BIMTECH PGDM Admissions 2026
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The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is approaching, and mastering the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section is crucial for securing admission to India's top B-schools. The CAT 2025 question paper demonstrated that VARC continues to be a decisive differentiator, with many high scorers attributing their success to strong performance in this section. This comprehensive guide offers a battle-tested CAT VARC preparation strategy for 2026, designed to help you maximize your score through systematic preparation, smart practice, and strategic execution.
Whether you're wondering how to prepare for CAT VARC 2026 from scratch or looking to improve your percentile from the 80s to the 90s, this article covers everything from understanding CAT VARC topic-wise weightage to building daily habits that transform your reading and comprehension abilities. Let's dive into the ultimate preparation framework that will help you achieve success in CAT 2026.
VARC isn't just another section—it's often the make-or-break component of your CAT score. Unlike Quantitative Ability, where formulas can be memorized, or Data Interpretation, where calculation speed matters, VARC tests your ability to think critically, comprehend complex ideas, and make nuanced judgments under time pressure. The CAT 2025 paper showed that candidates who scored in the 99+ percentile overall typically scored in the 95+ percentile in VARC, demonstrating its importance in top-tier admissions.
Top B-schools like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta place significant weightage on CAT VARC scores during shortlisting. A weak VARC score can eliminate you from contention even if your overall percentile is respectable. Additionally, VARC skills directly translate to success in MBA interviews, group discussions, and case studies—making your preparation doubly valuable.
Based on the CAT 2025 paper and historical trends, the CAT 2026 VARC section will likely contain:
Total Questions: 24 questions Time Allocation: 40 minutes Question Distribution:
Reading Comprehension (RC): 16 questions across 4 passages (4 questions per passage)
Verbal Ability (VA): 8 questions covering Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd Sentence Out
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Marking Scheme:
Correct Answer: +3 marks
Wrong Answer: -1 mark
Unattempted: 0 marks
The sectional time limit means you cannot borrow time from other sections, making efficient time management within these 40 minutes absolutely critical. The CAT 2025 paper maintained this pattern, with passages ranging from 400 to 600 words covering diverse topics from philosophy and economics to science and social commentary.
Component | Number of Questions | Weightage | Ideal Time |
Reading Comprehension | 16 | ~67% | 26–28 min |
Verbal Ability | 8 | ~33% | 10–12 min |
Total | 24 | 100% | 40 min |
RC dominates the VARC section with approximately 67% weightage (16 out of 24 questions). Understanding how to prepare for the VARC section for the CAT exam starts with recognizing that RC is your primary battleground. The CAT 2025 paper featured four distinct passages:
Passage 1: Abstract/Philosophical (typically the most challenging)
Passage 2: Social Sciences/Economics
Passage 3: Science/Technology
Passage 4: Contemporary Issues/Business
Each passage tests different skills—inference-making, tone identification, main idea comprehension, detail retention, and critical reasoning. The passages are deliberately chosen to be dense and intellectually demanding, often featuring complex sentence structures and nuanced arguments.
VA constitutes 33% weightage (8 out of 24 questions) and tests your command over language structure and logic. The CAT 2025 paper included:
Para Jumbles (PJ): 3-4 questions requiring you to arrange 4-5 sentences in logical order
Para Summary: 2-3 questions asking you to identify the best one-sentence summary of a paragraph
Odd Sentence Out: 2-3 questions where you identify the sentence that doesn't fit with the others
These question types test your ability to understand logical flow, identify connecting threads between ideas, and recognize coherence patterns—skills that are invaluable for business communication.
Your CAT VARC preparation strategy 2026 should allocate practice time proportional to weightage while accounting for your strengths. If RC is your weakness, dedicate 70% of your VARC study time to it. However, don't neglect VA—these questions are often quicker to solve and can boost your accuracy percentage significantly. The CAT 2025 high scorers typically attempted 18-20 questions with 85-90% accuracy rather than attempting all 24 with lower accuracy.
Your RC strategy should focus on building three core competencies: reading speed with comprehension, question-type recognition, and elimination skills.
Speed Building Phase (Months 1-2): Start with reading diverse, complex articles daily. Target sources like The Economist, Scientific American, and literary journals. Don't just read—time yourself and gradually reduce reading time while maintaining comprehension. Aim to comfortably read 500 words in 2-3 minutes by the end of this phase.
Question-Type Mastery (Months 3-4): Practice passage sets categorized by question types. CAT RC questions fall into predictable categories: main idea, inference, specific detail, tone/attitude, author's purpose, and strengthen/weaken arguments. Learn the markers for each type and develop approach patterns.
Passage-Type Strategy: Different passages require different approaches. For abstract philosophical passages (like those on aesthetics or epistemology seen in CAT 2025), focus on the author's main argument rather than getting lost in examples. For factual passages (science/economics), the details matter more. Adapt your reading intensity accordingly.
VA preparation requires pattern recognition and logical thinking rather than rote learning.
Para Jumbles: Master the "mandatory pair" technique. Look for sentences that must be adjacent—pronouns referring to nouns, continuing thoughts, cause-effect relationships. The CAT 2025 paper featured PJs with clear logical connectors; identifying opening and concluding sentences first narrows down options significantly.
Para Summary: Train yourself to identify the passage's core argument in one reading. The correct summary captures the essence without adding information or being too specific. Practice with 200-word paragraphs and distill them to 25-word summaries daily.
Odd Sentence Out: Look for thematic consistency. The odd sentence either introduces a new idea, contradicts the flow, or discusses a different aspect of the topic. Read all sentences twice before deciding.
Contrary to popular belief, VARC doesn't require exotic vocabulary. The CAT 2025 paper had zero "meaning-based" vocabulary questions. However, contextual vocabulary understanding is crucial for RC comprehension. Build vocabulary through context:
Read extensively and note unfamiliar words
Learn word roots, prefixes, and suffixes (helps decode new words)
Focus on commonly confused CAT Vocabulary words and their nuances
Understand connotations, not just definitions
Create a personal word journal with example sentences rather than isolated definitions. Review this weekly to internalize usage patterns.
Days 1-30 (Foundation Building):
Daily: 60 minutes reading (quality articles, not news)
Daily: 2 RC passages (untimed, focus on complete understanding)
Daily: 5 VA questions (mixed types)
Weekly: 1 full VARC sectional mock
Days 31-60 (Skill Consolidation):
Daily: 45 minutes reading + active note-making
Daily: 3 RC passages (timed: 18 minutes)
Daily: 8 VA questions (timed: 10 minutes)
Weekly: 2 VARC sectional mocks
Days 61-90 (Peak Performance):
Daily: 30 minutes reading (high-complexity content)
Daily: 4 RC passages + 10 VA questions (full mock conditions)
Alternate days: Full CAT mocks
Weekly: Deep error analysis session
Set measurable weekly targets: Week 1 might be "complete 15 RC passages with 70% accuracy," while Week 10 could be "complete 25 passages with 85% accuracy in exam conditions." Track your accuracy, average time per question, and types of errors. The CAT 2025 toppers maintained practice logs showing clear progression.
Arun Sharma's "How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and RC for CAT" (comprehensive practice)
Norman Lewis's "Word Power Made Easy" (vocabulary building)
Previous CAT papers (2015-2025) for authentic question exposure
Nishit Sinha's "Verbal Ability for CAT" (excellent VA practice)
Official CAT mock tests (released by IIMs)
The Economist (business, economics, global affairs)
Scientific American (science, technology)
Arts & Letters Daily (philosophy, arts, criticism)
Aeon Essays (long-form intellectual content)
Avoid depending solely on CAT-specific materials. How to prepare for CAT VARC 2026 effectively means building genuine reading ability, not just test-taking tricks.
Mocks simulate exam pressure and reveal your true preparation level. The CAT 2025 exam pattern shows that mocks are essential for building stamina, testing strategy, and identifying weaknesses. Start sectional VARC mocks from Day 15 and full mocks from Day 45.
After each mock, spend 90 minutes analyzing:
Questions you got wrong: Why did the wrong option seem attractive?
Questions you got right but were unsure: Was it luck or logic?
Questions you didn't attempt: Could you have solved them with more time?
Time distribution: Did you spend 8 minutes on one RC passage while rushing through others?
Create an error categorization system: "inference errors," "didn't understand passage," "silly mistakes," "timing issues." This reveals patterns that generic advice won't address.
Error Type | Example | Correction Method |
Inference error | Assumed beyond passage | Inference-only RC drills |
Elimination failure | Fell for the extreme option | Option analysis practice |
Time mismanagement | 10 min on one RC | Passage rejection training |
Comprehension gap | Misread tone | Slow deep-reading drills |
The CAT 2025 data shows that attempting 18-20 questions with 90% accuracy beats attempting 22-24 with 75% accuracy. Calculate your "sweet spot"—the number of attempts where your accuracy remains above 85%. Most 99+ CAT percentilers attempt 18-20 questions in VARC, not all 24. Quality trumps quantity.
Master the art of eliminating wrong options rather than hunting for the right one. In CAT RC, three options are typically wrong for identifiable reasons:
Out of scope: Introduces information not in the passage
Extreme: Uses words like "always," "never," "only" when the passage is nuanced
Distortion: Twists the passage information subtly
Opposite: States the reverse of what's implied
The CAT 2025 paper featured several questions where the correct answer was the "least wrong" option. Train yourself to spot these patterns.
Inference questions are high-value targets because they're objective once you understand the technique. An inference must be necessarily true based on passage information—it's not a "good guess" but a logical conclusion. Tone questions are similarly objective: authors are rarely "ambivalent" or "neutral" in CAT passages—they usually have definite positions, even if nuanced.
After 10 mocks, your error log will reveal patterns. If you consistently miss "strengthen/weaken" questions, that's a correctable skill gap. If you always get passage-1 wrong, perhaps you should skip it initially. Create targeted correction drills: if inference is weak, solve 50 inference questions in isolation with detailed post-analysis.
Many aspirants read passages 2-3 times, wasting precious minutes. The CAT 2025 pattern demands reading once with high concentration, then referring back for specific questions. Train yourself to absorb on the first read. Use the "paragraph purpose" technique: after each paragraph, mentally note its function in the overall argument.
RC feels more "substantial," so candidates often neglect VA. This is strategic suicide—VA questions are often quicker and more objective. The CAT 2025 toppers solved VA questions first (10-12 minutes) to bank easy marks, then tackled RC.
Reading one day, skipping three days, then binge-practicing doesn't build VARC skills. These are cumulative abilities requiring daily engagement. Even 30 minutes of focused reading daily beats sporadic 3-hour sessions. Your CAT VARC preparation strategy 2026 must include non-negotiable daily practice.
In the last month, switch to exam-simulation mode. Solve complete VARC sections under timed conditions daily. Increase difficulty by using IIM-CAT mocks (harder than commercial mocks). Practice "passage rejection"—identifying which passage to skip based on a 30-second scan.
Solve 200+ VA questions in the final month across all types. Create a "formula sheet" for PJs (common opening patterns, mandatory pairs) and para summaries (how to spot the main argument in 30 seconds). The CAT 2025 VA questions were moderate in difficulty; confidence comes from volume.
Take one full mock every alternate day (total: 15 mocks in the final month). Set progressive score targets: if you're currently at the 85th percentile, target 88 in week 1, 91 in week 2, 94 in week 3, and 96+ in week 4. Treat each mock as the real exam—no breaks, no distractions, same time slot.
Your CAT VARC preparation strategy 2026 culminates here. Trust your preparation, maintain composure, and execute your strategy with precision. Remember, VARC rewards consistent readers and critical thinkers—qualities you've been building over these months.
The CAT 2025 paper proved that with structured preparation, strategic practice, and analytical improvement, any student can master VARC. Your 99th percentile journey begins with the first page you read today. Start now, stay consistent, and watch your VARC scores soar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Response- Dedicate 90-120 minutes daily: 60 minutes for reading quality content (The Economist, Scientific American), 30 minutes for RC passages, and 30 minutes for VA practice. Consistency matters more than total hours—even 60 focused minutes daily builds the cumulative reading ability essential for VARC success.
Response- Attempt 18-20 questions with 85-90% accuracy rather than all 24 with lower accuracy, as quality trumps quantity in VARC scoring. Start with VA questions (10-12 minutes) to bank easy marks, then tackle RC passages, skipping one difficult passage if needed.
Response- Yes, with disciplined execution: Month 1 for foundation building, Month 2 for acceleration with timed practice, and Month 3 for peak performance with daily full sections. Utilise commute time for reading, lunch breaks for VA practice, and early mornings/evenings for focused RC work—consistency is key.
Response- Read The Economist for business/economics, Scientific American for science/technology, Aeon Essays for philosophy, and Arts & Letters Daily for intellectual content. Focus on understanding complex arguments and nuanced writing rather than just completing articles—active comprehension builds the skills tested in CAT 2025 and 2026.
Response- Maintain a detailed error log categorising mistakes (inference errors, elimination failures, time pressure), then create targeted correction drills for weak areas. Implement the "three-elimination rule" (eliminate three options with specific reasons before selecting), reduce attempts by 2-3 questions, and invest saved time in deeper analysis of selected questions.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Here are some top colleges accepting XAT and CAT exams :
Top colleges accepting CAT:
IIMs (All Indian Institutes of Management)
FMS Delhi
SPJIMR Mumbai
MDI Gurgaon
IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)
IIT Delhi (DMS)
IIFT
IMT Ghaziabad
JBIMS Mumbai
Top colleges accepting XAT:
XLRI Jamshedpur
XIMB Bhubaneswar
IMT Ghaziabad
Great
Hi there,
A female candidate with a CAT percentile of 67.97 and low sectional scores should target private and tier-2/3 B-schools that accept overall CAT scores in the 60–70 percentile range and have flexible sectional criteria.
Some suitable options include AIMS Institute Bangalore, Doon Business School Dehradun, Christ Institute of
Hi there,
Yes, you are eligible for XISS Ranchi with a CAT percentile of 67.60.
According to recent admission trends, the CAT cutoff for the PGDM in Human Resource Management for the general category has been around 60 percentile. For other programs such as Marketing, Finance, and Rural Management, the
Hi there,
Careers360 offers a wide range of eBooks and study materials to assist with CAT preparation. You can access past CAT question papers with solutions to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level. Additionally, there are quantitative aptitude handbooks, cheat sheets, and section-specific practice sets for arithmetic, algebra, and
Hi there,
The minimum eligibility criteria for a general candidate to receive a call from IIM Sambalpur are as follows:
VARC: 65%ile
QUANTS: 65%ile
LRDI: 65%ile
Overall: 90%tile
Keep practising and aim to improve your score. You can also focus on other management exams where you may secure a strong
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