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 for CAT
For most CAT aspirants, Reading Comprehension (RC) is either a strong scoring area or the biggest struggle. The difference rarely comes from intelligence or English fluency. It comes from reading habits, approach, and consistency.
In recent years, CAT VARC has become more reasoning-driven. Questions now focus less on vocabulary and more on understanding the author’s idea, tone, and logical flow. This means RC preparation today is not about shortcuts or tricks — it’s about building a reading mindset.
This guide explains how to prepare for Reading Comprehension in a practical and sustainable way.
Understanding the Role of RC in CAT
Reading Comprehension typically forms the largest portion of the VARC section. Strong RC performance can significantly improve your overall percentile.
CAT RC passages usually come from areas like:
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Philosophy and psychology
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Economics and business
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Science and technology
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Social and cultural topics
The goal is not subject knowledge but the ability to understand unfamiliar content quickly and accurately.
Why Most Students Struggle with RC
Common reasons include:
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Reading too fast without understanding
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Trying to memorise the passage
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Choosing answers based on assumptions
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Lack of daily reading habit
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Ignoring mistake analysis
RC is a skill that improves gradually, not instantly.
Step 1: Build a Daily Reading Habit
The most effective way to improve RC is simple — read every day.
Spend 20–30 minutes daily reading:
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Editorials
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Opinion articles
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Long-form analytical content
While reading, ask:
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What is the author trying to say?
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Is the tone positive, critical, or neutral?
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What is the central argument?
Regular reading improves speed, vocabulary, and comprehension naturally.
Step 2: Learn to Identify the Main Idea
Instead of focusing on every line, train yourself to identify:
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The central theme
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The author’s opinion
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How each paragraph contributes to the overall argument
Most RC questions revolve around the main idea, tone, or inference.
Step 3: Stop Depending on Memory
You don’t need to remember the entire passage.
A better approach:
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Understand the structure
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Go back to the relevant part for specific questions
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Avoid answering based on memory or guesswork
Accuracy improves when answers are evidence-based.
Step 4: Understand Common Question Types
Most CAT RC questions fall into these categories:
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Main idea or primary purpose
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Author’s tone or attitude
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Inference-based questions
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Specific detail questions
For inference questions, avoid extreme options. The correct answer is usually the one that is supported, not exaggerated.
Step 5: Focus on Accuracy Before Speed
Many aspirants try to increase attempts too early. This leads to mistakes.
Instead:
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Read calmly
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Eliminate wrong options logically
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Attempt fewer but accurate questions
Speed improves automatically with practice.
Step 6: Analyse Your RC Mistakes
After practice or mocks:
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Identify why your answer was wrong
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Check which part of the passage you misread
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See if you added your own assumption
Improvement happens during analysis, not just practice.
A Simple Daily RC Plan
Daily:
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20–30 minutes reading
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1–2 RC passages
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Review mistakes carefully
Weekly:
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Track accuracy
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Identify weak areas (tone, inference, main idea)
Consistency for 6–8 weeks usually shows visible improvement.
Common RC Mistakes to Avoid
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Reading passively without thinking
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Choosing answers that “sound right”
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Using outside knowledge
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Skipping reading practice
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Ignoring mock analysis
Avoiding these mistakes often improves scores quickly.
Final Thoughts
Reading Comprehension is not something you finish — it’s something you build. Students who treat reading as a daily habit rather than a test task eventually find RC becoming easier and more predictable.
The effort you put into RC also helps in GDPI, MBA coursework, and corporate communication. In many ways, improving RC is not just exam preparation — it’s a long-term skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take to improve RC?
With daily practice, improvement is usually visible in 6–8 weeks.
2. How many RC passages should I practice daily?
1–2 passages along with regular reading.
3. Is vocabulary very important for CAT RC?
Basic understanding is enough. Context matters more than difficult words.
4. Why do my RC scores fluctuate?
Inconsistent reading and lack of analysis are common reasons.
5. Should I attempt all RC questions?
Focus on accuracy first, then gradually increase attempts.
So all the best with your preparation!
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