How to Improve VARC for CAT

The VARC section of CAT is a nightmare for many. But with the right strategy and consistent practice you can improve your score in this section. This post will give you a complete guide on how to improve your VARC skills and be CAT ready. We will also see how enrolling in a CAT coaching like Entri can help you further.

Overview

VARC section of CAT is a major contributor to your overall score and percentile. This section tests your English language skills, ability to read complex text and verbal reasoning. For many students VARC is a nightmare because of abstract questions and need to have deep understanding of grammar, vocabulary and critical reading skills. But with a structured approach and regular practice you can master this section and get a top score in CAT.

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What is VARC Section

Before we dive into the strategies, let’s understand what VARC section is. VARC section consists of:

1. Reading Comprehension (RC): This is the major part of VARC section, comprising multiple passages followed by questions that test your comprehension skills. The questions may ask you to infer, summarize or analyze the content of the passage.
2. Verbal Ability (VA): This part includes sentence rearrangement, sentence completion and grammar based questions. These questions test your understanding of sentence structure, coherence and grammatical rules.

Why Reading Comprehension and verbal ability in CAT

Many people read but everyone has different levels of comprehension. They understand at different levels and different things as per their comprehension skills. Few read over texts and don’t understand complex sentences. Some read between the lines and understand what the writer may not even have intended to communicate, by looking at the phrasing, the choice of words and punctuation.

Reading comprehension requires more work than just plain reading. Without proper comprehension skills, candidates won’t be able to grasp what they read. The purpose of reading is not to make phonetic sounds connected with words and letters but to gain knowledge and learn important information. By reading we gain important lessons, learn scientific teachings, thoughts and philosophies, memories and knowledge of new possibilities. Most of the knowledge in the world is stored in words.

Many parents in India think reading is only for clearing competitive exams. But reading comprehension is not just for CAT but for all subjects and for life. Need to understand is everywhere from Math to History and of course in day to day communication.

How to Improve VARC for CAT

1. Develop a Reading Habit

The best way to crack VARC section is by developing a reading habit. Read various types of texts like newspapers, journals, novels and academic articles. Read content from different fields like science, economics, literature and politics. This will not only increase your knowledge but also get you used to the different types of passages that may come in CAT.

2. Practice Reading Comprehension Passages

Since RC is a major part of VARC section, practice RC passages regularly. Start with short passages and move to longer and complex ones. Focus on the main idea, tone and structure of the passage. Practice summarizing the content in your own words and try to answer questions based on your understanding. Timed practice will also help you improve your speed and accuracy.

3. Improve Your Vocabulary

A good vocabulary is a must for VARC. Read extensively and learn new words daily. Make it a habit to note down unknown words, understand their meanings and use them in sentences. Flashcards or vocabulary apps can be helpful for quick revision. A good vocabulary will help you in RC passages as well as sentence completion and para-jumble questions.

4. Work on Verbal Ability

Verbal Ability questions in CAT test your ability to identify the correct sequence of sentences (para-jumbles), fill in the blanks and correct grammatical errors. To improve in this area, focus on understanding the logical flow of sentences and the structure of paragraphs. Practice para-jumble exercises and learn the common grammatical rules that are tested in the exam. Regular practice and analysis of your mistakes will help you master this section.

5. Take Mocks

Mock tests are a part and parcel of CAT preparation. They help you get used to the exam pattern and the types of questions asked in VARC. By taking regular mocks, you can assess your strengths and weaknesses and work on your time management. Analyze your performance in each test, identify the areas where you need to improve and focus on those areas in your subsequent practice sessions which will help you to improve VARC in cat.

6. Analyze Previous Year CAT Papers

Reviewing previous year CAT papers will give you an idea of the difficulty level, question pattern and important topics in VARC. By solving these papers, you can get used to the exam format and build confidence and improve VARC  for CAT. It’s also a great way to identify recurring question types and topics so that you can focus on the most important areas.

7. Time Management

Time management is crucial in CAT exam. VARC section like other sections is time bound and you need to manage your time wisely. Practice solving questions within a specific time limit to improve your speed. During the exam, prioritize easier questions to get quick marks and then move on to tougher ones. Don’t spend too much time on a single question to ensure you attempt as many questions as possible.

8. Join a CAT Course

Self study is important but joining a structured CAT course can give you extra support and resources. Courses like Entri’s CAT online course provides you with study materials, expert guidance and regular mocks that are specifically designed to help you in VARC. It also provides personalized feedback so that you can focus on your weak areas and improve overall.

Why a Coaching Program for VARC

A good coaching program can make a big difference in your CAT preparation. It gives you a structured study plan, access to experienced mentors and peer support. Entri’s CAT online coaching course for instance has a complete syllabus for VARC. It has video lectures, live classes, practice questions and doubt clearing sessions all of which are necessary to build a strong foundation in VARC.

The course also has regular assessments and mock tests which are necessary to track your progress and improve your test taking strategies. And the flexible study schedule allows you to study at your own pace making it perfect for working professionals and students alike.

9. Be Consistent with your Preparation

Consistency is the key to improve VARC  for CAT. Make a study schedule that has time for reading, practicing questions and revising concepts. Stick to this schedule and make sure you are consistently improving your VARC skills. Regular revision is also necessary to retain what you have learned and to keep your skills sharp.

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VARC Preparation: RC Passages & Elimination Technique for CAT

While solving RC passages, use the “elimination strategy”, i.e. eliminate options that are not mentioned in the passage. To master this technique you need to increase your reading speed and practice more than 700+ RCs before CAT. Also, try the reverse technique, i.e. look at the options before looking at the passage, it will help you to hit the correct answer. This technique has been observed to be the most successful and was repeatedly preached by CAT 99 %ilers. Here’s how you can use this elimination technique to ace your VARC:

• Don’t choose extreme options: Watch out for options that stretch the main idea too far. Sometimes it can be inferred from a single word. E.g., words like “all”, “never”, or “every” indicate extremity of a given statement, deviating from the main idea of the question.
• Eliminate options contradictory to incidents in the passage: Some options will “flip” a relationship. They’ll say B caused A when the passage says A caused B or they’ll say something happened first in the process when it actually happened later.
• Eliminate Outlier/Distortion: These are the most obvious options to eliminate. They bring in information or ideas not mentioned at all in the passage.

Options supported by the passage but not the question: As we said above, this is a very common wrong answer type, so make sure you read the question carefully before choosing the answer.

Conclusion

Improving VARC for CAT requires a combination of regular practice, strategic preparation and consistent effort. By following the tips mentioned above you can improve your comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning skills which are necessary to crack VARC. And enrolling in a comprehensive CAT coaching program like Entri’s can give you the resources, guidance and support to get your desired score.

So, all the best! Studying, practicing, analyzing and revising is the key to success in CAT. Stay focused, stay consistent and keep practicing.