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CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Topics, Preparation Tips & Best Books
CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Syllabus 2025 - The CAT 2025 exam consists of three subjects, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Candidates who are planning to appear in the CAT 2025 exam must be familiar with the fact that CAT conducting body will not provide any official CAT syllabus. So candidates must know the complete CAT 2025 VARC syllabus, preparation tips and best books to prepare for the CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section.
LiveIIM CAT 2025 Result (OUT) LIVE: MBA admission criteria for IIMs; CAT score weightage, cut-offsDec 26, 2025 | 11:01 PM ISTRead More
IIM Kozhikode will retain its three-stage admission process for the MBA (PGP) 2026–28 batch, with CAT 2025 scores carrying a final weightage of 35 percent. The minimum overall CAT cut-off for general category candidates remains at 85 percentile, with sectional qualifying scores required in VARC, DILR, and QA. Shortlisting of candidates will be based on CAT performance, academic record, and personal interview rounds.
This Story also Contains
- CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus
- Most Important VARC MCQs for CAT 2025 Exam
- CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2025
- How to Prepare for CAT VARC Exam 2025?
- Best Books for CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension 2025
- CAT Exam Date 2025
- CAT Exam Pattern 2025
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CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus
Careers360 brings to you details of CAT, exam dates, features of the VARC section, major topics along with an expected number of questions in this article of the CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus. Along with that, the major preparation tips to be followed to ace the VARC section, and the best books are also provided in this article.
Most Important VARC MCQs for CAT 2025 Exam
Exam Pattern of CAT VARC Section:
Particulars | Details |
Sectional Time Duration for VARC |
|
Type of Questions | MCQs and TITA Questions (Both) |
Marking Scheme for MCQs |
|
Marking Scheme for TITA Questions | No negative marking |
Difficulty Level | Moderately to High |
CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2025
The very first section that candidates see in the CAT 2025 exam is the VARC section out of the three. For the VARC section, candidates are expected to select passages carefully and answer accurately. The questions in the VARC section are divided into both MCQs and TITA Questions. As of now, every year 10 questions from Verbal Ability are asked and the remaining are from the reading comprehension part.
CAT Verbal Ability syllabus 2025 aims to test candidates on grammar and Verbal Reasoning, Error Correction, Facts, inference or judgment, comprehension, vocabulary, para summary and related topics.
Quick Link - How to tackle TITA questions in CAT
CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus
Particulars | Details |
Type of questions in Verbal Ability | Both MCQs and TITA (Non-MCQs) |
Type of questions in Reading comprehension | MCQs only |
Total MCQs in verbal ability | 10 |
Total questions in Reading comprehension | 24 |
Related CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus: Important Topics
- Inferential Logical Reasoning
- Para Jumbles
- Summary
- Contextual usage
- Idioms
- One word substitution
- Sentence completion
- Misfit/Out of Context sentence
- Paragraph Completion
- Vocabulary
How to Prepare for CAT VARC Exam 2025?
As mentioned earlier, the official CAT 2025 VARC syllabus has not been released officially. On the basis of the previous year's question papers of CAT, sample papers and expert advice candidates can get to know what topics are to be asked from the CAT verbal ability and reading comprehension syllabus of CAT 2025. Every registered candidate wants to make it to IIMs but the question is How To Crack CAT? If we look closely, a few topics in the VARC section are very important and repeated every year in the question paper differently.
As per the exam pattern of CAT 2025, out of all questions in this section, some questions will be in a non-MCQ format which means candidates will have to answer the questions without any choices. Here are some major tips for CAT toppers that will help the candidates to score well in the CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section:
- One of the toppers of CAT suggests future candidates read more and more newspapers and novels on a daily basis. This would surely help in improving the vocabulary for the VARC section. No doubt that the VARC section could be a tough nut to crack.
- Carefully solve sample papers of CAT to get a gist of the types of questions that are likely to be asked.
- Take the CAT mock test on a regular basis to gauge the preparation level or to know CAT important topics for preparation.
- Try to add new 5-10 words new on a daily basis to improve your vocabulary along with their synonyms and antonyms.
- Keep in mind to focus on time management of CAT as this can swap the game completely if not held onto carefully.
- If you feel bored reading all the time, try watching movies with English subtitles to make VARC section preparation effective.
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.
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Best Books for CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension 2025
Book Title | Author/Publisher |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
High School Grammar and Composition | Wren and Martin |
How to Prepare for Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability for the CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay |
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CAT Exam Date 2025
In order to be familiar with when and how to start preparation for CAT, it is important for candidates to be aware of the exam dates of CAT. Details of notification, start and end of registration and other events regarding CAT 2025 are mentioned in this section. CAT 2025 entrance exam will be held on November 30, 2025.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
To form a preparation plan for the CAT 2025 exam, candidates must be aware of the type of questions asked, total time duration, marking scheme and related information. Such details are provided under the exam pattern of CAT. Given below is the CAT 2025 exam pattern for the VARC section.
CAT Slot 1 Analysis - VARC Section
The complete VARC section was moderately difficult in CAT 2023. VARC section of CAT slot 1 exam consisted of questions from para jumbles with 2 questions, sentence filling, 2 odd one out and 2 summary questions. There were 4 reading comprehension with 16 questions and 8 questions from verbal ability section.
According to the CAT slot 1 analysis the distribution of the questions in the Verbal Ability area is as below –
| Question Type | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Para Formation Questions (PFQs) | 2 | Moderate-Difficult |
| Sentence Placement | 2 | Moderate |
| Sentence Placement | 2 | Moderate |
| Para Summary | 2 | Moderate |
| Para Odd Man Out | 2 | Moderate |
CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis
CAT 2023 slot 2 analysis (VARC section)- The difficulty level of VARC section of CAT slot 2 exam was easy to moderate. As per the CAT 2023 slot 2 analysis, the VARC section had doable questions. There were 4 RC passages, 2 questions from para completion and 4 questions from para jumbles.
CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: Reading Comprehension
Passage Number | Passage – Topic/ Area | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Description/ Doable |
1 | Garments/ fashion Industry & Pollution | 4 | Easy to Moderate | 400-450 wordsS |
2 | Netflix Dubbing of titles for Europe- Good or Bad for Europe? | 4 | Easy to | 400-450 words |
3 | Liberalism is Dying | 4 | Moderate to Difficult | 400-450 words |
4 | Facts & Interpretation in History | 4 | Easy | 400-450 words |
Total | 16 | Moderate | Easier than CAT 2022 |
CAT 2023 Slot 2 Analysis: Verbal Ability
Question Type | Easy | Moderate | Difficult | Total |
Para Summary | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Odd Sentence | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Para Completion | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Para Jumbles | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Total | 2 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
CAT 2023 Slot 3 Analysis
CAT slot 3 analysis VARC section- The VARC section of CAT 2023 slot 3 was moderate to difficult. There were 4 RC and 4 questions. Questions came from para jumbles, summary and para completion.
CAT 2023 Slot 3 Analysis: Reading Comprehension
Passage Number | Passage – Topic/ Area | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Description/ Doable |
1 | Romantic Aesthetics/ Philosophy | 4 | Difficult to comprehend/read | 400-450 words |
2 | Cultural Property Law → Exploration of Sites | 4 | Easy to Moderate | 400-450 words |
3 | Nutmeg Curse→ Environment Degradation | 4 | Moderate | 400-450 words |
4 | Rational Thinking | 4 | Moderate | 400-450 words |
Total | 16 | Moderate | Easier than CAT 2022 | |
CAT 2023 Slot 3 Analysis: Verbal Ability
Question Type | Easy | Moderate | Difficult | Total |
Para Summary | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Odd Sentence | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Para Completion | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Para Jumbles | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Total | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
CAT 2022 Slot 1 Exam Analysis
As per CAT Exam Analysis 2022 slot 1, the overall difficulty level of the VARC section is moderate. No questions are asked on Odd one out. The paper consists of 3 questions from Para Summary and Para Jumbles and 2 from Fill in the Blanks.
CAT 2022 Slot 2 Exam Analysis
As per CAT Analysis 2022, the RC section had 4 difficult passages, especially one on Institutions. The verbal Ability section was based on Para Summary, Para Completion, and Para Jumbles.
CAT 2022 Slot 3 Exam Analysis
As per CAT 2022 Analysis, the VARC is moderate. The RC passages are easy to read as the options are a little tricky. RC passages VARC topics for CAT are asked from the below topics:
- History - Tricky
- Biology & Tech - Moderate
- Sociology & Anthropology (Great Migration) - Moderate
- Software - Moderate
CAT 2021 Slot 1 Exam Analysis of VARC
Based on the initial reaction of test-takers, the CAT 2021 Slot 1 Exam Analysis of VARC is provided below.
- A maximum number of questions had been asked from RC i.e. a total of 4 sets of RC with 4 questions each were there in Slot 1 paper.
- Along with that 19 MCQ and 5 TITA-type questions were asked in VARC slot 1 paper.
- As per experts the good attempts for slot 1 VARC paper could be around 16 to 18 questions.
- Other than that, 3 questions each were asked from Para jumbles and para summary.
CAT 2021 Slot 2 Exam Analysis of VARC
Based on the initial reaction of test-takers, the CAT 2021 Slot 2 Exam Analysis of VARC is provided below.
- A total of 4 sets of RC with 4 questions each were there in the Slot 2 paper.
- 8 questions were from Verbal Ability.
- Like Slot 1 paper, this slot also had 3 questions each asked from Para jumbles and para summary.
- 2 questions were asked from odd one out topic.
CAT 2021 Slot 3 Exam Analysis of VARC
Based on the initial reaction of test-takers, the CAT 2021 Slot 3 Exam Analysis of VARC is provided below.
- Like slot 1 and 2, slot 3 also had 4 sets of RC with 4 questions each.
- 2 RCs were rated difficult while the other two were doable and easy.
- Again, 3 questions each were asked from Para jumbles and para summary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the topics in Verbal Ability for CAT exam?
A:
The topics in Verbal Ability for CAT exam are:
- Inferential Logical Reasoning
- Para Jumbles
- Summary
- Contextual usage
- Idioms
- One word substitution
- Sentence completion
- Misfit/Out of Context sentence
- Paragraph Completion
- Vocabulary
Q: How to prepare for Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability?
A:
The ways to prepare for Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability:
- read more and more newspapers and novels on a daily basis
- solve sample papers of CAT to get a gist to types of questions
- try to add new 5-10 words new on a daily basis
Q: What is the syllabus of the CAT 2025?
A:
The syllabus of CAT includes verbal ability & reading comprehension (VARC), data interpretation & logical reasoning (DILR), and quantitative aptitude (QA).
Q: How many questions are there in VARC CAT?
A:
As per CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus, this section will have 24 questions.
Q: What is the syllabus of VARC in CAT?
A:
The CAT 2025 VARC syllabus have both MCQs and TITA (Non-MCQs) where every year 10 questions are from Verbal Ability and the remaining are from the reading comprehension part. The topics have been discussed in the article.
Q: What are the topics in Verbal ability and reading comprehension?
A:
The topics include:
- Inferential Logical Reasoning
- Para Jumbles
- Summary
- Contextual usage
- Idioms
- One word substitution
- Sentence completion
- Misfit/Out of Context sentence
- Paragraph Completion
- Vocabulary
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Have a question related to CAT ?
With 84.91 percentile in CAT (General, male, no work experience), top colleges like IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, etc. are not possible. You may get calls from private institutes such as IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, IMI Bhubaneswar, XIME, SDMIMD, Welingkar (some programs) and similar colleges. Universities like Amity or LPU are also options.
It’s better to choose carefully, as placements and ROI may be average. Reattempting CAT or trying XAT/CMAT could improve options.
Hello,
With a CAT percentile of 88.77 and a strong CGPA of 9.0, you are in a competitive range for newer IIMs (like IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Nagpur) and several top non-IIM B-schools such as TAPMI, BIM Trichy, Great Lakes, IMI Delhi, FORE School of Management, and KJ Somaiya. You may not reach the older IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, etc.) since they usually require 98+ percentile, but you have excellent chances at mid-tier and emerging institutes.
For more details access mentioned link below:
Hope it helps.
Hello
The expected cutoff for the JAP (Joint Admission Process) is around 90 to 95th percentile, with a minimum sectional cutoff of around 75 percentile in Quantitative Ability. You have scored 82.2% which is very low; that's why you are unlikely to meet the minimum criteria for the JAP IIMs in the general Category.
I hope this information helps you.
Thank you.
Hello,
Here is your IIM Cutoff for Gen/OBC/SC/ST, CS Score Cut Off. I am providing you the link. Kindly open and check it out. From here you can get all the details.
I hope it will help you.
Thank you.
With a CAT score of around 80 percentile and about 2 years of work experience, getting a call from the top IIMs (IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore) is extremely difficult, as their cutoff percentiles are usually much higher, even for reserved categories. These institutes typically shortlist candidates above 95–99 percentile depending on category, academic profile, and diversity factors.
However, you may still have some chances at a few of the newer or baby IIMs, especially if you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) and have a decent academic background. IIMs such as IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Nagaland, IIM Amritsar, and IIM Vizag have historically called candidates in the 75–85 percentile range for certain categories. Your 2 years of work experience can also work in your favour, as most IIMs give weightage to professional experience during shortlisting and final selection.
That said, selection does not depend on CAT percentile alone. Factors like your 10th and 12th marks, graduation score, academic consistency, gender and academic diversity, work experience quality, and performance in the personal interview play a very important role. Even with an 80 percentile, a strong interview and profile can improve your chances at newer IIMs.
You should also keep strong non-IIM options open. At this percentile, good colleges like newer IIT MBA programs, some NITs, and reputed private B-schools can offer better and more realistic opportunities. Applying broadly and preparing seriously for the interview stage is very important.
In summary, while top IIMs are unlikely at 80 percentile, you may still have a realistic chance at some of the newer IIMs depending on your category and overall profile.
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