Feeling overwhelmed by the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT exam? You're not alone! Acing this section requires a strong foundation in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical reasoning strategies. But fear not, CAT aspirants! This series of articles tackles frequently asked questions (FAQs) about VARC prep, drawing insights from the expertise of renowned CAT coach Krishna Sripada’s YouTube channel. Get ready to conquer CAT 2024 VARC Preparation and take a significant step toward your CAT goals!
Reading
- Reading is crucial and should be done regularly.
- Aim for 1-1.5 hours of daily reading focused on improving vocabulary and subject familiarity.
- Target high-quality sources like Aeon Essays, The New York Times (if you can afford it), The Guardian, BBC, Smithsonian Magazine, Scientific American, National Geographic, and free science publications.
- You can also find good articles by searching on Google Books for specific subjects.
- The instructor recommends reading 10,000-12,000 words daily. This includes reading passages multiple times to ensure comprehension.
- The average 99th percentile scorer encounters only 2-3 new words per 3,000-word Aon Essay.
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Vocabulary Building
- Aim to learn 50-60 new words daily by reviewing them regularly. Tools like Merriam-Webster can be helpful.
Critical Reasoning
- The GMAT Official Guide is the recommended source for practice questions.
VARC Practice
- Focus on high-quality practice passages rather than a large number of low-quality ones.
- Consider enrolling in mock tests offered by coaching institutes.
- The instructor recommends solving 2-3 passages daily, aiming for a completion time of 30 minutes (including analysis).
- Focus on analyzing your mistakes after completing mocks. Pay attention to "second-best answer" choices and identify areas needing improvement (comprehension, differentiation of answer choices, etc.)
- Analyze your confidence level in your answers. If you're often wrong about answers you felt sure about, it indicates comprehension issues.
Also Read:
Additional Tips
- Make reading a habit. Squeeze in short reading sessions throughout the day instead of large, dedicated blocks.
- Develop a target reading speed. The 99th percentile target is 275-300 words per minute.
- Subject familiarity is important. Aim to read from a variety of subjects to be prepared for passages on any topic.
- Focus on reading comprehension over solving a large number of questions.
Resources
- Aeon Essays:
- The New York Times:
- The Guardian:
- BBC:
- Smithsonian Magazine:
- Scientific American:
- National Geographic:
- GMAT Official Guide:
As you can see, with a strategic approach and consistent effort, you can develop the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the VARC section. Remember, these are just some of the many valuable insights shared by Krishna Sripoda on his YouTube channel. For a deeper dive into these strategies and more, be sure to explore his channel and stay tuned for upcoming parts in this FAQ series!
Good luck with your preparation!
