**Good at VARC? Here’s How to Make It Your Highest-Scoring Section** Ft Sukirti Payasi, Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is renowned for its difficulty, primarily due to its competitive nature (with 2.88 lakh takers in 2023) and comprehensive syllabus. It evaluates candidates across three main sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. The challenge lies not only in the complexity of questions but also in the time constraints and the need for high accuracy. When it’s a race against time, the pressure to get results after grueling preparation intensifies.
Despite thoroughly preparing, many candidates still end up with less-than-ideal scores on D-day. This was a recurring concern during my preparation, so I devised a strategy to alleviate the pressure during the final test.
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The CAT's three sections hold different values for different people. Most test-takers have one section they can ace, one they are reasonably decent at, and a third dreaded section where their only goal is to clear the sectional cutoff.
VARC was my strongest section, and I knew it could significantly boost my overall score. In CAT 2022, despite minimal preparation, I scored 31 marks, which fetched me a 96.77 percentile in VARC. In CAT 2023, after five months of dedicated preparation, I was able to raise this score to 58.20 (99.98th percentile). Here’s how I did it.
| Section | |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | |
| Scaled Score | Percentile |
| 31.65 | 96.77 |
| Section | |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | |
| Scaled Score | Percentile |
| 58.2 | 99.98 |
**Identify Where You Stand**
I took multiple mock tests and noticed a pattern in my scores. I typically scored between 28-35, with occasional scores stretching to 40+ on good days. I needed to identify what made my good days good and ensure a consistent score.
After evaluating your score range, analyze and mark the types of questions you excel at and those that cause you to lose marks. For me, I performed best in Reading Comprehensions (RCs) and scored fewer marks in Verbal Ability (VA).
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**Develop an Attempt Pattern**
Once you know your score pattern, it’s time to figure out an attempt pattern. Consistency in your attempts is crucial to know if the strategy works for you. You could attempt three RCs and four VA questions, or three RCs and six VA questions. If RCs are your strong suit, you might attempt four RCs and four VA questions. This number and combination are entirely up to you and can be decided after some experimentation. I always tried to attempt the entire section since I had high accuracy, but this is a risky strategy for those with lower accuracy.
**Consistent Practice**
All strategies will fail if you do not practice consistently. Practice at least two RCs and four VA questions every day. Maintain the habit of reading the newspaper, a habit that will benefit you during the Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GDPI) season. Keep reading articles from sources you enjoy and be critical while reading. Reflect on what you read and be mindful of the exercise.
Working hard on your best section is advice I often received from my mentors. It reduces a lot of pressure when you know there’s one section you’ll ace. Half the journey is confidence, and this confidence is real only when backed by consistent efforts. VARC is often seen as a finicky section where consistent scoring seems elusive. I believe a clear strategy and repeated practice ensure you score your personal best on D-day. Good luck on your journey ahead!
The author of this article, Sukirti Payasi, scored 99.55 percentile in CAT 2023 and will be joining FMS (2024-26). She is a Philosophy post-grad who loves spending time with a new book and playing video games. You can connect with her on Linkedin.
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