CAT VARC preparation should focus on three things: understanding what you read, choosing the right answer option and maintaining accuracy under time pressure. Candidates preparing for CAT 2026 should practise Reading Comprehension regularly, work separately on Verbal Ability questions and start sectional tests once they are comfortable with the main question types.
VARC is not a section where simply reading more books or learning difficult words guarantees a better score. Improvement usually comes from a combination of regular RC practice, careful review of wrong options, steady reading habits and learning when to leave a question instead of forcing an answer.
CAT VARC 2026: What to Prepare
VARC stands for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. The section broadly tests whether a candidate can understand written information, follow an argument, identify the author’s point of view and choose the answer that is best supported by the passage.
Recent CAT papers have given more weight to Reading Comprehension, while the remaining questions have come from Verbal Ability. CAT 2025 had 24 VARC questions, including 16 Reading Comprehension questions and eight Verbal Ability questions. The exact CAT 2026 question mix should be confirmed once the official mock and exam-related information are released.
| VARC Area | What to Practise |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Main idea, inference, tone, author’s view, details and argument |
| Para Summary | Identifying the central idea without adding or missing key points |
| Para Jumbles | Arranging sentences in a logical order |
| Para Completion | Choosing where a sentence or idea fits logically |
| Odd Sentence Out | Finding the sentence that does not fit the paragraph |
Candidates should prepare for VARC through actual CAT-level reading and questions rather than relying heavily on grammar rules or vocabulary lists. The section rewards comprehension and reasoning more than memorisation.
Official source: CAT 2026 Official Website
How to Prepare for CAT Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension should receive regular attention throughout CAT preparation because it forms a major part of the VARC section. The aim is not to remember every sentence of a passage. Candidates need to understand what the passage is about, how the argument develops and what the author is trying to say.
A good RC practice session should include reading the passage, answering the questions and then reviewing both the passage and the options. The review is as important as the attempt because it helps identify whether the problem was poor comprehension, weak option selection or rushing through the question.
Understand the Main Point of the Passage
After reading an RC passage, a candidate should be able to explain the main idea in one or two simple sentences. This shows that the passage has been understood as a whole rather than as a collection of separate details.
While reading, pay attention to:
- what the author is discussing;
- what argument or view is being presented;
- whether the author agrees or disagrees with another view;
- how one paragraph connects to the next; and
- whether the final paragraph strengthens, changes or concludes the argument.
There is no need to remember every example, name or detail. What matters more is understanding why that information was included in the passage and how it supports the overall argument.
Do Not Bring Your Own Opinion Into RC Questions
CAT RC questions should be answered from the passage, not from what the candidate personally knows or believes about the subject. This becomes especially important when the passage discusses familiar topics such as economics, politics, science, technology or society.
A statement may be true in real life but still be the wrong answer if the passage does not support it. When two options look correct, candidates should return to the passage and check which option is actually supported by the author’s argument.
Useful checks include:
- Is the option clearly supported by the passage?
- Is it making a stronger claim than the author?
- Has it added an idea that was never discussed?
- Does it match the author’s tone and argument?
- Does it answer the exact question being asked?
This habit helps reduce the tendency to choose an option only because it sounds reasonable.
How to Choose Between Two Close RC Options
Getting stuck between two options is one of the most common VARC problems. In many cases, both options may look reasonable at first, but one usually changes the meaning slightly, makes a stronger claim or focuses on a detail that does not answer the question properly.
When two options look similar, check whether one of them:
- makes an extreme claim;
- changes the author’s meaning;
- is only partly supported;
- introduces information from outside the passage;
- focuses on a minor detail instead of the main point; or
- sounds correct but does not answer the exact question.
Candidates should also avoid choosing an answer only because it repeats words from the passage. CAT may use familiar wording in an incorrect option, while the correct option may express the same idea using different words.
How to Improve Reading for CAT VARC
Regular reading helps improve concentration, comfort with unfamiliar topics and the ability to follow longer arguments. However, reading should support RC practice rather than replace it. A student who reads every day but rarely solves CAT-style RC questions may still struggle with answer options.
Candidates do not need to read for several hours every day. A shorter but regular reading habit is enough if the material is slightly challenging and covers different subjects.
Useful reading can include:
- newspaper editorials and long-form articles;
- history and society;
- economics and business;
- science and technology;
- philosophy and psychology;
- culture and literature; and
- environment and public policy.
While reading, avoid stopping every few lines to check the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Try to understand it from the sentence first and look it up later if it affects the meaning of the passage. This helps maintain reading flow and builds comfort with unfamiliar vocabulary.
Should You Focus on Reading Speed?
Reading speed matters, but it should not come at the cost of understanding. Candidates who read slowly should first work on reading continuously without repeatedly going back over the same sentences.
Speed generally improves as reading becomes more comfortable. Instead of chasing a fixed words-per-minute target, candidates should check whether they can finish an RC within a reasonable time, understand its main idea after one careful reading and answer questions without repeatedly rereading the entire passage.
A student who reads quickly but chooses the wrong options is not necessarily better prepared than someone who reads slightly slower but answers accurately. The goal is to find a balance between speed and understanding.
How to Prepare for CAT Verbal Ability
Verbal Ability questions test whether candidates can understand how sentences and ideas fit together. These questions are shorter than RC passages, but they can still be difficult because several possible arrangements or summaries may appear reasonable.
The best way to improve VA is through regular practice followed by careful review. Candidates should not only check the right answer but also understand why the other options or arrangements do not work.
How to Prepare for Para Summary
Para Summary questions require candidates to identify the option that best captures the main point of a paragraph without changing its meaning. The correct answer should cover the central idea without focusing too much on one example or adding information that was not present.
While solving Para Summary questions:
- identify the central idea first;
- separate the main argument from supporting examples;
- eliminate options that focus only on one part of the paragraph;
- avoid options that introduce new information; and
- check whether an option changes the strength or tone of the original paragraph.
A good summary should be broad enough to cover the complete argument but not so broad that it becomes vague.
How to Prepare for Para Jumbles
Para Jumbles test whether candidates can identify the logical order of sentences. Instead of trying every possible arrangement, students should look for sentences that naturally connect with one another.
Useful connections include:
- introduction followed by explanation;
- cause followed by effect;
- general statement followed by an example;
- pronouns referring to an earlier noun;
- chronological order; and
- sentences that naturally form a pair.
With regular practice, these connections become easier to notice and the time taken to arrange the paragraph can reduce.
How to Prepare for Para Completion
Para Completion questions require candidates to understand where a sentence or idea fits within a paragraph. The correct placement should make sense with both the sentence before it and the sentence after it.
Candidates should read the paragraph as a connected argument rather than treating each sentence separately. The missing sentence should continue the idea naturally and should not break the flow of the paragraph.
How to Prepare for Odd Sentence Out
Odd Sentence Out questions usually contain a group of sentences where most can be arranged into one logical paragraph and one sentence does not fit. The easiest way to solve these questions is often to first identify the sentences that clearly belong together.
Once the main paragraph begins to take shape, the unrelated sentence becomes easier to identify. Candidates should not remove a sentence simply because its subject looks different, as it may still provide an example, explanation or conclusion connected to the main idea.
How to Improve CAT VARC Accuracy
High attempts are useful only when enough answers are correct. Candidates who attempt a large part of the section but regularly lose marks should work on accuracy before trying to increase the number of attempts further.
The first step is to identify where the errors are happening. A student who understands the passage but chooses the wrong options has a different problem from a student who takes too long to understand the passage itself.
| Problem | What to Check |
|---|---|
| RC understood but answers wrong | Review option selection |
| Frequently stuck between two options | Check why one option is less supported |
| RC takes too long | Reduce rereading and improve passage understanding |
| VA accuracy is low | Practise question types separately |
| Scores change sharply between tests | Check whether attempts are too aggressive |
| Good accuracy but low attempts | Work gradually on speed |
Wrong answers should be reviewed as carefully as difficult concepts in Quant. Many VARC mistakes repeat because students check the correct answer but do not understand why their chosen option was wrong.
How to Review CAT VARC Mistakes
After solving an RC or taking a sectional test, candidates should go back to every incorrect question and identify the actual reason for the mistake. This is more useful than simply noting that the answer was wrong.
A simple review can look like this:
| Mistake | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Misunderstood the passage | Read it again slowly and identify the main argument |
| Missed an important line | Note where that information appeared |
| Chose an extreme option | Check the exact wording that made it too strong |
| Added personal knowledge | Answer again using only the passage |
| Confused between two options | Compare both with evidence from the passage |
| Rushed through the question | Solve it again without time pressure |
Candidates should keep a short note of mistakes that happen repeatedly. There is no need for a complicated tracking system. Even a simple list of common errors can be useful before sectional tests and mocks.
If a student scores well without a timer but loses accuracy during timed practice, the problem may not be comprehension. In such cases, checking whether the candidate is rushing through options or attempting too many questions can be more useful.
CAT VARC Preparation Plan Based on Time Left
VARC improves through regular practice, so the amount and type of preparation should change depending on how much time is available before CAT. Candidates with more time can focus on reading habits and question types, while those closer to the exam should spend more time on sectional tests and previous-year papers.
If You Have 6 Months or More
Candidates with six months or more can use this period to become comfortable with Reading Comprehension and understand each VA question type properly. The focus should be on building good habits rather than taking too many tests too early.
Focus on:
- regular reading;
- one or two RCs on most practice days;
- VA questions topic-wise;
- CAT previous-year questions; and
- occasional sectional tests.
The aim is to improve gradually and build enough comfort with the section before moving to heavier timed practice.
If You Have 3 to 6 Months
With three to six months left, timed practice should increase. Candidates should still continue regular reading, but more preparation time should now go towards solving complete RC sets and taking sectional tests.
Focus on:
- RCs from different topics;
- mixed VA practice;
- previous-year VARC sections;
- regular sectional tests;
- accuracy; and
- reviewing wrong options.
This is also the right stage to understand whether RC or VA is consuming too much time and whether the current attempt order is working.
If You Have 1 to 3 Months
With one to three months left, VARC preparation should become more test-oriented. Candidates should spend more time on sectionals, CAT PYQs and reviewing repeated mistakes.
Priority should be given to:
- sectional tests;
- CAT previous-year VARC questions;
- full mock VARC sections;
- revision of repeated mistakes;
- improving answer selection; and
- maintaining regular reading practice.
A single poor sectional should not lead to a complete change in strategy. Compare performance across several tests before making major changes.
If You Have Less Than 1 Month
The final weeks should focus on maintaining practice and keeping the attempt strategy stable. This is usually not the right time to start several new methods or reading techniques.
Use this period for:
- selected VARC sectionals;
- recent CAT PYQs;
- reviewing earlier mistakes;
- regular RC practice;
- revising VA question approaches; and
- maintaining a stable attempt order.
The aim is to enter the exam with a clear understanding of which passages and question types you handle best.
How Many RCs Should You Solve Every Day?
There is no fixed number of RCs that every CAT aspirant must solve. The quality of practice matters more than simply increasing the count.
For many candidates, one to three carefully reviewed RCs can be more useful than solving several passages quickly and checking only the final score. A good practice session should leave enough time to solve the passage, check the answers, review the incorrect options and understand why the mistake happened.
As preparation progresses, some daily RC practice can be replaced by complete sectional tests.
When Should You Start VARC Sectional Tests?
Candidates can start sectional tests once they are comfortable with the main RC and VA question types. There is no need to wait until VARC feels completely mastered.
At first, sectionals can be taken occasionally. Their frequency can increase as the exam gets closer and as the candidate becomes more comfortable with timed practice.
Sectional tests help candidates understand:
- how many questions they can attempt comfortably;
- whether RC or VA is taking too much time;
- which question types lower accuracy;
- whether the first passage selected is usually a good choice; and
- how scores change under time pressure.
Performance should be judged across several sectionals rather than one test.
How to Use CAT VARC Previous Year Questions
CAT previous-year VARC questions should be part of preparation because they show the level of reading and reasoning actually expected in the exam. They are especially useful for understanding how close answer options are framed.
Candidates can use PYQs in different ways depending on their preparation stage:
- practise individual RCs while building basics;
- solve VA questions topic-wise;
- attempt complete VARC sections under time limits; and
- revisit wrong questions after a few weeks.
Recent PYQs should not all be used casually at the beginning. Keeping some recent VARC sections unseen gives candidates useful full-test material later in preparation.
How to Take a CAT VARC Sectional Test
Before starting a sectional test, candidates should already have a broad idea of how they want to approach the section. However, they should not force a fixed number of attempts if the paper is more difficult than usual.
During the test, candidates should first look at the available RC passages and begin with one they are comfortable reading. If a question becomes too confusing, moving on can be better than spending several minutes trying to force an answer.
During a sectional test:
- begin with a manageable RC;
- avoid spending too long on one confusing question;
- move between RC and VA using the approach that has worked in practice;
- avoid guessing only to increase attempts; and
- leave enough time for question types that usually give better accuracy.
After the test, both accuracy and question selection should be reviewed. A lower score may sometimes come from choosing a difficult passage first rather than from poor VARC ability overall.
CAT VARC Preparation for Students Weak in English
Candidates do not need advanced English or a very large vocabulary to start preparing for VARC. Students who are uncomfortable with English should first become comfortable reading simple long-form articles and then gradually move towards more difficult material.
The goal should be to understand the main idea of a passage without stopping at every unfamiliar word. Vocabulary can improve alongside actual reading rather than becoming a separate months-long exercise.
Students weak in English can start with:
- daily reading for a manageable amount of time;
- understanding the main point instead of every word;
- looking up only important unfamiliar words;
- solving easier RCs before harder ones;
- reviewing each wrong option carefully; and
- increasing difficulty gradually.
Candidates should start solving RC questions early rather than waiting to become “good at English” first. CAT VARC preparation itself can improve reading comfort over time.
Common CAT VARC Preparation Mistakes
VARC preparation becomes less effective when candidates look for one shortcut that will suddenly improve the section. Reading speed, vocabulary and mock scores all matter, but none of them works in isolation.
Common mistakes include:
- reading articles but not solving enough RC questions;
- focusing only on reading speed;
- learning large vocabulary lists without enough passage practice;
- choosing answers using personal knowledge;
- checking only the correct option after a mistake;
- trying to attempt every RC regardless of difficulty;
- ignoring VA because RC carries more questions;
- taking too many sectionals without reviewing them;
- changing the entire attempt strategy after one poor test; and
- memorising rules instead of understanding why an answer is correct.
VARC usually improves through repeated reading, solving and review rather than shortcuts.
How to Track Your CAT VARC Preparation
Candidates should look at more than the total sectional score when checking whether VARC preparation is improving. Accuracy, consistency and repeated mistakes give a clearer picture of progress.
A simple weekly record can include:
| What to Track | What Improvement Looks Like |
|---|---|
| RC accuracy | More correct answers at similar attempts |
| VA accuracy | Fewer repeated mistakes in the same question type |
| Time per RC | Passage completed comfortably without rushing |
| Close-option mistakes | Fewer questions lost between two choices |
| Sectional scores | Scores becoming more consistent |
| Questions left | Better judgement about what to skip |
| Repeated mistakes | Same mistakes occurring less often |
A sudden high score in one sectional is less useful than steady improvement across several tests.
Also Read:
CAT Previous Year Question Papers 2025–2017: Slot-wise PYQs with Solutions
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Sections, Questions, Marks, Duration & Marking Scheme
CAT 2026 Syllabus: VARC, DILR & QA Topics, Weightage
How to Prepare for CAT 2026: Section-Wise Strategy, Study Plan & Preparation Tips
CAT VARC Preparation FAQs
Do I need to read novels for CAT VARC?
No. Novels can help build reading comfort, but they are not compulsory for CAT preparation. Editorials, essays, long-form articles and other quality reading material can also help if candidates read regularly and continue solving CAT-level RC questions.
Is vocabulary important for CAT VARC?
Vocabulary helps with reading, but VARC preparation should not revolve around memorising word lists. Candidates should learn to understand the meaning of a passage from context even when a few words are unfamiliar.
Why can I understand an RC but still get the answers wrong?
This usually happens when the passage is broadly understood but the answer options are not being compared carefully. The wrong option may be too broad, too narrow, partly supported or stronger than what the author actually said.
Should I read the RC questions before reading the passage?
There is no single method that works for everyone. Some candidates prefer reading the passage first because it helps them understand the full argument, while others briefly look at the questions beforehand. Both approaches can be tested during practice, and the one that gives better accuracy without wasting time should be followed.
What should I do if my VARC score keeps changing in every mock?
Check whether the number of attempts, RC selection and accuracy are changing from test to test. VARC scores can vary with passage difficulty, so candidates should compare several mocks rather than judging preparation from one result.
Can I improve VARC if I start late?
Yes. Candidates starting late should focus on regular RC practice, CAT previous-year questions, sectional tests and detailed review of wrong answers. Spending most of the remaining time only reading books or articles is unlikely to be enough.
