CAT Admit Card Date:05 Nov' 25 - 30 Nov' 25
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most important exams in India for getting into top business schools like the IIMs. Every year, thousands of students take the CAT some clear it on their first try, while others, known as repeaters or droppers, give it another shot to improve their scores.
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Compared to the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section, which is more formula-based, the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) part of the exam tests your understanding, reading, and reasoning skills. These skills take time and regular practice to build.
In this article by Careers360, we’ll share some effective strategies to help you prepare for the CAT 2025 VARC section. You’ll also find helpful tips and a list of the best CAT preparation books to use during your preparation.
The CAT aspirants must understand the importance of the VARC in the overall CAT score. Out of the 3 sections of the CAT 2025 examination, the VARC section constitutes 66 marks across 24 questions. Top B-schools prefer to keep sectional cutoffs; in that sense, strong performance in VARC can impact your CAT percentile significantly. It is one section that can make you and break you as well.
The VARC section has undergone many changes. First, the weightage of the Reading Comprehension section increased drastically, constituting about 70% of the VARC section. Traditional grammar-based questions have disappeared, and direct vocabulary is also missing, while logical Verbal Ability questions like Para Jumbles and Odd One Out have gained prominence in recent years.
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section is designed to test the language skills of the candidates. While usually this section follows a difficulty level of moderate, the performance of the candidates completely depends on their CAT VARC preparation. This section comes with a sectional time limit, and the candidates are given a total of 40 minutes to complete this section.
The Verbal Ability segment is often underestimated by aspirants, who see it as just academic English. However, it involves more than grammar and vocabulary; precision and logical reasoning are crucial. This article highlights CAT common mistakes made by candidates in verbal ability and offers improvement tips. To prepare, start with basic grammar, advance to complex topics, and use flashcards or apps for vocabulary. Reading diverse materials and summarising them can boost comprehension. Engaging with podcasts, films, and conversations also enhances fluency.
Component | Number of Questions | Type | Weightage |
Reading Comprehension | 16 | MCQs | ~66% |
Verbal Ability | 8 | TITA + MCQs | ~34% |
Note: There can be some TITA (Type in The Answer) questions in VA that have no negative marking, making them excellent opportunities to score.
Understanding the CAT syllabus 2025 for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section is the first step for candidates towards the CAT VARC preparation. The candidates should have a good understanding of the CAT VARC syllabus as well as the most important CAT VARC topics that they must prioritise to perform well in the CAT 2025 examination. The CAT VARC syllabus as well as the important CAT VARC topics, are discussed below.
Section | Question Types / Topics | Remarks |
Reading Comprehension | Legal, Trending Topics Humanities, Philosophy, Sociology Business & Economy Science & Technology Fictional/Abstract Writing | Philosophy is the most frequent and important topic based on recent trends. |
Verbal Ability | Para Jumbles (TITA) Para Summary Odd One Out (TITA) Best Fit | Focus on accuracy and logical sequencing. |
Specifically for VA, Questions are based on various minute matrices, providing a wide range for assessors to determine what they are specifically seeking in a candidate. Some of the top skill sets required are as follows: -
Identifying topic sentences
Linking ideas logically
Understanding pronoun references
Detecting cause-and-effect and contrast
Recognising chronological or narrative sequence
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On the other hand, for RC, some of the top skill sets required are as follows: -
Fact-Based Questions: These questions require candidates to identify direct answers from the passage.
Inference Questions: Candidates must draw logical conclusions based on the content of the passage.
Vocabulary-Based Questions: These inquiries assess the understanding of word meanings within context.
Tone and Attitude Questions: Candidates need to evaluate the author's perspective and writing style.
Main Idea Questions: These questions prompt candidates to ascertain the central theme of the passage.
Logical Structure Questions: These items examine the flow and organisation of the passage.
Among all types of questions, the Main Idea-based question is the most crucial. If someone struggles to identify the main idea of a passage, they are likely to struggle with the subsequent questions as well. Therefore, the primary focus should be on grasping the main idea of the text.
Let’s try to understand the road map for every topic’s requirement for the exam. This will help you to structure your CAT 2025 VARC preparation in the right manner.
Topic | Skills Tested | Frequency |
Reading Comprehension | Reading speed, inference, and critical reasoning | High |
Para Jumbles | Logical order, sentence connection | High |
Para Summary | Condensing ideas, identifying the central message | Medium |
Odd One Out | Sentence logic, thematic continuity | Medium |
Vocabulary | Word usage in context (indirect) | Medium |
Grammar | Not directly tested | Low |
There is no official syllabus for the VARC released by the exam conducting body. Due to this, the section-wise preparation of the candidates might be hindered slightly. But now with the adequate amount of time left for the CAT 2025 examination, the candidates can follow the given below CAT timetable for the VARC section designed by Careers360 to complete the CAT VARC syllabus on time.
Phase | Period | Focus Areas |
Phase 1 | June – August | Build strong reading habits, expand vocabulary, and consistently practise RC basics. |
Phase 2 | September – October | Work on Verbal Ability strategies and techniques, begin serious mock test attempts, and improve consistency despite early setbacks. |
Phase 3 | November (Final Month) | Focus entirely on revision, applying feedback, last-minute updates, and performing mental rehearsal to prepare confidently for the exam. |
Tracking your time is essential for mastering CAT time management, particularly when it comes to honing this skill effectively.
STEP 1- Maintain a Calendar- Take charge of your schedule by creating a personal calendar well in advance that includes all deadlines, exams, social events, and other commitments that demand your attention. This strategic approach will keep you informed and prepared for what’s ahead. If you prefer a digital calendar, make it a daily ritual to check it, first thing in the morning, which is ideal, to ensure that important events are always at the forefront of your mind. To maximise your productivity, choose a digital calendar that integrates smoothly with other tools, such as your email. Some top digital calendar options include:
• Google Calendar
• Outlook Calendar
• Fantastical
• Calendly
STEP 2- Setting Reminders- Once you’ve crafted your calendar, set up periodic reminders to keep yourself on track. These reminders are vital for completing tasks like studying for exams or coordinating group projects. Stay on top of your game by recognising that it’s not just about meeting deadlines; it’s also about effectively managing the smaller tasks that are crucial for success.
Moreover, to structure your time effectively, consider the following daily schedule:
Morning: Tackle 2-3 RC passages and DILR sets.
Afternoon: Revise QA concepts and engage with practice questions.
Evening: Conduct a thorough mock analysis and review any mistakes.
Night: Focus on light revision, including reading newspapers and articles to stay informed.
By following this structured approach, you’ll not only manage your time well but also excel in your preparation.
For the CAT beginners who are completely new to the VARC section of the examination, it might be a bit confusing where to start or how to begin. They can follow the preparation tips given below to perform well in the VARC section of the CAT 2025 examination.
Diagnostic Test: First, attempt a diagnostic test to understand your drive. Get a clear understanding of your weak areas and strong areas, and plan accordingly. Embrace mistakes. It is more of attempting a past CAT VARC section without preparation.
Reading Practice: Begin with The Hindu, The Guardian, Aeon Essays, and NY Times Opinion. Start with something that you are interested in and then slowly work for something that is difficult.
Build a Journal: Maintaining a notebook is a must, especially for noting words, tricky questions, and tone types. And also, fortnight revision of those will be a great option. Engaging with non-fiction is increasingly essential in today's world. Individuals can explore a variety of materials, including articles, blogs, summaries, journals, books, novels, novellas, and poems, tailored to their preferences and needs. Here are some recommendations:
• Editorials from The Hindu, Indian Express, and The Guardian.
• Essays by renowned authors such as George Orwell and Malcolm Gladwell.
• Articles from publications like Aeon, Harvard Business Review, and The Atlantic.
The Reading Comprehension section constituted 66.6% of the CAT 2024 question paper’s VARC section. This shows the significance of the RC section. The candidates are always encouraged to start their VARC preparation by beginning with the Reading Comprehension section. This will help the candidates to score better in the CAT VARC section. Some of the efficient CAT reading comprehension preparation tips are listed below.
First step - Quickly scan the area of the passage and decide whether to attempt by checking the area of difficulty. Also, quickly note the structure: Introduction, Arguments, Examples, Conclusion. Understand how the paragraphs are related to each other.
Second step - Scan and get the main idea. Take care of transition words: Words like “however,” “thus,” and “for example” guide the logic.
Try to use apps like Acceleread, Spritz, or browser extensions like Mercury Reader.
Avoid re-reading. Note doubts and return to them after the first read.
Try to be an active reader and focus as much as possible.
Work on accuracy first, then speed
Always take care of extreme words like “always,” “never,” or “only”, etc. They are termed as red flags.
Keep eliminating answers that misrepresent the author’s tone.
Look for “half-true” options or those correct in detail but incorrect in scope.
Always avoid examples if not relevant to the requirement of the question.
Now, let us go through the efficient strategies for solving the CAT Verbal Ability Questions.
The VARC questions of the CAT examination primarily comprise questions from topics such as Para Jumbles, Odd One Out, and Para Summary. Let us discuss a few tips and tricks on how to effectively prepare for these questions.
Para Jumbles: Get the idea about the main topic, then look for connectors, chronology, and pronoun references. Try to get the flow from the author’s point of view and find the correct order.
Example:
B: The process of fermentation was discovered by Pasteur.
C: Before this, people had no idea how wine was produced.
A: It changed the beverage industry forever.
D: Wine existed long before Pasteur’s discovery.
Correct Order: DCBA
Odd One Out: It revolves around the same theme as para jumble, and then eliminates the line that breaks flow or theme. Something that is completely misplaced in the logic.
Para Summary: Understand the passage and get the main idea of the passage. Consider the option that covers all key ideas with a neutral tone.
Pronouns without antecedents → not opening lines.
Transitional phrases like “However,” “Therefore,” → typically not first lines.
Repeat ideas or examples → last lines.
Generally moves from general to example.
Take a note of the abbreviation too, as the first full form, then the short form.
CAT VARC preparation books are really helpful to learn basic concepts as well as solve exercises. Most of them provide real-time examples with a clear understanding of the concept. Also, books comprise real-time actual questions along with solutions. Techniques are also well explained. The examples are also varied from different areas. Find the list of books: -
Category | Book Title | Remarks |
Recommended Books for RC | How to Read Better and Faster – Norman Lewis | Improves reading speed and comprehension |
Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis | Vocabulary building through contextual use | |
30 RCs for CAT – Arun Sharma | Extensive RC practice for CAT aspirants | |
RC 99 – Nishit Sinha | Focused RC practice with CAT-style sets | |
Top Books for Verbal Ability | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT – Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay | Comprehensive VARC coverage |
Trishna’s Verbal Ability for CAT – TIME Publication | Trusted resource for VARC preparation | |
Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis | Ideal vocabulary builder for beginners |
Solving the CAT previous year question papers and CAT mock tests forms an important part of the candidate’s VARC preparation. Let us understand how to go ahead and make the most out of these resources.
The next decisive step is to establish a robust habit of self-assessment, as it identifies areas ripe for improvement. This practice empowers you to strategically tailor your preparation efforts, maximising your strengths and effectively tackling your weaknesses, which will undoubtedly lead to success in the CAT examination. The objective is to reinforce your strong areas and solidify your weak ones, equipping you to navigate the exam with absolute confidence. Consistently engaging in mock tests and practice quizzes is vital; these activities will not only assess your preparation level but will also significantly enhance your speed and accuracy in answering questions. Many online platforms offer customised mock tests for the CAT exam, enabling you to simulate exam conditions and pinpoint specific areas that require further development.
It is vital to review previous years' exam papers, as they offer valuable insights into the exam's structure and algorithms. Additionally, taking mock tests is a key strategy for achieving success. Timely analysis of these mock tests is essential, allowing you to concentrate on specific areas for improvement. By examining each section, you can gain a clearer understanding of your overall progress. Furthermore, solving both practice and past exam papers is crucial for effective preparation.
Just like any other section of the CAT examination, the VARC section is also vulnerable to mistakes. It is essential that the candidates know about the potential mistakes that they may make during their CAT 2025 preparation for the VARC section and ensure that they do not repeat the same mistakes on the actual CAT exam day.
Difficulty in solving RC passages as unable to decide which one to start with, and sometimes getting stuck with abstract topics.
Struggling with time management and unable to solve within the 40-minute time frame.
The retention issue is a big problem. So, work on mind mapping.
Less idea of solving the VA question with a compact strategy.
Not understanding the author’s logic.
Using unnecessary assumptions and inference to solve generic questions.
A good amount of the CAT test-taker population consists of working professionals as well. While they may find it difficult to manage the time for the CAT VARC preparation, it is possible through focused preparation. Some of the effective VARC preparation tips for the working professionals include:
Daily reading is a must.
Every day, at least 1 RC and keep sometimes for analysis.
At least for a gap of 1 day must practice VA questions.
The weekend should be used for long hours of study, especially solving mocks.
Sectionals should be taken seriously to work on performance.
Revision and revisiting some core ideas, mistakes and a new set of questions are also important.
Read RC PDFs or apps like Pocket / Medium
Listen to podcasts with strong content: e.g., Hidden Brain, Big Think
Now, let us go through some of the last-minute CAT preparation tips so that the candidate can make the most of their remaining time.
1. Leverage your prior knowledge for focused practice, as starting from scratch within a month can prove to be quite challenging.
2. Study efficiently by employing techniques such as spaced repetition, mind mapping, and reviewing previous year's question papers.
3. Utilise high-quality resources from reputable coaching centres and online platforms.
4. Focus on high-weight topics in your study plan by thoroughly analysing the syllabus.
5. Most importantly, stay motivated and take care of your mental health.
Keep always in mind that VARC is not about mugging rules—it’s about becoming a better reader and thinker. The effectiveness of any strategy ultimately hinges on the learner's individual objectives, the characteristics of the material, and their preferred learning style. A hybrid model that integrates the best elements of traditional and online teaching methods may be the solution to meeting the diverse needs of today’s students, all while offering a flexible and comprehensive educational experience. With continued practice, you will become increasingly competent and self-assured.
To help the candidates perform to their full potential, Careers360 has designed a set of ebooks. The links for downloading the ebooks are given in the table below.
eBook Title | Download Links |
3000+ Most Important Words - Vocabulary Builder | |
500+ Most Important Idioms and Phrases | |
300+ Most Important Phrasal Verbs | |
Permutation & Combination - Video Lectures and Practice Questions | |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions | |
CAT 2025 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics | |
Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages | |
CAT 2025 Mastery: Chapter-wise MCQs for Success for VARC, DILR, Quant | |
CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers | |
CAT DILR Questions with Solution, Download LRDI Questions for CAT | |
CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Study Material |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Read diverse content daily, summarise paragraphs, and time your practice. Focus on understanding rather than skimming. Analyse mistakes after each RC attempt carefully.
Recommended books include Arun Sharma’s VARC for CAT, Word Power Made Easy, and How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT.
Ideally, spend 1–1.5 hours daily on VARC. Divide your time between reading, solving RCs, and practicing verbal logic questions for better results.
Begin by reading daily from newspapers, novels, or magazines. Focus on understanding ideas, tone, and arguments. Practice previous CAT VARC questions regularly.
Yes, with consistency, one can surely crack the exam, but for that right strategy and right preparation are required. History says it is manageable with focus and dedication.
The VARC syllabus covers Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Sentence Completion, Odd One Out, and basic Grammar-based questions, though the official syllabus isn't fixed.
Make a target of words on a daily basis. Read on a daily basis from different resources. Work on contextual vocabulary and rely on your skills.
Try to read on a daily basis from a variety of resources and wide areas too. Expose yourself to solving at least 3 to 5 RCS per week at the last moment.
That’s the most important part of strategy while planning or targeting for the CAT exam. Attempting, reviewing and making strategies are very important.
Linking words help to improve the flow of a text by connecting concepts. They are sometimes referred to as connectors or transition words. They fall into three primary categories: causal (illustrating cause and effect), adversative (contrasting concepts), and additive (adding knowledge).
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
With 802 marks in TS Inter and ST category, you have a fair chance of getting admission in BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) in some private colleges through state counselling.
However, for government colleges, the cutoff may be slightly higher, so keep options open for management quota or allied health colleges too.
Hope you understand.
Hey,
You already have a strong profile with the score of 58% in Class 10, 74% in Class 12, and 80% in graduation, but admission in IIT Bombay, Shailesh J Mehta School of Management is quite competitive, especially if you are in general category because the cutoff for general goes to 98.5-99%. Your CAT percentage is impressive but your 10th marks might reduce your score during the shortlisting process. If you perform well in Written Ability Test and Personal Interview, and present your commerce background you still stand a fair chance. But it would also be wise if you have some backups like MDI Gurugram, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI Delhi, where your marks and profile will fit well in their selection range.
HELLO,
I am providing you the link below through which you will be able to download the previous 10 years CAT question papers
Here is the link :- CAT Previous year Question papers
Hope this Helps!
The three key formulas that can solve almost all Profit & Loss problems are:
Profit/Loss % = (Profit or Loss / Cost Price) × 100%, where CP is the cost price.
Discount % = (Discount / Marked Price) × 100%, where MP is the marked price.
Mark up % = (Mark up Value / Cost Price) × 100%, where CP is the cost price.
These formulas can be adapted for problems involving discounts, marked price, or successive gains/losses.
For detailed examples and variations, you can from the article
Hello,
Yes, Pragati Engineering College offers seats in Category-B (Management quota) for B.Tech programmes. The selection criteria is mentioned as the per the guidelines issued by the AP State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). The applications are available on the college's official website.
You can know more about the college and the courses from the link given below:
https://www.careers360.com/colleges/pragati-engineering-college-surampalem
Hope it helps!!!
Directions for question :
M/s Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, one of the top four audit and accounting firms in the world with headquarters at London, UK, and with an operational presence in 153 countries, hires Management Trainees (MT) from all the premier management institutes of India thrice every year, in the months of January, May and September.
Each new group of Management Trainees (MT) have to go through a four month rigorous training schedule, after which they have to pass through a test consisting of a written assessment and a case-analysis. The top hundred ranked Management Trainees (MT) based on the performance in the test are confirmed as Management Executives (ME). The rest are given the opportunity of undergoing the training for four months one more time along with the next batch of Management Trainees (MT) and then passing through the subsequent test consisting of the written assessment and case-analysis. The Management Trainee (MT) who fails to get confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) the second time is fired.
The scatter-graph below depicts the number of Management Trainees (MT) at Deloitte taking the tests from January 2020 till May 2022, and the vis-à-vis hired Management Trainees (MT) at Deloitte who were fired :
It is also known that for the month of September 2019 at Deloitte, 96 hired Management Trainees (MT) failed to be confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) the first time, and that 36 hired Management Trainees (MT) were fired.
Question :
In which test did the minimum number of Management Trainees (MT) get confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) in the second attempt ?
September 2020
May 2021
January 2021
January 2022
Directions for question:
The bar-graph given below shows the foreign exchange reserves of Nepal (in million Rupees) from 2014 to 2021. Answer the following questions based on the graph :
Question:
What was the percentage increase (rounded to the nearest integer, if deemed necessary) in the foreign exchange reserves in 2020 over 2016 ?
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