If you're preparing for CAT, you already know that VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) is the first section you’ll face in the exam. And trust me, starting strong can give you the confidence to power through the rest of the paper.

Here’s a strategy I followed during my CAT 2023 prep — and it worked!

Understanding the VARC Section:

VARC is divided into two parts:

Reading Comprehension (RC): 4 passages × 4 questions each = 16 questions
Verbal Ability (VA): Includes Para Jumbles, Para Summaries, and Odd One Out questions

How to Approach RCs (Reading Comprehension)?

RCs form most of the VARC section, so let’s tackle this first.

RCs in CAT come from various genres — philosophy, politics, history, science and tech, psychology, and more. The level of difficulty varies from passage to passage, so developing comfort with different types is key.

Step 1: In your first month of prep, practice RCs from all genres to understand your strengths and weaknesses.

Step 2: Once you've identified weaker areas, improve your reading in those areas. A great resource is Aeon Essays. Reading from varied sources builds both comprehension and familiarity with complex writing styles.

Step 3: Use reliable resources to practice. Two great options:

Gejo’s VARC course
CATKing’s VARC material

Both are solid, and you can choose whichever suits your learning style better.

How to Tackle Verbal Ability?

VA can feel tricky — especially Para Jumbles and Odd One Out — but the trick is consistent practice.

Solve at least 5 questions of each type every day.
Don't just look at the correct answers — analyze your mistakes. Understand the logic behind the right option and train yourself to think that way.

Mocks are Game Changers

I can’t stress this enough: Start giving mocks early — don’t wait until you feel “ready.”

And when you give mocks, analyze them thoroughly. Mock analysis helps identify question patterns, strengthen weak areas, and boost your test-taking strategy.

The Final Mantra: Consistency

You don’t need to study 12 hours a day. But you do need to show up every single day. Small, consistent efforts compound over time.

If you’re confused about how to start or stuck at a plateau in your VARC prep, feel free to drop your queries below — mentors and peers from top B-Schools are here to help!

You’ve got this 
Let’s crack VARC together.