Tips to Improve Reading Skills for CAT 2025 VARC Section

Tips to Improve Reading Skills for CAT 2025 VARC Section: Candidates who aim to enter top IIMs must clear CAT with a good score. However, preparing for the CAT is a challenging process, and candidates need to follow a strategic plan to master CAT topics.

Among all the three sections of CAT—Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) — the VARC section can be particularly challenging for students who lack a weak reading skill. Whether it's reading comprehension or verbal ability, strong reading skills are essential to accurately understand the question. However, many CAT aspirants are not habituated to reading, which may hinder their scores in the VARC section. 

To clear the CAT with a good score in VARC, candidates must start their CAT 2025 preparation by following a strategic plan. This includes developing a habit of reading regularly, strengthening vocabulary, analysing and interpreting the text, and more. Here are some practical and effective tips to improve reading skills for the CAT 2025 VARC section. 

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Establish a Consistent Reading Routine

Building a strong reading habit is the first step toward improving reading skills. Candidates should dedicate at least 30 to 45 minutes daily to reading diverse content from various sources such as novels, newspapers, magazines, and online articles. Additionally, candidates should focus on reading from reliable sources like The Hindu, The Guardian, The Economic Times, etc. AEON essays are particularly recommended to improve reading skills for the CAT VARC section.

Engage in Active Reading Strategies

Reading passively will not help you retain information or answer questions quickly and correctly. Therefore, candidates must actively read the text by remembering where sentences are located in the passage, summarising each paragraph and connecting it with the remaining paragraphs, and maintaining concentration while reading to retain information.

For effective reading, candidates should also pay attention to the grammar. This approach can help candidates accurately understand the meaning of the passage.

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Skim Through the Text 

Efficient reading during the CAT exam requires mastering the art of skimming approach. This practice helps in getting a quick glance through a passage to understand the main idea without reading every word.

To effectively use the skimming approach, candidates should roughly read each paragraph by understanding its theme and transition. Additionally, they must practice reading faster without compromising comprehension. Once candidates complete reading the passage, they should attempt questions in timed manner to evaluate their understanding of the passage.

Gradually Enhance Vocabulary

Although CAT does not directly test vocabulary, a strong vocabulary is essential for understanding reading passages quickly. However, candidates must avoid overwhelming themselves by trying to memorize multiple words as it may be time-consuming. Instead, candidates should aim to understand the meaning of a word in a particular context.

To naturally build vocabulary, candidates should follow the approach provided below:

• Read Regularly: Consistent reading ensures that candidates learn new words daily, improving their vocabulary.

• Contextual Learning: Focus on understanding words within the context of a passage rather than just memorizing definitions, as meanings can change based on usage.

• Maintain a Vocabulary Journal: Write down new words, their meanings, and example sentences for better comprehension.

• Use Flashcards: Candidates should use physical flashcards to quickly revise the learned words or phrases.

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Understand Question Types

CAT VARC questions come in various formats, including inference-based, summary-based, and factual questions. Getting familiar with these question types helps candidates know what to look for while reading the passages.

During CAT 2025 preparation for the VARC section, candidates should adhere to the following strategies to effectively solve questions:

• Focus on implied meanings to understand the underlying message.

• To answer factual questions, candidates should verify the specific information in the passage and mark their answers.

• Understand the main idea of the passage.

Join CAT Preparation Groups

To stay motivated during CAT preparation, candidates should consider joining study groups online. This practice also helps candidates share their preparation strategies and get insights from peers. Additionally, these groups facilitate effective discussions that introduce candidates with diverse perspectives and improve their analytical skills.