CAT Preparation 2026: Know 10 Tips for Time Management in VARC section
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
CAT 2026 exam
29 Nov '26
CAT VARC section often turns out to be the spoiler for most of the aspirants. Since it is the first section and dominated by RC passages one tends to lose crucial time in reading and re-reading them. So, how to best utilise 40 minutes of VARC? Read CAT VARC tips for time management.
CAT VARC section poses challenges to aspirants during preparation because it requires time and patience. During the CAT VARC preparation, it is not enough to read only novels and books. It is important to know how to utilise the knowledge gained during preparation, in the exam. It is important to know how to manage 12-14 RC questions and 10-12 Parajumble questions in the CAT VARC section within 40 minutes. That said, it is not possible to attempt all the questions in the given time limit, so don't even try it.
CAT exam is all about speed and accuracy. These two are inter-dependent. You can't waste time in order to ensure accuracy and you can't ignore accuracy to save time. Thus, it is very important to have a tried and tested time management strategy before the CAT exam. Wether you start CAT VARC preparation early or late keep in mind the minimum marks you have to score in the exam. Make a strategy accordingly. Once you have completed the CAT 2026 syllabus and move to practice phase, start with applying time management strategies.
You must know that the time management strategy for all the three sections of CAT 2026 exam has to be different and in line with the nature of questions. For example, Quantitative Aptitude is calculation specific so the strategy should be to develop speed in calculation. Similarly, the VARC section has long Reading Comprehension (RC) passages so the strategy should focus on how to read the passages quickly or how to spot key points in a passage quickly. The CAT 2026 exam pattern will be same as last year. So, check out CAT VARC questions of last year's question paper and analyse the prep requirement.
Also Read:
- Section-wise CAT syllabus 2026
- VARC syllabus for CAT: Important topics
- Common pitfalls to avoid while solving RC questions
- CAT 2026 exam: 10 popular myths busted
- CAT VARC 2026 strategy to improve RC accuracy
- RC strategy for CAT: how to read less and score more
Work on how to attempt the CAT 2026 question paper with maximum accuracy in minimum time. Which type of questions will need more time? Which questions to attempt and which ones to skip? In short make a plan for sectional time management.
There are two strategies for time management:
- One for entire CAT question paper
- One for each section separately
Many candidates are unsure how to approach Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in CAT. With a majority of the CAT test takers being engineers, many are scared of VARC. This section is often tough and lengthy because of long and dense RC passages. However, if you plan and study according to the requirement, you can crack RC.To help students in time management, Shiksha.com has prepared this list of 10 time management tips for CAT VARC. Read below:
CAT VARC Tips and Tricks: Time Management
- VARC is the first section of CAT. Read all the questions carefully and start with the questions which are easy to solve.
- Use a two-step strategy for VARC. Consider Reading Comprehensions (RC) as section one; and the remaining portion i.e. verbal ability as section two. Solve these two sections as separate entities.
- Try to solve Verbal Ability questions first. VA is easier to handle. Move to RC passages after finishing Verbal Ability. Do not forget to save your answers in the test form.
- RCs come with a different difficulty level. They have about 4-5 questions each and are time consuming. RCs in CAT are usually inference-based. Therefore, it is advisable to read a passage carefully in one attempt. Reading over and over again will not help.
- Verbal Ability generally consists of lighter questions. Most students like to attempt them first. Accuracy is expected in this part. Therefore, they are called refreshments. Use these questions as fillers during the exam. Try attempting these questions in maximum of four minutes.
- In CAT VARC, do not stick to a question. Learn to say ‘NO’ even if you are tempted to attempt it. If you are not able to find an answer, move to the next questions. Do not risk negative marking.
- Candidates who are not so good with reading should go with the following strategy: Attempt RC and VA questions alternatively. Start with one RC question and then do one or two questions of VA. This will maintain the mood and tempo. Candidates will not lose focus in the exam.
- But, if you are confident about your reading speed, start with two or more questions of RC. Once you start feeling stuck or think that you are losing focus, use fillers (VA) questions. This can be quite helpful, as you are done with the lengthy and difficult part of your exam in the first half. The grammar portion, if there is any, works as a refreshment before you move on to DILR section.
- The strategy of using fillers between RC questions can also be combined with parajumbles. This too will maintain the tempo in the exam. The combination of light and dense question is really helpful.
- For students who do not have good reading skills, go with the strategy of solving easy questions first. However, do not keep dense and difficult questions for the end. You will end up losing marks and time. It is difficult to attempt RCs correctly with an exhausted mind.
- Target 10-12 questions only. RC has 12-14 questions and VA has nearly 8 questions. So, if you get most of the VA questions right and some of the RC questions right you can get a safe score.
Also Read: CAT 2026 VARC preparation to score 30 marks and get 95+ percentile
Free CAT Mock Test by Shiksha
Check below free CAT mock tests by Shiksha to check your preparation level.
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Check Out:
- CAT 2025 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2023 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2022 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2020 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2019 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2018 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2017 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
These were just a few tips from our side. You can make your own CAT 2026 preparation strategy while practicing. Do not forget to experiment with different techniques while preparing. However, don’t gamble. Do not attempt questions that you are not sure of answering with accuracy. There is negative marking in CAT and you would not want to lose crucial marks by taking chances.
In CAT 2026, keep a check at the clock. Stay calm. Stay cool.
All the Best!
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Commonly asked questions
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 CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines like cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, etc.:
CAT exam day dos:
- Reach 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
- PwD candidates should carry relevant certificates and documents.
- Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing attendance sheet
- Cooperate with test centre staff and follow instructions
- 7. While entering answers, use only computer mouse.
- Do not touch keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking.
CAT exam day don'ts:
- Do not carry 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.
- Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it.
- Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets
- Don't be late for exam. Entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam.
- No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that.
- Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT.
- Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab
- Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.
Yes, 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.
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.
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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
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