The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the Common Admission Test (CAT) is difficult for many CAT aspirants, especially when it comes to managing their time equally. With tight deadlines and time schedules, VARC demands smart time management. The Catalysts will- we’ll talk about time management through practical strategies to help you get good marks in the VARC section and boost your overall CAT score.
Understanding the Structure of CAT VARC
Before diving time management into strategies, it’s important to understand what the CAT VARC section involves. The section usually has:
- 24-26 Reading Comprehension (RC) questions, spread across 4-5 passages.
- 8-10 Verbal Ability (VA) questions, including topics like para-jumbles, sentence rearrangement, odd one-out, and summary-based questions.
This means that you have around 40 to 60 minutes to solve these 32-36 questions. So, how do you effectively manage your time and ensure maximum accuracy?
Let’s See the time management process!
1. Start with Reading Comprehension (RC)
Many students make the mistake of spending too much time on the Verbal Ability questions, which are shorter but often more confusing. RC questions usually hold more time in VARC, and you can score better if you approach them first. Here’s why:
- RC questions are direct: While RC passages can be long, the questions often require you to find specific information within the text, which is more straightforward than VA questions that demand logical thinking.
- RC helps with momentum: Solving the RC section first builds your rhythm and boosts your confidence as you move toward the more complex VA questions.
How to Manage Time in RC:
- Spend **3-4 minutes** reading each passage thoroughly.
- Give yourself **6-7 minutes** to solve the questions for each passage.
- For 4 passages, this will take about **35 minutes**, leaving you with enough time for the Verbal Ability questions.
2. Prioritize Questions Wisely
Not all questions in the VARC section are equally difficult or time-consuming. Some may take 10 seconds, while others could take up to 3 minutes. So, how do you choose which questions to solve first?
Identify Easy Questions:
- Fact-based RC questions- (like “What does the author state in paragraph 2?”) can often be answered by quickly referring to the text.
- In VA, questions like – summary-based questions are usually quicker to solve compared to para-jumbles.
Start by answering these easy questions first. This will not only save you time but also build your confidence as you gather easy marks.
Skip Tricky Ones:
- If you encounter questions that require complex reasoning, such as **inference-based RC questions** or challenging **para-jumbles**, it’s better to skip them at first and come back to them later.
- Mark them for review, so if you have time at the end, you can solve them with a clearer mind easily.
3. Practice Skimming and Scanning for RC
One of the most crucial time-saving skills for RC is learning how to **skim and scan**. Here’s how you can use these two methods to save valuable seconds during the exam:
Skimming:
When you first approach a passage, you don’t need to read every single word. Skim through the passage to get a general sense of what it’s about. Focus on:
- The **introduction** and **conclusion** of each paragraph.
- Key points and any repeated ideas.
Scanning:
When you go back to answer specific questions, use scanning. Look for keywords from the question (like names, dates, or specific concepts) and find where they appear in the passage. This will help you locate answers quickly without re-reading the entire passage.
With enough practice, skimming and scanning can reduce the time you spend reading RC passages, allowing you to focus more on solving the questions.
4. Limit Time on Verbal Ability Questions
Verbal Ability questions can be tricky, especially para-jumbles and odd-sentence-out questions. It’s easy to get stuck trying to figure out the exact order of sentences or debating between two close options. Here’s how to manage time better on VA questions:
Set a Time Limit:
- Spend no more than **1-1.5 minutes** per VA question.
- If you’re stuck, make an educated guess, mark it for review, and move on.
- Once you’ve completed the section, return to these marked questions if you have time.
Focus on High Accuracy:
Rather than attempting every VA question, aim for accuracy. It’s better and easier to solve 4 VA questions correctly than to attempt 8 and get 6 wrong. Like ThisTricks or steps, you’ll avoid negative markings and boost your overall score also.
5. Take Advantage of On-Screen Timer
CAT gives you the advantage of an on-screen timer that constantly shows you on your screen, that how much time is left. Use it to keep track of your progress and pace yourself. Here’s how you can divide your time:
- First 35 minutes: Complete as much of the RC section as possible.
- Last 25 minutes: Focus on Verbal Ability questions.
- And the last 5 minutes: for rechecking the answer
If you follow this structure, you’ll have a balanced approach to both RC and VA questions, maximizing your chances of scoring well.
6. How to Practice for best scoring
Ultimately, The no-time management strategy will not work until you practice it. Here’s how to prepare to lead up in the CAT Exam:
Do Mock Tests:
- Simulate the CAT exam by taking full-length mock tests regularly. This will help you get used to the timing and pressure.
- After each mock test, analyze how much time you’re spending on RC vs VA questions. Identify areas where you can improve your speed or accuracy.
- Do 3-4 mock tests weekly for time management and best scoring.
Work on Reading Speed:
- Spend 30 minutes daily on reading newspapers, magazines, or online articles from sources like from online websites.
- The more you read, the faster you’ll comprehend RC passages during the exam.
Solve Sectional Tests:
- Practice VARC-specific tests to better grip both RC and VA questions.
- Time yourself while solving these to improve your speed and get used to solving RCs quickly.
7. Stay Relaxed and Focused during the exam
Finally, remember that staying calm, relaxed, and focused during the exam is crucial. Time pressure can make even simple questions seem difficult if you’re stressed. Here are some easy steps to stay focused:
- Take deep breaths and 10-second breaks between sections to relax your mind.
- Don’t let one tough question ruin your momentum. Move on, and come back to it later if time is left.
- Stick to your time limits and don’t panic if you leave a few questions unsolved. Accuracy is more important than attempting every question.
Conclusion
Effective time management is the key to mastering the CAT VARC section. You can significantly improve your performance by prioritizing Reading Comprehension, setting time limits for Verbal Ability questions, practicing regularly, and staying calm under pressure. Remember, the goal is to balance speed with the right accuracy of the answer. Start practicing these strategies today, and you’ll score best in this CAT exam.