Boost VARC scores in CAT | How I Scored 99% in CAT in 5 Months | Personal Tips

Summary

In this educational video, Anushka Man shares valuable strategies for tackling the Verbal and Reading Comprehension (RC) section of the CAT exam. She emphasizes the importance of time management, suggesting a division of 40 minutes between RCs and verbal ability. Anushka advises viewers to set a minimum number of questions to attempt and a fixed time for each, highlighting the need to move on from a question if time runs out. She also discusses choosing RCs based on comfort with the topic and improving vocabulary by reading essays on various themes. The video concludes with tips on understanding central themes in passages, eliminating wrong options, and assessing one's risk-taking ability in exam scenarios.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video focuses on strategies for tackling the Verbal and Reading Comprehension (RC) section of the CAT examination.
• ⏰ Time management is crucial; viewers are advised to divide their 40 minutes effectively between the RC and verbal ability parts.
• 📈 A strategy for attempting the exam is suggested: decide on a minimum number of questions to attempt and a fixed time for each section or question.
• 📝 Reading comprehension is a significant part of the exam, with 4 RCs and 16 questions equivalent to 48 marks.
• 🕒 The speaker recommends allocating around 10 minutes per RC initially, gradually reducing this time as preparation progresses.
• 🎯 Choosing RCs based on comfort with the topic is suggested, especially for those with slower reading comprehension speed.
• 🔍 Common themes in CAT RCs include psychology, philosophy, economy, finance, literature, natural sciences, and history.
• 📘 To improve, read Aon essays daily, focusing on different themes to familiarize with terminologies and enhance vocabulary.
• 📑 Understanding the central theme, arguments, and conclusion of an RC passage is key to answering questions effectively.
• ❌ Avoid word-to-word matching when answering RC questions; focus on understanding the passage rather than memorizing details.
• 📊 Keep track of mock scores and analyze risk-taking ability to decide whether to attempt questions with uncertainty or leave them.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video by Anushka Man?

The main focus of the video is to provide strategies and tips on how to tackle the Verbal and Reading Comprehension (RC) section of the upcoming CAT examination.

Why is it important to divide the 40 minutes effectively in the VC section of the CAT exam?

It is important to divide the 40 minutes effectively to ensure that you can attempt all the questions within the given time frame and avoid spending too much time on a single question or section, which could lead to losing marks.

What is the author's suggestion for the initial time allocation for RCs in the CAT exam?

The author suggests initially spending 10 minutes per RC, which includes both reading and attempting questions, especially for beginners who may not be able to solve more than two RCs in a mock test.

How many RCs are there in the CAT exam, and what is the equivalent mark distribution?

There are four RCs in the CAT exam, with 16 questions in total, which is equivalent to 48 marks.

What is the significance of setting a time limit for each question or section before starting the exam?

Setting a time limit helps in managing time effectively during the exam, ensuring that you do not get stuck on one question or section and lose marks or time on other parts.

How can one improve their reading comprehension speed and efficiency in the CAT exam?

One can improve their reading comprehension speed by practicing with various essays on different themes, reading Aon essays daily, and gradually reducing the time taken for attempting RCs over time.

What are some common themes in CAT RCs that the author suggests getting comfortable with?

Some common themes in CAT RCs include psychology, philosophy, economy, finance, literature, natural sciences, technology, history, and prehistoric era topics.

Why is it advised not to do word-to-word matching when attempting reading comprehension questions in the CAT exam?

Word-to-word matching is not advised because the CAT exam is designed to test understanding rather than memorization. It is important to comprehend the passage and answer questions based on the context rather than exact wording.

What is the author's strategy for attempting questions in the RC section?

The author's strategy is to first identify the central theme, arguments, and conclusion of the passage, then read and understand the questions thoroughly, eliminate wrong options first, and avoid word-to-word matching.

How should one track their progress and analyze their risk-taking ability in mock exams?

One should maintain a separate notebook for mocks, noting down the date and mock score, and analyzing the minimum number of correct and incorrect attempts to understand their risk-taking ability and improve their strategy accordingly.

What is the author's final advice regarding the CAT exam preparation?

The author advises to understand one's risk-taking ability, decide whether to attempt a question with a risk of negative marking or to leave it, and to continue practicing and improving based on the analysis of mock exams.