The Verbal section of the CAT entrance exam is a crucial component that requires a strategic approach to ace it.
A high score in this section can increase your chances of gaining admission to top MBA colleges in India. The Verbal section tests a candidate's language and comprehension skills, and it is essential to master it to secure a good score.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best strategies to prepare and ace the Verbal section for CAT.
With a structured approach and consistent practice, you can improve your verbal skills and increase your chances of success. So, let's get started on the journey to master the Verbal section of the CAT entrance exam.
What is VARC?
VARC, or Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, is one of the three main sections of the Common Admission Test (CAT), a national-level entrance exam in India used to assess MBA aspirants for admission into leading B-schools.
The VARC section is set to test a candidate's verbal and comprehension skills and is one of the most challenging sections of the CAT exam.
In the VARC section, candidates need to concentrate more on reading comprehension passages, critical reasoning questions, and sentence correction questions.
The reading comprehension passages aim to test a candidate's ability to understand and analyze complex information presented in a written format.
In VARC there are mainly 2 section
The critical reasoning questions test a candidate's ability to evaluate arguments, draw logical conclusions, and identify patterns.
The sentence correction questions test a candidate's knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
Preparing for the VARC section of the CAT 2023 exam requires a great deal of effort and practice.
To improve your chances of success, you should focus on developing your reading and comprehension skills, expanding your vocabulary, and understanding the various types of questions that may appear in the VARC section.
Additionally, you should also attempt mock tests and practice exams to get a feel for the real test and develop a strategy for tackling the VARC section.
Also Check: MBA Entrance Exam
Best Strategy to prepare for Verbal Section in CAT 2023
Daily Reading Routine
To improve fluency in English, it is crucial to develop a daily reading routine. This will help increase your vocabulary, which is essential for success on vocabulary-related questions in the CAT exam.
Reading the newspaper on a daily basis is also a great way to expand your word stock and stay informed about current events and important news.
Regular Practice
Practice is crucial for success in the Verbal section for CAT exam. Regularly taking mock tests will help you develop a strategy for tackling the section and track your progress.
To excel in the Verbal section for the CAT exam, follow the steps
Focus on improving your grammar and vocabulary.
Utilize tools such as flashcards, word lists, and practice exercises to brush up on grammar rules and expand your vocabulary.
These techniques can help you build a strong foundation for the Verbal section.
Be updated with Current Affairs
Staying updated on current affairs is another important tool for success in the Verbal section of the CAT exam, particularly for answering reading comprehension questions.
Reading newspapers and staying informed about current events help you to understand the context and content of the reading passages.
Additionally, broad knowledge will enable you to answer questions more accurately and quickly.
Popular newspapers for staying updated on current affairs include The Hindu, The Times of India, and The Economic Times. It is also helpful to follow credible news sources on social media and websites.
Understanding Question Types
To succeed in the Verbal section of the CAT exam, it is important to understand the various types of questions that may appear, such as reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction.
Familiarizing yourself with these question types and practicing solving them will increase your chances of success on exam day.
Sentence correction questions will test your knowledge of grammar and sentence structure.
It is advisable to practice these question types regularly, using the official CAT practice materials and mock tests, to develop a strong understanding of the concepts and improve your problem-solving skills.
Good time management
Effective time management is crucial for success in the Verbal section of the CAT exam.
To manage your time effectively during the exam, allocate specific time for each question and stick to it. This will ensure you have enough time to answer all questions and review your answers before submitting them.
Additionally, it is important to avoid getting bogged down by tough questions that may take more time to solve.
If you encounter a challenging question, move on to the next one and return to it later if you have time.
Don't waste valuable time on one question that may not yield a high return on your investment.
It is also recommended to practice taking mock tests under timed conditions to develop your ability to manage your time effectively during the exam.
This will help you build a sense of urgency and improve your speed and accuracy on test day.
Understand the basic concepts
For the Verbal section of the CAT exam, it is important to focus on understanding what the author wants to convey rather than giving your interpretation.
When reading comprehension passages, concentrate on what the writer is trying to say and try to see the world from their perspective. This will help you better understand the content of the passage and reach more accurate conclusions.
It is easy to fall into the trap of interpreting the passage based on your own experiences and biases. However, this can lead to incorrect answers. Instead, strive to be objective and impartial when reading the passage, and focus on the information that is present in the text.
By focusing on what the author wants to convey, you are more likely to stay at the correct conclusion and increase your chances of success in the Verbal section of the CAT exam.
Revise till your D-DAY
Regular revision is a critical part of preparing for the CAT exam, including the Verbal section.
After completing the syllabus and other important topics, it is important to revise the material to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts.
Students must review their notes, take practice exams, or review the material they have studied previously.
Utilize your free time to revise the material, especially in the weeks leading up to the exam.
In addition, a mock test and practising previous year's papers will help you to gauge your level of preparedness for the upcoming exam.
If you find that you are struggling to remember certain concepts or answer questions correctly, then you need to spend more time studying or reviewing the material.
Overall, incorporating regular revision into your study routine will help you to retain information, build confidence, and increase your chances of success on the Verbal section of the CAT exam.
Mock test
Mocks can help you in several ways, such as
Track your progress: By taking mock tests regularly, you can understand your strengths and weaknesses and track your progress over time.
Identify areas for improvement: Regular mock tests will allow you to identify the areas you need to improve in and focus your preparation accordingly.
Build a strategy: By attempting mock tests, you can develop a strategy for tackling the VARC section, such as managing time effectively and prioritizing certain types of questions.
Simulate the real exam environment: Regularly taking mock tests can help you get used to the format, timing, and pressure of the real CAT exam.
Improve problem-solving skills: By solving a large number of questions, you will improve your problem-solving skills and increase your speed and accuracy on test day.
Be conscious of the LR section.
Logical Reasoning questions in the VARC section of the CAT exam are also important. One needs to approach each question systematically.
However, This includes analyzing the given information, breaking down the problem into smaller parts, identifying the pattern and making logical inferences.
Additionally, it is crucial to manage time effectively, as some LR questions can be time-consuming.
Conclusion
There is a variety of CAT Strategy that can be used to prepare for and master the Verbal section of the CAT entrance exam.
Once you understand the format, you can start practising with mock exams and sample questions. The more you practice, the better prepared you will be for the actual exam.
Here are some best strategies to prepare and master the Verbal section for CAT entrance Exam, which will help you to find your way to CAT 2023 exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1. Is Varc easy in CAT?
Ans. VARC, or Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, is one of the toughest sections of the CAT exam.
VARC is time-consuming and challenging due to its emphasis on language skills, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning.
Q.2 How to improve CAT vocabulary?
Ans. Improving vocabulary for the CAT exam requires consistent and deliberate effort. Some effective ways to improve vocabulary include:
Reading extensively
Using flashcards
Playing word games
Building a word list
Using mnemonics
Making use of digital tools
Engaging in conversation
Q.3 What is the full form of VARC?
VARC Fullorm is Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Also known as Verbal Section.