VARC has two parts: Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA). RC passages are long and abstract, while VA questions test the logic and flow of sentences rather than grammar rules.
Topics in the CAT VARC syllabus
What each question type tests
Understanding the main idea, tone and the logic of the argument.
Finding the logical order of 4-5 sentences using connectors and context.
Capturing the central idea of a paragraph in one line.
Spotting the sentence that does not belong to the paragraph.
How to prepare
- 1Read one long-form article every day from The Hindu, The Economist or HBR.
- 2Summarise each article in one line to build the habit of finding the main idea.
- 3Practise 2 RC passages daily with a timer.
- 4Solve para jumbles by finding the opening sentence and mandatory pairs.
Tip: You do not need to memorise word lists. CAT does not test vocabulary directly.
CAT 2026 VARC Syllabus FAQs
Is grammar tested in CAT?+
Not directly. Grammar helps you read and arrange sentences, but there are no standalone grammar questions.
More on CAT 2026
Source & Disclaimer
Official source: iimcat.ac.in
Information on this page is compiled from the official CAT notification at iimcat.ac.in and trends from earlier cycles. Dates marked Expected are estimates, not official announcements. Please confirm all details on the official website.