CAT Reading Comprehension Prep Tips: Common Pitfalls to Avoid in RC Questions

CAT RC passages are the pain point for a large number of aspirants. They are dense and time consuming. Confusing options add to the woes of the test takers. Read this article to know 10 common pitfalls of RC passages in CAT 2025 and other MBA entrance exams and how to avoid them.

How to avoid mistakes in CAT RC? Reading Comprehension forms almost 2/3rd of the VARC section of CAT. Out of 24 questions, 14-16 questions are based on RC passages of various types. CAT Reading Comprehension is essentially your test of English language. The deeply you understand the passage, the more accurate choices you'll make in selection of the answers. CAT Reading Comprehension passages are long, complicated, and often from topics you might not have come across before. To solve the CAT RC questions quickly and accurately, candidates need to have ample practice of quick reading. A good vocabulary is also essential.

 

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With RCs having over 50 per cent weightage in CAT, this area of Verbal Ability section becomes the most important section to study extensively. It is not easy to crack a Reading Comprehension passage while the clock is ticking, even if you have prepared for it well. It is certainly not easy to crack the CAT RC passages even if you are an avid reader. Speed reading is expected from all of you.

Candidates preparing for CAT 2026 must start preparing RC from early on. You will not get the passage of your choice in the VARC section. It is infact, most likely that the RC passages will be extracts that you would not have read before. So, the only way to prepare for it is by practice.

CAT exam has no RC passage of one or two types. The CAT RC topics are generally from the following areas:

• Business and Economics
• Humanities and Arts
• Social Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Current Events

Fortunately, we have not seen many Natural Science passages in CAT so far, which are more common in GRE and GMAT. However, there are numerous RC passages in CAT from Sociology, Philosophy, Business and Economy. The problem lies not so much in the subject of the CAT Reading Comprehension as in the typeface. Like a simple concept can be complexly presented in Mathematics, a simple theme can be written in a complicated language.

Thus, if you would like to give priority to reading passages in the CAT exam at all, you should not focus on the subject being discussed, but focus on the ease with which you can read the passage. This ensures you can read and understand quickly. Which is why is it important to read a variety of books and journals. 

How to improve understanding of a CAT RC passage?

Another question which constantly afflicts the mind of all MBA aspirants is: How to improve understanding of a CAT RC passage? One must admit that reading questions and at the same time understanding it is challenging. In time-consuming RC passages, intensive information can be used. The rewards they bring, however, are fascinating. If you grasp a CAT RC passage well, you can get the majority of questions correct, meaning that a maximum marks will be gained by solving a number of questions. 

One of the main factors to resolve understandings of CAT Reading Comprehension and to be exact in this area is in fact the approach that you take for this subject. In fact, how you face such a challenge becomes a central aspect of how you interpret.

Also Read:

• VARC preparation tips for CAT and other MBA entrance exams
• CAT preparation: Section-wise CAT 2026 preparation tips
• CAT Books: Section-wise best books for CAT and other study material

Common Pitfalls to Avoid While Reading an RC Passage

It is important that you keep a number of things in your mind while preparing for CAT 2026 and ensure that you avoid common pitfalls while balancing this area in a fine way.

In relation to the approach, please take into account the following points for understanding reading comprehension passages:

1. Don't highlight trivialities too much

Details are important. Don't be obsessed with examples, pictures, etc. You simply have to hang on to the main point and not the examples. Understanding the overall flow and structure will help you analyse these questions.

2. Do not memorize

Not every word in the passage needs to be stored in mind. Your priority should be to understand the flow, structure and the key points of the passage. You can always re-read the passage for factual or specific questions. But you might not get this luxury. 

3. Do not first read the text

Do not first read the entire RC paragraph and then go through the questions, but do it vice versa. You will be prepared to concentrate on the things that you have to look at. Concentrate only on questions, not on a specific response option. There is a quick overview of the questions. However, you can apply this logic in parajumble.

4. Don't focus too much on RC vocabulary

It's great to have a strong vocabulary but it doesn't stop you from understanding Shakespearean vocabulary. So, don't put yourself under stress in this area and make sure you do not get stuck on particular words while reading the passage.

5. Don't spend time on RCs you can't understand

Sometimes, we find a passage that we cannot understand. If you are struggling with such a passage in CAT exam, be sure to avoid such a passage with patience. Concentrate on those RC passages that you can easily manage. If necessary, go back to the tricky passage.

Also Read:

• Reading Comprehension preparation tips
• Verbal Ability preparation tips
• Pronouns with exercises
• Parajumbles with exercises
• Prepositions with exercises
• Subject-Verb Agreement with exercises
• Types of Clauses with exercises
• Articles with exercises
• Phrases Modifiers with exercises
• Parts of Speech with exercises
• Errors in Tenses with exercises

6. Don't think that the right way would be out of the way

Any options out of reach are never the right answer. The correct answer is always based on the information provided in the passage. Do not concentrate on any option that distracts you from the crossing.

7. Do not depend on 'word trigger'

If you do not read through the passage attentively, you might get trapped in the 'trigger words' web. A passage can be concentrated on one point for some sentences and then change it with trigger words such as "but" or "even so". This usually confuses readers who skim or hurry around the passage.

8. Make notes

Make sure you make quick notes for a ready reference while reading obscure/abstract text. The general flow, structure, paragraph flow and major points can be entered. Remember to not make really long notes, just note the important markers / Punkte in the passage quickly.

9. Try anticipating questions

This skill is very difficult, but you will certainly be able to master it through the 'King of Reading Understanding'. While reading the passage, try to identify possible questions, and which areas of the passage appear to be the candidates most likely to be asked.

10. As you read the passage, always ask yourself questions

Make sure that certain fundamental questions remain at the back of your mind to keep your focus while reading: What is the author's key point? Why does the writer write it? How did the writer decide to transmit his/her main point? How was his/her material organised by the author?

Don't wait for stimulation, finally. Indeed, wait for the other way around! Most of the time, you'd bore yourself on RC issues and that should not let your energy drain. Keep an impartial approach to the passage and do not get mentally distressed by dark content.

The above are some of the basic points that must be taken into account when dealing with reading comprehension of MBA entrance exams. This will improve your focus, increase your understanding and increase your understanding of the subject. If you do, your task is done more or less.

Check Out:

CAT RC sample question for practice

SAMPLE QUESTION:

Read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the statement or passage.

Myths are stories, the products of a fertile imagination, sometimes simple, often containing profound truths. They are not meant to be taken too literally. Details may sometimes appear childish, but most myths express a culture's most serious beliefs about human beings, eternity, and God.

The main idea of this passage is that myths

1. are created primarily to entertain young children
2. are purposely written for the reader who lacks imagination
3. provide the reader with a means of escape from reality
4. illustrate the values that are considered important to a society

CAT questions for practice with solutions - VARC

Get here free PDFs of CAT VARC practice questions with answers. The CAT practice questions are of the same difficulty level as CAT.

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• CAT Preparation Plan For VARC

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• CAT Preparation 2026: Your Love For Reading Can Get You Desired Result

• CAT preparation 2026: Here are 10 tips for time management in VARC

Try this CAT Mock Test by Shiksha to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.