The CAT VARC topic wise weightage last 5 years has not remained exactly same but it has follow similar pattern. In VARC section of CAT exam, the Reading Comprehension (RC) is about 70% of the total sections weightage. The remaining 30% is about the Verbal Ability. Students can expect 4-5 passages each with 4-5 questions in RC section. The VA sections includes questions on Para Summary, Para Jumbles and English grammar and usage.
CAT VARC topic wise weightage last 5 years varies in terms of number of questions. The number of questions VARC section asks has stayed between 24 and 26, carrying 72-78 marks in total.
| Year | Total VARC Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 26 | 78 |
| 2021 | 24 | 72 |
| 2022 | 24 | 72 |
| 2023 | 24 | 72 |
| 2024 | 24 | 72 |
In terms of difficulty, 2021 and 2023 had tougher RC passages, with more complex topics. On the other hand, 2022 and 2024 were more balanced with easier VA questions.
So if you can score 55-60 marks in VARC, that alone is enough to push you above the 99 percentile.
Also Read
Key Summary
- The VARC section of the CAT exam is primarily dominated by RC with around 70& section is weightage.
- The rest comes from Verbal Ability (VA) around 30%, which includes Para Summary, Para Jumbles, and Odd Sentence Out.
- When it comes to scores, ~41 marks (≈14 correct answers) is often enough for the 99 percentile.
- 55-60 marks (≈19-20 correct answers) can even take you close to the 100 percentile in VARC.
CAT VARC Year-wise Weightage
CAT VARC Topic Wise Weightage last 5 years consistently have significant weightage in CAT Exam, comprising 36% of total CAT marks (72 marks out of 204), the single highest among all sections. Over the past five years, the number of questions in the VARC section has remained steady at 24 (with 72 marks), except in 2020 when the section featured 26 questions.
Year-wise VARC Breakdown:
| Year | Total CAT Questions | VARC Questions | VARC Weightage (%) | Total Marks | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 68 (204 marks) | 24 | ~36 | 72 | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2023 | 66 | 24 | ~36 | 72 | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2022 | 66 | 24 | ~36 | 72 | Moderate |
| 2021 | 66 | 24 | ~36 | 72 | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2020 | 76 | 26 | (higher absolute marks) | ~78? (extrapolated) | Moderate to Difficult |
Also Read
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
VARC Topic-Wise Trends (2020-2024)
The CAT VARC topics consistently reflect a heavy emphasis on Reading Comprehension (RC), typically comprising 16 out of 24 questions. The remaining 8 questions are distributed across Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd Sentence Out (or Para Completion).
CAT VARC Topics Breakdown by Year:
The CAT VARC section has shown a clear trend where Reading Comprehension dominates with 16-17 questions (65-75%) every year, making it the most crucial area for preparation.
Para Summary remains stable at 3 questions annually, while Para Jumbles and Odd One Out/Misfit Sentence together contribute 4-6 questions.
Interestingly, 2020 saw unusually high VA weightage (with up to 8 Para Jumbles), but in recent years, the distribution has stabilised.
Overall, the pattern indicates that while RC is the core scoring area, consistent practice of VA topics provides the edge for higher percentiles.
Also Read
Weightage of Important Topics in CAT VARC| Year | Reading Comprehension | Para Summary | Para Jumbles | Odd Sentence Out / Misfit / Para Completion | Total Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 24 |
| 2023 | 16 | 3 | 2-3 | 2 | 24 |
| 2022 | 16 (68%) | 3 (12%) | 3 (12%) | 2 (4%) | 24 |
| 2021 | 16 (48%) | 3 (12%) | 3 (12%) | 2 (8%) | 24 |
| 2020 | 17 (~79%) | 8 (11%) | 8 (11%) | 7 (10%) | 26 |
Also Read
CAT VARC Sloved QuestionsCAT VARC Topic Wise Weightage last 5 years: Quora Disucssion
CAT VARC Topic Wise Weightage last 5 years is a frequent query among aspirants. Many discussions on Quora reflect mixed experiences. Some test-takers find VARC “manageable” due to reading familiarity, while others call it the toughest section because of dense passages and tricky answer choices.
Older posts often suggest that CAT VARC had more grammar-based or direct vocabulary questions, but the CAT VARC Topic Wise Weightage last 5 years has been consistently ~34%-36% of the paper, with Reading Comprehension (RC) dominating the section.
Recent test-takers highlight two things:
- RC passages have become longer and inference-heavy.
- VA questions (Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out, Para Summary) carry fewer marks but are often more time-consuming due to the TITA format.
![VARC 2025]()
Also Read
CAT Preparation Strategy For Working Professionals 2025What is CAT VARC Section?
- Total Questions in CAT: 68 (204 marks in 2024)
- Total VARC Questions: 24
- Time limit: 40 minutes
CAT VARC 2025 Marking Scheme & Type of Questions
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Found mostly in Reading Comprehension passages
- Negative marking applicable
- Short Answer / TITA Questions
- Found mostly in Verbal Ability (Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out, some Para Summaries)
- No negative marking
| Response Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +3 |
| Wrong Answer | -1 |
| Unattempted Question | 0 |
CAT VARC Question Distribution
- Reading Comprehension (RC): 16 questions (4 passages, each with 4 questions on average)
- Verbal Ability (VA): 8 questions split across
- Para Summary
- Para Jumbles (TITA)Odd Sentence Out (TITA)
Also Read
CAT 2025 Exam PatternCAT 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. |
Also Read
Best Books For VARC PreparationCAT VARC Study Material
Candidates can check the topic wise study material from the links provided below:
CAT VARC Topic Wise Weightage Last 5 Years FAQs
CAT VARC Topic Wise Weightage Last 5 Years FAQs
Ques. What is the weightage of VARC in CAT?
Ans. VARC has consistently been the most important section of CAT, carrying 34%-36% of the overall paper. The section has 24 questions (except in 2020 when it had 26) and a maximum of 72 marks. Reading Comprehension alone contributes around 65%-70% of this section, while Verbal Ability questions like Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out, and Para Summary make up the rest.
Ques. How many marks are needed for 99 percentile in CAT VARC?
Ans. In CAT 2024, test-takers reported that a raw score of around 41 marks (≈ 14 correct answers) was enough to hit the 99th percentile in VARC. To be safe, targeting 14-15 correct answers with high accuracy should comfortably place you above the 99th percentile. Accuracy is far more important than attempting all 24 questions.
Ques. How should I prepare for CAT VARC Reading Comprehension?
Ans. RC dominates the VARC section, so building strong reading and inference skills is essential. Practice at least 2-3 RC passages daily from diverse topics like science, economics, philosophy, and literature. Focus on eliminating wrong options rather than hunting for the right one, since most RC errors come from close distractors. Mock tests and sectional tests (20-25 full-length RC sets) are crucial to build speed and stamina.
Ques. What were the toughest CAT VARC years?
Ans. CAT 2021 and 2023 are widely regarded as among the toughest, mainly due to abstract RC passages and confusing VA questions. CAT 2022 was considered slightly more balanced, with manageable RCs. CAT 2024 had mixed reviews as Slot 2 test-takers found RCs quite challenging, while Slots 1 and 3 reported moderate difficulty.
Ques. How can I improve accuracy in VARC?
Ans. Some ways for one to improve accuracy in VARC is:
- Don’t attempt all questions; instead, target 16-18 questions with 85% accuracy.
- For RC, read actively, note tone, keywords and contrast words.
- For VA, especially TITA questions (like Para Jumbles), avoid guesswork and apply elimination.
- Regularly practice previous year CAT papers to understand the examiner’s logic.
Ques. Does VARC have TITA questions?
Ans. Yes. In fact, most Verbal Ability questions (Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out, some Para Summaries) are TITA. Typically, 5-7 TITA questions appear in VARC every year. The good news is, TITA has no negative marking, so attempting them smartly can boost your score.
Ques. Is vocabulary tested in CAT VARC?
Ans. Not directly. CAT has moved away from direct vocabulary or grammar-based questions over the past decade. Instead, vocabulary knowledge helps indirectly, for instance, in understanding tough RC passages or accurately interpreting options in Para Summary questions.
Ques. How tough is CAT VARC compared to DILR and Quant?
Ans. This depends on the individual, but many aspirants find VARC the trickiest section because:
- RC questions have very close options.
- TITA questions (like Para Jumbles) don’t allow option elimination.
- Accuracy is harder to maintain compared to Quant, where answers are objective.
That said, consistent practice makes VARC highly scoreable, especially if you build a strong reading habit.
Ques. What is the score needed for 100 percentile in VARC?
Ans. A raw score of 55-60 marks (≈ 19-20 correct answers) can fetch you a 100 percentile in VARC. Depending on the slot’s difficulty, even a scaled score in the 50-55 range may be enough for the absolute top percentile.
Comments