What is the best way to prepare for VARC section and how to tackle it in CAT 2024 exam? Read key tips here and make the CAT exam preparation strategy on the basis of same.
VARC is the first section of CAT question paper. Often considered a toughie, this section sets the tone of candidate's performance in the CAT exam because when the test starts on a good note it ends on a good note, but if it starts on a bad note there are high chances of it ending on a bad note too. In case, one falters in the beginning of the CAT exam, it gets difficult prevent it from affecting performance in the other two sections.
In CAT 2023, all the three slots of CAT exam had a moderately tough VARC section. If we are to expect the same this year, CAT 2024 aspirants need to ensure they are well prepared. The number of Verbal Ability (VA) questions will remain more or less the same (10-12). In CAT 2024, we expect Reading Comprehension (RC) to dominate the English section. Not many changes are expected in Reading Comprehension but the number of questions per passage may go up by one or two due to which the passages may be slightly longer. In Verbal Ability, parajumble questions are expected to be on the same lines as previous years.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
Also Read: Practice free CAT mock tests
- What is the best way to prepare for VARC section?
- How to tackle VARC during the CAT 2024 exam?
- What are the five basic tips every CAT 2024 aspirant must follow?
What is the best way to prepare for VARC section?
The CAT exam tests students’ aptitude through application-based questions. A student cannot perform well by just mugging up rules and concepts. Most vocabulary questions test the knowledge of usage (rather than just meanings) of words. Most of the questions in grammar go beyond simple rule-based errors and check your knowledge of articles, pronouns, prepositions, etc., which can be enhanced through reading and practice. Verbal Reasoning questions test the candidate’s comprehension, logical ability, objectivity, ability to hypothesize about possible factors that could affect given scenarios, etc.
CAT is a speed based test of analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advance level problems.
However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.
Reading Comprehension questions are usually the most challenging part of CAT exam as apart from testing verbal reasoning skills, a typical RC question takes more time and requires you to skim and scan, be thorough, and keep a cool head while selecting the correct option.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
29 Nov '25 - 11 Jan '26
13 Jan '26
13 Jan '26 - 17 Jan '26
17 Jan '26
22 Jan '26
15 Dec '25 - 23 Jan '26
20 Jan '26 - 25 Jan '26
25 Jan '26
23 Jan '26
Also Read:
- CAT 2024 Preparation Plan For VARC
- Make These 7 Guys Your Companion For VARC
- CAT Preparation: Your Love For Reading Can Get You Desired Result
- Verbal Ability (VA) solved questions
- Common pitfalls to avoid while solving RC questions
In the final leg of CAT 2024 preparation, students need to ensure that they are comfortable with all four categories of English questions. They need to widen the scope of vocabulary and grammar preparation by covering as many words and their usages as possible and need to deepen the scope of VA and RC preparation by intensive practice of sample question that ensures higher speed and accuracy. They must remember that VARC preparation will not be complete until they have mastered all four categories.
Also, it is imperative for each student, to diagnose their problem correctly. One should not just keep solving more and more questions without understanding whether the core issue is speed/accuracy/basics/weak application.
How to tackle VARC during the CAT 2024 exam?
The English section should be used to fetch a lot of marks in less time. If there are 24 English questions (and between 12-14 RC questions), one should allot first attempt all the non-RC questions (that you are confident of) within 15 minutes and then decide how many RC passages are worth attempting. One shouldn’t spend more than two minutes on an RC question in any case.
What are the five basic tips every CAT 2024 aspirant must follow?
- Prepare for CAT 2024 like this is your only chance. Aim to score 99+ percentile, because you don't want to settle for less.
- Analyse each and every CAT mock test to know preparation level and how much more needs to be covered. Learn from your mistakes.
- Make sure to apply to a few colleges that are slightly below your aspirational level, as a back up. You may not want to wait for another year to get into a B-school due to low CAT score.
- Be ready for revising the CAT exam strategy once you see the questions in the exam paper. You should have various plans in place for various possible scenarios.
- Once you have decided upon your strategy for the CAT 2024 exam, you must think only about the question at hand.
Free CAT Mock Tests by Shiksha
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Read more:
- CAT preparation 2024: 10 popular myths busted
- What is the best time to start CAT preparation 2024
- Shortcut techniques for Reading Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension: Common pitfalls to avoid while solving RC questions
- 10 Tips for time management in VARC section
- Verbal Ability (VA) solved questions
- Types of reading comprehension questions in CAT
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
Read Full BioNews & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jan '26 | XAT 2026 result |
Jan '26 | XAT 2026 Cut Offs Release |
9 Jan '26 | SNAP 2025 result announcement |
20 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 session 3 |
13 Jan '26 - 17 Jan '26 | NMAT 2025 Exam Date (Additiona... |
5 Jan '26 - 10 Jan '26 | NMAT 2025 Scheduling (Addition... |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
23 Feb '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT Registration ... |
26 Feb '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT admit card |
14 Feb '26 - 22 Feb '26 | IBSAT 2025 Selection Process |
30 Dec '25 | IBSAT 2025 Result |
25 Jan '26 | CMAT 2026 exam |
26 Nov '25 - 28 Nov '25 | CMAT 2026 form correction |
10 Jan '26 - 12 Feb '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 registration |
7 Apr '26 - 8 Apr '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam |
Jan '26 | Publication of TANCET notifica... |
Jan '26 | TANCET registration window |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 17 hours ago
Yes, JAGSoM accepts CAT scores as part of its multi-stage admission process. Candidates are shortlisted for selection rounds based on their entrance exam scores.
B
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
Candidates seeking admission to GIBS Bangalore's PGDM and MBA programs can use the results of a variety of national and international management entrance tests including CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, and GMAT. All applicants will be reviewed based on their academic record, performance in group discussi
M
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT scores are not important for admission to the MBA course at the School of Business, Sushant University. As per the info. taken from the website of the university, it conducts its own entrance exam for enrollment into the MBA course.
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
RGIPT allows admission without CAT/XAT/GMAT/CMAT/MAT/CUET-PG score under two circumstances. First, you should be a company-sponsored candidate. Second, if you belong to part time registration category. You will still have to fulfil the remaining eligibility criteria.
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates with a valid score of CAT/ GMAT/ GRE score are exempted from the written test. These candidates still need to complete the form by paying the application fees. However, these aspirants may get called for the IIM Trichy - Chennai campus PGPBM interview round.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to PGDM at IPE Hyderabad. Candidates with a good score in CAT can also get a scholarship. However, CAT is not mandatory. Aspirants with a score in MAT, XAT, ATMA, GMAT or CMAT exams can also get admission in the PGDM course.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 5 days ago
No, candidates who wish to apply for the Global MBA course at Lexicon MILE are required to clear the LAT conducted by Lexicon MILE. The CAT exam score at Lexicon MILE is only used for deciding the PGDM admissions along with several other entrance exams.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
CAT is one of the accepting exams for MBA admission at Karunya School of Management. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also apply through XAT, MAT or KMAT scores. Candidates must also complete graduation to apply for MBA at KSM Coimbatore.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 5 days ago
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to MBA programme at Amity University Bengaluru. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also get admission in MBA via MAT, GRE or CMAT scores. Candidates with scores in these entrance exams can also get scholarship provided they meet the criteria.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 5 days ago
No, CAT exam is not mandatory for VIT-AP MBA admissions. Candidates who are interested in the MBA course offered by the institute can also apply through the scores in the XAT and MAT as well.
VIT-AP also accepts the scores obtained in the VITBEE for the MBA admissions. However, candidates with a high
S
Contributor-Level 10
Yes, CAT syllabus is difficult to crack if you do not have enough time. There are three subjects in CAT- VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Most of the candidates find RC passages tough to crack. In Quants, Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry pose significant challenge during preparation. In DILR, Reasoning questions often turnout to be tricky and confusion.