The VARC section of CAT exam is often turns out to be the spoiler of most of the aspirants. Since CAT VARC is dominated by RC passages one tend to lose crucial time in reading and re-reading them. How to save time? Read 10 tips for time management in CAT VARC.
VARC section of the CAT exam 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 4-6 RC passages and 10-12 Parajumbles in the CAT VARC section within 40 minutes.
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. Candidates can try various time management strategies during the CAT preparation phase. The idea is to figure out the best time management strategy for CAT exam.
One also needs to know the time management strategy for all the three sections of CAT 2023 exam has to be different and in line with the nature of the sections. 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 2023 exam pattern will be same as last year. The total time duration will be 120 minutes. The VARC section will have 24 questions and the sectional time-limit will be 40 minutes So, what you need to do now is focus on time management strategy for VARC so that you are able to solve the CAT question paper in the stipulated time.
Also Read:
- Section-wise CAT syllabus 2023
- Changes in CAT exam over last 10 years
- Common pitfalls to avoid while solving RC questions
Work on how to attempt the CAT 2023 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.
To help students in time management, Shiksha.com has prepared this list of 10 valuable tips on time management for CAT VARC. Read below:
10 tips for time management in CAT VARC section
- VARC is the first section of CAT. Read all the questions carefully and start with the questions which easy to solve.
- Use a two-step strategy for VARC. Consider Reading Comprehensions (RC) as section one; and the remaining portion i.e. grammar and logical reasoning as section two. Solve these two sections as separate entities.
- Try to solve Verbal Ability questions first. VA and Grammar are easy and scoring. Move to RC passages after finishing Verbal Ability and English Grammar.
- 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 attend the question. If you are not able to find an answer, move to the next questions.
- 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.
Also Read:
- How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99 percentile
- CAT exam: 10 popular myths busted
- 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 2023 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 2023, keep a check at the clock. Stay calm. Stay cool.
All the Best!
Read More:
| CAT 2023 exam: Last week prep strategy for DILR |
Try this CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.
Free CAT Mock Test 1Try second CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.
Free CAT Mock Test 2Read More:
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- Examples of Articles with exercises
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Comments
Scoring well in the Common Admission Test CAT is definitely a positive step towards getting admission into the Indian Institutes of Management (Iims). However, it's important to note that the Iims consider multiple factors in their admission process, including academic performance, work experienc...Scoring well in the Common Admission Test CAT is definitely a positive step towards getting admission into the Indian Institutes of Management (Iims). However, it's important to note that the Iims consider multiple factors in their admission process, including academic performance, work experience, extracurricular activities, and performance in the CAT. While a CAT score of 90% is commendable and can enhance your chances, the academic performance in your 10th and 12th grades might be considered on the lower side compared to the typical standards for admission to the Iims. The Iims generally look for candidates with a strong academic track record. That said, the admission process for the Iims is holistic, and they take into account various aspects of an applicant's profile. Along with your CAT score, you can focus on showcasing your achievements, leadership skills, extracurricular activities, and any work experience you may have. A well-rounded profile can improve your chances of securing admission to an IIM.
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Your academic performance in graduation
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Is CAT compulsory for MBA admission at the International Institute of Management Studies (IIMS, Pune)?
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What is the eligibility, examination pattern, and syllabus of CAT, 2023?
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Can I get IIM? I have scored in class 10 51.4%, 12th 58% and CAT 90%. .
Reply to Shivam Singh