The verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of the CAT paper has the simplest strategy to prepare- develop a reading habit while understanding the ideas of the text. However, it is considered a tougher part for the engineers. For someone whose QA Or DILR section are the weaker points, scoring big in VARC can improve their overall percentile. In the second article on sectional analysis, we have taken up the VARC section to help you prepare for CAT 2024. The article follows score vs. percentile data, the number of questions to attempt for your target percentile, and the previous year's question for the VARC section of the exam.
CAT VARC Previous Year Question Papers: Question Types in VARC Section
The VARC section has 24 questions, with 16 questions related to 4 Reading Comprehension (RC) paragraphs and 8 questions covering Verbal Ability. Since 2020, the number of RC paragraphs has been reduced to 4, as opposed to the 5 paragraphs in the previous paper pattern before 2020.
Note- In 2022, Fill in the Blanks questions were in Slot 1 and Para Completion in Slots 2 & 3.
- Type in the Answer (TITA) questions have been reduced in the last 2 years. TITA questions are usually spread between Para Jumbles and Odd One Out.
- Para Summary and Para Jumbles have stayed consistent in the last three years.
- In the 3 years, a new question type has been introduced/ Reintroduced. For example, Odd One Out in 2023 after getting dropped in 2022.
For a detailed article on Reading Comprehension questions sources in the last 7 years check out this article.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Topic-Wise Weightage Analysis 2021-2023
Score Vs Percentile: 2023 vs. 2022 vs. 2021
| Percentile |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
| 99 |
40 |
40 |
45 |
| 95 |
29 |
28 |
34 |
| 90 |
23 |
24 |
29 |
| 85 |
19 |
21 |
24 |
| 80 |
17 |
17 |
22 |
Number Of Correct Attempts
| Percentile |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
| 99 |
13 |
13 |
15 |
| 95 |
10 |
9 |
11 |
| 90 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
| 85 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
Note that decimals have been rounded off in both tables.
Seeing the similar score vs percentile in 2023 and 2022 we can say that the VARC section was of similar difficulty level in the two years. CAT VARC 2021 was comparatively easier.
Taking insights from the score vs percentile data above you should target attempting the following number of questions correctly for your CAT 2024 attempt:
- 99 percentile: 15-16 correct answers
- 95 percentile: 11-12 correct answers
- 90 percentile: 8-10 correct answers
- 85 percentile: 6-8 correct answers
When you start appearing for mocks or sectionals you will get to know what works best for you- solving more of RCs or VA. Ideally, target solving at least 2 RCs and 4-5 easy-to-moderate VA questions. Always leave a minute to fill out the TITA answers even when unsure of the answer as they have no negative marking.
Quick Links:
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