Developing a Reading Habit for CAT Verbal

Your Comprehensive Guide to Mastering VARC with Daily Practice and Real CAT-Style Questions — By Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in CAT is often misunderstood. Many aspirants think cracking this section is about mugging vocabulary or memorizing grammar rules. But CAT Verbal is not a test of language mechanics—it’s a test of comprehension, reasoning, and interpretation.

At its core, it evaluates your ability to read diverse texts and extract meaning quickly and accurately. That’s why developing a consistent, strategic reading habit is the secret weapon of all high scorers in VARC.

If you’re planning for CAT Coaching 2025, it’s time to get serious about reading. This blog will help you build and strengthen your reading habit step by step, backed by CAT-style sample questions, and guided by proven methods used at Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi.

Why Reading Is Non-Negotiable for CAT Verbal

Let’s get straight to the point.

The Reading Comprehension component makes up around 70% of the VARC section in CAT. That’s 16–18 out of 24 questions. The passages span multiple domains:

 

• Philosophy
  
  

• Economics
  
  

• History
  
  

• Sociology
  
  

• Psychology
  
  

• Ecology
  
  

• Technology
  
  

• Abstract Ideas
  
  

 

This means you need to be comfortable reading everything from Plato to climate policy, often with challenging vocabulary and abstract argumentation. Speed and comprehension are key—not just skimming.

The 4 Pillars of CAT Reading Habit

Before we go month-by-month, let’s lay the foundation with these core reading principles:

1. Diverse Content

Expose yourself to different genres, tones, and complexity. Read:

 

• Editorials
  
  

• Academic journals (simplified)
  
  

• Essays and opinion pieces
  
  

• Fiction and nonfiction excerpts
  
  

 

2. Active Reading

Underline, summarize, question, and analyze as you read. Don’t just pass your eyes over the lines.

3. Daily Practice

Consistency > Intensity. Even 45 minutes a day beats 5 hours on Sunday.

4. Comprehension First, Speed Later

Initially, focus on understanding; speed will naturally improve.

Month-by-Month Guide to Developing a CAT-Focused Reading Habit

This is a 12-month plan from May 2024 to April 2025, developed by mentors at Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi. It balances daily reading, comprehension drills, vocabulary development, and CAT-style practice.

May – June 2024: Build the Foundation

Goals:

 

• Start daily reading (minimum 30–45 minutes)
  
  

• Understand different writing styles
  
  

• Maintain a reading log
  
  

 

What to Read:

 

• The Hindu or Indian Express Editorial
  
  

• Articles from Aeon.co or Project Syndicate (no need to subscribe, just observe themes)
  
  

• One short story or literary essay per week
  
  

 

Daily Routine:

 

• 1 article/editorial + 5 unfamiliar words
  
  

• Summarize each article in 2–3 bullet points
  
  

 

Sample RC Question:

Passage Excerpt:

“Democracy is not merely about numbers; it is about deliberation, the engagement of diverse perspectives. When democracy is reduced to electoral arithmetic, it loses its philosophical depth.”

Question:
What does the author imply by saying democracy "loses its philosophical depth"?

Options:
A. It becomes more participatory.
B. It turns into a system focused only on winning votes.
C. It improves its legitimacy.
D. It includes more voices.

Correct Answer: B

July – August 2024: Explore Complex Texts

Goals:

 

• Read long-form content with layered arguments
  
  

• Get exposed to abstract and philosophical writing
  
  

 

What to Read:

 

• Columns from The Guardian, The Economist, or Times Literary Supplement
  
  

• Weekly essays on topics like ethics, identity, AI, and global politics
  
  

• Optional: Read chapters from books like Sapiens or The Republic
  
  

 

Reading Techniques:

 

• Summarize the main idea of each paragraph
  
  

• Identify argument, tone, assumptions
  
  

 

CAT-Style Practice:

Parajumble Question:
Arrange the following to form a coherent paragraph:

1. However, the idea of identity is more fluid than often assumed.
   B. Today’s world sees increasing polarization around ethnic and national identities.
   C. Rigid views of identity are frequently used to justify exclusion and discrimination.
   D. Identity is not a static label but a constantly negotiated personal and social construct.

Correct Order: B-C-A-D

September – October 2024: Strengthen Vocabulary in Context

Goals:

 

• Deepen vocabulary understanding
  
  

• Practice word usage through reading, not memorizing lists
  
  

 

What to Read:

 

• Classic essays by Orwell, Virginia Woolf, Aldous Huxley
  
  

• TED Talk transcripts (read them, don’t just watch)
  
  

• Contemporary nonfiction: Factfulness, Thinking Fast and Slow
  
  

 

Practice:

 

• Maintain a personal dictionary
  
  

• Write 1 sentence using each new word
  
  

 

Sample VA Question:

Question:
Choose the correct usage of the word ambiguous.

1. Her instructions were ambiguous, so the team executed the plan flawlessly.
   B. The ambiguous plan resulted in clear and coherent decisions.
   C. The witness gave ambiguous answers, leaving the jury confused.
   D. Ambiguous people are always straightforward.

Correct Answer: C

November – December 2024: Integrate Reading with VA Practice

Goals:

 

• Begin integrating your reading into CAT-style VA questions
  
  

• Master summary and inference questions
  
  

 

What to Read:

 

• Excerpts from business and management articles
  
  

• Abstract writings (literary criticism, metaphysical texts)
  
  

• Career Launcher South Ex workshops’ reading kits
  
  

 

Sample Summary Question:

Passage:

“While capitalism claims to enhance individual freedom, in reality, it creates a dependence on market systems for basic survival. This paradox is at the heart of many critiques which question whether such a system genuinely promotes autonomy or merely shifts the nature of control.”

Question: What best summarizes the passage?

1. Capitalism fails in providing enough markets for survival.
   B. Critics argue capitalism shifts control while claiming freedom.
   C. Capitalism promotes true individual freedom.
   D. Autonomy and capitalism always go hand in hand.

Correct Answer: B

January – February 2025: Focus on CAT-Specific Passages

Goals:

 

• Solve at least 4 RC passages per week
  
  

• Target both accuracy and comprehension
  
  

• Use Career Launcher’s practice drills
  
  

 

What to Read:

 

• Archived CAT RC passages
  
  

• Essays from academic journals (light ones)
  
  

• Read 2 long-form articles per week from unfamiliar domains
  
  

 

Sample Inference-Based RC:

Passage Excerpt:

“Technology promises ease, but often delivers surveillance. The tools meant to assist become instruments of control, blurring the line between convenience and coercion.”

Question:
Which of the following is the author most likely to agree with?

1. All technology is harmful and should be banned.
   B. Surveillance is unrelated to convenience.
   C. Technology can have contradictory impacts on freedom.
   D. Ease of use always ensures privacy.

Correct Answer: C

March – April 2025: Sharpen Skills with Timed Practice

Goals:

 

• Read under pressure
  
  

• Practice RC and VA under 40-minute sectional tests
  
  

• Identify weak reading areas (science, abstract, etc.)
  
  

 

What to Read:

 

• Simulated CAT RC mocks
  
  

• Weekly 40-minute full VARC tests at Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi
  
  

• Practice 3 CAT-style RC passages per week with analysis
  
  

 

Timed VA Practice Set (Mini Test):

Instructions: 10 questions, 25 minutes

 

• 2 RC passages × 3 questions each
  
  

• 1 parajumble
  
  

• 1 summary
  
  

• 1 sentence correction
  
  

• 1 odd-sentence out
  
  

 

Keep a notebook to log:

 

• Time per passage
  
  

• Mistakes
  
  

• Reasoning errors (comprehension vs vocabulary vs inference)
  
  

 

Sample Weekly Reading Plan (May Sample)

Day	Reading Task	Focus Skill
Mon	The Hindu editorial	Argument structure
Tue	Aeon article on psychology	Inference
Wed	Short story (Chekhov/Kafka)	Tone
Thu	Economist piece on policy	Paragraph structure
Fri	Fiction excerpt (1984, Sapiens)	Vocabulary in context
Sat	Practice 1 RC set	Application
Sun	Revise + error log review	Reflection

Reading Mistakes CAT Toppers Avoid

From the mentors at Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi, here are some traps to avoid:

 

• Passive reading: Skimming without engaging with the content.
  
  

• Over-highlighting: If everything is important, nothing is.
  
  

• Speed reading too early: Accuracy matters more at first.
  
  

• Avoiding tough topics: If you always skip philosophy, you’ll never get better at it.
  
  

 

Beyond Reading: Improving VARC Holistically

While reading is the base, practicing actual CAT-style VA questions is essential:

 

• Parajumbles – Identify the topic sentence and logical flow.
  
  

• Summary – Capture the main argument, not just repeated words.
  
  

• Odd Sentence Out – Look for tone or theme mismatch.
  
  

• Grammar and Sentence Correction – Practice only within context, not isolated rules.
  
  

 

How Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi Can Help

The faculty team at Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi emphasizes:

 

• Weekly guided reading lists
  
  

• Structured RC practice with analysis
  
  

• In-depth VA concept classes
  
  

• One-on-one mentoring for vocabulary and inference issues
  
  

• Simulated mocks with reading pressure
  
  

 

Whether you’re starting slow or struggling mid-prep, the structured environment at the center ensures you’re reading right, not just reading more.

Final Practice – Mini RC Simulation

Passage (excerpt):

“Language shapes not only how we communicate, but how we perceive reality. The grammar of a language can influence how its speakers view time, space, and agency. This suggests that language is not a passive medium but an active filter on thought.”

Question 1: What is the central idea of the passage?

1. Grammar rules should be strictly followed.
   B. Language is a neutral tool for communication.
   C. Our perception is influenced by the structure of language.
   D. Language is only used for cultural expression.

Answer: C

Question 2: Which of the following weakens the author’s argument?

1. People from different cultures often share similar thoughts.
   B. Language always promotes better understanding.
   C. There are more than 6000 languages spoken today.
   D. Language doesn't affect emotion.

Answer: A

Final Thoughts: Read to Think, Not Just to Score

The VARC section in CAT is not just a test of English—it’s a test of how well you think through language. Reading regularly, deeply, and strategically will not only improve your CAT score but also prepare you for the case studies, group discussions, and interviews that follow.

The earlier you start this habit, the easier it becomes to handle the toughest passages and nuanced verbal reasoning questions.

So don’t wait for the “perfect” time.
Start reading today. Think. Reflect. Practice. Repeat.

With guidance from the expert mentors at Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi, your reading habit can become your biggest CAT advantage.