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How to Improve Your Reading Speed for VARC Section in CAT 2023: Tips and Techniques

By Prishth || March 1, 2023, 12:16 IST

Are you preparing for CAT 2023 and looking for ways to improve your reading speed and comprehension? Read on to discover some valuable tips and techniques that can help you ace the exam.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most competitive management entrance exams in India. Every year, thousands of aspirants compete for a handful of seats in the country's top management institutes. The CAT exam comprises three sections, including Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

Among these sections, VARC is the most challenging and time-consuming section, especially for non-native English speakers. It requires a strong command of the English language and the ability to read and comprehend lengthy passages quickly. Therefore, if you want to score well in the VARC section, you need to work on your reading speed and comprehension skills.

The reading comprehension section of the CAT exam is a crucial part of the exam that tests your ability to read and understand complex texts. Here's what you need to know about this section:

Format: The CAT reading comprehension section usually includes around four to five passages, with each passage containing about 500-600 words.

Skills Tested: The section is designed to assess your reading skills, analytical abilities, and critical thinking. You need to be able to analyze and interpret the information presented in the passages, make inferences, and draw conclusions.

Passage Topics: The CAT reading comprehension passages are usually from various fields, such as science, economics, sociology, and politics. The passages are designed to test your knowledge of different subjects and your ability to read and understand specialized texts.

Time Limit: The CAT reading comprehension section is timed, and you will have a limited amount of time to read and answer the questions related to the passages.

Strategies to Improve: To do well on this section, you need to practice your reading skills, speed, and comprehension regularly. You can use different strategies such as skimming, scanning, and using your peripheral vision to improve your reading speed. Additionally, reading books, newspapers, and magazines can help you improve your vocabulary and broaden your understanding of different topics.

Practice: You can take practice tests to familiarize yourself with the CAT reading comprehension section format and practice answering the questions within the allotted time.

In this article, we'll discuss some useful tips and techniques to help you improve your reading speed and comprehension for CAT 2023.

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

• CAT exam comprises three sections.
• VARC is the most time-consuming section.
• VARC includes reading comprehension passages and English language usage questions.
• Understanding the exam pattern and syllabus is crucial for CAT preparation.
  

 2. Read Regularly to Build Vocabulary Skills

• Regular reading helps to build vocabulary and comprehension skills.
• Reading diverse materials such as newspapers, magazines, and novels can help to improve reading speed and comprehension.
• Active reading techniques such as highlighting, note-taking, and summarizing can help to enhance comprehension skills.
  

 3. Use your peripheral vision:

• Rather than reading word by word, try to focus on chunks of text at once.
• Use your peripheral vision to read the text in your field of view.
• This can help you to read faster and improve comprehension.
  

  4. Reduce subvocalization:

• Subvocalization is the habit of pronouncing words in your mind as you read.
• This can slow down your reading speed.
• Try to reduce subvocalization by focusing on the meaning of the text rather than the sound of the words.
  

  5. Improve your eye movements:

• Efficient eye movements can help you to read faster and improve comprehension.
• Practice moving your eyes smoothly from left to right without skipping lines.
• Avoid backtracking or re-reading sentences.
  

  6. Practice skimming and scanning:

• Skimming involves reading quickly to get a general idea of the text.
• Scanning involves searching for specific information in a text.
• These techniques can help you to identify the most important information in a text quickly.
  

  7. Take Mock Tests and Analyze Your Performance

• Mock tests are an essential part of CAT preparation
• Analyzing your mock test performance can help to identify your strengths and weaknesses
• Using mock tests to practice time management and test-taking strategies can improve your scores
• Regularly taking mock tests can help to build confidence and reduce exam anxiety
  

  8. Eliminate distractions:

• Reading in a quiet environment and avoiding distractions can help you to focus better and improve comprehension.
• Turn off your phone and other devices while reading.
• Find a comfortable and well-lit place to read.

In conclusion, improving your reading speed and comprehension for CAT 2023 is a crucial skill that can increase your chances of success on the exam. By implementing technical points such as using your peripheral vision, reducing subvocalization, improving your eye movements, increasing your vocabulary, practicing skimming and scanning, and eliminating distractions, you can improve your reading skills and perform better on the exam. Remember to practice consistently, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and track your progress to stay motivated.

With dedication and effort, you can achieve your academic goals and succeed in the CAT 2023 exam.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to improving reading speed and comprehension for CAT 2023: