Introduction

Did you know that Reading Comprehension (RC) alone makes up nearly 24% of the CAT exam? In fact, in most years, four reading comprehension passages account for about 16 out of 24 VARC questions. For many aspirants, this section is either their strongest weapon or their biggest roadblock. If you’ve ever stared at a dense passage on philosophy or science and thought, “How am I supposed to make sense of this?”, you’re not alone.

The good news is that scoring high in RC is not about reading faster or having an impressive vocabulary—it’s about strategy. In this blog, we’ll break down exactly how you can turn RC from a dreaded section into a score booster. You’ll learn practical techniques, common mistakes to avoid, and tried-and-tested strategies to consistently score above the 90th percentile in RC.

Why is RC So Important in CAT?

• Weightage in VARC: Around 70% of questions in VARC are RC-based.
• High ROI: With practice and the right strategy, RC is more predictable compared to Para Jumbles and Odd Sentence Out.
• Accuracy-driven: RC isn’t just about speed—it’s about close reading and avoiding traps.

Simply put, if you want a 99 percentile in VARC, you cannot afford to ignore RC.

Common Challenges Faced in CAT RC

Before we talk about solutions, let’s highlight where most aspirants go wrong:

• Reading too fast or too slow: Speed without comprehension, or comprehension without speed, both hurt performance.
• Overconfidence in intuition: Many students ‘feel’ an option is right instead of returning to the passage.
• Struggles with abstract topics: Passages from philosophy, economics, and art tend to intimidate students.
• Time drain: Spending too long on one RC passage and leaving others undone..

High-Scoring RC Strategy for CAT

Choose the Right Passage Order

Not all RC passages are equal. CAT typically has:

• 2 long passages (450–550 words, 5 questions each)
• 2 short passages (300–400 words, 4 questions each)

Strategy:

• Start with passages that seem more straightforward (science, current affairs) before moving to tougher ones (philosophy, critical theory).
• Quickly skim all passages to decide your order—it saves time in the long run.

Active Reading, Not Passive Glancing

Think of reading like a conversation with the author. Instead of just letting words pass by, ask yourself:

• What is the main point the author is driving at?
• Is the tone critical, descriptive, analytical, or persuasive?
• What assumptions is the author making?

Create mental subheadings or jot keywords down while reading. For example, if a passage is about climate change, you might note: causes, effects, solutions.

Mastering Question Types

CAT RC usually has four question types. Here’s how to handle them:

1. Main Idea / Primary Purpose Questions
   • Look at the passage as a whole, not minor details.
   • Eliminate options that are too narrow or too broad.
2. Inference Questions
   • Draw conclusions based on what’s implied but not directly stated.
   • Avoid extreme options unless the passage signals them clearly.
3. Detail / Fact-based Questions
   • Go back to the passage and check—never rely on memory.
   • Use scanning techniques: look for keywords.
4. Tone / Attitude Questions
   • Build familiarity with tone words: skeptical, optimistic, neutral, critical, etc.
   • Always align tone with the author’s overall intent.

Elimination is Your Best Friend

More than 50% of RC accuracy comes from eliminating wrong options. Use these filters:

• Too extreme? Highly unlikely.
• Not mentioned in the passage? Eliminate.
• Distorted version of what’s stated? Out.

Remember: CAT loves to present trap options that sound “close enough.”

Time Management

You’ll have 40 minutes total for VARC. Ideally:

• Spend 7–8 minutes per RC passage.
• Keep 1–2 minutes buffer for review.
• Don’t get stuck—if a question feels too confusing, mark it and return later.

A common high-scorer tactic? Attempt 3 RC passages fully + 1 partially instead of rushing through all. Accuracy is king.

Build Stamina with Daily Practice

RC isn’t built overnight. Reading speed, comprehension, and stamina improve with consistent exposure.

• Read 2 editorials daily from The Hindu, Aeon Essays, or Scientific American.
• Take sectional RC tests at least 3 times a week.
• Mix topics: science, sociology, philosophy, literature.

By October-November, aim for 70–80 high-quality RC passages attempted under timed conditions.

RC Question Types vs Strategies

How to Use Mocks for RC Practice

• Analyze, don’t just attempt. After every mock, revisit wrong answers and ask: Why did I choose this option? Why is the correct one better?
• Track accuracy per question type. Are you better at detail-based vs inference?
• Simulate CAT conditions: 40 minutes, online interface, no calculator.

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FAQs on CAT RC Strategy

1. How many RC passages should I attempt in CAT?
   At least 3–3.5 passages with focus on accuracy. Quality matters more than quantity.
2. Should I read the questions before the passage?
   For CAT, it’s better to read the passage first. Pre-reading questions can bias your understanding.
3. Is vocabulary very important for RC?
   Not excessively. Context usually makes meanings clear. However, reading widely builds comfort with complex texts.
4. I ran out of time in VARC. Any fix?
   Prioritize easier RCs first. Don’t aim to complete everything—maximize accuracy instead.
5. How can working professionals build RC habits?
   Set aside 20 minutes daily for serious reading, ideally during commutes or breaks. Consistency beats intensity.

Conclusion

RC doesn’t have to be an unpredictable gamble in CAT. With the right passage selection, active reading, effective elimination, and regular practice, it transforms into a reliable scoring section. Remember—the exam doesn’t test whether you’re an expert in philosophy or science, it tests whether you can navigate unfamiliar material logically.

Start incorporating these strategies into your daily prep, monitor your accuracy trends, and refine consistently. As we often say at Career Plan B: every RC you practice today is one step closer to your dream percentile.