Learn about top 10 mistakes to avoid in the CAT 2025 VARC section. Follow practical strategies to sharpen your problem-solving skills and score the most in the VARC segment of CAT 2025.
Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in CAT 2025 VARC Section is a simple guide for understanding what common errors students make during the test. To score the most in VARC, you need stronger reading and answering skills under time pressure. At first glance, VARC can feel unpredictable… yet if you notice, common slip-ups can be seen repeating across mock after mock.
VARC in CAT 2025 typically carries 24 questions within a 40-minute time limit, so accuracy matters more than speed, as choices usually look confusing and close. Now here’s where many slip up… rushing the first read, missing clue words, or letting opinions colour answers. More than moving too fast through all questions, attempting the majority correctly is key.
Skimming the passages for RC, overthinking simple grammar-based questions, and more such are common blunders that can be prevented with practice. Building habits for better reading speed, note trigger words, understanding tone of the excerpts, working on vocabulary, tracking time, all add up to securing the most in CAT VARC. Recent data shows nearly 3.42 lakh applicants registered for CAT 2025. In such a steep competitive scenario, every mark matters. You cannot afford to have common lapses impacting your overall score. Better to be acquainted with the usual pitfalls, as this can serve as a reminder so that you do not make them. Let's explore below top 10 inaccuracies to avoid in the CAT 2025 VARC section, along with some useful tips.
Also Read: CAT 2025 Exam Day Instructions
10 Common Errors in CAT 2025 VARC
When seen up close, most CAT takers lose marks not because of a lack of knowledge but due to small missteps. Reports from several credible platforms reveal 13 to 15 correct attempts in this component can fetch you around 95 to 98 percentile in CAT 2025.
Feel free to check below 10 common errors in CAT VARC that quietly drain marks.
Common Error | Particular |
|---|---|
Reading RC passages too quickly | Many glance through the passage instead of reading for tone and logic. Skipping results in missing clues hidden in examples or contrasts. |
Ignoring key phrases | Words like however, although, or therefore modify the meaning of the piece. Not noticing them changes the sense of an entire paragraph. |
Making assumptions beyond given text | Answers must reflect what’s stated in the passage of the CAT question paper . Adding personal opinions may lead to inaccuracies. |
Ignoring write-up’s tone | Each passage carries an attitude: critical, optimistic, negative, neutral, or persuasive. Misjudging tone often leads to selecting the wrong options. |
Not following CAT pattern and syllabus | The exam structure may be modified every year. Without having proper knowledge of the latest CAT syllabus and pattern, the risk increases of wasting time on preparing less relevant areas. |
Weak grammar base | Missing basic rules of grammar, such as subject-verb agreement, grammar, or tenses, leads to losing marks that could have easily been earned. |
Not keeping watch on sectional time limit | Spending too much time on one RC or revising each question twice reduces the attempt count sharply. Practice pacing during CAT mock tests . |
Limited vocabulary | Unknown words break the flow. Broaden your vocabulary with daily reading from varied sources. |
Skipping full-length mocks | Practising only CAT sample questions is not sufficient. Full-length mocks enhance time management and accuracy. |
Ignoring review of mistakes | Many ignore analysing mock scores. Analysing hints at a pattern of careless slips and confusion zones. Without that, improvement stalls. |
In short, little awareness and consistency can save you from losing valuable marks.
Also Read:
Section-Wise Time Management Tips for CAT 2025
Tips to Improve Accuracy in CAT 2025 VARC
Now here’s the good news… precision in CAT VARC improves quickly with steady habits. Students who practised 15–20 full mocks usually see a substantial rise in answer consistency. The tips shared below can be tried to improve accuracy in CAT VARC.
Tips | Explanation |
|---|---|
Read with purpose | Focus on thorough reading. Pause for keywords and connectors to grasp tone and logic. |
Work on tricky questions | Mark question styles that confuse you. Review them after each mock and practise those areas. |
Set timer | Set a stopwatch for each RC practice to stay calm under stress |
Analyse mocks deeply | Check not just what went wrong, but why. That’s often where steady progress begins. |
Keep vocabulary alive | Read 1 editorial or business article daily. Jot new words, learn their usage in daily writing. |
Best Books and Resources for CAT VARC
Here are some best books and resources for CAT VARC training:
Courseware on Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT 2025-26 by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay | 36 Topic-wise CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Previous Year Solved Papers by Shipra Agarwal and Deepak Agarwal |
|---|---|
High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Ajay Singh |
Also Read : Top Colleges for Distance MBA in India
MBA Admissions Guide
Some links are added below to help you with MBA admissions .
To summarise, avoiding small faults in CAT VARC can transform how you perform. Practise reading consciously, manage time wisely, and keep calm during mocks. With regular focus and revision, consistency becomes your strongest asset on exam day.
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FAQs
Missing out on attempting the mock test for CAT VARC preparation is a bad idea, as it limits your problem-solving speed and accuracy.
Not following the CAT exam pattern is a top mistake, as it leads to a partial idea of the weightage and unexpected difficulty in the admission test.
CAT VARC has a 40-minute time limit. Hence, neglecting time management is a costly mistake in CAT VARC preparation, as you miss out on attempting many questions
Reading the RC passages quickly can affect your CAT VARC score as it may lead to confusion while answering the questions.
Wasting too much time on a single question, not taking note of the sectional limit, speedily reading through the RC passages, and not revising the basic grammar rules are some of the most common mistakes that you must avoid in the CAT VARC section.
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