Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
Reading Comprehension (RC) is the most important part of the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section in the CAT exam, accounting for nearly 70% of the marks in that section. For many aspirants, RC is either a scoring area or a major hurdle.
At CATKing Educare, we’ve helped thousands of students crack CAT with top scores in VARC. In this article, we’ll break down how to master Reading Comprehension through smart strategies, regular practice, and time-tested techniques.
📌 Why RC is Crucial in CAT?
- Number of RC questions: 16 out of 24 questions in the VARC section.
- Types of passages: Abstract, factual, philosophical, scientific, or literary.
- Time per RC passage: 8–10 minutes max (including reading and answering).
Given its weightage and importance, strong performance in RC can significantly boost your overall percentile.
📘 Step-by-Step Guide to Solve RC in CAT
✅ Step 1: Improve Your Reading Habits
To excel in RC, you must first build a strong reading foundation.
What to read:
- Editorials: The Hindu, Indian Express, The Economist
- Magazines & Journals: Harvard Business Review, National Geographic, Aeon Essays
- Books: Read non-fiction or essays on philosophy, politics, or economics
Goal: Develop comfort with dense, unfamiliar topics and improve comprehension speed.
✅ Step 2: Understand the Structure of a Passage
Every RC passage has a logical flow. Look for these components:
- Main Idea/Theme – What is the passage primarily about?
- Tone – Is the author being neutral, critical, supportive, analytical, or sarcastic?
- Supporting Arguments – Evidence or examples used to justify the main point.
- Conclusion – Any takeaway or summary presented at the end.
Tip: Try to mentally summarize the paragraph after reading it. This helps retain key points.
✅ Step 3: Master the Art of Skimming and Scanning
- Skimming: Read quickly to get the gist of the passage.
- Scanning: Look for specific information while answering questions.
Don’t re-read the entire passage for every question. Learn to find keywords and refer back quickly.
🎯 Common Types of RC Questions in CAT
Understanding the question type can help you apply the right approach:
| Question Type | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Main Idea / Central Theme | Focus on the overall tone and purpose of the passage. |
| Inference | Go beyond what's stated but stay within the scope of the passage. |
| Fact-based | Locate specific information – avoid assumptions. |
| Vocabulary in Context | Re-read the sentence containing the word. Guess meaning based on context. |
| Author’s Tone / Attitude | Identify emotional cues – sarcastic, appreciative, critical, analytical. |
| Title of the Passage | Title should be concise, relevant, and reflect the core theme. |
🧠 Proven Tips to Ace RC in CAT
1. Practice RC Passages Daily
Solve at least 2–3 RCs daily from different topics and difficulty levels.
Use CATKing’s RC Practice Series which mirrors the actual CAT level.
2. Don’t Try to Memorize the Passage
Your aim is comprehension, not memorization. Focus on understanding the structure and tone.
3. Use Elimination Technique
When in doubt, eliminate wrong options:
- Out of scope?
- Too extreme?
- Contradicts the passage?If yes, eliminate it.
4. Time Management
Target 8 minutes per passage (5 minutes reading + 3 minutes answering).
If a passage seems too long or complex, skip it initially and attempt easier ones first.
5. Avoid Option Traps
Options are often designed to confuse:
- “True but not relevant” choices
- Partially true statements
- Extreme language (always, never, must)
Stay alert and pick the most accurate and relevant answer.
🛠 How to Analyze Your RC Practice
After solving an RC passage:
- Review your incorrect answers
- Understand why the correct answer is right
- Check if you misread the tone or misinterpreted facts
- Track patterns – Are you struggling with inference? Vocabulary? Lengthy passages?
Self-analysis is critical for improvement.
🏁 Final 30-Day RC Strategy for CAT
| Week | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Read 3 passages daily from diverse topics. Analyze every answer. |
| Week 2 | Take timed RC practice tests. Work on weak areas. |
| Week 3 | Start sectional VARC mocks. Focus on accuracy. |
| Week 4 | Revise question types, practice speed reading, and fine-tune exam strategy. |
Use CATKing’s VARC 30-Day Crash Course if you're short on time and need structured practice.
✨ Final Thoughts
Reading Comprehension in CAT is not just about English skills—it's a test of logic, patience, and focus. The key is to read regularly, understand the question types, and practice smart. With consistent effort, RC can go from being your weakest link to your strongest scoring area.
At CATKing Educare, we provide expert mentorship, RC workshops, mock tests, and reading resources to help you dominate this section with confidence.
Start practicing today, and let your CAT success story begin!
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