How to Tackle CAT's Verbal Ability Section in the Final Countdown to November

As the Common Admission Test (CAT) approaches in November, aspirants are in their final phase of preparation. Among the three sections of CAT—Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA)—the Verbal Ability section often presents a unique challenge. Strong language skills, comprehension, and an eye for detail are crucial for acing this section.

In this blog, we will outline strategies to help you maximize your score in the CAT Verbal Ability (VA) section as you approach the final few weeks before the exam.

Understanding the CAT Verbal Ability Section

The Verbal Ability section of CAT typically consists of two parts:

1. Reading Comprehension (RC): This includes passages followed by a set of questions, testing your ability to understand, analyze, and interpret information. This section forms the majority of the VA portion.
2. Verbal Ability (VA): This part consists of questions like sentence rearrangement, paragraph summary, and odd-sentence out. These questions test your ability to construct logical connections between sentences and assess your command of language and grammar.

Step 1: Prioritize Reading Comprehension (RC)

Reading Comprehension accounts for a significant portion of the VARC section. To succeed, improving your reading speed and comprehension is vital.

Key Tips for RC:

1. Practice Different Topics: CAT passages are often from diverse subjects such as philosophy, economics, psychology, history, and science. During the final weeks, read articles, journals, and essays from a variety of genres to become comfortable with complex and unfamiliar topics.
2. Develop Skimming and Scanning Techniques: Learn to skim through the passage to grasp the main idea quickly and then scan for specific details while answering questions. This helps to manage time efficiently.
3. Focus on Inference-based Questions: CAT RC passages often include inference-based questions that require you to read between the lines. Practice identifying implicit meanings, author’s tone, and purpose.
4. Practice Summarizing: After reading each passage, try summarizing the key ideas in a few lines. This will help you capture the essence of the passage and tackle summary-based questions.
5. Focus on Speed and Accuracy: Effective time management is essential. Track the time you take to read passages and answer questions. Aim for accuracy as wrong answers can lead to negative marking.

Step 2: Master Verbal Ability (VA) Topics

While the RC section is heavily weighted, VA questions can be scoring if you develop a logical approach to them. The three main types of VA questions are:

1. Para-jumbles: These questions involve arranging sentences in a coherent and logical order.
2. Odd-sentence out: You need to find the sentence that doesn’t fit in the given set.
3. Summary-based questions: These ask you to identify the best summary of a given paragraph.

Tips to Ace VA Questions:

1. Para-jumbles:
• Identify the Opening Sentence: In a para-jumble, the first sentence usually stands alone, presenting an introductory idea or topic. It will not rely on previous information.
• Identify Pairs: Once you find the opening sentence, look for pairs of sentences that logically follow. Some sentences naturally build on others through cause-effect or examples.
• Use Transitional Words: Words like “however,” “therefore,” or “in addition” indicate logical connections between sentences. Pay attention to these transition markers.
2. Odd-Sentence Out:
• Identify the main theme: Determine the central idea conveyed by the sentences. The sentence that doesn’t fit with the others in the sequence will often diverge in topic or introduce unrelated information.
• Practice with Context: Focus on understanding how sentences relate to each other contextually. The odd sentence may seem logically connected but will deviate from the overall theme.
3. Summary-based Questions:
• Main Idea Identification: A good summary captures the main idea of the paragraph without including unnecessary details. Practice extracting the core concept from the paragraph.
• Avoid Extremes: CAT often includes options with exaggerated conclusions or generalizations. Such options should be eliminated, as a good summary remains balanced.

Step 3: Focus on Grammar and Vocabulary

Though direct grammar questions aren’t typically asked, a solid grasp of grammar and vocabulary enhances your performance in both RC and VA. Incorrect grammar or misunderstanding of words can lead to wrong interpretations, especially in para-jumbles and RC.

1. Improve Vocabulary: Use the final weeks to strengthen your vocabulary. Read editorials and high-quality publications to encounter new words in context. Apps like Vocabulary.com and flashcards can help with word recall.
2. Practice Grammar Rules: While CAT doesn’t test grammar overtly, an understanding of grammar helps you identify logical sentence flow in para-jumbles and sentence rearrangements.

Step 4: Time Management and Mocks

With limited time left, practice is your best tool to prepare for the VARC section. Taking full-length mocks and sectionals is critical for mastering time management, accuracy, and building confidence.

1. Take Sectional Tests: Focus on section-specific tests that mirror the CAT VARC section. These will help you identify weak areas in both RC and VA and give you a feel of the actual exam scenario.
2. Analyze Mocks Thoroughly: After every mock, spend time analyzing it. Focus on mistakes, review the questions you got wrong, and understand why the correct answers are right. Pay special attention to your accuracy in inference-based questions in RC and logical flow in VA.
3. Develop a Strategy: Based on your comfort level, decide the order in which you will tackle the section. Some students prefer to start with RC to secure major marks, while others begin with VA for quick wins.

Step 5: Stay Calm and Confident

As the exam approaches, maintaining a positive mindset is crucial. Avoid stress by sticking to a revision plan, taking breaks, and staying physically active. Sleep well in the final days before the exam, and ensure your mind is fresh and ready for the test.

Summary

Tackling CAT’s Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section requires strategic preparation in the final weeks. Focus on strengthening your reading comprehension skills, practicing logical thinking for para-jumbles and odd-sentence out, and improving your vocabulary and grammar. By incorporating regular mocks and thorough analysis, you can hone your test-taking strategy and maximize your score.

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