CAT 2023 – VARC Tips

Who says VARC is a tough nut to crack? I am here to bust that myth, dear friends. So, let me start by giving you two neat strategies. If you are not scared of passages, you can follow the 2-2-2-2 strategy. You simply pick two easy questions from every passage and then go back for two more from your favorite passage. A total of 10 questions in 30 minutes is a very good deal. But, this can be pulled off only if you do smart reading and don’t get lost in the depths of the passages. The other strategy is 3-3-3 in which you ignore one passage and do 3 questions each from 3 passages. Then, visit the ‘ignored’ passage and pick just one question. Remember, every passage will have at least one doable question. You should have a keen eye for these low-hanging fruits. So, that gives us 10 questions in 30 minutes; and then you move on to VA.  Either strategy will ensure accuracy, as your brain will be happy with your decision of not chasing too many questions. So, it will perform at its optimum. 

Then, go on to the VA section and do 3-4 questions. I suggest 2 para summary and 2 para jumbles. Here’s another tip to save your day. Pick those questions that have good transition words such as but, however, despite, etc. In para jumbles, focus on forming pairs. Keep a scribbling sheet handy and do your rough work on it. 

Now that our strategies are in place, let’s move on. Focus on good time management which can be done by skimming the passages a bit. Remember, not all the points in the passages are important. Get the main idea in the beginning and then cruise along, all the while keeping an eye on the flow of the passage. When you reach the questions, be extra careful with your process of elimination. Instead of looking for the right answer, try to throw out the wrong ones first. When you are left with the last two, just pick one of them and go back to the passage to prove it right. In CAT options, rephrasing plays an important role. Almost in all the options, you will find synonyms of the actual words given in the passage. 

All the best to everyone. Let VARC be the best section for you. Let’s crack it.