CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Topics, Preparation Tips & Best Books

CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Topics, Preparation Tips & Best Books

Ongoing Event

CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 21 Aug 2025, 03:24 PM IST

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.

This Story also Contains

  1. CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus
  2. Most Important VARC MCQs for CAT 2025 Exam
  3. CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2025
  4. How to Prepare for CAT VARC Exam 2025?
  5. Best Books for CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension 2025
  6. CAT Exam Date 2025
  7. CAT Exam Pattern 2025
CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Topics, Preparation Tips & Best Books
CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus

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

  • 53 minutes and 20 seconds for PwD Candidates
  • 40 Minutes for other

Type of Questions

MCQs and TITA Questions (Both)

Marking Scheme for MCQs

  • 3 marks for the correct answer
  • -1 mark for an incorrect answer
  • No marks for unattempted questions

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
Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026

Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024

IBSAT 2025-ICFAI Business School MBA/PGPM 2026

IBSAT 2025-Your gateway to MBA/PGPM @ IBS Hyderabad and 8 other IBS campuses | Scholarships worth 10 CR

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Carefully solve sample papers of CAT to get a gist of the types of questions that are likely to be asked.
  3. Take the CAT mock test on a regular basis to gauge the preparation level or to know CAT important topics for preparation.
  4. Try to add new 5-10 words new on a daily basis to improve your vocabulary along with their synonyms and antonyms.
  5. Keep in mind to focus on time management of CAT as this can swap the game completely if not held onto carefully.
  6. If you feel bored reading all the time, try watching movies with English subtitles to make VARC section preparation effective.
CAT 2025: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages
Comprehensive CAT prep guide with focused practice on Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Download Now

Quick Links -

XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2026

75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools | Apply now

Symbiosis MBA - SNAP 2025

1 Exam accepted by 17 Top Symbiosis Institutes for 29 MBA programmes.

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

Also Read-

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 TypeNumber of QuestionsDifficulty Level
Para Formation Questions (PFQs)2Moderate-Difficult
Sentence Placement2Moderate
Sentence Placement2Moderate
Para Summary2Moderate
Para Odd Man Out2Moderate


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
4- Doable

2

Netflix Dubbing of titles for Europe- Good or Bad for Europe?

4

Easy to
Moderate

400-450 words
3 Doable

3

Liberalism is Dying

4

Moderate to Difficult

400-450 words
2- Doable, 2- Difficult

4

Facts & Interpretation in History

4

Easy

400-450 words
2- Doable, 2- Difficult

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
3- Doable, 1- Difficult

2

Cultural Property Law → Exploration of Sites

4

Easy to

Moderate

400-450 words
2- Doable, 2- Moderate - Difficult

3

Nutmeg Curse→ Environment Degradation

4

Moderate

400-450 words
3- Doable, 1- Difficult

4

Rational Thinking

4

Moderate

400-450 words
2- Doable, 2- Moderate - Difficult

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 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
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
Articles
|
Next
Certifications By Top Providers
Online MBA Business Analytics
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
Online MBA
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Management of Commercial Banking
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Marketing Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Online MBA
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology
Udemy
 703 courses
Edx
 467 courses
Swayam
 236 courses
Emeritus
 231 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
University of Essex, Colchester
Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
University of Reading, Reading
Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Yes, you can fill the CAT form even if you currently have a backlog. CAT eligibility requires you to be in your final year of graduation or already graduated backlogs don’t stop you from applying.

While filling the form:

  • Enter the aggregate percentage/CGPA of marks you have obtained up to the latest semester for which results are declared (in your case till 4th semester).

  • There will be an option to mention that you have a backlog.

  • If you clear the backlog later, you’ll just need to show the updated marks during admission.

Hello Aspirant,

Yes, you can apply for the CAT exam as a final-year student. You must declare your backlog on the online application form. You do not write about it on the final-year student certificate; that document is to certify your enrollment status. You must clear all backlogs before the final admission process to any MBA college.

Hello,

Thank you for your question!

KL- MAT syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English/Verbal Ability, and General Awareness (similar to MAT/CMAT pattern).

CAT scores are valid in many private universities including KL University, but always check the year’s admission notification.

CAT vs other exams: CAT is toughest (IIMs + top B-schools), while MAT/CMAT/ATMA are relatively easier and accepted by many mid-level private universities.

Hello it will clear your doubt!

Hello Aspirant,

  1. I saw a cat. The cat found an old map inside a drawer of the king's palace.

Here's why:

  • "a cat": It's the first time we mention the cat, so it's indefinite.

  • "The cat": Now we're talking about that specific cat we just mentioned, so it's definite.

  • "an old map": It's the first time we mention a map, and "old" starts with a vowel sound, so "an."

  • "a drawer": It's one of possibly many drawers, not a specific one known to us yet.

  • "the king's palace": This is a specific, unique place, so "the."

Hello Kapish

You can find the last 5 year questions of DILR for CAT at Careers360 website. Moreover, you can find the previous year papers of all the subjects i.e. DILR, Quants and VARC. I am attaching the link through which you would be able to access the same.

Here's the link: CAT Previous Year Papers by CAREERS360
Sample paper of DILR: CAT Sample Paper (DILR) by CAREERS360

Thank You!!!