How to Tackle the CAT VARC Section from Scratch

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most competitive exams in India for those aspiring to pursue an MBA. Every year, lakhs of students compete for seats in top institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). One of the most critical sections of the CAT exam is the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section, which tests your ability to read, understand, and analyze text, and also assess your vocabulary and grammar skills.

If you're starting your preparation for CAT 2025 from scratch, focusing on VARC can be both challenging and rewarding. In this blog, we will break down the strategy and resources you need to effectively prepare for the VARC section, along with a step-by-step guide to help you improve your reading and verbal skills.

1. Understanding the VARC Section

The VARC section in the CAT exam is designed to test your proficiency in language comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar. It generally consists of two main components:

• Reading Comprehension (RC): Passages followed by questions that test your understanding, interpretation, and ability to draw inferences.

• Verbal Ability (VA): Questions related to sentence correction, para-jumbles, odd one out, and fill-in-the-blanks.

  
  

Here’s a general idea of the weightage of each sub-section in VARC:

Component	Number of Questions	Weightage
Reading Comprehension	16-18	70%
Verbal Ability	8-10	30%

For CAT 2025 preparation, your focus should be on enhancing your reading comprehension skills and improving your verbal ability through consistent practice and understanding the nuances of English grammar.

2. Step-by-Step Preparation for CAT VARC Section

Step 1: Building a Strong Reading Habit

The first and foremost step in preparing for VARC from scratch is developing a regular reading habit. The CAT reading comprehension questions are based on complex, academic, and sometimes abstract texts, so reading extensively is vital.

• Daily Reading: Begin by reading diverse materials such as newspapers, magazines, novels, research papers, and blogs. Aim for at least 30-45 minutes of reading every day to increase your reading speed and comprehension.

• Read Actively: While reading, focus on understanding the structure of the passage, the main arguments, and the tone of the author. Try to summarize the key points in your own words after finishing each passage.

Recommended Reading Materials:

• Newspapers: The Hindu, The Times of India, The Indian Express

• Magazines: Time, The Economist, National Geographic

• Novels: Works of classic and contemporary writers

• Online blogs, forums, and research papers

Type of Reading	Purpose	Example Resources
Newspapers	Improve reading speed and current affairs knowledge	The Hindu, The Times of India
Magazines	Learn new vocabulary and develop an analytical mindset	Time, The Economist
Novels & Fiction	Improve comprehension and storytelling skills	The Alchemist, The Great Gatsby
Research Papers	Understand academic language and complex ideas	Google Scholar, JSTOR

Step 2: Mastering Reading Comprehension (RC)

RC is the most significant part of VARC, contributing to around 70% of the section. To excel in RC, focus on the following:

• Identify the Question Type: RC questions generally fall into categories like main idea, inference, tone, and vocabulary in context. Familiarize yourself with these types of questions to avoid confusion during the exam.

• Practice Skimming and Scanning: CAT RC passages are long and time-consuming. Learn to skim through the passage to identify the main idea and important details quickly. This skill will help you manage your time effectively during the exam.

• Answering Strategy: When answering RC questions, refer back to the passage to confirm your answers. Avoid relying solely on your memory, as CAT questions are often designed to test your understanding of the text.

RC Tips	Explanation
Skim and Scan	Read the passage quickly to grasp the main idea and structure.
Focus on Key Phrases	Look for keywords and phrases that indicate the tone and theme.
Answer with Evidence	Always go back to the passage to support your answers.
Time Management	Allocate 15-20 minutes per RC passage to ensure you can attempt all questions.

Step 3: Strengthening Verbal Ability (VA)

The verbal ability part of the VARC section requires strong grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure skills. Here's how you can work on improving each aspect:

• Grammar Mastery: Focus on sentence correction, subject-verb agreement, and use of tenses. Grammar books like “Wren & Martin” and “High School Grammar” can be extremely helpful.

• Vocabulary Building: A strong vocabulary helps in both RC and VA questions. Make it a habit to learn 5-10 new words every day. Use flashcards and apps like Quizlet or Anki to memorize new words and their meanings.

• Sentence Rearrangement: Practice para-jumbles and rearrangement questions regularly to develop an understanding of sentence structure. Reading English newspapers and journals will also help in enhancing your ability to structure sentences properly.

• Mock Tests and Practice Papers: Take as many practice tests as possible to assess your progress. You can find plenty of CAT VA and RC practice papers online and in CAT preparation books.

Key Areas in VA	Strategy
Grammar	Practice grammar rules, sentence correction exercises.
Vocabulary	Learn new words daily and use them in sentences.
Para-Jumbles	Solve jumbles by focusing on sentence structure.
Reading Speed	Increase reading speed with regular practice.

Step 4: Mock Tests and Analysis

Mock tests are the backbone of your CAT preparation. They simulate the actual test environment and give you a feel of how the questions are structured.

• Practice Regularly: Take at least 3-4 full-length mock tests each week. This will help you develop stamina and improve time management.

• Analyze Your Mistakes: After each mock test, thoroughly analyze your mistakes. Identify patterns in the types of questions you struggle with, and work on them.

• Simulate Real Exam Conditions: Try to replicate the exam environment as closely as possible by attempting mock tests under timed conditions.

Mock Test Strategy	Action
Frequency	Take 3-4 full-length mocks per week.
Analyze Mistakes	Go through each mistake and learn from it.
Simulate Exam Conditions	Practice under time pressure to improve speed.

3. Final Tips for CAT VARC Preparation

• Stay Consistent: Consistency is key when preparing for the CAT VARC section. Set aside time each day for reading, practicing VA questions, and taking mock tests.

• Stay Positive and Motivated: CAT preparation can be overwhelming at times, but maintaining a positive attitude and staying motivated will help you stay on track.

• Focus on Speed and Accuracy: While accuracy is important, time management is crucial. Learn to balance speed with accuracy by practicing under timed conditions.