High-Weightage Topics in CAT 2026 VARC Section: The Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, or CAT VARC section, demands sharp reading skills, logical thinking, and accuracy. To secure a 99%ile, you need to focus on recurring high-weightage topics that consistently appear across CAT papers. Here’s a breakdown of the most scoring areas in VARC and how to approach them effectively.
Also read: The 80% Accuracy myth in CAT VARC
Table of Contents
CAT VARC Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026
| CAT VARC Sections | Important Topics | Weightage | Total Question (Expected) | MCQs | Non-MCQs |
| Reading Comprehension | RC Passages | 66.67% | 16 | 16 | – |
| Verbal Ability | Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentences, and Para Completion | 33.33% | 8 | 4 | 4 |
Also Read: Why CAT VARC Shortcuts Attract The Weak
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Check My Level →High-Weightage Topics in VARC for CAT 2026
| CAT VARC Topics | Expected Weightage | Important Areas for Subject |
| Reading Comprehension | 60–70% | Business, Economics, Social Sciences, Philosophy, Literature, Environment, and Technology |
| Para Summary | 10–15% | Identifying the main idea, summarising the central theme, eliminating extreme options |
| Odd Sentences | 5–10% | Coherence, logical flow, thematic consistency |
| Para Completion | 5–10% | Context clues, transition words, paragraph structure |
Also Check – Common CAT Mistakes To Avoid
CAT Reading Comprehension: Key Points
The CAT reading comprehension includes passages around 500 words long, drawn from a notable fiction and non-fiction work of history or contemporary events, and will be suitable for a candidate to read in 4-5 minutes.
While answering the questions in this section, make sure to remember these key points.
- Read and grasp the paragraph’s main meaning, as well as any arguments or viewpoints presented in the passage.
- Based on the reading, make assumptions and deductions.
- Summarise the text.
- Compare and contrast the various arguments or points of view presented in the passage.
CAT Verbal Ability: Key Points
While preparing for the CAT 2026 exam’s Verbal Ability part, you can focus on the following sorts of questions:
- Author’s tone & argument
- The tone of the passage
- The main idea of the passage
- Statement supporting the passage
Pro Tip: To ace the CAT VARC with flying colours, option elimination is the key! To learn more about it, you can check out our VARC1000 by Gejo Sreenivasan and improve your scores like plenty of others.
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CAT VARC Topic-Wise Weightage (Past Year Trends)
In the CAT 2025 paper, questions on Para jumbles were present, unlike in the CAT 2024. Below is a little peek at the CAT 2025 paper for your reference:
| CAT VARC Topics | No. of Questions |
| Reading Comprehension | 16(4+4+4+4) |
| Para Summary | 2 |
| Odd Sentences | 2 |
| Para Completion | 2 |
| Para Jumbles | 2 |
CAT 2025 VARC Analysis
| CAT VARC Section | No. of Questions | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | Income Inequality, Electronic Music, Mental Insanity, Complex Systems | Spices TradePeer Review SystemsExternalities (Economics)Human-Animal Conflict | AI Ethics, Tribal Art / Artists, Dams & Environment, Forest Governance |
| Verbal Ability | 8 | Para Summary (2)Para Jumbles (2)Odd Sentence Out (2)Para Completion (2) | Para Summary (2)Para Jumbles (2)Odd Sentence Out (2)Para Completion (2) | Para Summary (2)Para Jumbles (2)Odd Sentence Out (2)Para Completion (2) |
Preparation Tips For CAT 2026 VARC Section
- Read daily from diverse sources like The Economist, Aeon, and The Hindu editorials.
- To improve your speed and understanding, practice reading difficult articles and sections regularly.
- Practising CAT VARC papers from the last 5-6 years will help you grasp the structure and complexity of actual CAT tests.
- Practising 3RC and 10VA questions regularly under time constraints is the mantra for improvement in VARC.
- Analyse mock tests to track weak areas and accuracy trends.
- Focus on accuracy first, then speed. Aim for the highest possible score, depending on your potential and the skills you acquire.
- Regular practice and adherence to these guidelines can assist you in maximising your score in the CAT VARC section.
Also Read: Best Books For CAT Preparation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which topic carries the maximum marks in VARC?
A: The Reading Comprehension of CAT VARC carries the maximum weightage in the overall VARC section, as it constitutes approximately 60-70% of the total weightage.
Q: Do para summary questions appear every year?
A: Yes, based on past trends of the CAT VARC section, generally 2-3 questions are asked on para summary each year.
Q: Is vocabulary directly tested in CAT VARC?
A: Not directly, but having a strong vocabulary does help you understand reading comprehension and verbal skill questions better.
Q: What is the best way to improve RC accuracy?
A: Every day, make it a habit to read from diverse sources, and instead of focusing on facts, try to discern tone and intent.
