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CAT 2026 VARC Strategy: Sectional Plan to Score 40+ Marks & Get 95+ Percentile
The first section one faces in the CAT exam is VARC, which sets the psychological tone of the exam. A strong start always helps to compensate slightly for QA/DILR fluctuations. Data saying that VARC cutoffs are strict for top IIMs. For example, 40–45 raw marks in VARC often translate to 95+ percentile (varies by difficulty). Many students miss IIM calls due to sectional cutoff despite a high overall percentile. VARC section in the CAT 2026 exam is always heavy with RC as it majorly focuses on thinking capability, reading between the lines and one’s analytical knowledge to find the insight. The CAT 2026 VARC strategy is very important for every aspirant to do well.
This Story also Contains
- Target Score: How to Score 40+ in CAT VARC
- Understanding CAT 2026 VARC Section Pattern
- CAT VARC 2026 Section Overview
- Time Allocation and Scoring Scheme
- Understanding VARC Question Types
- Pattern Trends from Previous Years
- VARC Strategy to Score 40+ Marks
- Building Reading Skills for RC Excellence
- Mastering Verbal Ability Questions
- VARC Preparation Roadmap
- Mock Strategy & Exam Day Execution
- Advanced VARC Techniques for 95+ Percentile/VARC strategy for CAT 95 percentile
- VARC Practice Resources & Tools/CAT 2026 VARC preparation plan
- Conclusion
Target Score: How to Score 40+ in CAT VARC
The Typical VARC pattern: ~24 questions for the last 5 years. Now let's check the breakup:-1. To score 40+: Attempt: 16–18 questions with Accuracy: 80–85%.
Example calculation:
17 attempts
14 correct (42 marks)
3 wrong (-3)
Final score = 39
So the target should be to cover 15 correct answers safely. The Focus = accuracy-first approach, not 22+ blind attempts.
Understanding CAT 2026 VARC Section Pattern
Read below to get a clear understanding of the CAT Exam Pattern 2026.
Total Questions: | ~24 |
RC | ~16 questions (4 passages × 4 Qs) |
VA | ~8 questions (Para Jumbles, Summary, Best Fit, Odd One Out) |
Duration | 40 minutes |
Negative marking | -1 for MCQs |
TITA Questions | No negative marking |
CAT VARC 2026 Section Overview
Reading Comprehension (RC) – Weightage & Question Types
Rc heavy paper where we can have different topics. The general trend is also latest news or trending topics can be seen playing quite an important role.
List of important Topics:
Philosophy
Sociology
Economics
Science
Abstract humanities
Example RC Types:
Inference: “The author would most likely agree that…”
Tone: “The tone of the passage is…”
Detail-based: “According to paragraph 2…”
Application-based questions
CAT 2025 College Predictor
Use CAT 2025 College Predictor to check your chances for IIM and top MBA calls based on CAT percentile, profile, work experience and cut-off trends.
Use NowFrom CAT 2021 RC (Slot 1 / Slot 3):
One RC was based on Utopia vs Dystopia — heavy in interpretation and abstract reasoning.
“Which inference about the author’s stance on utopia is most supported by the passage?”
The correct choice required linking the author’s subtle tone with the overall argument flow, not just word matching
Verbal Ability (VA) – Types You Must Master
Next segment, as per the CAT VARC Syllabus, where we can expect 8 questions, is the VA sections, which comprises:-
Para Jumbles (TITA)
Para Summary (MCQ)
Odd Sentence Out (TITA)
Best fit
VA Example: Para-jumbles (CAT 2020)
An actual para jumper / odd-one-out type prompt appeared in CAT 2020 (Slot 1 VA) :
Odd Sentence Out Task:
Five sentences were given — four logically formed a paragraph, one was out of context:
A. "For feminists, the question of how we read is inextricably linked with the question of what we read."
B. "Elaine Showalter’s critique of the literary curriculum is exemplary of this work."
C. "Androcentric literature structures the reading experience differently depending on the gender of the reader."
D. "The documentation of this realisation was one of the earliest tasks undertaken by feminist critics."
Here, the odd sentence might be the one that doesn’t follow the specific theme shift or chronology — spotting this quickly is important in VA.
Time Allocation and Scoring Scheme
Time management in CAT 2026 plays a very important role. Now it depends on the strategy how one wants to opt for the paper. One can start with RC and then move to Non-RC or vice versa. The suggested split: 28–30 mins should be kept for RC. And 10–12 mins for VA. Keep some alternatives ready with you, for example:
3 RC passages first (25 mins)
Then VA (10 mins)
Last 5 mins → toughest RC
Understanding VARC Question Types
To do well with RC, it is very important that one practice meticulously with different sets of RC questions. One has to understand the CAT VARC preparation strategy 2026 and prepare the strong and weak sets of areas to hone RC solving skills.
RC Question Types
Inference
Requires reading between the lines
Avoid extreme options
Tone
Neutral vs critical vs sarcastic
Example trap: “Angry” vs “Critical”
Detail-specific
Locate keywords
Avoid paraphrasing traps
Factual questions (trap is with a double negative or an except question)
Title question (expected 1 to 2 questions in every set)
Vocab-based question( expected 1 to 2 word or phrase-based questions too)
Pattern Trends from Previous Years
It is very important to study, practice and understand the CAT previous years' papers from Actual CAT papers. Keep a good note on the difficulty level, specifically the abstract topics, which have to be clearly practised. The VA segment is always tricky, so practising regularly from the actual paper can be a big help. Also, keep a good note on reasoning-heavy questions like assumptions, as it always increases the load of the paper.
For example –
Inference Example (CAT 2021 RC):
For the Marshmallow Theory passage, a question could be:
“Which conclusion is most supported by the second paragraph?”
This asks you to link details with a broader argument, not just locating facts.
VARC Strategy to Score 40+ Marks
Prioritising Accuracy over Attempts
Accuracy should be the target, not attempts, as that will help you to balance the score. First, avoid ego-driven attempts. Only attempt when confident about the logic. Leave the confusing questions always. The target should be to get the main idea; otherwise, every attempt will fall flat.
Strategic Attempt Order (RC First vs VA First)
Your VARC strategy should be based on self-awareness, not trends. If you are a strong reader, attempting RC first can help you capitalise on focus and build early momentum. If Verbal Ability feels more comfortable, solving VA in the first 8–10 minutes can boost confidence before tackling dense passages. The key is to test both approaches in mocks and analyse accuracy, speed, and mental comfort. In CAT, clarity of strategy matters more than blindly following popular advice.
Choosing Which Passage to Attempt/Skip
Target is to scan first 2–3 minutes:
Topic familiarity
Paragraph length
Density of abstract ideas
Data proves that one who is really good at skimming and scanning can do well on justification in CAT. But also depends on one’s familiarity with the topic, too. So start reading paragraphs of different lengths.
Example:
Philosophy heavy abstract language → keep for later
Science/social issue structured → attempt first
Building Reading Skills for RC Excellence
Improving Reading Speed & Comprehension
For example, suppose you are reading a 900-word passage on the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, a common CAT RC theme. Your goal should be to complete it in about 3–4 minutes while maintaining a clear understanding. Instead of reading word by word and mentally pronouncing each term, focus on reading in meaningful chunks such as “automation replacing repetitive jobs” or “new opportunities in creative sectors.” This reduces subvocalization and increases speed.
While reading, actively identify the author’s main argument, supporting examples, and tone. For instance, if the author first explains the fear of job loss and later argues that technology historically creates new roles, you should recognise that the central idea is balanced rather than purely critical. After finishing, summarise the passage in 2–3 lines, such as: “The passage discusses how AI may replace certain jobs but also highlights its potential to create new employment opportunities, suggesting a balanced and evolving impact.”
Practising two such long passages daily—from sources like editorials or essays—will gradually improve your speed, comprehension, and confidence, which are essential for handling CAT VARC passages efficiently within strict time limits.
Active Reading Techniques
Identify the author’s purpose
Note transition words: however, therefore
Summarise each paragraph in 5–6 words
Avoid examples to get the main idea or use them as examples only to reach the main idea
Start noting the word, or underlining also helps
Keep some self-introspective questions ready with you as that helps
Example:
Para 1 → Problem statement
Para 2 → Historical background
Para 3 → Criticism
Daily Reading Practice Plan
Start exploring different resources to read, as that can add variety to taste, as well as topics and also the style of writing. Start with 5 mins everyday in case non reader and then set a target to reach 1 hr daily.
Read from:
Aeon essays
The Economist
Indian Express editorials
Philosophy blogs
Thoughtco
Business India
Economic Times
Map it to 1 hour daily:
30 mins reading
20 mins summarising
10 mins reflection
Mastering Verbal Ability Questions
Techniques for Para Jumbles
When solving Para Jumbles in CAT, follow the three structured steps. First, identify mandatory pairs—two sentences that must logically come together because of pronouns, connectors, or continuation of an idea. For example, in CAT 2020 Slot 1, one para-jumble had a sentence introducing an idea about historical memory and another beginning with “This practice…”, clearly referring back to it. These two formed a fixed pair. Second, find the opening sentence—it is usually broad, introduces the theme, and does not begin with connectors like “However,” “Therefore,” or pronouns such as “This” or “They.” In CAT 2021, a para-jumble had a sentence starting with “However,” which could not logically open the paragraph because it indicated contrast. Third, check the logical flow—ensure chronology, cause-effect, or argument progression is maintained. In past CAT papers, many correct sequences followed a structure like introduction → explanation → example → conclusion. Applying these steps reduces guesswork and increases accuracy in TITA para-jumbles.
Effective Para-Summary Methods
This is a tentatively easy and manageable one, so strike the right chord to solve it correctly. For example-
Identify subject
Identify the author’s opinion
Avoid adding new ideas to options
Example:
If the passage about AI ethics → correct summary must include both technology and ethical debate.
Identifying the Odd Sentence Out
In Odd Sentence Out questions, your goal is to detect the coherence chain. First, read all five sentences and identify three or four that clearly revolve around a common theme. In CAT 2020, for example, one set revolved around feminist literary criticism—four sentences discussed how reading practices are shaped by gender perspectives, while one sentence shifted toward a different angle of curriculum structure, making it a misfit. Next, observe how the majority of sentences logically connect through common keywords, tone, or progression of ideas. Finally, identify the sentence that shifts focus—this could introduce a new example, a different timeline, or a broader concept not aligned with the core theme. Often, the odd sentence is not incorrect; it simply does not fit the flow. By tracking theme consistency rather than overanalysing meaning, you can solve these questions quickly and accurately.
VARC Preparation Roadmap
90-Day Preparation Plan
Let's keep the road map simple to remember, as it will help.
Days 1–30:
Build a reading habit
Solve topic-wise VA
Days 31–60:
3 RC daily
2 full VARC sectionals weekly
Days 61–90:
2–3 mocks weekly
Deep error analysis
Weekly Practice Goals
A strong weekly VARC routine should include solving 20+ RC passages, practising 40+ VA questions, and taking at least one sectional mock—and these should ideally include real previous-year CAT questions. For RC practice, include passages like the “Utopia vs Dystopia” passage from CAT 2021 Slot 1, which tested deep inference and tone analysis, and the “British Colonialism and Museums” passage from CAT 2020, which required careful elimination between closely worded options. These help you handle abstract and humanities-heavy texts.
For VA, practice para-jumbles similar to CAT 2020 Slot 1, where identifying mandatory pairs and spotting connectors like “However” was crucial. Also include odd-one-out questions like the feminist literary criticism set (CAT 2020), where four sentences formed a coherent theme, and one subtly shifted focus.
Finally, take one sectional mock weekly under strict 40-minute timing. After the mock, analyse which RC types (inference vs detail-based) and which VA types (summary vs para-jumble) caused errors. Real CAT examples train you for the exact difficulty and thinking style required on exam day.
Mock Strategy & Exam Day Execution
How to Use Mocks for VARC Improvement
The strategy is a different thought process while moving from one set to another. One cannot stick to one as completely dependent on the set. Analysis should be in a very careful way, where the elimination options have to be checked very nicely. Create a proper dashboard if required, and note the rate of accuracy along with attempts.
Targeted Score Plan for 95+ Percentile
A safe VARC strategy for a 95+ percentile target is to aim for 14–15 correct answers with no more than 2–3 wrong attempts, while strictly avoiding blind guessing. For example, in tougher papers like CAT 2021 Slot 2, many high scorers attempted only 16–18 questions but maintained high accuracy, especially in RC inference questions. Instead of attempting all 24 questions, they skipped 1–2 confusing passages or tricky para-jumbles. Remember, one reckless guess can cancel out a correct answer. Controlled attempts with strong elimination lead to stable scores.
Common Mistakes in VARC Prep (and How to Avoid Them)
Don’t spend more than 12 minutes per passage
Rereading the entire paragraph
One should not overfocus on RC or only on the VA section
Don’t run with the text
CAT VARC sectional strategy should be prioritised
Advanced VARC Techniques for 95+ Percentile/VARC strategy for CAT 95 percentile
Option Elimination Methods
When applying option elimination in RC, remove choices that show clear red flags. First, eliminate options with extreme language—words like always, never, completely, and entirely are rarely correct unless the passage strongly supports such certainty. In CAT 2021’s Utopia vs Dystopia passage, extreme options were traps because the author’s tone was analytical, not absolute. Second, eliminate options outside the scope—if a passage discusses ethical concerns of AI, an option focusing on technological efficiency alone may be irrelevant. Third, remove options opposite to the author’s stance. In CAT 2020 RCs, several incorrect options subtly reversed the author’s critique into support. Systematic elimination increases accuracy and reduces confusion under time pressure.
VARC Practice Resources & Tools/CAT 2026 VARC preparation plan
Best Books & Passage Banks
A strong VARC preparation base should always include reliable books and authentic CAT-level material. Arun Sharma VARC is useful for building fundamentals in para jumbles, summaries, and structured RC practice. However, nothing replaces Previous Year CAT Papers (especially 2017–2023)—for example, practising the Utopia vs Dystopia RC (CAT 2021) or the Museums & Colonialism passage (CAT 2020) helps you understand real CAT inference depth. Additionally, a good Sectional Test Series allows timed 40-minute simulations, helping you refine strategy and accuracy under pressure.
Test Online Mock & Practice Platforms
Institutes like TIME, IMS, and Career Launcher offer high-quality mock test series that closely mirror actual CAT difficulty. Their VARC sectionals often include abstract philosophy-based RCs similar to CAT 2021 and tricky VA sets like CAT 2020 para jumbles. The key benefit is detailed performance analytics—accuracy breakdown by RC type (inference vs detail) and VA type (summary vs odd-one-out). Regular CAT mock tests from these platforms help you test different strategies (RC-first vs VA-first) and stabilise performance.
Recommended Daily Reading Sources
To build reading depth, regularly read The Economist for global economics and policy analysis, Aeon for philosophy and abstract essays (very similar to CAT RC tone), Guardian Long Reads for narrative and socio-political arguments, and Indian Express editorials for structured opinion writing. For instance, reading a 1,000-word Aeon essay daily trains you to handle dense passages like CAT 2021’s abstract RCs. Consistent exposure improves speed, comprehension, and familiarity with complex argument structures—critical for scoring 40+ in VARC.
Conclusion
To summarise the CAT VARC Strategy 2026, remember that accuracy is always more important than the number of attempts, as most 95+ percentilers attempt strategically rather than aggressively. Since Reading Comprehension carries the highest weightage, mastering RC through consistent reading practice and exposure to abstract themes is essential. Mock analysis is critical—identify whether errors come from misreading, poor elimination, or time pressure. To score 40+ marks, avoid ego-driven attempts, manage time strictly, and trust systematic option elimination. In the long term, focus on building a strong reading habit; in the short term, refine strategy and execution for maximum efficiency. The CAT 2026 VARC strategy should be ready with every aspirant.
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Hello
If you are looking to take admission in the MBA programme with a CAT score of 73, check out the list of MBA Colleges accepting 70-80 percentile .
All the best!
You can find all the information here:
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Hi Minakshi,
You can find the details related to IIM Kashipur admission criteria by clicking on the link below:
Dear Saloni,
May i know which college you are looking to apply for? Because the MBA fee varies from one college to another. Please check MBA fees colleges wise here:
MBA Fees in India 2025: Top Colleges, Fee Structure, Courses, Cost of MBA
Admission to IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade) for its flagship MBA (International Business) is generally through the CAT exam (as per the latest admission process), and there is no regular direct admission without an entrance test. However, executive or certificate courses may have different criteria. With Bcom (Foreign Trade)
Popular CAT Questions
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 ?
Option: 1
September 2020
Option: 2
May 2021
Option: 3
January 2021
Option: 4
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 ?
Option: 1 None
Option: 2 None
Option: 3 None
Option: 4 None
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