Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
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.
With RCs having over 50 per cent weightage in CAT, this area of Verbal Ability section cannot be ignored. It is not easy to concentrate on a Reading Comprehension passage while the clock is ticking, even if you have a strong interest in the subject. Because reading is considered a leisure activity. It is certainly not easy to crack the CAT RC passages even if you are an avid reader. It is not possible to get passages from your area of interest it the CAT VARC section. So, the only way to prepare for it is by improving the speed of reading and developing the skill of remembering key arguments of the passage. As the CAT 2025 preparation moves towards practice phase, focus on how to improve score in CAT Reading Comprehension section?
CAT exam has no RC passage of one or two types. The CAT RC topics are generally from the following areas:
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 subject 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.
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 CAT, you will probably find a passage you've never read before. 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.
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It is important that you keep a number of things in your mind while preparing for CAT 2025 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.
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It is difficult but not impossible. If you give yourself a good enough time to improve English comprehension, grammar and vocabulary, you will be able to do it. Yes, a non- English medium student will require longer time for CAT preparation as they will have to start reading and improving English comprehension. So, may be they need to start English preparation for CAT in the second year of graduation, instead of final year (much earlier than English medium students). They may also need two attempts to crack CAT with high percentile. But that's not true for all. If you work hard and study smartly, you will be able to crack it.
While candidates belonging to Science and Engineering background do have an edge over Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), it is not impossible for students from non-Science background to crack this section of an MBA entrance exam. They do need to prepare harder which includes going back to study fundamentals of Mathematics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration.
With regular practice and understanding of the question types and topics, candidates, irrespective of the educational background, can crack this section. Aspirants must note that it is important to identify the weak areas and improve on them to get a stronghold on this section. For Logical Reasoning, a good amount of practice of sample questions will be enough.
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.
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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
The best way to prepare for DILR section is through practice. Before starting the preparation, aspirants should check previous years’ question papers. Since there is not much conceptual understanding required in this section, practice is important.
Some of the most popular books on DILR section that you can refer are How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Pearson, to name a few.
CAT is a speed-based test of analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or Commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advanced-level problems.
However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.
Hope it was helpful!!!
Get here free PDFs of CAT VARC practice questions with answers. The CAT practice questions are of the same difficulty level as CAT.
| CAT Easy Test Set 1 | CAT Easy Test Set 1 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 1 | CAT Medium Test Set 1 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 1 | CAT Difficult Test Set 1 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 2 | CAT Easy Test Set 2 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 2 | CAT Medium Test Set 2 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 2 | CAT Difficult Test Set 2 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 3 | CAT Easy Test Set 3 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 3 | CAT Medium Test Set 3 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 3 | CAT Difficult Test Set 3 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 4 | CAT Easy Test Set 4 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 4 | CAT Medium Test Set 4 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 4 | CAT Difficult Test Set 4 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 5 | CAT Easy Test Set 5 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 5 | CAT Medium Test Set 5 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 5 | CAT Difficult Test Set 5 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 6 | CAT Easy Test Set 6 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 6 | CAT Medium Test Set 6 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 6 | CAT Difficult Test Set 6 Solutions |
Read More:
CAT Preparation 2025: Your Love For Reading Can Get You Desired Result
Try this CAT Mock Test by Shiksha to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.
| CAT_Mock_Test_Set 1 | CAT_Mock_Test_Set_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_Set 2 | CAT_Mock_Test_Set_2 Solutions |
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
The MET Institute of Information Technology, Nashik preparatory courses cost INR 7,500 in 2026. UG Diploma students of the institute are required to pay the aforementioned amount with their course fees during admissions.
Candidates are not required to pay for preparatory courses if they wish not to o
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes the C-CAT is a mandatory entrance exam for MET Institute of Information Technology, Nashik UG Diploma in Advanced Computer Arts admissions. Candidates get the opportunity for applying for UG Diploma admissions twice in a year due to the C-CAT being conducted twice every year.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to MBA at ISMR Pune. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants with a score in CMAT, MAT, XAT, MAH MBA CET, etc. can also get admission. Candidates selected based on their entrance exam scores also need to pass the personal interview round for admission
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Guide-Level 15
Answered 6 days ago
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into MBA course at Chhatrapati Shahu Institute of Business Education and Research. The institute accepts other national/ state level management entrance exams too. The names of the accepted entrance examinations are: XAT/ MAT/ ATMA/ MAH MBA CET.
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Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into MBA course at GLA University, Mathura. The university also considers scores from other management entrance exam and one university level entrance exam too. The names of the other accepted entrance exams are: MAT/ XAT/ UPSEE.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, CAT scores are not important for enrollment into Masters of Business Administration course at Chitkara University. Because CAT is not the only scores which are considered by the university, it also accepts the scores of MAT/ XAT/ NMAT/ CMAT.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Minimum qualifying cut off for IIM Ahmedabad is 95 percentile whereas for IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, it is 85. However final cut offs for these three top IIMs are between 99 to 100 percentile.
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Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
GIBS is pretty flexible when it comes to entrance exams. They accept almost all the common management tests — CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, State CET, and even GMAT. In my batch itself, we had students who came through different exams, not just CAT.
Honestly, that's one thing I liked about GIBS — they d
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Yes, you can join Adarsh Institute of Management and Information Technology without appearing for CAT. This is because, the institute also accepts other tests. The accepted exams include CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ CMAT/ KMAT/ PGCET/ GMAT. Hence, if you have appeared for any of these, you can still apply.
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Yes, Myra School of Business does offer CAT scores based Scholarships upto INR 1.5 lakh. In recognition of outstanding performance in CAT, MSB awards special scholarships as follows:
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Contributor-Level 10
Yes CAT syllabus is difficult to crack if you do not have enough time. There are three subjects in CAT- VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Most of candidates find RC passages tough to crack. In Quants, Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry pose significant challenge during preparation. In DILR, Reasoning questions often turnout to be tricky and confusion.