CAT VARC 4-Month Study Plan: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) Section is an important part of the CAT Exam. Although IIMs, which conduct the CAT Exam, do not officially publish the CAT Exam Syllabus, they release mock tests and question papers that highlight the importance of preparing for the VARC Section
CAT VARC 4-month study Plan will consist of a time frame and details regarding an effective preparation strategy for this section of the CAT Exam. In this article, we will look at a 4-month study Plan to prepare for the VARC section of the CAT Exam.
A comprehensive understanding of the CAT syllabus is crucial to prepare the CAT VARC 4-month study Plan. The official notification for the CAT 2025 Exam is to be released soon, which will provide insights into the exam pattern and test format. Candidates preparing to appear for the CAT Exam can also check the table below to understand how to prepare for VARC in CAT Exam:
CAT Syllabus for MBA 2025 Overview | |
Particulars | Details |
CAT Exam syllabus sections |
|
Number of questions | VARC- 24 questions DILR- 20 questions QA- 22 questions |
Total number of questions | 66 |
Type of questions | Both MCQs and non-MCQs |
Section-wise exam duration | 40 minutes per section, 53 minutes 20 secs for PwD candidates |
Total marks | 198 |
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section is the first part of the CAT exam. The section is divided into two parts: Verbal Ability (VA) and Reading Comprehension (RC). The questions from RC carry more marks in comparison to VA. The VARC section consists of a total of 24 questions, and the time allotted is 40 minutes. Candidates can check the table below to know about the topics included under the CAT VARC Section Syllabus:
CAT VARC Section Syllabus | |
Idioms | Jumbled paragraphs |
Fill in the blanks | Antonyms |
Para jumbles | Sentence completion |
Errors in tenses | Verbal logic |
Parts of speech | Analogies |
Preposition | Articles usage |
Types of clauses | Different usage of one word |
Phrases modifiers | Sentence correction |
Subject-verb agreement | Para completion and inference |
Syllogisms | Foreign language words used in English |
One word substitution | Verbal reasoning |
The VARC Section in the CAT Exam covers several important topics from Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. The structure of the questions asked in the VARC Section of the CAT Exam tends to be consistent every year. Candidates who are preparing to appear for the CAT 2025 Exam can check the table below for the CAT VARC Section Topic-wise Weightage:
CAT VARC Section Topic Wise Weightage | ||
Topics | No. of Questions | Overall Weightage |
Reading Comprehension (RC) | 16 | 66.66% |
Odd-one Out Questions | 2 | 8.3% |
Para Jumbled Sentences | 3 | 12.5% |
Summary Questions | 3 | 12.5% |
Total | 24 |
The CAT VARC 4-Month Study Plan should incorporate daily reading and practicing, particularly for English grammar, jumbled sentences, reading comprehension, regular mock test analysis, etc. The major focus from the beginning should be on building a strong foundation initially to improve, and then gradually move to mock tests and previous question papers for a well-rounded preparation. Candidates can also check the CAT VARC 4-Month Strategy given below:
Last 4 Months Plan for CAT VARC | |
Months | Focus Areas |
Month 1-2 |
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Month 3 |
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Month 4 |
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Pro Tip | During the complete preparation phase, everything learned from the syllabus should be complemented with vigorous solving of practice questions. |
VARC Section in the CAT Exam holds substantial weightage and is an important part of not only the CAT but also other MBA entrance exams as well. A well-planned study plan is vital for CAT VARC Section preparation, especially for those who consider themselves weak in English Comprehension and Verbal Ability. Candidates can check below to get an effective CAT VARC Preparation Plan:
The VARC Section, in recent times, has transformed from being a simple English language test to a more English usage evaluation. So, the approach of the candidates should also align in the same way.
Candidates should look to develop a regular reading habit from diverse content and try to understand their tone, structure, main argument, etc.
Aspirants are required to improve their verbal ability and strengthen their grammar skills. It will improve their comprehension of passages and their ability to answer more questions accurately.
Solve and analyze the previous year's question papers to identify strong and weak areas. Analyze errors and try to avoid the same mistakes in the subsequent tests.
Refer to some of the highly recommended books for CAT VARC Preparation, including High School Grammar and Composition, Wren and Martin, Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, etc.