Planning to ace the CAT 2025 exam? One section that often makes or breaks your percentile is CAT VARC — Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. In this article, we break down the updated CAT syllabus, provide expert-backed strategies, and walk you through a structured plan to ace every topic. Whether you're just beginning or retaking CAT, this guide from Coachify will help you take full control of your VARC preparation.
Table of Content
What is CAT VARC & Why It Matters?
The CAT VARC section carries 24 questions, contributing significantly to your overall percentile. Unlike quant or LRDI, VARC tests language comprehension, logic, and abstract reasoning — skills that require regular practice and strategic reading.
This section includes:
- Reading Comprehension (RC) – ~66%
- Verbal Ability (VA) – ~34%
Including: Para Jumbles, Summaries, and Odd One Out
If you're aiming for IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta, acing VARC is non-negotiable.
It’s especially crucial if you’re targeting elite institutes — How to Get Into IIM Ahmedabad: Selection Criteria, CAT Cutoff & Eligibility offers deep insights on how much VARC matters in final selections.
CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Detailed Breakdown
The official CAT syllabus doesn’t release topic lists, but based on past patterns, here’s the most updated structure for CAT VARC 2025:
RC Topics (16 Questions)
- Inference-based passages
- Author tone, central idea
- Fact-based & assumption questions
- Application and Logical structure
VA Topics (8 Questions)
- Para Jumbles (TITA)
- Paragraph Summary
- Odd Sentence Out
Download now: CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF | VARC Cheat Sheet for quick reference.
Also read: CAT Notification 2025 – Official Exam Date, Registration & PDF Update
Topic-wise CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus
Para Jumbles
- Sentence reordering logic
- Time-saving: Anchor-based solving
Paragraph Summary
- Understand the central idea
- Eliminate distractions
- Master passage reduction
Odd Sentence Out
- Identify coherence gaps
- Look for inconsistency in flow
Coachify Tip: Practice daily from previous CAT papers and evaluate patterns. Join our daily mock challenge on Telegram
Join our Reading Zone to build reading speed across CAT-style genres and access daily RC passages.
How to Prepare for CAT VARC Section from Scratch
If you're beginning your preparation with limited exposure to verbal reasoning or reading comprehension, it's important to start with the right habits. Building a strong foundation takes time, but daily effort in the right direction can create remarkable improvements.
Step-by-Step for Beginners:
- Read editorials daily from sources like The Hindu, Aeon Essays, and The Guardian. These help you adapt to the abstract and analytical reading style often seen in the exam. Coachify’s CAT Foundation Course supports beginners with guided reading schedules, vocab lists, and VA-RC video walkthroughs.
- Keep a vocabulary journal. Write down new words, their meanings, and example sentences. Revise them weekly to improve comprehension and clarity.
- Practice regularly. Aim to solve at least 2 RC passages and 5 verbal reasoning questions daily to improve speed, logic, and accuracy. You can also measure your progress using Coachify’s CAT Diagnostic Test to identify areas of weakness in VARC early on.
These simple yet effective habits will make even the most challenging questions more approachable over time.
Sample Daily Study Schedule
| Time Slot |
Activity |
| 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM |
Reading and note-taking (editorials) |
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM |
Practice questions (para jumbles, summaries) |
| 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Review mock tests and write article summaries |
This routine balances reading, problem-solving, and analysis — the core components of success in this section. It’s flexible and can be customized based on your strengths, but the goal is to ensure consistent exposure to content and patterns you'll encounter in the exam.
Join Coachify's daily prep on YouTube
Best Resources for CAT VARC Preparation
Books:
- How to Prepare for VARC by Arun Sharma
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- GMAT Official RC Guide (for advanced practice)
Online:
How to Complete CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus in 2 Months
If you have only two months left for your CAT preparation, don’t panic. With a focused and smart strategy, you can complete the verbal ability syllabus effectively. The key is to work on the most important topics that are commonly tested.
Here’s how to go about it:
- Focus on high-weightage topics: Prioritize reading comprehension, para jumbles, paragraph summaries, and odd sentence out.
- Alternate practice: Dedicate alternate days for RC (Reading Comprehension) and VA (Verbal Ability) to balance your preparation.
- Take weekly mock tests: Simulate real exam conditions every weekend to build confidence and speed.
- Review your mistakes: Don’t just take mocks — analyze them. Understand why an answer was wrong and how to avoid similar mistakes. Benchmark your progress using this CAT Score vs Percentile 2025 guide — it’ll help you translate mock scores into real percentile expectations.
- Track your timing: Gradually reduce the time you take per section to match exam-day speed.
With just two months, discipline and daily revision can make a big difference.
Also read: How to Crack CAT in 6 Months: Ultimate Strategy
How to Master CAT RC Passages with Time Management
Reading Comprehension requires:
- Previewing questions before reading
- Skimming & scanning techniques
- Note points per paragraph
Coachify’s YouTube RC tutorials are also structured around these principles. For serious practice, explore Top CAT Coaching Options in India – Online vs Offline (2025) to choose what fits your RC preparation style.
RC Timer Challenge: Solve 1 RC in 10 mins + review
Pro Tip: Read one editorial aloud daily — helps with focus.
CAT VARC Tips and Tricks for 2025 Aspirants
Preparing for CAT VARC is not just about reading more — it's about reading better and solving smarter. These expert tips will help you stay aligned with the actual CAT syllabus and avoid common pitfalls.
Top tricks to boost your verbal performance:
- Avoid random guesses in TITA questions: Many CAT VARC questions like para jumbles are non-MCQ. Use logic and sequencing to arrive at the right answer.
- Read across multiple genres: The best way to tackle RCs in the CAT syllabus is by exposing yourself to diverse reading — fiction, business, philosophy, sociology, and more. The best CAT RC passages often appear from abstract fields — sociology, business, economics. Use Top MBA Colleges for Business Analytics in India 2025 to explore content-rich topics aligned with real MBA programs.
- Always review your errors: Track the mistakes you make repeatedly — whether it’s misreading tone, missing the main idea, or falling for trap options. For CAT VARC-heavy IIMs like Calcutta, such analysis can tilt final calls in your favor. See real placement data in IIM Ahmedabad's Global Ranking & Salary Package Insights for 2025.
- Maintain a weakness tracker: Identify patterns in your mistakes and target them specifically. This is crucial for improving accuracy in CAT VARC.
- Use elimination strategy: Especially in RCs and summary-based questions, eliminate options that are too broad, too narrow, or unrelated.
Small refinements in how you prepare and practice can make a significant difference on exam day. Stick to the structure of the CAT syllabus, and trust the process.
Full CAT Exam Syllabus Including VARC
The CAT syllabus is divided into three main sections — each testing a unique skill set. To score well, aspirants need to prepare all sections with equal importance and align their weekly schedule accordingly.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
This section includes:
- Arithmetic (Percentages, Time-Speed-Distance, Work)
- Algebra (Equations, Inequalities, Functions)
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Number Systems & Modern Math (Probability, P&C)
Quant demands strong conceptual understanding and consistent practice. Daily problem-solving and formula revision are essential.
Download Coachify’s exclusive Quant Formula PDF to speed up formula-based questions in arithmetic, algebra, and modern math.
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI)
This section includes:
- Puzzle-based sets (Seating, Arrangement)
- Graph and chart interpretation
- Logical caselets and reasoning-based DI
Practice with time-bound sets is important here, as LRDI can be unpredictable in difficulty and format.
You can also practice sectional DILR sets curated by CAT toppers.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Already discussed in detail above, CAT VARC is known for abstract RCs and tricky VA questions like para jumbles and summaries. It forms about one-third of the overall CAT syllabus, and aspirants should ideally dedicate daily time to reading and solving.
Tip: Rotate all three sections in your weekly plan, and dedicate one day per week to full-length mocks and review.
For a detailed look at what each IIM values in VARC, visit our IIM Admission Criteria page and understand how sectionals play into final calls.
CAT English Preparation Plan: Final Revision Strategy
In the final 30 days before the exam, your focus should shift from learning new topics to sharpening accuracy and speed. The goal is to apply everything you’ve practiced and perform under exam-like conditions.
What to focus on:
- Review every RC attempt: Go over each question, especially the ones you got wrong. Understand where you misread tone, missed inferences, or chose close-but-wrong options.
- Take short verbal quizzes: Practice small sets of para jumbles, summaries, and sentence odd-one-out questions daily to keep your mind sharp.
- Full mocks under exam conditions: Simulate real test scenarios by solving full-length mocks in one sitting. This builds mental stamina and improves time management across all sections, especially in CAT VARC.
Tracking your performance trends now is more valuable than learning anything new. Use mock test analysis to plan daily revisions and improve weak areas.
Conclusion
Success in the CAT VARC section is not about shortcuts but consistent effort, critical reading, and analytical thinking. By mastering the updated CAT syllabus, focusing on weak areas, and using the right resources, you can build both accuracy and speed. With Coachify’s expert guidance and daily practice support, you're well-equipped to tackle even the toughest VARC sets. Stay committed, trust the process, and let each mock test move you closer to your target score. Your CAT 2025 journey begins with action — start today.
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