A Mentor’s Deep Dive into the CAT VARC Section

(2021-2024):

Evolution, Analysis, and Prep Tips for 2025

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the Common Admission Test (CAT) is often a make-or-break component for aspirants aiming to secure a seat in India’s top B-schools. Over the years, VARC has evolved in structure, question types, and difficulty, challenging candidates to adapt their preparation strategies. As a mentor who has guided countless CAT aspirants, I’ve closely observed the VARC section’s transformation from 2021 to 2024. In this blog, I’ll analyze its evolution, break down key trends with examples from the 2023 and 2024 exams, and share actionable preparation tips for CAT 2025 aspirants. My goal is to equip you with insights to confidently tackle VARC and maximize your score.

Evolution of the VARC Section (2021–2024)

The VARC section has undergone subtle but significant changes over the past few years, reflecting the CAT’s aim to test candidates’ comprehension, reasoning, and verbal skills at an advanced level. Let’s trace its evolution from 2021 to 2024, focusing on structure, question types, and difficulty.

2021: A Balanced but Tricky Section

In 2021, VARC consisted of 24 questions to be solved in 40 minutes, a pattern that has largely remained consistent. The section was dominated by Reading Comprehension (RC), with 16 questions spread across four passages, each carrying four questions. The remaining eight questions were Verbal Ability (VA), covering para jumbles, para summary, and odd-sentence-out questions. The difficulty was moderate, with RC passages covering diverse topics like philosophy, sociology, and literature. Notably, the VA section included three para jumble and three para summary questions, testing candidates’ ability to reorder sentences and distill main ideas. The presence of five Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions, which have no negative marking, offered a strategic advantage for risk-takers.

2022: Consistency with a Twist

The 2022 VARC section retained the 24-question structure, with 16 RC questions and eight VA questions. However, the difficulty of RC passages increased slightly, with topics like history and abstract ideas requiring deeper inference skills. The VA section continued to feature para jumbles, para summaries, and odd-sentence-out questions, but the phrasing of options became trickier, demanding careful analysis. The number of TITA questions remained at five, encouraging candidates to attempt them even if unsure.

2023: A Shift Toward Complexity

The 2023 CAT, conducted by IIM Lucknow, marked a notable increase in VARC complexity. The section still had 24 questions, with 16 RC questions across four passages and eight VA questions. However, the RC passages were denser, covering topics like philosophy, history, and socio-cultural issues. For example, one passage in Slot 1 discussed the philosophical implications of human-animal interactions, requiring candidates to grasp abstract concepts and nuanced arguments. The VA section saw the introduction of para-insertion questions, where candidates had to identify where a sentence best fits in a paragraph. These questions, absent in prior years, added a layer of difficulty. The VA breakdown included three para jumbles, three para summaries, and two para-insertion questions, with two TITA questions. The overall difficulty was rated moderate to tough, with Slot 3 being particularly challenging due to lengthier RC passages.

2024: Refinement and Surprise Elements

In 2024, conducted by IIM Calcutta, VARC retained its 24-question structure but introduced subtle changes. The total number of questions in the CAT exam increased from 66 to 68, with VARC maintaining 16 RC questions and eight VA questions. A significant shift was the absence of para jumble questions across all slots, a departure from the traditional VA composition. Instead, the VA section included three para summary questions, three para completion questions, and two odd-sentence-out questions. RC passages covered diverse topics, such as the spice trade, unintended consequences of technology, peer review of research, and carnivore-human conflict in Slot 2, and AI, languages, Chinese Moutai, and outer space in Slot 3. The passages, averaging 400–450 words, were manageable but required strong inference skills. The difficulty was rated easy to moderate in Slot 1, moderate in Slot 2, and moderate to difficult in Slot 3. The inclusion of two TITA questions continued to offer a strategic edge.

Key Trends and Analysis (2023–2024)

Analyzing the 2023 and 2024 VARC sections reveals patterns that can guide your preparation for 2025. Here are the critical trends, supported by specific examples:

1. RC Dominance and Diverse Topics

RC continues to dominate VARC, constituting 66–67% of the section (16 out of 24 questions). Both 2023 and 2024 featured four RC passages per slot, each with four questions. The topics have become increasingly eclectic, testing candidates’ ability to comprehend unfamiliar subjects. For instance:

  • 2023 Example (Slot 1): A passage on human-animal interactions explored philosophical questions about coexistence, with questions requiring candidates to identify the author’s tone and infer unstated assumptions.
  • 2024 Example (Slot 2): A passage on the spice trade discussed its historical and economic significance, with questions focusing on the main idea and specific details, such as the role of trade routes.
  • 2024 Example (Slot 3): A passage on the impact of AI was slightly denser, with questions testing candidates’ ability to differentiate between primary and secondary arguments.

Insight: The diversity of topics—philosophy, history, technology, culture—means candidates must read widely to feel comfortable with unfamiliar content. Passages are concise (400–600 words) but dense, requiring quick comprehension and critical thinking.

2. VA’s Evolving Question Types

The VA section has seen notable shifts. Para jumbles, a staple until 2023, were absent in 2024, replaced by para completion and odd-sentence-out questions. Para-insertion questions, introduced in 2023, did not appear in 2024, indicating the CAT’s tendency to experiment with question types.

  • 2023 Example (Slot 1): A para-insertion question asked candidates to place a sentence about cultural influences into a paragraph on globalization, testing their understanding of thematic flow.
  • 2024 Example (Slot 2): A para completion question required candidates to select a sentence that logically concluded a paragraph on technology’s societal impact, with options designed to confuse those who missed the passage’s tone.
  • 2024 Example (Slot 3): An odd-sentence-out question involved identifying a sentence that disrupted the coherence of a paragraph on language evolution, demanding careful analysis of sentence transitions.

Insight: VA questions emphasize logical coherence and context. The absence of para jumbles in 2024 suggests a focus on synthesis (para completion) and elimination (odd-sentence-out), requiring candidates to master sentence-level reasoning.

3. Difficulty Variations Across Slots

Both years showed variations in difficulty across slots, impacting time management and question selection.

  • 2023: Slot 1 was moderate, Slot 2 was slightly tougher due to abstract RC passages, and Slot 3 was the hardest, with lengthier passages and trickier VA options.
  • 2024: Slot 1 was the easiest, with straightforward RC passages and doable VA questions. Slot 2 was moderate, while Slot 3 was tougher due to denser RC passages and nuanced VA questions.

Insight: Candidates must practice under time constraints to adapt to varying difficulty levels. Prioritizing easier RC passages and VA questions can maximize scores, especially in tougher slots.

4. Strategic Importance of TITA Questions

Both 2023 and 2024 included two TITA questions in VARC, typically in para summary or para completion. With no negative marking, these questions are low-risk, high-reward.

  • 2023 Example: A TITA para summary question in Slot 2 asked candidates to summarize a passage on economic inequality in 20–25 words, testing brevity and precision.
  • 2024 Example: A TITA para completion question in Slot 3 required typing a sentence to conclude a passage on space exploration, rewarding candidates who grasped the passage’s intent.

Insight: Attempting TITA questions, even with partial confidence, can boost scores due to the absence of negative marking.

Prep Tips for CAT 2025 VARC

Based on the 2023 and 2024 trends, here’s a comprehensive preparation strategy for CAT 2025 aspirants to ace the VARC section. These tips are designed to build skills, improve speed, and enhance accuracy.

1. Build a Reading Habit

RC’s dominance means reading is non-negotiable. Dedicate 1–2 hours daily to reading diverse content from sources like The Hindu, The Guardian, Aeon Essays, and Indian Express. Focus on editorials and long-form articles on history, philosophy, science, and culture to mirror CAT’s passage topics.

  • Actionable Tip: Summarize each article in 50 words to practice identifying main ideas, a skill critical for RC and para summary questions. For example, after reading a 2024 passage on the spice trade, note its key points: historical trade routes, economic impact, and cultural exchanges.
  • Why It Works: Regular reading improves comprehension speed and familiarity with complex topics, reducing intimidation during the exam.

2. Master RC Passage Selection

With four RC passages, choosing the right ones can save time. Practice identifying “doable” passages by skimming the first few lines and questions.

  • Actionable Tip: In mocks, prioritize passages with clear narratives or familiar topics. For instance, in 2024’s Slot 2, the spice trade passage was more accessible than the peer review passage due to its historical context.
  • Why It Works: Solving 2–3 RC passages (8–12 questions) with high accuracy is often enough for a strong VARC score, especially in tougher slots.

3. Strengthen VA Skills

VA questions require logical reasoning and sentence-level analysis. Practice para completion, para summary, and odd-sentence-out questions to build these skills. FREE PRACTICE

  • Actionable Tip: For para completion, focus on the passage’s tone and logical flow. In a 2024 Slot 3 question, the correct para completion option matched the passage’s optimistic tone about AI’s potential. For odd-sentence-out, identify sentences that disrupt thematic or grammatical coherence.
  • Why It Works: VA questions are quicker to solve than RC, offering a high return on investment if practiced consistently.

4. Practice Time Management

With 40 minutes for 24 questions, time management is critical. Aim to spend 25–30 minutes on RC (6–8 minutes per passage) and 10–15 minutes on VA.

  • Actionable Tip: In mocks, simulate exam conditions and track time per passage. If a 2023-style philosophical passage takes too long, move to a more straightforward one, like 2024’s spice trade passage.
  • Why It Works: Efficient time allocation ensures you attempt high-scoring questions, especially TITA ones, without rushing.

5. Leverage Past Papers and Mocks

Solving CAT 2023 and 2024 papers is invaluable for understanding question types and difficulty. Analyze your performance to identify weak areas. FREE PAST PAPERS

  • Actionable Tip: Revisit the 2023 para-insertion questions and 2024 para completion questions to practice unfamiliar formats. Note how 2024’s Slot 3 RC passages required deeper inferences compared to Slot 1.
  • Why It Works: Past papers reveal recurring patterns, such as RC’s focus on inference-based questions, helping you anticipate 2025’s challenges.

6. Enhance Vocabulary and Grammar

While direct vocabulary or grammar questions are absent, a strong command aids RC comprehension and VA accuracy.

  • Actionable Tip: Learn 5–10 new words daily from reading material, focusing on contextual usage. For example, understanding terms like “hegemony” or “epistemology” from a 2023 philosophy passage can clarify complex ideas.
  • Why It Works: A robust vocabulary speeds up passage comprehension, especially for dense topics like those in 2023’s Slot 3.

7. Analyze Mock Performance

Regular mock tests are essential to simulate exam pressure and refine strategy. Focus on accuracy (aim for 80–85%) rather than attempting all questions.

  • Actionable Tip: After each mock, review incorrect answers. If you struggled with a 2024-style para summary question, practice summarizing passages to capture the main idea concisely.
  • Why It Works: Mock analysis helps identify patterns in errors, such as misinterpreting RC questions or rushing VA answers.

8. Stay Motivated and Consistent

CAT preparation is a marathon, and VARC requires daily effort. Stay motivated by setting small, achievable goals, like reading one article or solving five VA questions daily.

  • Actionable Tip: Watch motivational movies like The Pursuit of Happyness (recommended by CAT toppers) to stay inspired, as suggested by a 2023 topper who balanced mocks with relaxation.
  • Why It Works: Consistency builds confidence, ensuring you’re exam-ready by November 30, 2025.

Expected VARC Pattern for CAT 2025

Based on 2023 and 2024, CAT 2025’s VARC section is likely to feature:

  • 24 questions: 16 RC (four passages, four questions each) and eight VA (para summary, para completion, odd-sentence-out, possibly para-insertion or para jumbles).
  • Difficulty: Moderate to tough, with Slot 3 potentially being the hardest.
  • Topics: RC passages on philosophy, history, technology, culture, and science; VA focusing on logical coherence.
  • TITA Questions: 2–3, likely in para summary or para completion, offering a scoring opportunity.

Final Thoughts

The VARC section of CAT 2025 will test your ability to read critically, reason logically, and manage time effectively. By understanding its evolution from 2021 to 2024, leveraging examples from 2023 and 2024 exams, and following a structured preparation plan, you can turn VARC into a strength. Start early, read widely, practice consistently, and analyze your performance to fine-tune your approach. As a mentor, my advice is simple: treat VARC as a puzzle to solve, not a hurdle to fear. With dedication and strategy, you’re well on your way to acing CAT 2025 and securing your dream B-school seat.