Reading Comprehension questions make up close to three-fourths of the VARC section in the CAT Exam. Of the 24 questions in VARC, between 12 and 14 are RC passages. They are usually between 500 to 600 words in length and have a high level of difficulty. The passages are long, thick, and tend to be on unusual or out-of-the-way subjects. The RC component of the CAT is found to be among the most challenging of different MBA entrance exams because the questions are complex and inference-based. Unlike many other exams, passages of fact-based RC are not common in the CAT, and answer choices tend to be tightly interconnected, leading to more confusion for test takers.
CAT RC preparation is very different from the DILR or Quant sections. As opposed to those regions, it is not possible to properly begin preparing for RC just a few months before the exam and hope to fare well. There are no tables or formulas to memorise for RC. CAT RC mastery begins early, perhaps from March, and demands good English reading skills. The test-takers need to be able to read lengthy passages within one minute or so and provide several answers to each passage correctly. Hence, the secret to success in CAT RC is the ability to develop rapid reading, understand passage matter quickly, and determine key arguments and important information effectively.
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Type of Reading Comprehension Passages in the CAT Exam 2025
The question paper in the CAT exam includes three types of passages. Candidates can check the type below.
- Analytical
- Descriptive
- Data Driven
Check: Previous Years' CAT Question Papers
CAT RC Topics for Previous Years
Candidates can also check the previous years’ Reading Comprehension topics asked in the CAT exam below.
CAT RC Topics 2024
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in the CAT 2024 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
| RC-1: Digital rights of content (Streaming and DVD/Blu-ray) | RC -1: Spice Trade | RC-1: Impact of AI |
| RC-2: Craftsmanship and creativity | RC- 2: Unintended Consequences of Technology | RC-2: Languages |
RC-3: Revival of bandicoots in Australia | RC- 3: Peer Review of Research | RC-3: Chinese Moutai |
| RC-4: Critique of behavioral economics | RC- 4: Carnivore-Human Conflict | RC-4: Saving outer space and other planets |
CAT RC Topics 2023
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in the CAT 2023 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
RC 1 Topic: Jungle and Economy, Hunter-Gatherers, Wolf Conservation | RC 1 Topic: Garments/ fashion Industry & Pollution- Easy to moderate | RC 1 Topic: Colonialism and Pollution |
| RC 2 Topic: Oceans and Territories | RC 2 Topic: Netflix Dubbing of titles for Europe - Good or Bad for Europe? | RC 2 Topic: Rationalization |
| RC 3 Topic: Lifestyle Comparison of Old and New Generations | RC 3 Topic: Liberalism is Dying- Moderate to Difficult | RC 3 Topic: Romanticism |
RC 4 Topic: Comparison of South and North Korea, with a focus on clothing differences | RC 4 Topic: Facts & Interpretation in History | RC 4 Topic: History |
CAT RC Topics 2022
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in the CAT 2022 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
CAT RC Topics 2021
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in the CAT 2021 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
CAT RC Topics 2020
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in the CAT 2020 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
CAT RC Topics 2019
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in the CAT 2019 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
CAT RC Topics 2018
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in the CAT 2019 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
Read More: CAT Application Process 2025
Type of Reading Comprehension Questions in the CAT Exam
Various types of questions are asked in the reading comprehension section of the CAT exam. Candidates can check the types of questions below. Each passage of CAT RC carries 3-4 marks in the exam.
- Questions based on Central Theme
- Vocabulary-based questions
- Inference-based questions
- Facts-based questions
- Questions based on the tone of the passage
- Passage structure-based questions
- Title-based questions
Let’s discuss each type of CAT RC questions individually.
To solve questions based on the tone of the passage, one needs to understand the nature of the passage - positive, negative or neutral.
