
CAT vocabulary questions constitute roughly 20-25 per cent of the total CAT VARC section. A knowledge of vocabulary in context helps students in scoring high in Reading Comprehension as well as Verbal Ability sections. Each attempt of the CAT exam sees no direct synonym or antonym questions since the pattern of the exam has changed entirely over the years. Contextual comprehension is tested through the use of vocabulary in all 24 questions.
In each session of the CAT exam, candidates can expect no direct synonym or antonym questions, as the exam pattern has completely evolved over the years. Instead, the ability to comprehend and interpret the meaning is tested through context across all 24 questions. A well-prepared test-taker must target processing and solving vocabulary-dependent RC questions within 1.5 to 2 minutes per question after reading the passage.
Find different types of Vocabulary questions, including contextual, odd one out, tone & attitude questions.
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In the CAT 2026 exam, in addition to usage, vocabulary serves as the basis of evaluating the critical reading skills of the candidates. Vocabulary forms an important aspect of the reading passages on topics such as Philosophy and Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology and Economics or Science Policy. Good vocabulary also comes in handy while solving advanced-level CAT questions like tone identification, inference-based eliminations and structural verbal ability questions like para summary and odd sentence out sets.
- Sample CAT Vocabulary Questions with Solutions
Sample CAT Vocabulary Questions with Solutions
Find a few questions to improve CAT Vocabulary
Question 1
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Difficulty Level: Easy
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Sub-topic: Vocabulary in Context
Q: The central bank’s decision to lower interest rates was not an act of desperation, but a calculated move to inject liquidity into a moribund credit market that had been frozen since the collapse of the tech conglomerate. Choose the word that best captures the contextual meaning of the bolded word:
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Flourishing
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Volatile
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Stagnant
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Nascent
Question 2
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Difficulty Level: Easy
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Sub-topic: Antonyms
Q: While the legacy systems of the traditional banking sector are notoriously rigid, fintech startups pride themselves on their highly malleable infrastructure, which can adapt instantly to regulatory changes. Identify the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the bolded word:
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Pliant
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Refractory
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Amorphous
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Resilient
Question 3
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Difficulty Level: Medium
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Sub-topic: Word Usage
Q: Choose the option that indicates the sentences where the word COMPRISE has been used correctly.
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The international trade committee is comprised of representatives from over twelve developing countries.
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Diverse technological frameworks comprise the overarching architecture of the smart city platform.
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The venture capital portfolio comprises five biotech startups and three renewable energy firms.
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Individual historical properties comprise the cultural heritage conservation zone of the old town.
Answer Options:
- 1 and 4
- 2 and 3
- 1, 2, and 3
- 2, 3, and 4
Question 4
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Difficulty Level: Medium
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Sub-topic: Contextual Meaning
Q: The board of directors found the manager’s presentation to be exceptionally trenchant, as it cleanly cut through layers of corporate jargon to highlight the structural flaws threatening their supply chains. The word trenchant most closely matches the meaning of which word in this context?
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Incoherent
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Incisive
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Verbose
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Conciliatory
Question 5
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Difficulty Level: Hard
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Sub-topic: Word Usage
Q: Choose the option that accurately indicates the sentences where the word QUALIFY has been used correctly.
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To protect her academic credibility, the historian had to qualify her thesis by noting that the archival evidence was limited to urban centers.
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The athletic commission ruled that the sprinter’s record-breaking performance would qualify him for the championship final.
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After receiving updated fiscal data, the economist felt compelled to qualify his optimistic GDP projections with severe caveats.
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The defence attorney attempted to qualify the witness’s absolute statements by introducing evidence of partial vision impairment.
Answer Options:
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2, and 3 only
- 1, 3, and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3, and 4
Find different types of Vocabulary question themes and prep tips
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CAT Exam
Student Forum
Answered 18 hours ago
Many top scorers spend the first 8-10 minutes tackling independent VA questions, including Odd One Out and Para Summary, before settling into long RC passages.
Candidates preparing for CAT must devise a exam day plan based on how they perform during mocks.
V
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 18 hours ago
In most of the recent CAT exam sessions, Odd One Out questions have appeared as TITA (Type In The Answer) questions with no negative marking.
L
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 21 hours ago
Candidates can refer to How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma and DI & LR for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 21 hours ago
Yes, Caselets are important for CAT DILR. They help develop skills in interpreting data, identifying relationships and solving logical problems.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 21 hours ago
CAT does not have a fixed number of questions from Caselets. Usually, one Caselet-based set with 4-5 questions may appear in the DILR section.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 22 hours ago
Candidates can refer to High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin. CAT previous-year questions, grammar exercises and mock tests are also useful.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 22 hours ago
Yes, understanding Parts of Speech helps candidates improve grammar, sentence correction, para completion and overall Verbal Ability skills.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 22 hours ago
CAT does not have a fixed number of questions from Parts of Speech. The topic is usually tested indirectly through grammar and Verbal Ability questions.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 22 hours ago
Choose a coaching institute that will minimise daily travel time, as daily traffic across major corridors can cause commute fatigue. Centres near metro stations (such as Central, Park Street, or Salt Lake Sector V) are usually the easiest to reach.
R
Contributor-Level 7
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How much time should I spend on an Odd One Out question on CAT exam day?