CAT VARC 2026: Strategy to Improve RC Accuracy

If CAT RC is your pain area, start preparing for it from early on . English Comprehension requires long term planing and practice. Achieving accuracy in CAT VARC requires planning and practice. Here’s a strategy to improve RC accuracy. 

CAT RC preparation tips 

Preparing for CAT 2026 but worried about VARC? You're not alone. Most of the aspirants find it hard to prepare for English section of the CAT. The RC passages are dense and long. These are extracts often taken from books which a few have read. There are two challenges in CAT RC passages, one is to be able to read and understand the passages within minutes. Two is to choose the correct answer option.

Achieving accuracy in CAT RC is requires smart planning and practice. Your CAT VARC preparation should have a mix of reading, practice, mock test, time management and analysis. Also, regular revision of English grammar and vocabulary (idioms, similes, foreign words, etc.) is a must. Here we have shared strategy to improve RC accuracy for CAT 2026 aspirants.

CAT VARC 2026: Strategy to Improve RC Accuracy

For cracking CAT RC, the most basic yet important advise you will get is to read a lot. However, it will only help you in gaining command over the language. to gain command over the RC passages specifically, you need to apply a particular strategy of reading. Here's what it is about.

Breakdown the Passage Structure

Do not read the CAT RC passage in one breath. Break it down to 2-3 sentences each.

• Understand the main theme of the passage: 600+ words together will make it daunting. Identify the main theme from the passage. May be look for recurrent word or number.
• Focus on the tone and purpose of the RC passage: Is the tone critical or is it supportive? One of the key ways to understand the questions.
• First and Last Sentence of the passage: Lay special stress on the first and last sentences. They often summarize the passage and give away the main theme.

Also Read:

• CAT Parajumble Questions for Practice (PDFs with solution)
• CAT VARC Questions for Practice (PDFs with solutions)

Tips to Skim the CAT RC Passage

• Speed Reading: Quickly read through the CAT English passage to grasp the main theme. This will help you to make a mental framework of the passage.
• Note the key elements: Does the passage talk about facts? Or does it talk about some data? Note down those facts and key data points to answer questions based on them.
• Do not read the questions first: Some candidates may be tempted to read the questions first and find the answer from the passage thinking this will help them save time. Do not do it in CAT as the RC passages in this exam are long and inference based. There are high chances that using this trick can lead to either loss of time or incorrect option selection.

CAT RC Passage: Answering the Questions

• Read extra: Do not read just that line on which the question is based. Read 2-3 lines before and after to understand the complete context.
• Consider each answer option separately: In CAT RC passages, candidates often end up selecting the wrong option as they analyse only one option and if it fits the bill, they select it. It may not be the case. The answer options are often very close. Read every answer option carefully and then choose one.
• Understand the hidden meaning: Some of the CAT RC questions are not about the obvious. They are seeking answer to what is not apparent. Read questions carefully and slowly to understand what is expected.
• Understand the difference between assumption and inference: Assumption and inference are not the same. Do not assume any answer option to be correct just by reading the question. You need to infer that the answer option is correct basis the points/facts/figures/argument presented in the passage.

Also Read: CAT 2026 VARC strategy to score 30 marks and get 95 + percentile 

Practice Enough RC Passages to Improve Speed and Accuracy

• Improve speed: There are about 4-5 RC passages in CAT of 500+ words. The passages often appear from a field you may not be familiar with. So, reading passages, understanding them and answering the questions within minutes is not easy. You need to practice reading CAT RC passages quickly. Solve a good number of previous years’ CAT RC passages in a time bound manner.
• Improve accuracy: Apply the above-mentioned tricks to answer RC questions accurately while practicing CAT RC passages.
• Develop critical thinking: Merely reading passages will be of no use. You need to think and infer - what is the author saying or what are the arguments presented in the passage. So, while you practice CAT mock tests and practice questions, pay attention of what you are reading and what does it mean.
• Identify which passage to attend first: The CAT Reading Comprehension passages are on diverse themes. There are 5 passages and all 5 are from different fields. You need to learn to identify which one to attend first and which are the ones you should not waste time on. If you can’t answer beyond 1 or 2 questions of a passage then move to other passage, and come back later. This is a strategy you need to apply on the CAT 2026 exam day too. Remember that RC has the maximum weightage in the VARC section of CAT, so you cannot make wrong decisions.
• Focus on Vocabulary: Build your English vocabulary during CAT preparation phase. A lot of misunderstanding happens because of lack of understanding or word meanings and word usage. In English the same word can have different meanings in different context. Thus, having a strong control on vocabulary is must.   

Remember that for CAT VARC preparation, official questions papers are the best. You must practice CAT Reading Comprehension from official CAT question papers of previous 10 years, atleast along with CAT mock tests and other practice questions. Not only CAT RC but also CAT parajumbles are also tricky so read carefully and focus on what is the correct option. You can do that by analyzing why an option is the correct option and why the rest are incorrect.

Read More:

• How many CAT mocks to take and when to start

• CAT Preparation Plan For VARC

• Make These 7 Guys Your Companion For VARC

• CAT Exam Preparation: Your Love For Reading Can Get You Desired Result

• Types of Reading Comprehension questions in CAT
• Common Pitfalls to Avoid in RC Questions in CAT