Likhith · September 16, 2025 
Introduction
For countless CAT aspirants, Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA) sections represent the most challenging components of their preparation journey. While Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation follow systematic approaches, RC demands perfect balance between reading pace, comprehension depth, and answer accuracy.
The primary obstacle lies in managing dense, time-consuming passages filled with complex inferences and intricate details. When reading pace proves inadequate, students inevitably rush through questions, creating avoidable mistakes and compromising overall performance outcomes.
However, the encouraging reality is that improve reading speed represents a completely trainable skill set. Through strategic approaches, dedicated practice sessions, and proven methodologies, aspirants can significantly reduce reading time while enhancing information retention. Learning to improve reading speed effectively transforms RC and VA performance, enabling better time management and higher accuracy rates throughout CAT preparation.
Why Reading Speed Matters in CAT 2025 RC & VA
- Time Pressure: You have just 40 minutes for the entire VARC section.
- Dense Passages: Topics range from philosophy to economics, often with tricky structures.
- Inference-Based Questions: Speed without comprehension leads to negative marking.
- Competitive Edge: Faster readers can attempt more questions with higher accuracy.
Step-by-Step Strategy to Improve Reading Speed
1. Build a Daily Reading Habit
- Read diverse content: editorials, business journals, psychology articles, and science blogs.
- Spend 30–45 minutes daily on reading—not just skimming but engaging with ideas.
- This expands your vocabulary and reduces unfamiliarity with complex topics.
2. Practice Active Reading
- Don’t read passively—highlight mentally as you go.
- Ask: What’s the author’s argument? Is this example supporting or opposing?
- Create a 1–2 line summary after each paragraph to improve focus.
3. Improve Vocabulary & Contextual Understanding
- Vocabulary gaps slow you down.
- Maintain a word journal with 5–10 new words daily.
- Focus on contextual meaning, not rote memorization.
4. Skimming and Scanning Techniques
- Skimming: Quickly run through the passage to get the gist.
- Scanning: Look for keywords that match question stems.
- Use skimming to grasp structure, then slow down for dense paragraphs.
5. Timed RC Practice
- Solve at least 2–3 RC sets daily under a timer.
- Target: Read a 500–600-word passage within 3–4 minutes while retaining key points.
- Gradually reduce your time while maintaining comprehension.
6. Focus on Comprehension, Not Just Speed
- Fast reading without understanding = wasted attempts.
- Prioritize accuracy; once you are confident, then push for speed.
- Practice with past CAT RCs—they mirror real exam difficulty.
7. Train with Technology
- Use online reading tools and RC practice platforms that track speed, accuracy, and time taken per question.
- Apps like speed reading trainers can help break subvocalization (silent reading voice).
Section-Wise Impact of Reading Speed
| Section | Impact of Faster Reading | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (RC) | Faster passage completion | Attempt 4 RC sets without rushing |
| Verbal Ability (VA) | Quick para-jumbles & summaries | More time to recheck answers |
| Overall VARC | Balanced speed + comprehension | Higher accuracy and reduced stress |
How Career Plan B Can Help You
At Career Plan B, we understand that every student faces unique challenges in RC and VA. That’s why we provide:
- Personalized Career Counselling – identifying your weak areas in VARC.
- Psycheintel & Career Assessment Tests – mapping cognitive strengths to learning methods.
- Admission & Profile Guidance – helping you craft a strong MBA application beyond just exam scores.
- Career Roadmapping – building a long-term plan for B-school and corporate success.
Have any doubts?
📞 Contact our expert counsellor today and get all your questions answered!
FAQs
Q1. How much time should I spend on RC daily for CAT 2025?
Ans. At least 45–60 minutes daily, including reading articles and practicing 2–3 RC sets with timed drills.
Q2. How can I improve my speed and accuracy in the VARC section in the CAT?
Ans. You can improve speed and accuracy in VARC by practicing timed RC sets daily, building strong reading habits, and analyzing mistakes in mocks to refine comprehension and question selection.
Q3. How can I improve my reading comprehension for the CAT? I was scoring well in mocks and sectionals, but all of a sudden, my scores have fallen significantly.
Ans. A sudden dip in RC scores usually happens due to fatigue, over-reliance on speed, or poor question selection. Revisit your basics—focus on accuracy over attempts, slow down slightly to improve comprehension, and analyze mocks to identify tricky passage types that are pulling your scores down.
Q4. How can I improve my comprehension skills for the verbal section of CAT?
Ans. To improve comprehension skills in CAT VARC, read diverse articles daily and practice active reading by summarizing paragraphs, while solving RC sets regularly under timed conditions.
Q5. How can I avoid slowdowns due to tough vocabulary?
Ans. Rely on contextual reading instead of stopping at every tough word. Over time, regular reading will reduce dependency on dictionaries.
Conclusion
Improving reading speed for RC and Verbal Ability is a gradual but achievable goal critical for CAT 2025 success. By following focused strategies such as active reading, timed practice, vocabulary building, and comprehension enhancement, aspirants can balance speed and accuracy adeptly. For structured guidance, expert insights, and performance tracking, connect with Career Plan B equipping you to excel in verbal sections confidently.
