CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Syllabus: The CAT VARC syllabus in the exam is often undefined due to the vast nature of topics that can be covered in the Reading Comprehension section, and the nature of questions in the Verbal Ability section is also undefined. The RC Passages can be based on any topic from entertainment and television to history and philosophy. Therefore, candidates must develop the habit of reading different genres so that they can understand the different writing styles and learn how to comprehend these passages.
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In this article, we will aim to understand the VARC topics covered in the CAT exam, the weightage of the questions and topics, the VARC exam pattern, and also look at the previous year's analysis of the type of questions asked for the VARC section. The VARC section in the CAT section comprises 24 questions, where the Verbal Ability (VA) section has both MCQ-type and TITA-based questions, and the Reading Comprehension (RC) section has only MCQ-based questions.
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CAT Verbal Ability (VA) and Reading Comprehension (RC) Syllabus
The CAT VARC Syllabus is divided into sub-sections, evidently - Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension. The topics covered in each of these sections are based on different aspects and genres. Let us understand the syllabus and topics covered in each of these sections separately.
CAT Verbal Ability Topics Covered
The topics covered in the VA section of the CAT exam can be asked from any topic. Some of the topics covered in this section have been tabulated below. It should be noted that the questions don't need to be asked from all these topics. However, the aspirants should prepare all the topics to avoid any kind of surprises.
CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus | |
Essence of short paragraph/summary | Jumbled paragraphs |
Odd sentences in jumbled paragraphs | Error correction in the verb, noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, and other parts of speech in sentences |
Correcting the sequence of sentences in articles such as giving the correct usage of conditional statements, time clauses, reported speech, and passive writing | Use of vocabulary in selecting the correct pair of words |
Filling in blanks with appropriate vocabulary | Use of vocabulary in RC passages to identify the right synonyms and antonyms |
Completing the last statements of paragraphs | Critical reasoning |
Analogies | Usage of phrasal verbs |
Facts, inference, and judgement | Sentence completion |
Irrelevant sentences | - |
CAT Reading Comprehension Topics Covered
The RC passages in the CAT exam can be asked from any genre, and it is not fixed. So to be well prepared for this section, we suggest studying the following topics and understanding the different genres of comprehension and interpretation.
Current Affairs - Issues affecting social life, foreign relations, governance policies, and schemes such as Triple Talaq, CAA, COVID-19 Pandemic, Clean India Project, migration of citizens from one country to another, and worldwide intolerance.
Business and Economics - Global Economic Change, Environmental Economic Growth, Indian Demonetization Effect, Government Waste Expenditure.
Literature - Passages from various books of English literature, essays written by great philosophers and thinkers, and different speeches of great personalities like Charles Dickens, Aristotle, Martin Luther King, Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi, and Churchill among others.
Science and Culture - Transition into the modern world, disappearing society with technological advancement.
Abstract Topics and Fiction - Such passages make the candidates think a lot and put themselves in the shoes of the author before addressing the questions asked because they are opinion-based.
Historical Events - Events leading to social changes such as the French Revolution and the War of Roses. Social changes in Indian Culture and thoughts expressed by various activists are still of great relevance.
Mythology - Such passages seek to connect mythological events with the actual social system and answers must be given accordingly.
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CAT VARC Syllabus - General Highlights
Check the key highlights and some general highlights of the CAT Verbal Ability & the Reading Comprehension section.
- Based on the previous year’s CAT exam analysis for the VARC section, 4 passages comprising 4 questions each of moderate to high difficulty can be expected from Reading Comprehension alone in CAT 2024.
- Questions from the CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus are asked from topics like vocabulary, grammar, verbal reasoning, para jumbles, para completion, etc. Download CAT Previous Year Question Papers
- Based on the changes introduced in the CAT Exam Pattern, a total of 24 questions worth 72 marks will be asked from the CAT 2024 Syllabus for VARC.
- As per the CAT 2024 VARC marking scheme, 3 marks will be awarded for every correct answer, and 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
- CAT VARC Preparation should focus on clearing the basic grammar concepts and practicing sectional mock tests and sample papers. Check CAT Preparation Books
CAT VARC Exam Pattern 2024 (Updated)
The table below presents the key highlights of the CAT VARC exam pattern for the upcoming CAT exam.
Section Name | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
Allotted Time | 40 minutes |
Total Number of Questions | 24 |
Number of Reading Comprehension Questions | 15-16 |
Number of Verbal Ability Questions | 8-9 |
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer | + 3 |
Negative Marks for Each Wrong Answer | -1 |
Negative Marking for TITA Questions | No |
Difficulty Level of Questions | Moderate to Difficult |
CAT VARC Syllabus - Important Topics
A vast number of topics and questions are covered in the CAT VARC Syllabus, and it is necessary to be prepared for all the topics. However, to understand which topics can carry the highest weightage and which topics have the maximum number of questions asked, we have presented below the list of a few important topics to be covered and the number of questions that can be asked from those topics.
CAT VARC Syllabus - Important Topics for Verbal Ability (VA)
Topic Name | Key Features | Expected Number of Questions |
Jumbled Paragraphs | 5 jumbled sentences are to be arranged in the right order | 3 - 4 |
Summary/Inference of Short Paragraphs | Small paragraphs of 4-5 sentences are followed by 4 answer options | 3 - 4 |
Picking the Odd Sentence in a Jumbled Paragraph | 5 jumbled sentences from which one odd sentence is to be picked out | 3 |
CAT VARC Syllabus - Important Topics For Reading Comprehension (RC)
Passage Type | Key Features | Expected Number of Questions |
Long Passage 1 | Moderate level Based on facts | 6 |
Long passage 2 | Moderate to difficult level Rich in vocabulary and based on literary terms and opinions | 6 |
Long passage 3 | Difficult level Based on abstract topics and literature and can contain a tough vocabulary | 6 |
Short passage 1 | Moderate to difficult level Based on business, economy or geography | 3 |
Short passage 2 | Occasionally difficult level Rich vocabulary and based on historical facts, opinions, future plans | 3 |
Short Passage 3 | Difficult level Based on an abstract topic | 3 |
CAT VARC Syllabus - Weightage of Topics
Candidates can check the weightage of topics and the number of questions that can be expected in various topics.
VARC Topics | Expected Number of Questions |
Inferences, Statements, Arguments | 2-3 |
RC Passage | 14-16 |
Synonyms & antonyms | 1-2 |
Para Summary | 3-4 |
Jumbled paragraphs | 3-4 |
Error Correction | 1-2 |
Fill in the blanks | 1-2 |
Analogies | 1-2 |
Vocabulary | 3-4 |
Irrelevant Statements | 1-2 |
Para Completion | 1-2 |
CAT 2023 Analysis for VARC
To understand in detail the kind of questions and passages that one can expect in the VARC section, we have given a detailed analysis of the CAT previous year - 2023. Candidates can devise the preparation strategy accordingly and can expect the questions based on similar inferences. Candidates should note, that the question paper for all the 3 slots is different. Any same questions may only be a coincidence. Check this analysis for the 3 slots given below.
CAT 2023 VARC Analysis Slot 1
The VARC section in CAT 2023 had 24 questions, with 16 questions from the 4 RC passages, and 8 Verbal Ability questions. Check the analysis for both the sections presented below.
Question Type | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level |
Para Formation | 2 | Moderate to Difficult |
Sentence Placement | 2 | Moderate |
Sentence Placement | 2 | Moderate |
Para Summary | 2 | Moderate |
Odd man Out | 2 | Moderate |
CAT 2023 VARC Analysis Slot 2
Check the CAT previous year analysis for both the sections detailed below along with the difficulty level of the exam.
CAT Verbal Ability Analysis
Question Type | Easy | Moderate | Difficult |
Para Summary | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Odd Sentence | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Para Completion | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Para Jumbles | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Total | 2 | 5 | 1 |
CAT Reading Comprehension Analysis
Passage Topics | No. of questions | Difficulty | Description |
Garment/fashion/pollution | 4 | Easy to Moderate | 400 – 450 words; 4 doable |
Netflix Dubbing of titles for Europe – Good or Bad? | 4 | Easy to Moderate | 400 – 450 words; 3 doable |
Liberalism is dying | 4 | Moderate to Difficult | 400 – 450 words; 2 doable, 2 difficult |
Facts & Interpretation in History | 4 | Easy | 400 – 450 words; 2 doable, 2 difficult |
Total/Overall | 16 | Moderate | Easier than CAT 2022 |
CAT 2023 VARC Analysis Slot 3
Check the CAT previous year analysis for both the sections detailed below along with the difficulty level of the exam.
CAT Verbal Ability Analysis
Question Type | Easy | Moderate | Difficult |
Para Summary | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Odd Sentence | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Para Completion | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Para Jumbles | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Total | 1 | 3 | 4 |
CAT Reading Comprehension Analysis
Passage Topics | No. of questions | Difficulty | Description |
Romantic Aesthetics/Philosophy | 4 | Difficult | 400 – 450 words; 3 doable, 1 difficult |
Cultural Property Law - Exploration of sites | 4 | Easy to Moderate | 400 – 450 words; 2 doable, 2 difficult |
Nutmeg Curse - Environmental Degradation | 4 | Moderate | 400 – 450 words; 3 doable, 1 difficult |
Rational Thinking | 4 | Moderate | 400 – 450 words; 2 doable, 2 difficult |
Total/Overall | 16 | Moderate | Easier than CAT 2022 |
CAT VARC Preparation Books & Study Material
Candidates can check the best books for CAT preparation provided in the table below. These books will help you in your preparation.
CAT VARC - Preparation Books
CAT VARC Book | Author | Description |
Word Power Made Easy | Normal Lewis | ‘Word Power Made Easy’ helps in the improvement of vocabulary. It explains the accurate usage of words. It is categorized into oriented sections and you can review exercises at the end of every chapter. |
Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT | Ajay Singh | With over 200 passages for preparation, ‘Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT’ is an excellent CAT VARC study material. |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay | ‘How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT’ has topic-wise segregation. The material is very comprehensive. It also provides mock tests and analyses of previous years’ papers. |
Newspapers and Magazines for CAT VARC Preparation
CAT VARC Newspaper and Magazines | Description |
The Hindu | It allows you to explore factual, complex, insightful, and challenging content. Read the editorial section every day. |
Times of India/Hindustan Times | It has great language used to help with grammar and vocabulary development. |
The Economic Times | It is a great newspaper to read articles on business and economics twice a week |
The New York Times | This newspaper can be accessed online through its website with a paid subscription. High-quality content is brought out by this newspaper. Blogs like ‘The Stone’ are must-reads on the website. |
The Guardian | The Guardian does not require a paid subscription. You can access fascinating reading material for free. |
Frontline | This is a magazine full of details. The reading of brilliant articles highlighting tales from around the world can add tremendous value to your preparation. |
Outlook/India Today/The Week | Read from these magazines for very interesting content with high-quality language. |
Business Today/Business India | Reading from these magazines regularly is sure to help you with CAT VARC |
The Economist | It is a great online journal that reports on foreign issues of all kinds. There are several articles on politics, economy, culture, fashion, sports, and books. The style of writing can serve as an idea for how you must attempt the CAT VARC section. All articles are almost perfectly grammatical and crisp. |
The Atlantic | They write long-form and well-researched pieces. |
New Yorker | Here, you will find an extremely high-quality style of writing on numerous subjects. |