Decoding CAT 2025 VARC: Structure, Pattern, and Preparation Tips

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) is a decisive section in the CAT exam, which is considered complex, heavily graded and actually helps to distinguish between the top percentilers and the rest. If you are an aspirant this year, you should know how to master this section by decoding the pattern, comprehending the structure, and adhering to some smart and effective preparation tips. We have given the overall information pertaining to CAT V2025 ARC - a detailed paper pattern, structure, and section-wise preparation tips in this article.
Also Check - Cracking Toughest VA Questions from CAT Previous Years' Papers

CAT 2025 VARC Structure - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Passages

The VARC section will include 24 questions and a sectional time limit of 40 minutes according to the CAT 2025 exam pattern. These 24 questions are normally shared between Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA).

• Reading Comprehension: There are usually 4 passages of 4 questions each, and this makes a total of 16 questions. RCs check the skill of understanding, analysing, and reading written materials- starting with queries that require factual knowledge up to inference, tone and main idea queries.

• Verbal Ability : The remaining 8 questions are under VA. Some of the most common ones are Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out and Paragraph Summary. Para Jumbles/Odd Sentence Out problems tend to be TITA (Type In The Answer) questions -where the answers are written rather than in form of multiple choices.

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CAT 2025 VARC Pattern - MCQs, TITA Questions

The CAT VARC sections pattern has been provided below:

• MCQs & TITA : Approximately two-thirds feature MCQs containing four answers and the remaining are non-MCQ TITA questions. The negative marking of the wrong MCQ is -1, and TITA items are unpenalised.

• No Section Switching: Candidates cannot switch sections; there is a strict sectional time cap of 40 minutes before automatically proceeding to the next segment.

• Question Types

  • RC Passages: Questions test factual recall, inference, author's viewpoint, tone, and passage structure.

  • Para Jumbles: Sentence reordering for logical flow.

  • Odd Sentence Out: Identify the sentence that doesn't fit in a group.

  • Para Summary: Select an option summarising the given passage.

  • Sentence Completion/Correction: Less commonly, fill in the blanks or find errors.

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Most Effective CAT VARC Preparation Tips 2025

To ace the VARC section in the CAT exam, aspirants can follow the preparation tips provided below:

Reading Comprehension

• Read Widely: Essay, non-fiction and editorial practice in all genres (economics, philosophy, science, sociology).

• Practice Previous Year Papers: Pay particular attention to dense, tricky RC passages where the CAT papers are old to be exposed to complexity.

• Develop Note-Making Skills: Write down the key idea of each passage you unravel, the supporting points and the tone of the author.

Verbal Ability Techniques

• Para Jumbles: Seek anchor sentences and maintain attention to pronouns, connectors, and chronology.

• Summaries & Odd Sentence Out: Get the main idea of the passage in a flash. Practice elimination of extreme/irrelevant options.

• Use Online Tools: Attempt regular TITA questions and expert-curated MCQ sets on CAT prep platforms.

Vocabulary and Grammar for VARC Section

• Don’t Focus Overly on Rote Vocabulary: Contextual knowledge and analytical abilities gain more and more importance in CAT in comparison with crude rote learning

• Grammar Revision: Revise simple guidelines (tense, subject-verb agreement, modifiers) in case of para summary/sentence correction.

Strategic Time Management for VARC

• Simulate Real Exams: Take mock exams in actual test-like conditions.

• Target Accuracy: Given negative marking, it’s vital to prioritise accuracy over attempts, especially in RC.

• Review & Analysis: Post-mock analysis is key—identify why an option was right/wrong and track recurring errors.

Smart Practice and Resources

• Refer to Reliable Sources for Practice: Use official CAT papers, premium mock tests, and trusted online platforms, ensuring questions match the CAT level and format.

• Explore Daily Practice Zones: Join reading challenges and RC passage zones for regular practice.

Psychological Preparation for VARC

• Stay Calm on Exam Day: Practice deep breathing, mindfulness, and test-taking discipline during mocks.

• Review Mistakes: Convert mistakes into learning points and avoid repetition through analysis.

The CAT VARC section is not only language but logic, understanding and analysis. Aspirants can always scale up their sectional percentiles with focused reading, strategic practice, intelligent time management, and post-mock error analysis. The trick is to master the recurrent patterns, practice, and stay calm during the exams. Begin your VARC journey now for CAT success!

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