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CAT Preparation 2023: How to Get More Marks in VARC? Last Week Tips

An effective CAT preparation 2023 for VARC section helps candidates to improve sectional and overall CAT scores. Know expert-recommended practical tips to strengthen candidates' grasp of VARC topics and realise the target of qualifying for CAT exam.

Anil Solonki30 Oct, 2023

CAT Preparation 2023: How to Get More Marks in VARC? Last Week Tips

CAT Preparation 2023: The VARC section is highly significant in the CAT exam as it carries maximum marks. Succeeding in the CAT VARC section requires not only strong reading and comprehension skills but also a solid command of English grammar. Additionally, candidates must have the ability to read quickly and solve associated parajumble questions.

Candidates aiming to qualify for the CAT exam must effectively prepare for the VARC section and score high marks. Notably, a considerable portion of CAT VARC questions are based on Reading Comprehension passages, parajumbles, or identifying the odd sentence. To strengthen these topics, it is essential to solve multiple questions in a time-bound manner. Although candidates are advised to focus on VARC from the beginning of CAT preparation, the final week before the CAT exam 2023 holds the utmost importance. Here, we have discussed practical tips and strategies to enhance VARC preparation to score well in the CAT 2023 exam.

CAT Preparation 2023: Understanding the Exam Structure

Considering the CAT 2023 exam pattern , the VARC section consists of 24 questions out of a total of 66 questions. These questions are divided into two segments: reading comprehension and verbal ability. Reading comprehension holds greater weightage with 16 questions, while verbal ability constitutes 8. The following table demonstrates the CAT 2023 examination structure and syllabus for the VARC section:

Total number of VARC questions	24 questions
Division of questions according to category	MCQs - 21 TITA questions- 3
Sectio-wise VARC questions	Reading Comprehension	16 questions (4 passages with 4 questions in each passage)
	Verbal Ability	8 questions Odd sentences - 2 Parajumbles - 3 Parasummary - 3
Marking scheme	+3 for correct answers -1 for incorrect response No negative marking for TITA questions
Total sectional time	40 minutes

CAT Preparation 2023: Using the Elimination Method in RC Passages

When solving the RC passage, candidates must use the "elimination technique," which involves discarding answer choices that do not relate to the passage. To master this approach, it's essential to enhance reading speed and practice multiple RCs before the CAT Exam. Additionally, employing the reverse technique—reviewing questions before delving into the passage—can significantly reduce the time consumed for completing the passage. Here are the most effective ways to solve RC questions:

The easiest way to select answers through the elimination method is to look for options that introduce information or concepts not discussed within the passage. These choices introduce ideas that are not supported by the text, and so candidates must remove them while selecting correct answers for RC questions.
Remain cautious of options that exaggerate or stretch the main idea excessively. Words like "all," "never," or "every" often indicate extreme statements that diverge from the main concept of the question.
Candidates must avoid options that contradict the incidents or relationships mentioned in the passage. These options may reverse a cause-and-effect relationship or chronology, conflicting with the information in the passage.

Also Read: How to Prepare for CAT Exam

Experts Advice to Achieve a 99 Percentile in CAT VARC Section

Many CAT aspirants find the VARC section daunting. A lower score in this section could significantly affect candidates' overall CAT percentile. Therefore, achieving the sectional cutoff in VARC is crucial to securing a high rank in the exam. Additionally, understanding achieving a high percentile in the VARC section requires effective strategies that can notably enhance performance. Here are some effective preparation strategies to secure the 99+ percentile in the VARC section of the CAT 2023 exam:

Assess and Improve Reading Speed

A common suggestion given to CAT aspirants is to delve into reading novels extensively. While this approach might be helpful for avid readers, those aspirants who need to balance work or college may find it quite challenging. Therefore, experts at PW MBA Online Coaching suggest aspirants focus on reading newspapers. Initially, candidates should opt for a 300–400 word article from a newspaper or an editorial blog and attempt to complete it within 10-15 minutes. With time, they must reduce the time to 5–6 minutes. In the final week of CAT preparation, candidates must read and attempt to complete articles or editorials in a short time. They must also focus on grasping the meaning of the content instead of merely reading it.

Evaluate Fundamental Comprehension Skills

Merely having a swift reading pace isn't sufficient. A thorough understanding of the article or blog is equally important to answer the related questions accurately. Sometimes, candidates might realise that despite reading extensively, they lack an understanding of the write-up. To solve this problem, candidates must pay attention to two vital aspects. Primarily, they must enhance their concentration levels. Further, they should pay heed to the message conveyed in the passage or content. To enhance one's comprehension abilities, candidates should try to write down the principal themes of the paragraph they read in one to three weeks. This process should be applied to every paragraph. Through consistent practice, candidates can naturally begin to grasp the primary idea within the paragraph. This approach significantly aids in addressing questions without having to refer back to the text repeatedly.

Practice Various Types of Questions

As candidates approach the last week of CAT preparation 2023, it's essential that they have practised various types of RC passages. In the final stretch before CAT 2023, candidates should concentrate on the types of questions asked in RC passages. By developing the skills to answer RC questions, candidates can effectively score well in the VARC section, regardless of the difficulty level.

Consistent Newspaper Reading is Essential

It's crucial for candidates to maintain the habit of daily newspaper reading without fail. While reading the newspaper or articles, candidates must pay attention to understanding and memorising new words or phrases. This approach is helpful for answering vocabulary-based questions in the CAT exam 2023.

Solve Crossword Puzzles Within Deadline

Dedicate 15-20 minutes to solving crossword puzzles to enhance skills in deciphering word meanings, jumbled sentences, and paragraphs. This consistent practice with crossword puzzles serves as an excellent strategy for CAT preparation 2023.

Also Read: How To Prepare For CAT Exam 2023 In 1 Month

Effective Time Management

Irrespective of how well-prepared a candidate is for the CAT exam, poor time management can negate all their efforts. Given the 120-minute duration of the CAT 2023 exam, having a robust time-management strategy is critical. During the final week of CAT exam preparation, it's crucial to allocate time meticulously to answer different question sets. Candidates with strong time management skills can smoothly approach and answer all the questions in the Reading Comprehension section of the CAT 2023 exam. The success rate in CAT 2023 is extremely low at 2%. This means that 98% of candidates won't be able to secure a seat in IIMs. To enhance their chances of cracking the CAT with a high score, candidates must join PW Online MBA Coaching , which aims to provide high-quality education from the top faculties of India. With strategic preparation and 24-hour doubt support, PW ensures a solid grasp of CAT syllabus topics, which proves imperative to outperform other CAT test-takers.

CAT Preparation 2023 FAQs

Can I achieve a 99th percentile in CAT VARC 2023?

With dedicated preparation and a strategic approach, candidates can achieve the 99th percentile in CAT VARC 2023.

How many questions are asked in the CAT VARC section?

The VARC section in the CAT 2023 exam will include 24 questions. These consist of 16 questions from the RC passages and 8 from Verbal Ability.

How can I improve accuracy in CAT VARC?

Improving accuracy in CAT VARC requires candidates to practise reading on a daily basis. Consistent reading improves candidates' ability to understand passages and learn new words, which are crucial for performing well in CAT VARC.

What's the most effective way to prepare for RC?

Efficiently understanding RC passages is crucial for accurately answering related questions. For this, candidates must develop a strong reading speed and a strategy to identify answers without constant re-reading.

What is the weightage of the VARC section in the CAT exam?

VARC constitutes 24 questions out of a total of 66. This accounts for 36% of weightage in the CAT exam.

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CAT Preparation 2023: Understanding the Exam Structure

Total number of VARC questions	24 questions
Division of questions according to category	MCQs - 21 TITA questions- 3
Sectio-wise VARC questions	Reading Comprehension	16 questions (4 passages with 4 questions in each passage)
	Verbal Ability	8 questions Odd sentences - 2 Parajumbles - 3 Parasummary - 3
Marking scheme	+3 for correct answers -1 for incorrect response No negative marking for TITA questions
Total sectional time	40 minutes

CAT Preparation 2023: Using the Elimination Method in RC Passages

The easiest way to select answers through the elimination method is to look for options that introduce information or concepts not discussed within the passage. These choices introduce ideas that are not supported by the text, and so candidates must remove them while selecting correct answers for RC questions.
Remain cautious of options that exaggerate or stretch the main idea excessively. Words like "all," "never," or "every" often indicate extreme statements that diverge from the main concept of the question.
Candidates must avoid options that contradict the incidents or relationships mentioned in the passage. These options may reverse a cause-and-effect relationship or chronology, conflicting with the information in the passage.