What is the best way to prepare for VARC section and how to tackle it in CAT 2024 exam? Read key tips here and make the CAT exam preparation strategy on the basis of same.
VARC is the first section of CAT question paper. Often considered a toughie, this section sets the tone of candidate's performance in the CAT exam because when the test starts on a good note it ends on a good note, but if it starts on a bad note there are high chances of it ending on a bad note too. In case, one falters in the beginning of the CAT exam, it gets difficult prevent it from affecting performance in the other two sections.
In CAT 2023, all the three slots of CAT exam had a moderately tough VARC section. If we are to expect the same this year, CAT 2024 aspirants need to ensure they are well prepared. The number of Verbal Ability (VA) questions will remain more or less the same (10-12). In CAT 2024, we expect Reading Comprehension (RC) to dominate the English section. Not many changes are expected in Reading Comprehension but the number of questions per passage may go up by one or two due to which the passages may be slightly longer. In Verbal Ability, parajumble questions are expected to be on the same lines as previous years.
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The CAT exam tests students’ aptitude through application-based questions. A student cannot perform well by just mugging up rules and concepts. Most vocabulary questions test the knowledge of usage (rather than just meanings) of words. Most of the questions in grammar go beyond simple rule-based errors and check your knowledge of articles, pronouns, prepositions, etc., which can be enhanced through reading and practice. Verbal Reasoning questions test the candidate’s comprehension, logical ability, objectivity, ability to hypothesize about possible factors that could affect given scenarios, etc.
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!!!
Reading Comprehension questions are usually the most challenging part of CAT exam as apart from testing verbal reasoning skills, a typical RC question takes more time and requires you to skim and scan, be thorough, and keep a cool head while selecting the correct option.
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In the final leg of CAT 2024 preparation, students need to ensure that they are comfortable with all four categories of English questions. They need to widen the scope of vocabulary and grammar preparation by covering as many words and their usages as possible and need to deepen the scope of VA and RC preparation by intensive practice of sample question that ensures higher speed and accuracy. They must remember that VARC preparation will not be complete until they have mastered all four categories.
Also, it is imperative for each student, to diagnose their problem correctly. One should not just keep solving more and more questions without understanding whether the core issue is speed/accuracy/basics/weak application.
The English section should be used to fetch a lot of marks in less time. If there are 24 English questions (and between 12-14 RC questions), one should allot first attempt all the non-RC questions (that you are confident of) within 15 minutes and then decide how many RC passages are worth attempting. One shouldn’t spend more than two minutes on an RC question in any case.
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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
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
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered Yesterday
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.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
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.
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days 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.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days 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.
S
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
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
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.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
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
Answered a week ago
LISAA School of Design, Bangalore BDes admission is done based on performance in the in-house entrance test. LISAA CAT is conducted at the LISAA centres. Candidates need to connect with the admission team to set up a time slot. Besides, it is important that the eligibility criteria is fulfilled.
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Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can absolutely get admission into the MBA programme without clearing CAT or MAT, because the university follows a flexible admission pathway that allows students to apply through its own entrance exam called CUCET. This exam acts as the primary route for MBA admissions, and it is designed t
s
Beginner-Level 4
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.