CAT Preparation 2026: Know 10 Tips for Time Management in VARC section
Last Updated:
How to Use the 40 Minutes in the CAT VARC Section Effectively
Many candidates find the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section (VARC), the first part of the test, to be the most difficult. It is often the first part of the CAT Exam, and it contains a number of Reading Comprehension passages. Candidates spend too much reading and rereading these passages which can affect their performance. To make the most of the 40-minute time limit, it is important to manage your time effectively.
To prepare for CAT 2026 VARC, you will need patience and a consistent effort. It is not enough to read novels or books. It is important to show that you have prepared for the test. Candidates will need to answer around 12-14 RC and 10-12 Verbal Ability (parajumbles) questions in the CAT 2026 VARC section. It is hard to complete all questions within the time limit, so it's not a good idea to try them all.
The CAT Exam test requires both accuracy and speed. They must work together. Rushing through questions or spending too much time on one question can result in mistakes. It is therefore important to have a time management strategy that you can use in the exam.
If you start your CAT Exam preparation later or earlier in the year, it is important to determine the minimum score needed for your target percentile. Plan your strategy accordingly. Focus on time management during mock tests once you have finished the syllabus.
Each section of the CAT Exam test requires a unique approach. The Quantitative Aptitude Section, for example, focuses on calculation speed, so it is important to improve this. The VARC section, on the other hand, contains long passages. Your strategy should therefore focus on reading speed, and learning how to quickly identify key ideas.
The exam pattern is expected to be similar to last year's CAT Exam 2026. Reviewing the VARC questions from the previous year can help you to understand the difficulty level and type of preparation needed. During practice, analyse how to attempt the paper efficiently--identify which questions take more time, which ones are easier, and which ones are better skipped.
Plan your time management strategies at two levels. One for the whole CAT and another one for each section.
VARC can be intimidating for many aspirants. The RC passages are often long and dense in concept, which can make them intimidating. This section can be effectively managed with the proper preparation and strategy.
Time Management Tips for CAT VARC
- The first section is CAT 2026 VARC Preparation. Read the questions carefully, and start with those that seem easier to answer.
- Use a two part approach to the section. Separately manage Reading Comprehension and Verbal Abilities.
- Verbal Ability questions are usually easier to answer. Continue with the RC passages after you finish them. Remember to save all your answers on the test screen.
- The difficulty of the passages varies, and there are usually four to five questions per one. These questions often require inferences, so it's best to read the passage once carefully before returning to it.
- The Verbal Ability section is a lot lighter than the other sections and provides a quick opportunity to score. To maintain accuracy, try to answer these questions within a couple of minutes.
- Avoid getting stuck on a single question. You should move on to another question if you are unable to identify the answer in a reasonable amount of time. This will prevent both losing time and negative marks.
- Try alternating between RC questions and Verbal Ability if your reading speed does not seem to be very fast. To keep your attention fresh, you can solve one RC and then try one or two VA.
- Candidates who can read quickly may want to start by answering two or three RC questions. As soon as they start to feel mentally fatigued, they can take a break and switch to Verbal Ability Questions before returning to RC.
- It is important to maintain the momentum of the section by combining easier and harder questions. For example, combining RC passages and parajumbles.
- Start with the easier questions if reading isn't your strong suit. Avoid leaving the most difficult RC passages until the last minute, as they become even more difficult to solve when you're mentally fatigued.
- In order to achieve a high score, you should aim for 10-12 questions that are well answered and have high accuracy. Since RC typically contains 12-14 questions and the Verbal Ability section around 8, getting the majority of VA questions correct can help you reach a high score in VARC.
Also Read: CAT Exam 2026
Enter Details to Download PDF