RC Strategy for CAT 2026: How to Read Less & Score More

CAT Reading Comprehension may pose challenge, if you are not well equipped to handle it in short time. Start preparing for CAT RC passages from now on, if you want to crack this section with a good score in CAT 2026. Here are some key tips to crack CAT RC passages.  

RC Strategy for CAT 2026: How to Read Less & Score More

CAT Reading Comprehension or RC is the most challenging section of the exam for majority of test takers. The passages are long and dense. The first glance of it may give the jitters. But there is no escape from CAT RC as 12-14 questions are passage based. So, what to do. First of all, let us be very clear that preparing for CAT VARC requires months. There is no way out, but to read more and more.

CAT 2026 aspirants would have been advised in the beginning of this year to start reading and do a lot of it. Now is the time to improve on the skills developed in previous months.

RC Strategy for CAT 2026: How to Read Less & Score More

Having read a lot is not enough to crack the CAT VARC section. There are 24 questions in this section out of which 12-14 are RC based so effectively, there are 4-5 RC passages. Most of the times the passages are from unfamiliar topics. Reading all the passages and answering the questions can take up all 40 minutes and one would fall short of attempting rest of the questions. Here’s what is to be done:

• Read the first line of every RC passage to determine which one is from a topic most familiar to you.
• Choose the CAT RC passage, which is easy to read and have simple language, first. Choose your comfort zone first.
• Read the CAT passages calmly and note down important themes, terminologies, etc. This will help you to understand the theme of the passage. Having strong vocabulary will be helpful here.
• Do not read the questions first. Most of the times, reading passages with specific questions in mind can result in missing tiny details that can lead to selection of incorrect answer option.
• Pay extra attention on first and the last lines of the CAT RC passage. It provides the hint of the theme or the argument of the passage.
• Don't push yourselt to solve all the questions in the given set. Keep time in mind.
• If you are getting stuck after 1-2 questions, don’t waste too much time and move on to the next passage.

Also Read:

• CAT syllabus 2026 
• CAT 2026 pattern
• CAT mock tests for practice
• CAT books for preparation

Previous Years’ CAT RC passages

Listed below are the CAT RC topics of last few years. You would notice that the topics are from diverse fields and for most of you from unknown territory. Check out previous years' CAT question papers for these passages. 

CAT preparation for VARC requires extra effort because there are no set rules of reading and interpreting the passages. It requires keen observation and eye for detail. To prepare for the section of CAT 2026 and crack it with high accuracy, candidates must practice as many RC passages as possible. Sectional CAT mock tests for VARC willbe the key for time management for VARC. 40 minutes will feel too less for handling CAT RCs if you have not practiced enough. 

Read More:

• CAT 2026 Mock Tests: How Many Mocks to Take and When to Start
• CAT VARC Prep: Strategy to Improve Accuracy
• 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