The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT exam is often seen as both an art and a science. Unlike Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), which focus on numbers and logic, VARC primarily assesses a candidate’s comprehension, critical thinking, and command of the English language. It challenges aspirants to read swiftly, interpret deeply, and solve verbal problems accurately under strict time limits.
With the CAT 2025 exam just around the corner, approximately one month away, a well-structured strategy is crucial for efficiently tackling this section. Focusing on high-priority topics, maintaining consistent reading habits, and employing smart problem-solving techniques can make a significant difference, transforming a traditionally tricky section into a high-scoring opportunity.
Understanding the VARC Section
The VARC section is primarily composed of two main areas: Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA). RC passages form the bulk of the questions, typically making up 60–70% of the section. These passages are generally 400–600 words long and span a wide array of subjects, from social sciences and economics to literature and technology. They are designed to test an aspirant’s ability to grasp the central idea, infer meanings, and critically analyze arguments presented in the text.
Conversely, VA questions concentrate on topics such as para-jumbles (rearranging sentences to form coherent paragraphs), odd-one-out problems (identifying sentences that don’t fit), summary-based questions (condensing passages), and sometimes fill-in-the-blanks. While RC emphasizes rapid reading and deep understanding, VA requires precision and analytical reasoning concerning language logic.
High-Weightage Topics in VARC
Candidates preparing for CAT 2025 should prioritize the following high-weightage topics in the VARC section:
Reading Comprehension
- Main Idea & Inference Questions: Expect questions that require you to identify the central theme, the author’s tone, or the implicit meaning of a passage.
- Detail-Oriented Questions: These are fact-based questions where careful reading of specific details is essential.
- Critical Reasoning within RC: Some passages will assess your ability to identify assumptions, evaluate arguments, and draw conclusions.
Strategy Tip: Dedicate time daily to 2–3 RC passages, focusing on critical reading and aiming to solve questions within a 10–12 minute timeframe per passage.
Verbal Ability
- Para-Jumbles: Practice logically sequencing jumbled sentences to reconstruct coherent paragraphs.
- Odd-One-Out: Learn to pinpoint sentences that deviate from the main theme of a given paragraph.
- Summary-Based Questions: Develop skills in condensing a longer passage into a concise and accurate summary.
- Sentence Completion/Correction: Improve your grammar, idiom knowledge, and vocabulary to excel in these types of questions.
High-Impact Strategy: Although fewer in number, VA questions can be solved quickly with consistent practice. Allocate 20–30 minutes daily specifically for VA drills.
Effective Section-Wise Preparation Strategies
For Reading Comprehension, consistently reading diverse materials such as newspapers, academic journals, and non-fiction books is highly beneficial. Aspirants should regularly practice summarizing passages in their own words to enhance comprehension and retention. Exposure to various genres, particularly social sciences, economics, and technology, will prepare you for the broad range of topics you might encounter in the exam.
For Verbal Ability, consistent practice of para-jumbles and odd-one-out questions will help you develop an intuitive understanding of paragraph structure and flow. Actively building your vocabulary and reviewing grammar rules regularly will significantly improve your performance in sentence correction and completion tasks. Taking mock VA sets under timed conditions is also crucial, as it helps simulate the actual exam pressure and improves your speed and accuracy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
During your preparation for the CAT 2025 VARC section, be mindful to avoid these common pitfalls:
- Over-reading Passages: Spending excessive time on RC passages can lead to time management issues and unnecessary confusion.
- Neglecting Verbal Ability Practice: VA questions are often quicker and easier to score, so under-practicing them can result in missed opportunities for easy marks.
- Skipping Mock Test Analysis: Failing to thoroughly review your mistakes from mock tests means you’re likely to repeat those errors in the actual exam.
- Blind Guessing: Randomly guessing answers, especially in VA questions with negative marking, can significantly reduce your overall score.
- Lack of Strategic Practice: Without a clear plan for your practice sessions and a focus on improving your weak areas, your overall preparation efficiency will be much lower.