CAT Preparation 2026: Shortcut Techniques for Reading Comprehension

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 RC Preparation Tips

CAT RC Preparation Tips: Reading Comprehension is among the highly weighted topic in the entire CAT exam. CAT VARC section has a total of 24 questions with 16 questions from RC passages. Typically, the CAT exam has four passages containing 4 questions each. The VARC section tests the language and logical skills of the aspirant. Besides RC based questions, CAT VARC section includes questions 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 2026 exam.

While attempting an RC passage based question in CAT, candidates find a passage and then few questions based on the information in the passage. Now, CAT exam is a time-bound test. Candidates have to attempt 68 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.

Skimming and scanning techniques help candidates arrive at an answer in RC passages quickly. 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). Check complete details on CAT RC preparation tips, including skimming and scanning techniques.

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 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:

Skimming

Remember how we learnt to write essays back in school? The three-part basics – an 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: 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 advanced 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 reading speed as well as skimming and scanning techniques.