XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2027
75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools
Many CAT aspirants assume that boosting English is just about reading more, but VARC really asks for more than mere vocabulary or grammar. Like ok you need to know words, sure, but also you have to grok the syllabus, watch the question trends, and understand topic-wise weightage, that is what makes a real difference. Since CAT 2026 exam expected to be conducted in November 2026, now is the right time to see what the VARC section actually checks. In this article, you’ll see the full CAT English syllabus, the key areas to focus on, the expected weightage, and the question patterns too, so you can prep with more clarity and not just guess.
This Story also Contains
The VARC section of the CAT exam contains the most questions and therefore holds the largest weightage among the three sections. The VARC sections are also considered to be the highest-scoring ones because of the reading passages. The total number of questions in the VARC section is 24. The detailed weightage and marks for the VARC section in the CAT exam are given below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
CAT Exam Section | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
Total VARC Questions | 24 |
Total Marks | 72 |
Marking Scheme |
|
Time | 40 minutes |
Completing the English CAT syllabus can often seem like too much to study. Therefore, candidates need to get the important topics to study for the VARC section of the CAT exam. These important topics are the ones from which most of the questions are formulated in the VARC section. The list of the important topics from the CAT English syllabus for the VARC section of the CAT exam is provided in the table below.
CAT Exam Section | CAT English Syllabus Important Topics |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
The entire CAT English syllabus can be divided into the following four parts:
The weightage of each of these areas of the CAT English syllabus in the CAT exam is given in the table below.
Areas of CAT English Syllabus | Weightage |
Reading Comprehension | 66.7% |
VA- Para Jumbles | 12.5% |
VA- Odd Sentence | 8.3% |
VA- Summary | 12.5% |
Also See:
Avoiding common mistakes during your preparation can significantly improve your performance in the CAT VARC section. Many aspirants focus only on solving questions without analysing their approach, which often leads to repeated errors. Here are some mistakes you should avoid while preparing for CAT 2026 VARC.
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is reading passages quickly without understanding the author's main idea. Focus on comprehension rather than speed. Pay attention to the tone, central argument, and supporting details while reading.
Reading Comprehension carries the highest weightage in the CAT VARC section. Ignoring RC or practising it occasionally can reduce your overall score. Make RC practice a regular part of your daily preparation.
Do not spend excessive time on a difficult passage. If a passage seems confusing, move to the next one and return later if time permits. Effective time management is essential during the exam.
Simply taking mock tests is not enough. Analyse every mock test to identify your mistakes, understand why you selected the wrong answers, and work on improving your weak areas.
Type In The Answer (TITA) questions do not have negative marking. Many candidates either skip them or do not practise them enough. Regular practice can help you maximise your score in this question type.
Scoring a 99+ percentile in CAT VARC requires consistent reading habits, regular practice, and thorough mock test analysis. Following a disciplined preparation strategy can improve both your accuracy and speed.
Develop the habit of reading editorials from reputed newspapers and magazines. This improves reading speed, vocabulary, comprehension, and familiarity with diverse topics.
Solve at least two to three Reading Comprehension passages daily from different topics such as philosophy, economics, science, history, and sociology to improve adaptability.
Previous year CAT questions help you understand the actual exam pattern, difficulty level, and frequently tested concepts. They also familiarise you with the style of CAT VARC questions.
After every mock test, review every question carefully. Identify your strengths, understand your mistakes, and modify your strategy accordingly instead of simply checking your score.
Increasing reading speed is important, but not at the cost of understanding the passage. Focus on reading efficiently while accurately identifying the author's tone, purpose, and key arguments.
The CAT VARC section has remained largely consistent over the past few years. Reading Comprehension continues to dominate the section, followed by Verbal Ability questions such as Para Summary, Para Jumbles, and Odd One Out.
| Year | Reading Comprehension (RC) | Para Summary | Para Jumbles | Odd One Out / TITA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| CAT 2024 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| CAT 2023 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Ranked among top 10 B-Schools in India by multiple publications | Top Recruiters-Google, MicKinsey, Amazon, BCG & many more.
400+ Recruiters | Highest CTC 25 LPA | Average CTC 8 LPA | 92% Placements in 2025 | Ranked as Platinum Institute | Awarded Best Business School of the Year
A high VARC score comes from improving reading ability, verbal reasoning, and consistent practice. These books are widely recommended by CAT toppers and mentors for mastering the section.
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Why You Should Read It |
|---|---|---|
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | Builds vocabulary through simple, structured lessons. |
| High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin | Strengthens grammar fundamentals and sentence structure. |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | Covers all VARC topics with CAT-level practice questions. |
| How to Prepare for VARC for CAT | Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay | Provides concept-building, strategies, and extensive practice sets. |
| 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis | Helps improve vocabulary for Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. |
| CAT Previous Year Question Papers | IIMs (Compiled by Various Publishers) | The best resource for understanding actual CAT VARC question patterns and difficulty level. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The English section of the CAT exam is Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). It consists of 24 questions with a total mark of 72. The VARC section consists of questions across topics like vocabulary, grammatical knowledge, sentence building, and reading ability.
The total number of questions in the VARC section of the CAT exam is 24. Each question carries 3 marks. The total marks of the VARC section are 72 out of the 198 total marks of the CAT exam.
The difficulty level of English in the CAT exam can be considered between moderate to difficult. The difficulty level remains high as it is the topmost management entrance examination in the country. Apart from that it is also a scoring opportunity for the candidates as it contains the most number of questions among all the sections.
The sectional cutoff for English in CAT remains between 70 to 80 for most of the IIMs. It may vary for reserved categories. Clearing the sectional cutoff for English is mandatory for every candidate to be eligible for applying to the IIMs.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Yes, MBBS and BDS seats are available through Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat (KSB) for wards of categories of Defence personnel. You can check more at ksb.gov.in/admission-mbbs-bds-colleges.htm.htm
Hello Dear Student,
An SC rank of 82 in a Common Entrance Test (CET) is highly competitive and typically guarantees admission into top-tier state universities, central universities, or highly-ranked private institutions. Whether a specific seat is currently available depends directly on the exact university's counselling schedule. Many institutes require you
If by OC you mean Open Category/General category in India, and you have 95%+ throughout your academics (Class 10, Class 12, and graduation) , then your CAT percentile target depends on the B-schools you're aiming for.
Here's a general guideline:
| Target B-school | Safe CAT Percentile (General Category) |
|---|---|
| Indian Institute of |
Hello Dear Student,
Low-Tier IIIT CSE vs Jadavpur University B.Arch (for MBA Aspirants)
If your primary goal is to pursue an MBA later, switching from CSE at a lower-tier IIIT to B.Arch at Jadavpur University solely for academic diversity is generally not the best strategy.
B.Arch and MBA Preparation
Hello Dear Student,
EWS eligibility for CAT 2025-26 hinges on current financial records, but a renewed certificate is required for final IIM admissions. If future income exceeds the 8 lakh threshold, candidates will likely lose EWS status and be reclassified to the General category rather than facing seat cancellation.
Hope
75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools
13-hour master class to help you score 99+ percentile in CAT 2026
NAAC A++ Grade | AACSB Accredited | 75,000+ Alumni
Get Real CAT-like Experience | Attend Mock Test on 8th & 9th August 2026 | Timings: 8:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 4:30 PM
Recognized as Category-1 Deemed to be University by UGC | 41,000 + Alumni Imprints Globally | Students from over 20+ countries
4000+ Placements to date | 6000+ Students | Advanced applied research, patents, and partnerships