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CAT Syllabus For Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Important Topics, & Weightage

Exam

Ridhima Jindal

Updated on 16th September, 2024 , 8 min read

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.

Also Read: CAT Exam Preparation Tips

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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.

Check in detail: CAT Syllabus

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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Preparation Tips for Verbal Ability for CAT

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Preparation Tips for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT

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.

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