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CAT VARC practice tests

~40 min. Reading comprehension passages, para-jumbles, and verbal reasoning

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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) is one of CAT's three sections, combining long reading-comprehension passages with standalone verbal-reasoning questions like para-jumbles and odd-sentence-out. Practice here to build reading speed and inference accuracy under real time pressure.

CAT VARC practice by topic

Short sets with worked solutions, ideal before a timed test.

About CAT VARC and how to practise it

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension is the first section of CAT. It has 24 questions to be solved in 40 minutes, usually three or four reading passages with four to six questions each, plus a block of verbal ability questions such as para jumbles, para summary and odd sentence out. Some verbal questions are type in the answer, which carry no negative marking.

The section rewards accurate reading more than speed. A wrong multiple choice answer costs one mark, so choosing an option that sounds right but goes beyond the passage is the most expensive habit to have.

How to use these tests

  1. Start with one passage and its questions in 8 to 10 minutes, then review every option you rejected.
  2. Practise para jumbles and odd sentence out separately in short sessions, because they are quick marks.
  3. Take a full 40 minute VARC test once a week and compare how many questions you attempted with how many were right.
  4. Read an editorial or long article every day to build speed without pressure.

Common mistakes

  • Picking an option that is true in general but not stated in the passage.
  • Spending more than seven minutes on one dense passage.
  • Skipping the verbal ability questions that need no passage.

Related: CAT formula sheet, practice by topic, full length mocks, the test series.

Frequently Asked Questions about CAT VARC

How many questions are in CAT VARC?

CAT VARC typically has around 24 questions, split between reading comprehension passages and standalone verbal ability questions like para-jumbles, para-summary, and odd-sentence-out.

What is a para-jumble in CAT VARC?

A para-jumble presents 4-5 sentences in random order that you must rearrange into a logically coherent paragraph. It tests your understanding of sentence flow, transitions, and argument structure rather than vocabulary.

Keep going with more CAT practice.

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