking in CAT VARC Questions

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section plays an important part in the Common Admission Test. With so many questions and limited time in the CAT 2025 exam , the paper pattern challenges the students into maximizing efficiency, often requiring them to find quick, effective solutions rather than detailed, time-consuming ones. However, you must avoid making any mistakes and know how to avoid negative marking in the VARC section of CAT. The article deals with the strategies to avoid negative marking in CAT VARC questions.

Also Check - Why Every CAT Aspirant Needs an Error Log for Success

How to Avoid Negative Marking in CAT VARC Question?

While the Verbal Ability & RC section carries 72 marks in total (3 marks for each of the 24 questions), one mark is deducted for each wrong attempt. Thus, to avoid falling into this trap, here are some effective strategies to avoid negative marking in CAT VARC questions:

• Be Careful While Marking: You must pay close attention while marking the answer in the sheet. You may have answered the question correctly on the rough sheet, but  selected the wrong response when responding on the screen.

• Read the Questions Correctly: You must read the questions with attention, as in the DILR section, the clues are hidden in questions only most of the time.

• Follow the Elimination Method: You must check all the options that match the answer. Sometimes, in a hurry, students mark the wrong option, which appears to be closer to the correct answer.

• Focus on Accuracy: You must answer those questions where they are certain regarding the answer. Attempting to answer every question may be a waste of time and can fetch negative marks in the CAT exam.

• Avoid Making Rough Guesses: You must answer the questions in the CAT VARC section only if they are confident. If you are unsure, it is advisable to skip the questions.

• Attempt Known Question First: To boost confidence and gain speed, you must attempt the easier question first in chronology. This also saves the time and effort of attempting the CAT exam 2025.

• Avoid Last-Minute Hassle: Rushing to attempt the question in the last minute can increase stress and maximise the chances of getting negative marks more due to attempting the wrong choice.

Also Check - How to Use Sectional Test Analysis to Improve CAT VARC Scores in 2025?

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How Does CAT VARC Negative Marking Affect Your Overall CAT Score?

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The CAT negative marking can significantly lower your raw score, even if you have answered many questions correctly. For example, answering 15 questions correctly but guessing 5 incorrectly will reduce their net score from 45 to 40. In a highly competitive environment like CAT, even a few negative marks can affect the overall percentile and their chances of securing a seat at a top IIM.

With the above-mentioned strategies, you can avoid negative marking in the CAT VARC questions. The CAT VARC section plays an important role in scoring the overall CAT score. As the CAT exam is approaching soon, you must prepare well for the CAT VARC section in the remaining few days and attempt the paper consciously.

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