CAT Preparation 2025: Shortcut Techniques for Reading Comprehension
Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
Admit Card - 5 Nov '25 - 30 Nov '25
Cracking Reading Comprehension section of CAT requires advance level English skills. The RC passages are vague, dense and hide key details. But that's not enough, you also need to learn skimming and scanning techniques. Read here all about shortcut techniques to crack CAT Reading Comprehension.
CAT exam has three sections – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The VARC section is divided into two sub-sections VA and RC. As the name suggests, VARC section tests the language and logical skills of the aspirant. Out of 24 questions, there are 12-14 on on Reading Comprehension. Rest of the questions in this section are on Verbal Ability, Grammar and Vocabulary. In this article, let’s take a look at skimming and scanning techniques for Reading Comprehension (RC) passages of CAT 2025 exam.
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In RC, candidates are given a passage and then asked questions on the basis of information in the passage. Now, CAT exam is a time-bound test. Candidates have to attempt 66 questions in 120 minutes. In CAT VARC section, they have to attempt 24 questions in 40 minutes. Thus, the need to read quickly and effectively is extremely important.
Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.
On the CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines which include cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, following instructions given be the invigilator and following the test navigation for solving the questions. There are some key dos and don'ts that candidates should follow on the CAT exam day, which have been listed below: CAT exam day dos: 1. Reach the examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2. Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos 3. PwD candidates should carry the relevant certificates and documents as prescribed by the examination authorities. 4. Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing the attendance sheet 5. Carry personal drinking water, hand sanitizer, face masks and gloves 6. Cooperate with the test centre staff and follow the instructions 7. While entering the answers, use only the computer mouse. Do not touch the keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking. CAT exam day don'ts: 1. Do not carry prohibited items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices. 2. Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it. 3. Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets 4. Don't be late for the exam. The entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam. No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that. 5. Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT. 6. Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab 7. Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.
Here in comes skimming and scanning techniques. Skimming and scanning are speed-reading techniques, which enables to cover a vast amount of material rapidly. These techniques can help in reading up to four times faster (than normal reading speed). These skills can easily be developed over a period of time with practice.
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CAT Reading Comprehension: What is skimming and scanning?
Skimming is the method of rapidly reading a passage, with the intent of getting an overall idea of what it is about (subject). Scanning, on the other hand, is the method of quickly going through the reading material to locate for the required piece of information.
How to apply skimming and scanning in RC passages of the CAT?
There are several challenges in tackling reading passages during a speed-based test. Some passages are long whereas some are short. Some are difficult to understand whereas some are easy. With the help of these speed-reading techniques, one can perform better in the CAT and other MBA entrance exams. Here’s how it is done:
For PwD candidates, facilities in CAT exam include, relaxation of marks in graduation. The minimum score required by PwD candidate in graduation for appearing in CAT exam is 45 per cent aggregate. Apart from that, such candidates are provided scribe service at the exam centre. To avail the service such candidates have to fill the relevant form during registration process.
Yes, the CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. The exam was earlier conducted in 2 shifts, but since 2020, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2025 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order.
The CAT exam slot timings will be -
- First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM,
- Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and
- Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Skimming
Remember how we learnt to write essays back in school? The three part basics – Introduction paragraph, main body paragraphs and a conclusion. These parts of a passage are interlinked to each other with transition sentences. The transition sentences are generally the first and last line of each paragraph. Plus, each paragraph has certain terms or phrases that are central to the main theme / subject of the passage.
- During the CAT exam, instead of looking at individual sentences, focus on first and last sentences of the paragraphs.
- Break down the passages in small sentences.
- While reading the first and last sentences, also look at the important and crucial words in the passage. This will help you identify the key ideas of the passage.
- On the basis of the above steps, form a quick summary of the passage
Also Read:
- Three key tips to ace Verbal Ability section
- Reading Comprehension: Common Pitfalls to Avoid while Solving RC Questions
Scanning
Scanning is effective when you go back to the passage to scout for information or answers. This is the ideal way to go about it:
- Identify the key terms or idea or concept in the question asked
- Go back to the passage and look for those terms in the text
- Also look for words related to the key term in the passage
- On the basis of the above steps, you’ll be able to quickly reply to the questions
Cracking Reading Comprehension section of CAT requires advenaced English comprehension skills. Basic knowledge of English will not suffice. The ideal way to go about it is to understand your current reading level and speed. In reality, there’s just one way to improve you RC skills – reading. Nothing else matters.
Develop the habit of reading. If you don’t like reading but want to crack CAT or other MBA entrance exams, you don't have a choice. Read books, magazines, newspapers, online articles. Then practice the skimming and scanning techniques on the passages that you read. Sooner or later, you’ll develop the ability. You can use the skimming and scanning technique to CAT RC passages for practice to analyse your direction of preparation.
You also need to practice CAT mock tests which have a good number of RC passages. This will improve your readind speed as well as skimming and scanning techniques.
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