CAT Reading Comprehension Prep Tips: Common Pitfalls to Avoid in RC Questions
CAT Reading Comprehension prep tips are helpful for enhancing candidates’ exam preparation. Explore CAT Reading Comprehension prep tips and common mistakes to avoid during the exam.
Shivani Kumari10 Jul, 2024
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CAT Reading Comprehension Prep Tips: CAT Reading comprehension questions are most consuming and tricky. These questions evaluate candidates' verbal skills and ability to comprehend passages effectively. Despite their time-consuming and challenging nature, with adequate preparation, CAT aspirants can tackle them efficiently during the exam. Additionally, candidates can review the answers of these questions to ensure they are accurate. However, it is crucial for candidates to understand and avoid common pitfalls in the CAT RC section to qualify with good scores.
Here, we have provided detailed information for the common mistakes in the CAT RC section. It is crucial to avoid these pitfalls when approaching the CAT reading comprehension section to ensure efficient problem-solving.Pitfalls to Avoid in CAT Reading Comprehension Question
Questions in the CAT RC section require a proper understanding of the passages. Additionally, candidates have to efficiently manage their time to answer all the questions in CAT RC while avoiding the following pitfalls:Memorising Everything
When preparing for CAT 2024 , it's crucial to avoid memorising all the details in the passage. Instead, when approaching these passages, it's essential to emphasise understanding. RC passages are designed to assess verbal comprehension and reasoning skills, necessitating a thorough grasp of the passage's subject matter and structure. Candidates must focus on identifying and comprehending key points in each passage, particularly for factual questions where revisiting the text is often necessary for accurate answers.Making Assumptions
Candidates must avoid making assumptions about information that isn't explicitly stated in the passage. They must select answer options that strictly rely on the information provided within the passage itself. Making unfounded assumptions can result in inaccurate answers, potentially lowering candidates’ CAT scores. Hence, it is crucial that candidates base their responses solely on the explicit details provided in the CAT exam passages to ensure accuracy and maximise their score potential.Overlooking Details
In many RC passages, there are critical details that significantly contribute to the passage's central theme or topic. When setting CAT RC questions IIM often inquires about the details that rely on seemingly minor contexts. Therefore, it's essential to carefully read through the passage and grasp all the details it presents. Understanding each detail is crucial to accurately answering the provided questions and avoiding potential traps set within the CAT exam's RC section.Reading the Passage First
When tackling RC questions, it's beneficial to review the questions before delving into the passage. This approach allows for a strategic reading where one can identify and focus on key details and information relevant to answering the questions effectively. By first understanding the questions, candidates can enhance their comprehension and retention of crucial points while going through the passage.Inadequate Time Allocation
Effective time management is essential for success in the RC section. Given the passage's length and the limited time available to answer questions, proper time allocation becomes crucial. Many candidates find themselves spending excessive time on reading and answering, leaving insufficient time for review. To overcome this challenge, candidates should establish a structured approach with designated time limits for reading and answering each question set. It's also recommended to allocate specific time slots for revisiting and refining answers. By managing time efficiently and avoiding prolonged focus on individual questions, candidates can optimise their performance in the RC section.Getting Stuck on Vocabulary
A frequent error most candidates make in CAT RC is spending excessive time understanding the meanings of words. While having a strong vocabulary is beneficial, it's not always necessary to understand every single word to grasp the passage effectively. To avoid this issue, candidates should focus on comprehending the overall context and message conveyed by the passage. This approach can help candidates manage their time more effectively during the exam.Getting Caught in Traps
In the CAT exam's RC section, paper setters strategically set traps to challenge candidates' reading and analytical skills. Common traps include scope traps and dreamer traps, designed to mislead or confuse. It's crucial for candidates to thoroughly understand the passage's main idea and context. Paying attention to specific words, such as "however" or "but," can significantly alter the meaning of sentences or paragraphs. Candidates must avoid falling into traps by sticking closely to the passage's scope and avoiding options that deviate from its context.How to Enhance CAT RC Passage Performance?
A common query among MBA aspirants is how to improve their understanding of a CAT RC passage. It's acknowledged that comprehending and answering questions simultaneously poses a challenge. CAT often presents passages unfamiliar to candidates, some of which include multiple information. Mastering these passages can help candidates significantly enhance their exam scores. A thorough understanding allows one to answer most questions correctly, potentially maximising scores. Here are some preparation approaches to score well in the CAT RC passage:- Develop the habit of reading articles and passages every day.
- When reading the passage, try to focus on the main idea presented by the author.
- During the preparation phase, improve vocabulary to avoid confusion.
- Attempt sectional and full-length mock tests to assess preparedness and take steps to streamline preparation.
CAT Reading Comprehension Prep Tips FAQs
What should I read to improve my CAT's RC?
To improve CAT RC, candidates should read newspaper editorials, Aeon essays, Magazines, novels, etc.
How to solve RC passages in CAT?
To solve RC passages candidates must go through the questions first and then read the passage. This approach helps candidates identify and mark the sections for answering specific questions.
What is the difficulty level of RC in CAT?
The CAT RC section is easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level.
What is the reading speed for CAT RC?
The recommended CAT RC passage reading speed to score good marks is 400-450 words in a minute.
How do you analyse RC in a CAT?
To analyse RC in the CAT exam, candidates should focus on understanding the main point. Candidates should also identify the most repeated word or phrase in the passage to understand what the author wants to convey.
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