Join our MBA Prep WhatsApp Community for CAT 2025 Preparation: Regular updates, free materials, and AMAs!
The Foundation: Read, Read, and Read
The single most effective way to improve your VARC score is also the most old-school: Read extensively. Not just exam-based content or RC practice questions, but anything and everything—from newspapers to essays, longform articles to blog posts. The subject doesn’t matter—economics, psychology, science, or philosophy—what matters is whether you understand what’s being said.
One of the best sources for this kind of reading is Aeon Essays, known for their deep, thought-provoking content across disciplines. Complement that with editorial sections from newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express, and you have a solid reading diet. The goal is to get familiar with dense, information-rich writing and build stamina for sustained reading.
As you read, try to get into the nuances of the text. After finishing an article or essay, try summarizing it in your own words. Write down what you understood, what the author’s intention was, and the key arguments or assumptions being made. Think of every passage in the exam as a conversation between you and the author. Your job is to enter the author’s mind, to think like them, and to see why something was said. Was the tone sarcastic or serious? Was the argument biased or neutral? Was the author using examples to explain or to critique? Understanding this is not a trick—it’s a skill, and it is cultivated through regular, mindful reading.
In fact, as your first assignment, try interpreting what each paragraph of this article is trying to say. Doing this daily builds the most critical skill VARC tests—interpretation.
Let Go of the Need to Control Every Word
Once you’ve built a solid base in interpretation, there's another crucial mindset shift: stop trying to understand every single word at all costs. It may seem counterintuitive, but obsessing over individual words can hinder overall comprehension.
Think of it like trying to fall asleep—the harder you try, the more elusive it becomes. Similarly, forcing yourself to grasp every phrase or term can actually block the natural flow of understanding.
This technique works especially well for RC passages. Instead of pausing for every unknown term, trust the surrounding context. Focus on the flow of ideas, the tone, and the structure of arguments. Let the meaning emerge organically rather than forcing it. The more relaxed and attentive your reading becomes, the better your RC accuracy will get.
From Understanding to Speed
Once you’re able to fully understand what’s written, the next step is increasing your speed.To make sure that you don’t compromise your understanding for the sake of being quick. The goal should be gradual: once you’re comfortable reading 400–500 word passages, time yourself. Try reducing 2-3 seconds from your reading time every few days. This helps you read faster without compromising comprehension.
Keep in mind that the typical CAT RC passage is about 400–500 words long, but don’t restrict your practice to only this length. Read longer pieces too, since you’ll be dealing with four such passages in the exam. The ability to maintain focus and consistency across all of them is critical.
What if the Passage is Tough?
There will always be that one tough passage. If you don’t understand it on the first read, read it again. If it’s still unclear, shift your focus to the options. Many times, the correct answer can be inferred by eliminating wrong ones. This is where smart techniques like the BANE method come in handy:
- B – Broad: Too vague to be specific to the passage
- A – Alien: Outside the scope of the passage
- N – Narrow: Focuses too tightly on a minor detail
- E – Extreme: Contains absolute language (always, never, must, etc.)
Use BANE to filter out options and improve your chances, especially when you're unsure.
Helpful Resources to Simplify VARC Preparation
If you're looking for structured guidance and regular practice to reinforce these ideas, here are two excellent resources:
VARC 1000 by Gejo Sir – A comprehensive paid course by Career Launcher (CL), designed to break down CAT VARC strategy into simple, effective concepts. Ideal for strengthening fundamentals and building exam-specific skills.
The Verbal Mentor (TVM Academy) – A free YouTube channel that offers RCs to practice almost every genre. Check it out here: The Verbal Mentor - https://www.youtube.com/@tvmacademy
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple
While all of this may sound like a lot, remember: the first step is incredibly simple—just read. Everything else—interpretation, flow-based comprehension, speed, and elimination—will come naturally with consistent practice. VARC is not a memory test or a pattern game. It’s about how well you can sit with a piece of writing, absorb its meaning, and engage with it intelligently.
Also Read:
- Is Scoring 99 Percentile in CAT Enough?
- From Scoring -3 In A Mock Test To 99.30 percentile in DILR CAT 2024
- FMS Summer Placements Report 2025
- TISS Mumbai HRM and LR Final Placements Report
- B School Comparisons:
- CAT 2025 Quant Formula Book
- How to Start Preparing for CAT 2025
- Top 15 Must-Read Books for CAT
- VARC Reading List
Chat
Comments