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How to Attempt CAT 2025 VARC Section: Strategy, Time Management & Accuracy Tips
Ongoing Event
CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25
The Verbal Ability segment is often underestimated, as many aspirants see it as a simple review of school English. However, it involves more than grammar and vocabulary. Candidates often think that fluency in English guarantees high scores in verbal sections, but these tests require precision, logic, and contextual understanding. With careful practice and clear guidance, this section can be a scoring opportunity for aspirants. In this article, we will outline how to attempt the CAT 2025 VARC Section.
This Story also Contains
- Best Approach for CAT VARC Section
- CAT VARC Section Overview
- Key Strategies to Approach the CAT 2025 VARC Section
- VARC Strategy CAT 2025: Balancing Speed and Accuracy
- How to Attempt the VARC Section in CAT 2025: Step-by-Step Guide
- CAT 2025 VARC: Accuracy vs Speed
- How Accuracy Can Boost Your CAT VARC Score
- Common VARC Mistakes to Avoid
- How Reading Widely Improves Your CAT VARC Performance
Best Approach for CAT VARC Section
The VARC section has equal weight with Quantitative Ability (QA) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), accounting for a third of your overall CAT score. Its significance goes beyond numbers:
Sectional Cut-offs: Most IIMs enforce sectional cut-offs, requiring a minimum score in each section. A weak VARC performance can disqualify you, regardless of your performance elsewhere.
Percentile Impact: Since CAT VARC questions often have multiple plausible answers, the scoring becomes more nuanced. Students who master the art of selecting the "best" answer consistently outperform those who rely on intuition.
Foundation for MBA Success: The skills tested in VARC – critical reading, logical reasoning, and effective communication – are fundamental to MBA coursework and business leadership.
Competitive Advantage: While many students focus heavily on quantitative sections, excelling in VARC can provide a significant competitive edge, especially for those from non-English medium backgrounds.
CAT VARC Section Overview
The verbal ability and reading comprehension section of the CAT exam plays a key role in determining the CAT exam success of the candidates. The candidates are asked 24 questions under this section, and there exists a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. The important insights into the CAT VARC section are provided below for the reference of the candidates. Compared to the other sections, the CAT VARC syllabus is not very broad.
Component | Number of Questions | Type | Weightage |
Reading Comprehension | 16 | MCQs | ~66% |
Verbal Ability | 8 | TITA + MCQs | ~34% |
Note: There can be some CAT TITA questions (Type in the answer) in Verbal Ability that have no negative marking, making them excellent opportunities to score.
Question Types to Explore:
Question Type | Format | Expected Number of Questions |
Para Jumbles | TITA | 2 to 3 |
Para Summary | MCQ | 2 to 3 |
Odd-One-Out | TITA | 2 to 3 |
The question types you can expect include:
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with four options
Type in the Answer (TITA) questions requiring you to enter the answer directly
Questions testing inference, main idea, tone, and the author's perspective
Para-jumble questions requiring logical sequencing
Key Strategies to Approach the CAT 2025 VARC Section
To succeed in the VARC section, a systematic approach is essential rather than relying on random attempts. The best strategy consists of three key phases:
Pre-reading Phase:
Before delving into the passages, spend 2-3 minutes scanning all the questions. This will help you understand the section's difficulty level and plan the order in which to tackle the questions. This initial assessment allows you to identify easier passages and allocate your time effectively.
Active Reading Phase:
Develop an active reading technique that encourages you to engage with the text rather than passively consume it. This involves:
Identifying the main theme in the first paragraph
Noting transition words that indicate shifts in the argument
Recognising the author's tone and perspective
Creating mental maps to understand the structure of the argument
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 NowStrategic Answering Phase:
Answer the questions systematically, starting with direct factual questions before moving on to inferential ones. Always refer back to the passage to verify your answers instead of relying solely on memory.
Recommended eBooks
Related eBooks & Sample Papers
VARC Strategy CAT 2025: Balancing Speed and Accuracy
The ongoing dilemma in the CAT VARC preparation is whether to prioritise speed or accuracy. The best approach requires a balanced strategy:
Strategy | Details |
Quality over Quantity | Attempting 18–20 questions with 80–85% accuracy is more effective than attempting all 24 with only 60–65% accuracy due to negative marking. |
Time Allocation | - 28–30 minutes on RCs (approx. 7–8 mins per passage) - 8–10 minutes on VA questions - 2–3 minutes for review or educated guesses |
Adaptive Approach | Skip tough passages initially and return later. Focus first on easier sections to save time and maintain exam momentum. |
How to Attempt the VARC Section in CAT 2025: Step-by-Step Guide
Often, the candidates with low language skills feel the heat while attempting the CAT VARC section. This is because the lack of good CAT VARC preparation might lead to underperformance in the CAT examination. Due to this, the candidates might perform poorly on the CAT exam day and end up with a below-par CAT percentile score. This section explains the step-by-step process to ace the CAT exam preparation and secure a good score in the examination.
Step 1: Time Management in VARC for the CAT Exam
Effective CAT time management in the VARC section begins with knowing your personal reading speed and comprehension level. Most successful CAT candidates read at a pace of 200-250 words per minute while maintaining good comprehension.
Initial Assessment (2 minutes):
Quickly scan all the passages to understand their difficulty levels. Consider the following factors:
- Passage length and complexity
- Familiar versus unfamiliar topics
- Types of questions and their difficulty
Passage Selection Strategy:
Start with passages on familiar topics or those that seem more structured. Save abstract philosophical texts or highly technical passages for later.
Time Tracking:
Monitor your progress every 10 minutes. If you find yourself spending more than 8 minutes on a single passage, move on and plan to return to it if time allows.
Example Time Distribution
Time Frame | Task |
Minutes 1–2 | Overview of the section and planning |
Minutes 3–10 | First RC passage (easier topic) |
Minutes 11–18 | Second RC passage |
Minutes 19–26 | Third RC passage |
Minutes 27–34 | Verbal Ability (VA) questions |
Minutes 35–38 | Fourth RC passage (if time permits) |
Minutes 39–40 | Final review and guessing |
Step 2: Understanding the Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA) Sections
RC passages in the CAT are usually 300-500 words long and cover a wide range of subjects. It's important to remember that you're not required to become an expert on the topic; instead, your goal is to understand the author's argument and perspective.
Common RC Question Types:
Fact-Based Questions: These questions require candidates to identify direct answers from the passage.
Inference Questions: Candidates must draw logical conclusions based on the content of the passage.
Vocabulary-Based Questions: These inquiries assess the understanding of word meanings within context.
Tone and Attitude Questions: Candidates need to evaluate the author's perspective and writing style.
Main Idea Questions: These questions prompt candidates to ascertain the central theme of the passage.
Logical Structure Questions: These items examine the flow and organisation of the passage.
Among all question types, identifying the main idea is the most essential. If someone has difficulty understanding the main idea of a passage, they are likely to face challenges with the ensuing questions as well. Thus, the primary emphasis should be on comprehending the main idea of the text. For the last few years, Double Negative questions have been playing a vital role, so understanding the questions is very important to gain accuracy.
CAT Reading Comprehension Strategies
First, skim the entire passage once to decide whether to attempt or not, and also note the area.
Understand the structure: introduction → body → conclusion. Because it will help you comprehend the text more closely.
Pay attention to the transition: The candidates must pay attention to transition words such as "however," "on the other hand," and "therefore."
Identify the Main Idea First for Better Reasoning
For Example, in a passage about climate change scepticism, if the author presents both sides but ultimately supports renewable energy, the tone might be "balanced but persuasive. So be careful about authors' opinions and the philosophical ideas behind the writing.
Para Jumbles (TITA)
The target is to get an idea about the main topic, then look for connectors, chronology, and pronoun references. Try to get the flow from the author's point of view and find the correct connection.
Example:
Statements:
1. A new study suggests that sleep improves memory.
2. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in this process.
3. During deep sleep, neural connections strengthen.
4. Scientists have long wondered about the connection between sleep and cognition.
Correct order: 4 – 1 – 3 – 2
Odd-One-Out
It revolves around the same theme as a para jumble, and
then eliminates the line that breaks the flow or theme. This line is completely misplaced in the logic.
Para Summary
To understand the passage, identify the main idea. Select the option that encompasses all key points in a neutral tone.
Determine the argument or core claim.
Eliminate answer choices that:
Emphasise a single point excessively
Introduce irrelevant information
Alter the author's tone
Example Analysis: Consider a passage about artificial intelligence ethics. The structure might be:
Paragraph 1: Introduction to AI ethics concerns
Paragraph 2: Current regulatory challenges
Paragraph 3: Proposed solutions and their limitations
Paragraph 4: Author's perspective on the way forward
Tips for Answering RC Questions Effectively
Read Questions First Strategy
Eliminate Obviously Wrong Options
Look for Extreme Language, Understand Question Stems
Practice with Diverse Topics
CAT 2025 VARC: Accuracy vs Speed
The Main Idea-based question is the most critical type to master. Struggling to identify the main idea often leads to difficulties with subsequent questions, making it essential to grasp the main idea of the text.
For Verbal Ability (VA), important skills include: - Identifying topic sentences - Linking ideas logically - Understanding pronoun references - Detecting cause-and-effect relationships - Recognizing chronological sequences
For Reading Comprehension (RC), focus on: - Fact-Based Questions: Finding direct answers in the passage - Inference Questions: Drawing logical conclusions - Vocabulary Questions: Understanding context-specific meanings - Tone and Attitude Questions: Evaluating the author’s perspective - Main Idea Questions: Identifying the central theme
Logical Structure Questions: Assessing the passage's flow Mastering the main idea is crucial for answering other questions effectively.
How Accuracy Can Boost Your CAT VARC Score
Accuracy is very necessary in the CAT preparation of the candidates. A candidate can attempt a lot of questions in the CAT exam, but without accuracy, all they would muster is negative marks. Consider two scenarios:
Scenario A: 24 questions attempted, 15 correct, 9 incorrect = 15 - 9 = 6 marks
Scenario B: 18 questions attempted, 16 correct, 2 incorrect = 16 - 2 = 14 marks
Scenario B, despite attempting fewer questions, yields a significantly higher score. This demonstrates why accuracy should be your primary focus.
Accuracy Improvement Techniques:
Read answer choices carefully before selecting
Return to the passage to verify your answers
Don't rely solely on memory for specific details
Be wary of options that seem too obvious or too clever
Practice identifying trap answers in mock tests
VARC Attempt Sequence: Deciding the Order of Questions
There is no set rule that one will with RC or VA; rather, it depends on your strengths, but here's a general framework:
Start with Strengths:
Consider Question Difficulty
Time Sensitivity
Recommended Sequence for Most Students/VARC Attempt Sequence
Quick scan of all questions (2 minutes)
Easiest RC passage (7-8 minutes)
VA questions (8-10 minutes)
Second RC passage (7-8 minutes)
Third RC passage (7-8 minutes)
Most difficult RC passage if time permits (5-7 minutes)
Review and educated guessing (2-3 minutes)
Common VARC Mistakes to Avoid
Due to the presence of complex passages and confusing verbal ability questions, it is possible that the candidates might make common CAT mistakes under the VARC section of the CAT examination. The candidates should attempt as many CAT mock tests, CAT sample papers and also try to solve a lot of CAT previous year question papers to find out the common mistakes that they may make. The candidates should then try to reduce the number of mistakes during the actual CAT exam. A few of the strategies that they can follow to avoid repeating the same mistakes on the CAT exam day is listed below.
Mark and Move Strategy: If you're unsure about an answer after reasonable consideration, mark your best guess and move on. Return if time permits.
Confidence-Based Attempt: Develop a system to categorise questions:
Green: Confident about the answer
Yellow: Moderately confident, worth reviewing
Red: Unsure, attempt only if time permits
Avoid Perfectionism: Don't spend excessive time perfecting one answer at the cost of attempting other questions.
Strategic Omission: It's better to leave a question unanswered than to guess randomly, especially if you cannot eliminate any options.
Effective Reading Habits for CAT 2025 VARC Preparation
To improve your reading skills for the CAT Reading section, consider these recommended materials:
Newspaper Articles: Regularly read stories from respected newspapers like The Guardian, The New York Times, or The BBC. Newspapers cover a wide range of topics, helping you become familiar with different types of writing.
Periodicals: Browse magazines that cover a range of subjects, including current events, science, and culture. They often present information in an engaging and informative way.
Scholarly Books: Practice reading passages from academic texts or textbooks. This will expose you to complex language and academic terminology.
Brief Narratives: Read short stories to improve your understanding of characters and storylines. This can help you answer questions about the main ideas in a passage.
Science Reports: Read research papers and scientific articles. You will often find this type of content in the Academic Reading section of the CAT, helping you get comfortable with technical language.
Articles about History and Culture: Read articles on customs, culture, and history. These topics frequently appear in the CAT Reading section and will help you understand passages covering historical events or cultural practices.
Literary Works: Include literary fiction in your reading list. Stories and novels can help you improve your skills in understanding and analysing complex narratives.
How Reading Widely Improves Your CAT VARC Performance
Regular reading offers numerous benefits that enhance both language skills and critical thinking. By exposing yourself to a variety of texts, you naturally expand your vocabulary, learning new words in context—this is especially helpful when you encounter complex terms like "ubiquitous" or "nuanced." Additionally, engaging with diverse publications allows for pattern recognition, helping you quickly identify different writing styles and structures in arguments. This background knowledge on topics such as climate change or artificial intelligence enables you to understand new material more swiftly. Furthermore, consistent reading contributes to the development of speed, crucial for exams like the CAT, while ensuring comprehension. Ultimately, interacting with a range of viewpoints fosters critical thinking, empowering you to analyse arguments effectively and spot logical fallacies.
Example Reading Plan:
Weeks | Reading Focus |
Week 1–2 | Focus on newspaper editorials and opinion pieces |
Week 3–4 | Add magazine articles on science and technology |
Week 5–6 | Incorporate business and economic publications |
Week 7–8 | Include philosophy and social science texts |
Week 9–10 | Review and reinforce with CAT-specific passages |
Improvement takes time, so be patient with yourself. Consistent and focused practice, along with diverse listening materials, will lead to noticeable progress over time. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the best way to approach Para Jumbles and Odd-One-Out?
A:
Response:
Look for connectors, chronology, pronouns, and logical flow. In Odd-One-Out, eliminate the sentence that doesn’t match the theme or disrupts coherence.
Q: How do I improve my RC performance?
A:
Response:
Practice active reading, focus on the main idea, the author’s tone, and logical structure. Read diverse content (editorials, philosophy, science, history) regularly to improve comprehension and speed.
Q: Is it better to attempt all 24 questions or focus on accuracy?
A:
Response:
Accuracy matters more. Attempting 18–20 questions with 80–85% accuracy will fetch a better score than attempting all 24 with low accuracy due to negative marking.
Q: How can I manage time effectively in the VARC section?
A:
Divide the 40 minutes as follows:
28–30 mins for RCs (7–8 mins each)
8–10 mins for VA
2–3 mins for final review or guessing
Track time after each passage to stay on pace.
Q: Should I attempt RC or VA first in the CAT VARC section?
A:
Response:
Start with your strength area—either RC or VA. However, most toppers begin with an easy RC passage, then move to VA questions, and come back to the tougher RCs if time permits.
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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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