CAT Section Strategy: VARC, DILR and QA

CAT has three sections — Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each has a fixed 40-minute window and you cannot switch between them. That makes section strategy more important than in most exams.

VARC

Reading comprehension makes up most of VARC. Read the passage once with attention to the main idea and the author's tone, then answer. Daily reading of long-form articles is the best long-term preparation. For verbal ability questions such as para-jumbles, look for opening sentences and linking words.

DILR

DILR comes in sets. Spend the first few minutes scanning every set and choose the ones you can finish. Solving two sets fully usually scores better than half-solving four.

QA

Arithmetic carries a large share of QA. Build speed in percentages, ratios, time and work, and time-speed-distance before moving to advanced algebra and geometry.

Managing negative marking

• Wrong multiple-choice answers lose 1 mark; correct answers earn 3.
• Type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions have no negative marking.
• Attempt MCQs where you can eliminate at least two options with confidence.

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