What type of Reading Comprehension passages are there in XAT?

In XAT, Reading Comprehension passages are usually taken from Philosophy, Psychology, History, Art, research articles. Sometime, the XAT RC section also has poems. These areas are chosen to test the candidates, who are largely Science, Commerce and Engineering graduates, on their ability to come out of their comfort zone and adapt to unfamiliar situations. Out of 26 questions, about 14-16 questions are based on RC passages or a poem. Candidates must target solving about 10 questions accurately to score well. XAT has negative marking so do not mark an option as your answer if you are not 100 percent sure of it.

How many RC questions does CAT have?

The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc. CAT has about 12-16 RC question. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.

What is the best preparation strategy for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension?

To prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, stick to the traditional path of concepts first and practice later. Study English grammar and Verbal Ability first to understand the concept. Then practice a number of sample questions of different kinds to gain confidence, speed and accuracy. For RC passages, develop the habit of reading from early stages. Read books from all walks of life. Practicing sample Reading Comprehension passages and questions in a crucial part of VARC preparation. This will help you understand the types of questions and RC passages asked in various entrance exams. As an aspirant, you will be appearing for more than one entrance exam, thus you need to have the practice of different types of RC passages.

How early should I start reading novels for Reading Comprehension?

To develop reading habit, one should start reading books and newspapers every day for at least one hour daily from at least six to eight months before the exam. Ideally, you should start reading books from a year before the entrance exam you are planning to appear for. We say so because, reading depends a lot on one’s interest. You need to first build interest in reading. Candidate who have to habit or interest in reading may not find it too difficult to read 100 pages every day, but those who have no interest in reading will have to develop it. So, start reading early on and read a variety of books. Start will books having easy language, once you develop interest and speed, move to books with tough English.

Is the CAT syllabus difficult?

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.

What are the important topics of CAT syllabus from which maximum questions are asked?

CAT lays a lot of emphasis on analytical skills so the questions are asked mostly from those topics which require deep learning and practice. The three sections of CAT question paper are designed in such a way that candidates have to use their ability of minute observation and fast calculation. Shared below are the section wise main topics from which questions are asked in CAT. Verbal Ability: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences Reading Comprehension: Questions based on passages, Para meaning, Order of sentences Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency Logical Reasoning: Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Sets and Caselets, Family Tree, Assumptions Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra Number System Modern Math, Arithmetic, Mensuration The difficulty level of CAT questions is usually moderate to high. Only a few questions are easy and quick to solve. To crack the CAT exam, one needs to pay attention to the abovementioned topics.

Is CMAT syllabus the same as that of CAT?

Yes, syllabus of CMAT and CAT are same and include: 1. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: Mensuration Number System Algebra Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation and Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, etc. 2. Logical Reasoning: Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc. 3. Language Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability, Vocabulary, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Para jumbles, etc. However, CMAT has two extra sections - General Knowledge and Innovation and Entrepreneurship, topics of which are mentioned below: 4. General Awareness: Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society, Arts, Awards, Inventions 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship and start up business, models of entrepreneurship, Emerging Trends in Social Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Society, Rural Entrepreneurship, etc.

What is the syllabus of General English section of SNAP?

The SNAP General English syllabus is similar to that of other MBA entrance exams. It includes passages, Syllogisms, Analogies, Grammar, Antonym-Synonym, One Word Substitution, Similar Sounding Words, Parajumbles and Fill in the Blanks. This is the shortest section of SNAP having only 15 questions. Most of the questions are usually based on English grammar. For the past 2 years, no Reading Comprehension passage is seen in the exam. However, candidates still need to practice Reading Comprehension passages as it has not been completely scrapped. Preparation for the exam as per the SNAP syllabus requires not much time to prepare if your English is strong. But if it is not, then you must start studying English much earlier as developing hold on a language requires time.

In how many months can I prepare for XAT?

Ideally, XAT preparation takes six to nine months, but if candidates have prepared for CAT too, XAT preparation can be done in lesser time as one will have to only work on Decision Making and General Knowledge topics. Those who are weak in English Comprehension must start reading practice early on. The ideal time to start XAT preparation is May, so you can cover the whole syllabus by October and dedicate two months to mock test practice. If you start studying for XAT late, by July or so, make sure you complete the syllabus by October only. Remember that XAT syllabus is tough, so you’ll need to study at least 6-8 hours daily from start until the end. Give ample time to yourself to complete the XAT syllabus.

What are the important topics of MAT exam?

Questions in MAT are asked from verbal ability, reading comprehension, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, arrangement, coding decoding, graphs and tables, family tree, blood relation, clocks and calendars, time, speed and distance, statements, etc.

What is the latest CMAT exam pattern?

Latest CMAT exam pattern is given below: Question paper carries 100 MCQs Each section has 20 question Exam duration is 180 minutes Each question carries 4 marks There is no negative marking

Is the question paper of MAT IBT different from MAT CBT or PBT?

No, the question paper of MAT IBT is not different from MAT CBT or PBT. The test pattern, time duration, question type and marking scheme are the same for all three modes. Candidates can choose to appear for any exam mode with the worry of doing exam specific preparation. The only difference between MAT IBT and MAT CBT or PBT is that MAT IBT is a remote proctored exam and can be taken from any location unlike MAT CBT or PBT which are held at designated exam centres. The MAT question paper of every session however is different. All the 200 questions of each question paper is unique. The difficulty level is the same- easy to moderate but since the questions are different from each other candidates can feel slight difference in the difficulty level. The questions for every session are chosen randomly so in one session the paper can be overall easy while in another session the exam can be slightly difficult.

What are the topics on which I should read books for RC preparation?

Candidates must read books on economy, philosophy, science, astronomy, psychology, sociology, history, geography, psychoanalysis, economics, astronomy, art & culture, literature, fiction novels, auto-biographies and biographies. Most of the passages that appear in any MBA entrance exam are based on these topics. The RC passages length may vary but most of the times the language is tough with foreign words and expressions or a good amount of data. It is also recommended to candidates to read research papers, survey reports, etc. to have the practice of understanding and relating data in a quick read. Always refer to dictionary for word meanings while reading books.

Which type of questions does VARC section of an entrance exam comprise?

The VARC section of any MBA entrance exam or a competitive exam typically comprises MCQs based on Grammatical concepts like tenses, articles, noun/pronoun, conjunctions, subject-verb agreement; Verbal Ability questions on word meaning, one-word substitution, fill in the blanks, parajumbles, para completion, antonyms/synonyms, etc. Apart from these, every VARC section has reading comprehension passages of 300 to 900 words. Candidates have to answer questions based on these passages. In MBA entrances exams, you will find RC passages dominating CAT, XAT, IIFT, NMAT, GMAT, whereas there will be less of them MAT, CMAT, ATMA. In SNAP there is no RC passages anymore.

Which are the best books for VARC preparation?

Best books for VARC preparation are Word Power Made Easy by Normal Lewis and High School English Grammar by Wren & Martin. Apart from these two books, students must refer to practice books such as, How To Prepare For Verbal Ability And Reading Comprehension For CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay, The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability for the CAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations by Sujit Kumar and The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha. These books are recommended for all the MBA entrance exams as well as other competitive exams.

Why is it necessary to practice sample questions of VARC preparation?

It is necessary to practice sample questions for preparation of Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension because all the MBA entrance exams are speed based test and there is just about minute allotted to each question. By practicing sample questions, you will get the practice of reading 600 plus words passages quickly, develop speed and accuracy in solving question and learn the skill to choose which question to answer and which one to skip to avoid negative marking. Practicing sample questions will also give you prior experience of different types of Reading Comprehension questions of different exams. Remember that same preparation formula cannot be applied to all entrance exams.

Is it true that someone who is weak in English, cannot score well in Verbal Ability?

No, it is not true that someone who is weak in English can’t score well in Verbal Ability. If one works hard and prepares well for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, they can score well in the section. One only needs to have the drive and discipline. They will require to start preparation for this subject earlier than those who have a good command over the language. Start reading books and novels. Keep a dictionary and mark the difficult words. Make notes of common idioms and phrases. Revise word meaning and concepts of Grammar every alternate day. Practice questions and mock tests.

Errors in Tenses: Definition, Rules, Examples, Practice Questions with Answers PDFs for MBA Preparation

Updated on May 22, 2026 17:48 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

English is a tricky language. It has rules but they change. It has logic but it bends. Sometimes words having same spelling can mean different things, sometime same sounding words can have different spellings. Despite being well versed in the language, sometimes one tends to commit common and silly errors in verbal or written English Communication. The most common area is errors in Tenses. Here we bring to you the common Errors in Tenses in English Language and how one can rectify those by understanding the root cause and gaining conceptual clarity on it.

Table of contents

What are Errors in Tenses?
Types of Errors in Tenses
Verb Confusion in Past and Present Test
Tense Error Correction Exercises with Answers
VARC Questions for Practice with Answers PDF

What are Errors in Tenses?

There are three types of tenses - Past, Present and Future. While framing a sentence, there is often confusion in verbs and clauses. Also, students often commit errors in tenses such as confusing between past and present or future tense in a single sentence, or within the tense, such as confusion between present perfect tense and present continuous tense.

Also Read: MBA Preparation 2025: Tips to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams

Types of Errors in Tenses

Let us discuss some of the common Tense errors and how to identify as well as rectify them.

Confusion in Present Tense

We use Present Tense to signify an action which is taking place at the moment or in the current time. To denote whether the action is a single instance or a recurring event, Present Tense is further divided into four types. The types of Present Tenses along with examples are given below.

Simple Present Tense: Ram goes to school.
Present Perfect Tense: Ram has gone to school.
Present Continuous Tense: Ram is going to school.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense: Ram has been going to school.

While Simple Present Tense refers to continuous action, Present Perfect Tense refers to an action that has taken place a while ago but is yet to be completed. Present Continuous Tense refers to an action which is taking place in real-time. Present Perfect Continuous Tense signifies that action which is taking place over a period of time. While writing sentences in Present Tense, students often misuse the tenses or confuse between two or more sub-tenses.

Confusion in Past Tense

Past Tense is used to refer to an event or action that has taken place earlier. The degree of occurrence may vary, and to classify that, the Past Tense is divided into Simple Past Tense, Past Perfect Tense, Past Continuous Tense and Past Perfect Continuous Tense. The types of Pas Tense and their examples are given below.

Simple Past Tense: Ram went to school.
Past Perfect Tense: Ram had gone to school.
Past Continuous Tense: Ram was going to school.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense: Ram had been going to school.

To avoid confusion in the Past Tense, students should refer to these examples and understand whether the action was a single instance event or was a recurring event.

Confusion in Future Tense

Future Tense is used to for events which are yet to take place or a planned for the future. Like the Present and Past tenses, the Future Tense is also categorised as per the degree of occurrence. The types of Future Tense along with examples are as follows:

Simple Future Tense: Ram will go to school tomorrow.
Future Continuous Tense: Ram will be visiting his grandparents next week.
Future Perfect Tense: Ram will have reached his grandparents’ house by this time next week.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense: By next week Ram will have been to his grandparent's house.

The Simple Future Tense refers to an event which will certainly take place at a time later on. Future Continuous Tense refers to an incomplete or ongoing action at a time later on. On the other hand, Future Perfect Tense is used to refer to an action, which would be completed at a time later on. Future Perfect Continuous Tense is used to explain an action which is ongoing or incomplete at present but will be completed at a later time.

Verb Confusion in Past and Present Test

A sentence remains incomplete without a verb. The usage of the verb is often mistaken and is one of the most common Error in Tenses. Take a look at some of the examples of Error in Tenses with respect to Verbs.

Incorrect: Ram did not went to school yesterday.

Correct: Ram did not go to school yesterday.

Incorrect: Rajesh used to wrote poems in his college days.

Correct: Rajesh used to write poems during his college days.

Incorrect: I have met Rita yesterday.

Correct: I met Rita yesterday.

Incorrect: It is snowing for two days.

Correct: It has been snowing for two days.

Incorrect: David has gone to London last week.

Correct: David went to Mumbai last week.

Tense Error Correction Exercises with Answers

If you've understood the concepts behind tenses, let's take a test. Answer the following sample questions on Tenses.

Q1. The glass windowpane _ while the kids were playing cricket.

a. Broke

b. Was broken

c. Had broke

d. Was broke

Q2. I will _ you in the evening.

a. Call

b. Calling

c. Be calling

d. Called

Q3. The last date to submit the project _ end of the day today.

a. Is

b. Was

c. Will

d. Has been

Q4. Priya _ music class every Thursday.

a. Attends

b. Attended

c. Is attending

d. Will attending

Q5. Raju _ when his mother entered the room.

a. Played

b. Was playing

c. Plays

d. Is playing

Q6. John always _ to help the needy,

a. Tried

b. Tries

c. Was trying

d. Is trying

Q7. It had stopped raining when I _ the office.

a. Leave

b. Was leaving

c. Left

d. Leaves

Q8. Had you reached the station on time, you _ board the train.

a. Would

b. Will

c. Would have

d. Will have

Q9. Raj is learning how _ guitar

a. To play

b. To playing

c. Playing

d. Play

Q10. Rahul _ suffering from migraine since last week.

a. Is

b. Was

c. Has been

d. Has

Q11.Sunny __ football since childhood.

a. has been playing

b. has played

c. plays

d. was playing

Q12. Vinita __sent her car for repair last week.

a. has

b. has sent

c. sent

d. had sent

Q13.This school __ shut a long time ago.

a. has been

b. was

c. had been

d. is

Q14. Construction __ in my building since last year.

a. Goes on

b. Is going on

c. Was going on

d. Went on

Q15. I __ something stale in this room.

a. Smell

b. Have been smelling

c. Smelt

d. Was smelling

Q16. He __ to the market every day to buy fresh vegetables.

a. Has been going

b. Went

c. Goes

d. Will be going

Q 17: We __ thinking of buying a new house for quite sometime now.

a. Were

b. Are

c. Have been

d. Had been

Q 18: Our garden is waterlogged because it __ all night.

a. Rains

b. Rained

c. Raining

d. Rain

Q 19: I couldn’t find fresh cream in the local store. So, I __ to the supermarket.

a. Went

b. Was going

c. Did go

d. Had to go

Q 20: It was sunny outside. Thus, kids __ not allowed to play outside.

a. Were

b. Are

c. Being

d. Would be

Q 21: He __ to the gym for 5 years now, as part of his daily routine.

a. Went

b. Goes

c. Has been going

d. Was going

Q 22. _ office on time is impossible these days due to heavy traffic on roads.

a. Reaching

b. To reach

c. Reached

d. Reach

Q 23. I was _ home when I met Sandra.

a. to come

b. coming

c. came

d. come

Q 24. Selena _ at the gate until all the guests arrived.

a. was standing

b. stand

c. stood

d. will stand

Q 25. If it was not raining. I _ go to the park.

a. will

b. would

c. would've

d. can

Q 26. Ira _ rose flowers from Ms Annie’s garden today.

a. Plucked

b. Plucking

c. Plucks

d. Was plucking

Q 27. I will be _ my grand mother over the weekend.

a. visit

b. visiting

c. visited

d. would visit

Q 28. Today _ the last day of carnival.

a. Is

b. Was

c. Will

d. Has been

Q 29. Tom _ guitar when he was in school.

a. was learning

b. learnt

c. learned

d. learns

Q 30. Priya _ eating at the buffet last night.

a. is

b. was

c. will

d. would

Answers:

Q1. a Q2. a. Q3. a. Q4. a. Q5. b. Q6. b. Q7. c. Q8. c. Q9. a. Q10. c Q11. a Q12. c Q13. b Q14. b Q15. a Q16. c Q17. c Q18.b Q19.a Q20. b Q21. c Q22. a Q23. b Q24. c Q25. b Q 26. a Q 27.b Q 28. is Q 29. b Q30. b.

Download Free VARC Question Bank for Practice

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VARC Questions for Practice with Answers PDF

Check out free PDFs of VARC questions for practice with solutions:

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