Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in CAT 2025 VARC Section

Debanjalee Sen

Updated On: October 27, 2025 07:34 PM

Learn about top 10 mistakes to avoid in the CAT 2025 VARC section. Follow practical strategies to sharpen your problem-solving skills and score the most in the VARC segment of CAT 2025.


 
Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in the CAT VARC Section

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in CAT 2025 VARC Section is a simple guide for understanding what common errors students make during the test. To score the most in VARC, you need stronger reading and answering skills under time pressure. At first glance, VARC can feel unpredictable… yet if you notice, common slip-ups can be seen repeating across mock after mock.

VARC in CAT 2025 typically carries 24 questions within a 40-minute time limit, so accuracy matters more than speed, as choices usually look confusing and close. Now here’s where many slip up… rushing the first read, missing clue words, or letting opinions colour answers. More than moving too fast through all questions, attempting the majority correctly is key.

Skimming the passages for RC, overthinking simple grammar-based questions, and more such are common blunders that can be prevented with practice. Building habits for better reading speed, note trigger words, understanding tone of the excerpts, working on vocabulary, tracking time, all add up to securing the most in CAT VARC. Recent data shows nearly 3.42 lakh applicants registered for CAT 2025. In such a steep competitive scenario, every mark matters. You cannot afford to have common lapses impacting your overall score. Better to be acquainted with the usual pitfalls, as this can serve as a reminder so that you do not make them. Let's explore below top 10 inaccuracies to avoid in the CAT 2025 VARC section, along with some useful tips.

Also Read: CAT 2025 Exam Day Instructions

10 Common Errors in CAT 2025 VARC

When seen up close, most CAT takers lose marks not because of a lack of knowledge but due to small missteps. Reports from several credible platforms reveal 13 to 15 correct attempts in this component can fetch you around 95 to 98 percentile in CAT 2025.

Feel free to check below 10 common errors in CAT VARC that quietly drain marks.

Common Error

Particular

Reading RC passages too quickly

Many glance through the passage instead of reading for tone and logic. Skipping results in missing clues hidden in examples or contrasts.

Ignoring key phrases

Words like however, although, or therefore modify the meaning of the piece. Not noticing them changes the sense of an entire paragraph.

Making assumptions beyond given text

Answers must reflect what’s stated in the passage of the CAT question paper . Adding personal opinions may lead to inaccuracies.

Ignoring write-up’s tone

Each passage carries an attitude: critical, optimistic, negative, neutral, or persuasive. Misjudging tone often leads to selecting the wrong options.

Not following CAT pattern and syllabus

The exam structure may be modified every year. Without having proper knowledge of the latest CAT syllabus and pattern, the risk increases of wasting time on preparing less relevant areas.

Weak grammar base

Missing basic rules of grammar, such as subject-verb agreement, grammar, or tenses, leads to losing marks that could have easily been earned.

Not keeping watch on sectional time limit

Spending too much time on one RC or revising each question twice reduces the attempt count sharply. Practice pacing during CAT mock tests .

Limited vocabulary

Unknown words break the flow. Broaden your vocabulary with daily reading from varied sources.

Skipping full-length mocks

Practising only CAT sample questions is not sufficient. Full-length mocks enhance time management and accuracy.

Ignoring review of mistakes

Many ignore analysing mock scores. Analysing hints at a pattern of careless slips and confusion zones. Without that, improvement stalls.

In short, little awareness and consistency can save you from losing valuable marks.

Also Read: Section-Wise Time Management Tips for CAT 2025

Tips to Improve Accuracy in CAT 2025 VARC

Now here’s the good news… precision in CAT VARC improves quickly with steady habits. Students who practised 15–20 full mocks usually see a substantial rise in answer consistency. The tips shared below can be tried to improve accuracy in CAT VARC.

Tips

Explanation

Read with purpose

Focus on thorough reading. Pause for keywords and connectors to grasp tone and logic.

Work on tricky questions

Mark question styles that confuse you. Review them after each mock and practise those areas.

Set timer

Set a stopwatch for each RC practice to stay calm under stress

Analyse mocks deeply

Check not just what went wrong, but why. That’s often where steady progress begins.

Keep vocabulary alive

Read 1 editorial or business article daily. Jot new words, learn their usage in daily writing.

Best Books and Resources for CAT VARC

Here are some best books and resources for CAT VARC training:

Courseware on Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT 2025-26 by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay

36 Topic-wise CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Previous Year Solved Papers by Shipra Agarwal and Deepak Agarwal

High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Ajay Singh


Also Read : Top Colleges for Distance MBA in India

MBA Admissions Guide

Some links are added below to help you with MBA admissions .

To summarise, avoiding small faults in CAT VARC can transform how you perform. Practise reading consciously, manage time wisely, and keep calm during mocks. With regular focus and revision, consistency becomes your strongest asset on exam day.

For more expert help on preparation for MBA, reach out via Q&A Zone or the Common Application Form . Keep following CollegeDekho for more such insights.

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a bright future!

news_cta

FAQs

Why is it a bad idea not to attempt the mock test for CAT VARC preparation?

Missing out on attempting the mock test for CAT VARC preparation is a bad idea, as it limits your problem-solving speed and accuracy.

How does not following the CAT exam pattern is a top mistake?

Not following the CAT exam pattern is a top mistake, as it leads to a partial idea of the weightage and unexpected difficulty in the admission test.

Why is neglecting time management a costly mistake in CAT VARC preparation?

CAT VARC has a 40-minute time limit. Hence, neglecting time management is a costly mistake in CAT VARC preparation, as you miss out on attempting many questions

How can reading the RC passages quickly affect your CAT VARC score?

Reading the RC passages quickly can affect your CAT VARC score as it may lead to confusion while answering the questions.

What are some common mistakes that you must avoid in the CAT VARC section?

Wasting too much time on a single question, not taking note of the sectional limit, speedily reading through the RC passages, and not revising the basic grammar rules are some of the most common mistakes that you must avoid in the CAT VARC section.

/articles/top-10-mistakes-to-avoid-in-cat-2025-varc-section/
View All Questions

Related Questions

How is MBA at Lovely Professional University?

-ParulUpdated on October 20, 2025 06:37 PM
  • 152 Answers
sampreetkaur, Student / Alumni

The MBA program at LPU is highly regarded offering an industry aligned curriculum and numerous specializations. it is distinguished by its strong placements including a high average salary for top students and its focus on experiential learning and professional certification. LPU MBA program offers a comprehensive curriculum with many specializations combines of both theoretical and practical learning.

READ MORE...

what is the procedure for applying MBA in finance

-ANAND GAJANAN MHADDALKARUpdated on October 27, 2025 04:00 PM
  • 7 Answers
P sidhu, Student / Alumni

Dear Anand ,The procedure for applying to the MBA in Finance program at Lovely Professional University (LPU) is simple and student-friendly. Interested candidates must first visit the official LPU admission portal and register by creating a profile with basic details. The next step is to fill out the online application form, choose the MBA in Finance specialization, and upload the required documents such as academic transcripts, identification proof, and photographs. Admission to the MBA in Finance program is based on the candidate’s performance in LPUNEST (Lovely Professional University National Entrance and Scholarship Test) or national-level tests like CAT, MAT, XAT, …

READ MORE...

Are LPU Online courses good? How can I take admission?

-Sumukhi DiwanUpdated on October 20, 2025 06:51 PM
  • 53 Answers
sampreetkaur, Student / Alumni

Yes, LPU online courses are well structured and widely recognized by bodies such as UGC, AICTE and WES. they offer great flexibility, allowing students to learn from home through recorded lectures and live interactive sessions to enroll simply visit the LPU website , choose your desired course, fill out the application form upload the required documents pay the fee online and begin your learning journey with complete academic support.

READ MORE...

Do you have a question? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Recent Articles

Recent News

Subscribe to CollegeDekho News

By proceeding ahead you expressly agree to the CollegeDekho terms of use and privacy policy

Top 10 Management Colleges in India

View All