The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of CAT 2025 is often a make-or-break area for aspirants. With 24 questions to be solved in just 40 minutes, VARC tests more than just your reading and grammar skills: it demands precision, speed, and the ability to handle complex passages under time pressure.
In this guide, you’ll get a complete topic-wise CAT VARC syllabus, weightage analysis, real previous year question (PYQ) examples, and clarity on what does not come under its scope. You’ll also find a topic-wise question bank link for structured practice without overwhelming promotional language.
CAT 2025 VARC – Topic-Wise Syllabus & Weightage
While CAT doesn’t officially release a fixed VARC syllabus, analysis of past papers (CAT 2017–2024) shows a consistent pattern:
Topic | Approx. Questions | Description |
Reading Comprehension (RC) | 14–16 | 4 RC passages (450–650 words each) with inference, tone, factual, and vocabulary-based questions. |
Para Jumbles (PJ) | 2–3 | Rearranging sentences to form a coherent paragraph (TITA format). |
Para Summary | 2–3 | Choosing the most accurate summary from 4 options. |
Odd Sentence Out | 1–2 | Spotting the sentence that doesn’t fit in a paragraph. |
Sentence Correction / Completion | 1–2 | Grammar, usage, and sentence structure. |
Vocabulary & Fill-in-the-Blanks | 1–2 | Contextual vocabulary questions. |
Weightage Trend:
- Reading Comprehension consistently accounts for 65–70% of VARC marks.
- Verbal Ability (PJ, PS, Odd One Out, Sentence Completion) covers the rest.
Examples of Questions in CAT VARC
The VARC section of CAT typically includes questions from Reading Comprehension (RC), Para Jumbles, Odd One Out, and Para Summary. While vocabulary-based Fill-in-the-Blanks (FITB) or direct incomplete sentence questions are not directly tested, their skills indirectly appear in RC inference questions or summary-based prompts. Para Jumbles have also seen reduced frequency in recent CAT papers, but they still appear occasionally.
Here’s a breakdown of example questions from CAT Previous Year Papers (2023 & 2024) taken directly from the
FundaMakers CAT Question Bank:
Reading Comprehension (RC)
CAT 2024 – Slot 1
The passage discusses the impact of anthropogenic climate change on Arctic wildlife. According to the author, which of the following best explains the decline in polar bear populations?
(A) Reduction in prey species due to habitat destruction
(B) Genetic mutation caused by increased UV radiation
(C) Disruption in migratory patterns of seals
(D) Overhunting by indigenous communities
View Full Question & Solution →
Para Summary
CAT 2023 – Slot 2
The paragraph argues that the growing reliance on algorithmic decision-making in recruitment can inadvertently perpetuate human biases. The main idea is…
(A) Algorithms are neutral tools if programmed correctly
(B) Recruitment algorithms must be audited regularly
(C) AI in hiring increases fairness and transparency
(D) Algorithmic biases are inevitable without human oversight
View Full Question & Solution →
Para Jumbles (less frequent in recent years)
CAT 2024 – Slot 2
Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:
- Blockchain technology ensures decentralisation of data.
- Cryptocurrencies are its most well-known application.
- However, its potential extends to supply chain management.
- Transparency and security are its main features.
View Full Question & Solution →
Odd One Out
CAT 2023 – Slot 1
Identify the sentence that does not belong to the group:
(A) Many species have evolved mimicry as a survival mechanism.
(B) The monarch butterfly’s coloration warns predators of toxicity.
(C) Coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots threatened by ocean acidification.
(D) The viceroy butterfly mimics the monarch’s appearance to avoid predation.
View Full Question & Solution →
Indirect Vocabulary & Inference-Based (not directly included in CAT, but skills appear here)
CAT 2024 – Slot 1
The author’s tone in the passage can best be described as…
(A) Cautiously optimistic
(B) Sarcastic and dismissive
(C) Concerned but hopeful
(D) Neutral and detached
View Full Question & Solution →
Types of Questions That Do Not Appear in CAT VARC
While CAT’s VARC section covers a wide variety of reading and verbal reasoning skills, there are several question types that used to appear in older exams but have been phased out or become extremely rare in the current pattern.
1. Direct Grammar or Error-Correction Questions
- Absent since CAT 2014, these involved spotting grammatical errors or choosing correct alternatives in sentences.
2. Direct Vocabulary Questions (Synonyms/Antonyms)
- Fill-in-the-blanks or standalone vocabulary exercises testing isolated words haven’t appeared since around 2014.
3. Paragraph Completion (Standalone)
- These were last seen around 2016 and haven’t been part of CAT VARC in recent years.
4. Fact–Inference–Judgment (FIJ) Type
- Complex sequence-based reasoning questions where candidates decide whether statements are facts, inferences, or judgments were discontinued after 2014.
5. Last-Sentence Identification or Sentence Adds
- Questions that require finding the final sentence for a paragraph (from options) are also obsolete in recent patterns.
Question Types Not Frequently Tested in CAT VARC
While CAT’s VARC section continues to be dominated by Reading Comprehension (RC) and a smaller set of Verbal Ability questions (Para Jumbles, Summary, Odd One Out), some formats have become rare or disappeared entirely in recent years. Spending excessive time on these low-yield types can dilute your preparation focus.
Rare/Not Tested in Recent CATs | Why They’re Rare | Better Use of Prep Time |
Direct Vocabulary Meaning | CAT prefers to test vocabulary indirectly via RC passages instead of straightforward definition questions. | Build contextual vocabulary skills through RC practice. |
Vocabulary-based Fill in the Blanks | Absent in CAT 2020–2024; replaced by flow-driven Para Completion in other exams. | Practice logical sentence completion instead of isolated vocab gaps. |
Incomplete Sentence Completion | Occasionally seen in other MBA tests (NMAT, SNAP) but not CAT. | Skip for CAT unless targeting multiple exams. |
Odd One Out – Vocabulary Based | CAT’s Odd One Out is always sentence-based, testing coherence, not word meaning. | Focus on sentence ordering skills. |
Direct Grammar Error Spotting | CAT embeds grammar in comprehension and ordering, not in explicit error correction. | Prioritise reading comprehension and logical structure over rote grammar drills. |
Why These Are Outdated and What Still Matters
In today’s CAT VARC:
Still Included | Description |
Reading Comprehension | Core of VARC (~70% weightage) with inference, tone, central idea, and vocabulary-in-context questions (Bodhee Prep, Erudite, Zollege). |
Para Jumbles, Summary, Odd One Out | Less frequent than RC but still appear—Para Jumbles (mostly TITA), Summary (MCQ), Odd One Out (TITA) (Bodhee Prep, Careers Today, KollegeApply). |
Critical Reasoning Elements | Occasionally appear embedded within RC or VA, testing logical inference without formal CR question labels (Erudite, MBA Universe). |
This pattern makes it clear: pure grammar drills, isolated vocabulary memorisation, and standalone FIJ or paragraph completion are largely outdated. The skills that still win in CAT are comprehension, contextual reasoning, and logical sequencing.
Summary Table
Not in CAT VARC | Still in CAT VARC |
Direct grammar correction | RC inference, tone, vocab-in-context |
Standalone vocabulary questions | Para Jumbles, Summary, Odd One Out |
Paragraph completion (standalone) | Contextual reasoning in RC |
FIJ questions | Logical coherence & sequencing |
Last-sentence questions | Structural flow analysis in passages |
Explore Topic-Wise CAT VARC PYQs
To see authentic CAT 2023 & 2024 VARC questions (and earlier years) arranged topic-wise, with MCQ formatting, solutions, and occasional video explanations, check out:
🔗 FundaMakers CAT Question Bank – Complete VARC PYQs
This free repository lets you filter by topic: RC passages, Para Jumbles, Summary, Odd One Out—and practice exactly what CAT tests, without wasting time on outdated formats.
FAQs
Q1: What is the VARC syllabus for CAT 2025?
It includes Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out, Sentence Correction/Completion, and Contextual Vocabulary.
Q2: How many questions in VARC are from RCs?
RCs typically make up 14–16 questions out of the total 24 in VARC.
Q3: Are vocabulary-based questions frequent in CAT?
Yes, but only in a contextual format within RCs or fill-in-the-blanks. Direct synonym/antonym questions are rare.
Q4: Is grammar tested in CAT VARC?
Yes, but only through sentence correction/completion. CAT doesn’t test grammar through long rule-based exercises.
Q5: Where can I practice topic-wise CAT VARC questions?
You can use the FundaMakers Question Bank for free, where past CAT questions are arranged topic-wise for targeted practice.
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