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.
How to ace in VARC section:
Reading Comprehension (RC) is one of the most crucial sections of the CAT exam. It evaluates your ability to understand, interpret, and analyze various types of texts. A good score in RC can significantly boost your overall CAT score, so it’s important to dedicate time to practice. In this article, we’ll walk you through some excellent reading sources that will help you sharpen your RC skills and ace this section.
1. Newspapers and Magazines
Reading newspapers and magazines regularly can be a game-changer for your RC practice. Publications like The Hindu, Times of India, The Economist, and TIME offer a wide variety of articles that cover topics such as politics, economics, science, and global affairs. These readings expose you to different writing styles and help improve both your comprehension and vocabulary.
Tip: Focus on editorials and opinion pieces, as they usually present complex arguments and multiple viewpoints, making them ideal for practice.
2. Non-Fiction Books
Non-fiction books are a great way to dive deep into topics while enhancing your reading comprehension. Books on history, psychology, science, or economics are perfect for this purpose. Some popular authors whose books can help improve your comprehension skills include Malcolm Gladwell, Yuval Noah Harari, and Steven Pinker.
Tip: Try to read books that are not too easy to ensure you are challenged and improve your analytical thinking skills.
3. Research Papers and Journals
For a more academic approach, reading research papers and journals can help you understand dense texts. Websites like Google Scholar and JSTOR host a wide variety of academic papers across different fields. These papers often contain complex arguments and specialized vocabulary, which can help you develop a more nuanced understanding of difficult texts.
Tip: Start with easier papers and gradually move to more challenging ones as your skills improve.
4. CAT Preparation Material
The best way to get used to the style and difficulty of CAT RC questions is by practicing with CAT-specific prep material. You can find RC practice sets, previous years’ papers, and mock tests from trusted CAT preparation platforms like CATKing. These resources are specifically designed to help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and improve your speed.
Tip: Solve these RCs within a set time limit to mimic actual exam conditions.
5. Editorials and Opinion Articles
Editorials and opinion pieces are often written with a specific viewpoint, making them perfect for RC practice. These articles will help you understand how writers make their case and provide arguments. They will also expose you to a variety of writing styles, including persuasive, informative, and analytical.
Tip: Make it a habit to read different editorials from various newspapers and magazines to get used to diverse writing styles.
6. Fictional Works
While fiction may not seem like a direct source for CAT RC preparation, reading novels and short stories can improve your overall reading skills. Fiction often requires you to follow complex plots and understand characters’ thoughts and feelings, which is a great way to improve your ability to analyze texts.
Tip: Authors like Haruki Murakami, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Amitav Ghosh write engaging fiction that will challenge your comprehension.
7. CATKing’s RC Practice Resources
At CATKing, we provide a wide range of RC practice materials designed specifically for CAT aspirants. These resources include varied reading passages, detailed solutions, and strategies to tackle different types of RC questions effectively.
Tip: Regularly practice with CATKing's resources to improve your time management and test-taking strategies.
Tips for Effective Reading Comprehension Preparation:
- Read Regularly: Make reading a daily habit. Read a wide variety of materials to get used to different topics and writing styles.
- Practice Active Reading: As you read, underline key points, new words, and important arguments. This will help you retain information better and understand the passage more deeply.
- Solve Timed RCs: Set a timer and practice solving RC questions within a specific time limit. This will help you manage time effectively during the exam.
- Analyze Mistakes: After solving RC questions, go through the explanations to understand why you got an answer wrong. This will help you avoid repeating mistakes in the future.
- Discuss and Debate: Share your thoughts on the articles you read with friends or mentors. This will help you improve your analytical skills and articulate your opinions better.
Conclusion
To score well in the Reading Comprehension section of CAT, consistency is key. By reading from a variety of sources like newspapers, books, journals, and CAT prep materials, you can develop a strong foundation in comprehension and critical thinking. Use the resources mentioned above, practice regularly, and adopt strategies to boost your speed and accuracy.
By integrating these reading habits into your daily routine, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the RC section of the CAT exam. Happy reading and best of luck with your CAT preparation!
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