Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT Exam: 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. Check CAT Exam Pattern 2025
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 prior to 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.
Type of Reading Comprehension Passages in CAT Exam
The question paper in 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 CAT exam below.
CAT RC Topics 2024
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in CAT 2024 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
CAT RC Topics 2023
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in CAT 2023 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
CAT RC Topics 2022
Interested candidates can check the RC topics asked in 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 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 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 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 CAT 2019 exams in the table below. The slot-wise RC questions are given below.
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Type of Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT Exam
Various types of questions are asked in the reading comprehension section of 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.
Questions based on Central Theme: In this type of RC question, the test taker has to identify the central theme of the passage. The question could be: ‘Which of the following options sum up the theme of the passage?’ Or ‘What is the central idea of the topic?’
These are generally easy to crack and one can guess the right answer upon reading the passage properly.
Vocabulary based questions: These types of questions in Reading Comprehension for CAT are generally, based on word meaning or antonym/synonym. For example, meaning of a word appearing in the passage will be asked like, ‘What is the meaning of ?’ or ‘What is the synonym of?'
The only way to crack vocabulary-based questions in CAT is by having a strong vocabulary base. There are very less vocabulary based questions in CAT now, though.
Inference based questions: These are the toughest type of RC questions as the correct answer is completely dependent on ones understanding of the argument presented in the passage. The types of questions on these passages will be, '
What does the author mean by this?'
or '
What do you infer from this?'
To solve inference-based questions in the Reading Comprehension section for CAT, you need to read the passage very carefully and understand the central theme. Break down the sentences while reading the passage, understand the fundamental theme, and if needed, make notes.
Facts-based questions: These questions are easy to solve, provided you read the passage carefully and mark important points. Also, understand the question well before answering. Fact-based questions are usually in the form of fill-in-the-blank or correct/incorrect statements.
Passage structure-based questions: These types of questions ask candidates to arrange arguments presented in the passage in a logical manner. In CAT, you may also be asked to analyse the logic behind the paragraph. For example, ‘What does the last paragraph describe?’ or ‘What is the main argument in the third paragraph?’
To crack CAT RC questions based on structure, read the passage in parts and try to get the gist of each paragraph. Pay attention to words such as ‘however’, ‘but’, and ‘although’. Conjunctions can change the meaning of the statement.
Title-based questions: These refer to the questions in Reading Comprehension for CAT where candidates are asked to choose an appropriate title for the given passage. These are the types of questions where one will have to select not the right answer but the most apt option or the title closest to the theme of the passage. These types of questions can be tricky to answer if one hasn’t understood the passage well.
Question-based on tone of the passage: Tone-based questions require application of critical thinking. The questions usually asked are, ‘What is the attitude of the author while saying this statement?’ or ‘The tone of the author is best described as?’
To solve questions based on the tone of the passage, one needs to understand the nature of the passage - positive, negative or neutral.
