Associate Content Manager | Updated On - Sep 18, 2024
CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension syllabus include topics like Jumbled Sentences, Para-completion, Odd Sentences, Reading Comprehension, etc. As per CAT test-takers, the difficulty level of questions asked from CAT VARC syllabus is rated moderate to high.
- Based on previous year’s CAT exam analysis for the VARC section, 4 passages comprising 4 questions each of moderate to high difficulty can be expected from Reading Comprehension alone in CAT 2024.
- Questions from CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus are asked from topics like vocabulary, grammar, verbal reasoning, para jumbles, para completion, etc. Download CAT Previous Year Question Papers
- Based on the changes introduced in CAT Exam Pattern, a total of 24 questions worth 72 marks will be asked from CAT 2024 Syllabus for VARC.
- As per CAT 2024 VARC marking scheme, 3 marks will be awarded for every correct answer, 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer. Also Check CAT Cut off
- CAT VARC Preparation should focus on clearing the basic grammar concepts and practicing sectional mock tests and sample papers. Check CAT Preparation Books
VARC Full Form in CAT
VARC in CAT is the acronym for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. In CAT VARC section, questions are based on parts of speech, tenses, articles, and other grammar topics. A good command over English grammar is mandatory to score decent marks in the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT 2024.
Read the article to know more about the important topics in CAT, weightage of topics, study material, and much more.
Must Read:
CAT VARC Exam Pattern 2024 (Updated)
| Section Name | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
| Allotted Time | 40 minutes |
| Total Number of Questions | 24 |
| Number of Reading Comprehension Questions | 15-16 |
| Number of Verbal Ability Questions | 8-9 |
| Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer | + 3 |
| Negative Marks for Each Wrong Answer | -1 |
| Negative Marking for TITA Questions | No |
| Difficulty Level of Questions | Moderate to Difficult |
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CAT VARC Syllabus 2024
Candidates can check the sectional syllabus of CAT VARC provided in the tables below:
CAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus
- Current Affairs - Issues affecting social life, foreign relations, governance policies, and schemes such as Triple Talaq, CAA, Covid 19 Pandemic, Clean India Project, migration of citizens from one country to another, worldwide intolerance.
- Business and Economics - Global Economic Change, Environmental Economic Growth, Indian Demonetization Effect, Government Waste Expenditure.
- Literature - Passages from various books of English literature, essays written by great philosophers and thinkers, different speeches of great personalities like Charles Dickens, Aristotle, Martin Luther King, Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi, and Churchill among others.
- Science and Culture - Transition into the modern world, disappearing society with technological advancement.
- Abstract Topics and Fiction - Such passages make the candidates think a lot and put themselves in the shoes of the author before addressing the questions asked because they are opinion-based.
- Historical Events - Events leading to social changes such as the French Revolution and the War of Roses. Social changes in Indian Culture and thoughts expressed by various activists are still of great relevance.
- Mythology - Such passages seek to connect mythological events with the actual social system and answers must be given accordingly.
CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus
| CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| Essence of short paragraph/summary | Jumbled paragraphs |
| Odd sentences in jumbled paragraphs | Error correction in the verb, noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, and other parts of speech in sentences |
| Correcting the sequence of sentences in articles such as giving the correct usage of conditional statements, time clauses, reported speech, and passive writing | Use of vocabulary in selecting the correct pair of words |
| Filling in blanks with appropriate vocabulary | Use of vocabulary in RC passages to identify the right synonyms and antonyms |
| Completing the last statements of paragraphs | Critical reasoning |
| Analogies | Usage of phrasal verbs |
| Facts, inference, and judgement | Sentence completion |
| Irrelevant sentences | - |
CAT VARC Study Material
Candidates can check the topic wise study material from the links provided below:
CAT Exam Pattern 2024
Here is the updated CAT Exam Pattern for all sections including CAT VARC:
| CAT Exam Section | Total questions | Number of MCQs (Negative marking) | Number of Non-MCQs (No negative marking) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section-1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 19 | 5 |
| Section-2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| Section-3: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 14 | 8 |
| Total | 66 | 45 | 21 |
Check CAT 2024 Exam Pattern in detail
Weightage of Important Topics in CAT VARC
| VARC Topics | Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Inferences, Statements, Arguments | 2-3 |
| RC Passage | 14-16 |
| Synonyms & antonyms | 1-2 |
| Para Summary | 3-4 |
| Jumbled paragraphs | 3-4 |
| Error Correction | 1-2 |
| Fill in the blanks | 1-2 |
| Analogies | 1-2 |
| Vocabulary | 3-4 |
| Irrelevant Statements | 1-2 |
| Para Completion | 1-2 |
Important Topics in CAT VARC
| Topic Name | Key Features | Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbled Paragraphs | 5 jumbled sentences are to be arranged in the right order | 3 - 4 |
| Summary/Inference of Short Paragraphs | Small paragraphs of 4-5 sentences are followed by 4 answer options | 3 - 4 |
| Picking the Odd Sentence in a Jumbled Paragraph | 5 jumbled sentences from which one odd sentence is to be picked out | 3 |
Type of Topics in Reading Comprehension
| Passage Type | Key Features | Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Long Passage 1 | Moderate level Based on facts | 6 |
| Long passage 2 | Moderate to difficult level Rich in vocabulary and based on literary terms and opinions | 6 |
| Long passage 3 | Difficult level Based on abstract topics and literature and can contain a tough vocabulary | 6 |
| Short passage 1 | Moderate to difficult level Based on business, economy or geography | 3 |
| Short passage 2 | Occasionally difficult level Rich vocabulary and based on historical facts, opinions, future plans | 3 |
| Short Passage 3 | Difficult level Based on an abstract topic | 3 |
Quick Links:
CAT VARC Preparation Books
Candidates can check the best books for CAT preparation provided in the table below. These books will help you in your preparation.
| CAT VARC Book | Author | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Word Power Made Easy | Normal Lewis | ‘Word Power Made Easy’ helps in the improvement of vocabulary. It explains the accurate usage of words. It is categorized into oriented sections and you can review exercises at the end of every chapter. |
| Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT | Ajay Singh | With over 200 passages for preparation, ‘Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT’ is an excellent CAT VARC study material. |
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay | ‘How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT’ has topic-wise segregation. The material is very comprehensive. It also provides mock tests and analyses of previous years’ papers. |
Newspapers and Magazines for CAT VARC Preparation
| CAT VARC Newspaper and Magazines | Description |
|---|---|
| The Hindu | It allows you to explore factual, complex, insightful, and challenging content. Read the editorial section every day. |
| Times of India/Hindustan Times | It has great language used to help with grammar and vocabulary development. |
| The Economic Times | It is a great newspaper to read articles on business and economics twice a week |
| The New York Times | This newspaper can be accessed online through its website with a paid subscription. High-quality content is brought out by this newspaper. Blogs like ‘The Stone’ are must-reads on the website. |
| The Guardian | The Guardian does not require a paid subscription. You can access fascinating reading material for free. |
| Frontline | This is a magazine full of details. The reading of brilliant articles highlighting tales from around the world can add tremendous value to your preparation. |
| Outlook/India Today/The Week | Read from these magazines for very interesting content with high-quality language. |
| Business Today/Business India | Reading from these magazines regularly is sure to help you with CAT VARC |
| The Economist | It is a great online journal that reports on foreign issues of all kinds. There are several articles on politics, economy, culture, fashion, sports, and books. The style of writing can serve as an idea for how you must attempt the CAT VARC section. All articles are almost perfectly grammatical and crisp. |
| The Atlantic | They write long-form and well-researched pieces. |
| Newyorker | Here, you will find an extremely high-quality style of writing on numerous subjects. |
Quick Links:
VARC CAT Sample Questions
VARC CAT sample questions have been provided below: Q.1 She shall ……… your ice-cream parlour soon because she ……… ice-cream.
- Be visiting, like
- Visit, likes
- Have been visiting, is liking
- Visiting, like
Ans: b Q.2 Prasoon ……… for Bangalore early and he must ……… by this time.
- Leave, have been reaching
- Left, have reached
- Had left, be reaching
- Left, have been reached
Q3. Shakespeare’s tragedies have drawn inspiration from ancient Rome than Greece. Yet, in “Hamlet?” Polonius offers ___________ advice: “Neither a borrower nor a lender is; for a loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry”. Greece have saved the Eurozone some grief had it followed Polonius’ ___________.
- fatuous, caution
- germane, council
- apposite, counsel
- opposite, consul
Answer: (C) apposite, counsel Explanation: For blank 1, germane and apposite are two word choices to fill in this blank as they describe Polonius’ advice. Here fatuous and opposite don’t fit appropriately as this blank is about Polonius’ advice. Q4. It’s the ___________ nature of experiential purchases that endears us to them. They are not around long enough to become imperfect. And if they are imperfect, our memories and stories of them get sweet with time. Even a bad experience becomes a ___________ story.
- ephemeral, engaging
- lasting, compelling
- fleeting, good
- enduring, disquieting
Answer: (C) fleeting, good Explanation: According to the second sentence, experiential purchases are not around long enough to be imperfect. Thus, the options “lasting” and “enduring” can be eliminated directly. Also, both fleeting and ephemeral fit blank 1
VARC Questions for CAT PDF
Download VARC Questions to boost your CAT 2024 preparation.
| CAT VARC Sample Paper | Download Link |
|---|---|
| CAT Sample Paper PDF 1 | Check Here |
| CAT Sample Paper PDF 2 | Check Here |
| CAT Sample Paper PDF 3 | Check Here |
| CAT Sample Paper PDF 4 | Check Here |
| CAT Sample Paper PDF 5 | Check Here |
CAT VARC Previous Year Question Paper Analysis
CAT 2021 VARC question paper was of moderate difficulty with a few tricky questions. The question paper in slot 1 had 21 MCQs and 3 TITA questions while the other 2 slots had 18 MCQs and 6 TITA-type questions. RC had the highest weightage with 16 questions in each slot. Candidates can check the slot-wise CAT VARC Paper Analysis for 2022 to get an idea about the difficulty level of VARC question papers.
CAT VARC Slot 1 Analysis
| Topic | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 (4+4+4+4) | Moderate to Difficult | 11-12 |
| Para jumbles | 2 | Moderate | 1-2 |
| Para completion | 3 | Easy to Moderate | 1-2 |
| Para Summary | 3 | Moderate | 2-3 |
CAT VARC Slot 2 Analysis
| Topic | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 (4+4+4+4) | Moderate to Difficult | 10-11 |
| Para jumbles | 2 | Moderate to Difficult | 1-2 |
| Para Completion | 3 | Moderate | 1-2 |
| Para Summary | 3 | Moderate | 2-3 |
| Topic | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 (4+4+4+4) | Moderate to Difficult | 12-13 |
| Parajumbles | 3 | Easy to Moderate | 2-3 |
| Para Summary | 3 | Moderate | 1-2 |
| Para Completion | 2 | Easy to Moderate | 1-2 |
Download CAT VARC Question Papers
| CAT Exam Slot Number | CAT Question Paper with Solution PDFs |
|---|---|
| Download CAT Question Paper & Answer Key 2022 | |
| CAT VARC Slot 1 | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 2 | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 3 | Download |
| Download CAT Question Paper & Answer Key 2021 | |
| CAT VARC Slot 1 | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 2 | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 3 | Download |
| CAT Question Paper & Answer Key 2020 | |
| CAT VARC Slot 1 | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 2 | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 3 | Download |
| CAT Question Paper & Answer Key 2019 | |
| CAT VARC Slot 1 | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 2 | Download |
| CAT Question Paper & Answer Key 2018 | |
| CAT VARC Slot 1 | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 2 | Download |
| CAT Question Paper & Answer Key 2017 | |
| CAT VARC Slot 1 | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 2 | Download |
Download more CAT Question Papers
Preparation Tips for CAT Reading Comprehension (RC)
The following tips will be helpful to develop your reading comprehension skills for CAT 2024 -
- Pick a passage from a magazine, book, newspaper, or novel every day to understand your Reading Comprehension abilities.
- Work on developing your vocabulary by making flashcards of the words that appear new to you while reading. Read these flashcards often.
- To boost your vocabulary, enjoy what you read. Do not consider it a relentless chore.
- Summarize your readings with clarity.
- Interpret the passage aloud when you feel tired.
- Reach every part of a given text. Do not skip any parts, however minor they may seem.
- Discuss your readings and their interpretations with your friends and have rational debates with the vocabulary learned.
Types of RC Questions Asked in previous year CAT papers
| Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Anarchism | Investing in renewable energy technologies | Travel writing and feminism during colonial times |
| Migration of Northern Seals | Piracy in international trade | The need for economic literacy in the general population |
| Currency of Tang Dynasty | Freudian models of aggression | Screen time and undercurrents of social class |
| Grammar/Vocabulary | A study of visualization | Analysis of human nature |
Preparation Tips for CAT Verbal Ability (VA)
The following tips will be helpful to develop your verbal ability -
- Read different genres of magazines and books, even those that are out of your comfort zone. This will help you come across many new words.
- Try a number of mock tests for VARC to expose yourself to a range of questions that assess your verbal ability.
- Use the apt verbal ability study material while preparing for CAT VARC. You will have to look at sample CAT papers and determine the right book according to the syllabus.
- To make learning enjoyable, download mobile applications such as Vocabulary Builder, Word by Word, and so on.
- When you learn new words or phrases, use them in your day-to-day communication with friends or family. It will help you remember the use of those words.
- When you get bored with reading, turn to watching movies/TV series and playing word games to grasp more words.
- Highlight challenging words from the dictionary and learn their meanings. It is recommended that you keep your dictionary handy when watching films or reading books.
Read Toppers Preparation Tips:
- CAT 2021 Topper Aman Goel Preparation Tips
- CAT 2021 Topper Ashna Dawar Preparation Tips
- CAT 2021 Topper Chetan Bhatt Preparation Tips
- CAT 2021 Topper Aditya Bansal Preparation Tips
- CAT 2021 Topper Ritik Gupta Preparation Tips
Mistakes to Avoid while Attempting CAT VARC Section
- Ignoring details - Ensure that you do not misunderstand the questions. Lay off overconfidence and ensure that you read attentively in order to provide the correct answers.
- Spending more time on VA Non-MCQs – It is very common for students to spend a large chunk of their answering time in attempting VA Non-MCQs. Allot a specific time duration for each question and try your best not to exceed it.
- Rushing through RC passage readings – Students often rush the reading of RC passages. This can lead to missing out on important keywords that might be required to give correct answers. Ensure that you read every passage with concentration.
- Losing track of sectional time limit – Do not get very immersed in answering VARC questions and forget the sectional time limit which can cause you to risk the loss of many marks.
Subject Wise CAT Preparation Links:
CAT VARC Syllabus 2024 FAQs
Ques: Is CAT VARC difficult?
Ans: In the VARC section of CAT, the questions are usually moderate to difficult. According to the previous year’s CAT VARC questions, the experts believe that questions on Reading Comprehension and Parajunbles were moderately tricky to attempt. However, for some students, questions on summary and odd sentences were easy to moderate.
Ques: Is Arun Sharma good for CAT VARC section?
Ans: How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhaya is one of the best books for CAT VARC. The book has an exhaustive number of questions on Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability and Verbal Reasoning. This book is good for students to solve different levels of questions and analyze their verbal ability skills. In addition, this book has a good number of mock papers which would eventually brush up students’ verbal ability and reading comprehension skills.
Ques: How to score 99 percentile in CAT VARC?
Ans: To score 99 percentile in CAT VARC, one needs to prepare this section strategically and thoroughly. Some tips to have a good grasp on VARC section in CAT 2024 are listed below:
- Firstly, candidates must develop a good reading habits during the course of CAT 2024 preparation.
- Read on topics like science and technology, economy, philosophy, history, geography, art and culture, literature, and different genres of novels, including biographies and autobiographies. Reading on a wide range of topics would aid students in understanding the comprehension quickly as comprehensions are based on these topics.
- Brush up basic English language concepts like subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, synonyms/antonyms, prepositions, one-word substitution, etc.
- Solve CAT VARC sample questions. This will help students know the types of questions asked in the exam and it is apparent that students will develop speed and accuracy in solving Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension questions.
Ques: How to prepare for VARC section for CAT 2024 in 1 month?
- Do not start reading any new topic.
- Focus on solving comprehension passages via mock tests or sample papers.
- Refer to books like Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Nishit Sinha, How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhaya to solve tests on different topics.
Question: What is CAT verbal ability and reading comprehension?
Ans. CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension is one of the 3 sections of CAT exam. Verbal Ability tests your vocabulary and sentence-formation abilities. Reading Comprehension involves the interpretation of sentences and finding answers to questions that are asked from passages.
Ques. How much time is required to prepare for CAT VARC?
Ans. For CAT VARC preparation, candidates have to give at least 2 hours every day starting 3-4 months before the exam date. If this is your weakest section, give more time to it and prioritize preparation for CAT VARC. It is essential to solve sample papers to check level of preparedness.
Question: Which topic has the maximum weightage in CAT VARC?
Ans. Reading Comprehension (RC) accounts for the maximum weightage in CAT VARC with about 70% of the total questions. Last year, out of a total of 24 questions in CAT VARC, 16 MCQs were asked from RC passages.
Question: What are the best books to prepare for CAT VARC?
Ans. The best books to prepare for CAT VARC are -
- ‘Word Power Made Easy’ by Norman Lewis
- ‘Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT’ by Ajay Singh
- ‘How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT’ by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
Question: Is ‘Word Power Made Easy’ good for CAT VARC preparation?
Ans. Yes, ‘Word Power Made Easy’ by Norman Lewis is one of the most recommended books to prepare for CAT VARC. It can greatly help in improving your vocabulary.
Question: How to prepare for Verbal Ability?
Ans. To prepare well for CAT VA, one should follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Read well-articulated content regularly to grasp good grammar and vocabulary.
- Refer to 1-2 good books by Arun Sharma or Norman Lewis for practicing questions.
- Solve sectional and overall mock tests and sample papers
Question: What are the most important topics of CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus?
Ans. The most important topics of CAT verbal ability syllabus are para jumbles, Summary/Inference of Short Paragraph, and Picking the Odd Sentence in a Jumbled Paragraph.
Question: How many questions should I attempt to get a 95+ percentile in VARC?
Ans. Although it depends on the level of difficulty of the exam; based on the previous year's exam analysis, to get a 95+ percentile in VARC, you need to attempt 19-21 questions with 95% accuracy.
Question: Where can I find the best VARC preparation resources online?
Ans. The best online resources for VARC preparation include online study channels and coaching institutes like Unacademy, BYJUs, Career Launcher, T.I.M.E, IMS India, and more. Apart from these, you can also refer to e-books and e-newspapers to improve your online reading skills.
Ques. Is there any sectional time limit for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section in CAT 2024?
Ans. Yes, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section in CAT 2024 exam has a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. In fact, each of the sections of CAT exam- VARC, DILR, and QA has a sectional time limit of 40 minutes.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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