CAT 2025 VARC Preparation Strategy | Verbal Improvement Plan | How to get 99%ile in CAT VARC | MBA

Summary

In this motivational and educational session, the speaker emphasizes the importance of verbal ability for excelling in competitive exams like CAT. He highlights that a strong foundation in verbal skills can benefit not just the exam, but also in interviews and written tests. With a focus on consistent practice and strategic learning, the speaker outlines the significance of vocabulary improvement through Norman Lewis' book 'Word Power Made Easy,' and provides a structured plan for mastering reading comprehension (RC) and other verbal sections. The session aims to guide students toward a high score and strategic success in their exams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Verbal Ability (VA) is a crucial section in CAT, with consistent scoring patterns across papers, making it an important focus area for any aspirant.
• 😀 Improving verbal skills is essential for success in exams like CAT and FMS, where VA carries significant weight (40% in FMS).
• 😀 A good verbal score also helps with essay writing in IMJ and the personal interview rounds for top business schools.
• 😀 Regular practice of vocabulary through books like 'Word Power Made Easy' can significantly enhance one's verbal ability and overall exam performance.
• 😀 To improve in verbal, consistency is key. Devoting specific days to verbal practice is critical for success.
• 😀 Even if one has a technical background (e.g., engineering), verbal ability can be improved with dedicated effort and the right resources.
• 😀 Mastery of verbal skills helps in solving RC (Reading Comprehension) questions effectively, which is crucial for cracking CAT.
• 😀 In CAT, 24 questions are based on verbal ability, with 16 dedicated to RC, and the remaining 8 to VA, including para-summary, para-completion, and odd one out.
• 😀 Consistent practice with targeted sections (RC, VA) and maintaining focus on improving each skill will help aspirants score well.
• 😀 Top scorers typically solve around 16 questions out of 24 in the verbal section, so aiming for accuracy over attempting all questions is important.

Q & A

What is the importance of verbal ability in CAT preparation?

Verbal ability is crucial in CAT preparation as it accounts for a significant portion of the overall score. It not only impacts the CAT exam but also affects the chances of clearing other business school exams like FMS, where verbal ability has a 40% weightage.

How does improving verbal ability help in other parts of the CAT exam?

Improving verbal ability benefits other parts of the CAT exam, such as the essay writing section (WAT) for IIMs and similar institutes. Strong verbal skills can also be advantageous in personal interviews, where effective communication is key.

What is the recommended strategy to improve verbal ability?

The strategy includes consistent practice with dedicated days for verbal ability. Using resources like Norman Lewis’s 'Word Power Made Easy' and regularly solving reading comprehension (RC), para-summary, and para-jumble exercises can significantly enhance verbal skills.

What is the role of reading comprehension (RC) in the CAT exam?

RC plays a pivotal role in the CAT exam as it makes up 16 out of 24 questions in the verbal section. Without strong RC skills, achieving a high score in CAT is nearly impossible. Therefore, mastering RC is essential for CAT success.

How should students approach reading comprehension questions?

Students should focus on solving at least two to three RC questions correctly out of the four in a set. Regular practice and the ability to break down complex passages and understand the context are key to performing well in RC.

What is the significance of vocabulary in verbal ability preparation?

Vocabulary is a fundamental part of verbal ability. By improving vocabulary, especially through resources like Norman Lewis’s book, students can handle difficult words in RC and other verbal sections, making the entire verbal section easier to navigate.

How does the ‘Word Power Made Easy’ book help in CAT preparation?

The 'Word Power Made Easy' book helps students improve their vocabulary by breaking down complex words into simpler root words. This method makes it easier to understand and memorize new vocabulary, which can be beneficial in both RC and verbal reasoning questions.

What is the recommended reading strategy for vocabulary building?

Students should aim to complete Norman Lewis’s 'Word Power Made Easy' within 12 days by dedicating time each day to read four sections of the book. Consistent practice with the book will gradually improve vocabulary and help tackle CAT’s verbal sections effectively.

What changes have been made to the CAT verbal section this year?

This year, the CAT exam has introduced a change where para-jumble questions have been removed, and 'Odd One Out' questions have been included. While this shift may require adjustments, the core focus on reading comprehension and vocabulary remains.

What role does strategy play in performing well on the CAT exam?

Strategy plays a crucial role in CAT performance. By managing time effectively, practicing regularly, and focusing on key sections like RC, vocabulary, and para-summary, students can significantly improve their chances of scoring well and achieving high percentiles.