10 Proven Strategies to Boost Your CAT Reading Comprehension Skills

Introduction

Reading Comprehension (RC) in the Common Admission Test (CAT) is a make-or-break section. A high accuracy rate in RC can significantly boost your Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) score, giving you a strong edge over the competition. However, many CAT aspirants struggle with RC passages due to time constraints, difficult vocabulary, or a lack of comprehension skills. If you’re looking for practical, tried-and-tested ways to improve your CAT Reading Comprehension preparation, you’re in the right place.

I’ve compiled a list of 10 powerful strategies that will help you crack the RC section with confidence and precision. These techniques are designed to sharpen your analytical skills, improve reading speed, and enhance your accuracy when answering RC questions. Let’s dive in!

Introduction

Read Every Day, But Read the Right Material
Develop a Strategy to Tackle Different RC Passages
Enhance Your Vocabulary and Comprehension Skills
Time Yourself While Practicing
Focus on Main Ideas and Inferences
Practice Previous Year CAT RC Passages
Work on Your Mental Stamina
Learn to Identify Traps in Answer Choices
Join Study Groups or Discussion Forums
Take Mock Tests and Analyze Performance

1. Read Every Day, But Read the Right Material

Why It Matters

Reading Comprehension (RC) is not just about reading words; it’s about understanding ideas, analyzing arguments, and interpreting complex texts under time pressure. If you don’t read regularly, your brain struggles to process dense information quickly, and you may find yourself rereading sentences, missing key arguments, or misinterpreting the passage’s tone.

Additionally, CAT passages are not like casual reading materials; they come from academic sources, featuring complex sentence structures, abstract ideas, and logical reasoning. If you are not exposing yourself to such materials daily, tackling RC passages in an exam setting becomes overwhelming.

Regular reading sharpens your cognitive processing speed, enhances vocabulary retention, and trains your brain to extract key ideas quickly—all crucial skills for CAT RC success.

How to Do It Right

A. Diversify Your Reading List – Expose Yourself to Different Writing Styles: – CAT passages come from various domains, so limiting yourself to just one type of reading material is a mistake.; – Read from editorials, research papers, opinion pieces, and long-form journalism to become familiar with how different writers structure arguments.

Recommended Sources:
📰 Newspapers & Editorials: The Hindu, The Indian Express, The New York Times, The Guardian (for high-quality, opinion-based articles).
📚 Magazines & Journals: The Economist, Harvard Business Review, Aeon, Scientific American (for analysis-driven writing).
📖 Academic Papers & Books: MIT Technology Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Google Scholar (for research-heavy content).

Example:: – ✅A CAT passage on behavioral economics may have arguments similar to those in The Economist or Kahneman’s “Thinking, Fast and Slow.”; – If you’ve already read similar content, your brain will recognize the pattern, making comprehension easier.

✅ How This Helps:: – You won’t be shocked by unfamiliar writing styles in CAT.; – You develop reading flexibility, making it easier to switch between different types of RC passages.

✅ B. Focus on Non-Fiction – Train Your Brain for Logical Argumentation: – While fiction enhances imagination, CAT RC passages primarily come from philosophy, sociology, economics, and science.; – Reading non-fiction builds critical reasoning skills by exposing you to structured arguments and logical cause-effect relationships.

Books That Help:
📖 Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman (Psychology, Decision Making)
📖 Sapiens – Yuval Noah Harari (History, Sociology)
📖 The Black Swan – Nassim Taleb (Probability, Uncertainty)
📖 Freakonomics – Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner (Economics)
📖 The Selfish Gene – Richard Dawkins (Science, Evolution)

Example:: – If a CAT passage discusses “cognitive biases affecting economic decisions,” reading Thinking, Fast and Slow beforehand will make decoding the passage much easier.

– You’ll recognize terms like heuristics, biases, and decision fatigue, so you won’t struggle with vocabulary or concepts.

✅ How This Helps:: – You become comfortable with complex arguments found in CAT RC.; – You develop background knowledge, making comprehension faster and smoother.

✅ C. Practice Skimming and Scanning – Read Efficiently, Not Just Faster: – Many aspirants believe they need to read faster, but what actually matters is reading efficiently.; – Skimming helps you identify the main idea quickly, while scanning helps locate specific details when answering questions.

📌 How to Apply:

Skimming🚀:: – Read only the first and last sentences of paragraphs to get a quick overview of the argument.; – Identify keywords, transition words, and emphasis words (however, therefore, consequently).; – Ignore minor examples or lengthy descriptions on the first read.

Scanning🚀:: – Once you know the question, go back to the passage and look for specific phrases or numbers instead of rereading everything.

Example:: – If an RC passage discusses “the environmental impact of AI-driven agriculture,” skimming will help you identify:; • The main argument (AI improves efficiency but has sustainability challenges).; • The author’s stance (supportive, critical, or neutral).; – When answering, scanning helps you locate supporting evidence without re-reading everything.

✅ How This Helps:: – Saves valuable time—you don’t get stuck on unnecessary details.; – Improves accuracy—you know exactly where to look for answers.

✅ D. Develop the Habit of Active Reading – Engage with the Material: – Instead of passively reading, train yourself to interact with the text by asking questions, taking notes, and identifying arguments.; – This technique is called Active Reading, and it helps retain information better and spot key details faster.

How to Apply:

Underline or highlight key arguments while reading.
Write short summaries for each paragraph in the margin.
Ask yourself questions like:
- What is the author’s opinion?
- What is the counter-argument?
- What are the supporting examples?

Example:: – If you read an editorial on “The Ethics of AI Surveillance,” actively note:; • Main argument: AI surveillance can be misused for mass surveillance.; • Supporting claim: China’s social credit system as an example.; • Counter-argument: AI can also enhance security if used ethically.

✅ How This Helps:: – You process the passage faster because you already understand its structure.; – You don’t need to re-read entire paragraphs while answering questions.

✅ E. Use Audiobooks and Podcasts – Train Your Brain for Faster Processing: – Listening to complex ideas forces your brain to process information quickly and helps develop verbal reasoning skills.; – Podcasts and audiobooks mimic RC passages because they often present arguments, counterarguments, and supporting examples.

Recommended Podcasts:
🎙 Freakonomics Radio – Economics, Behavioral Science
🎙 The Ezra Klein Show – Political Analysis, Social Issues
🎙 Philosophize This! – Philosophy, Abstract Thinking
🎙 Hidden Brain (NPR) – Psychology, Cognitive Science

Example: If a CAT passage discusses “the role of incentives in shaping human behavior,” having listened to Freakonomics episodes on incentives and decision-making will make comprehension much easier.

✅ How This Helps:

Trains your brain to handle complex arguments at faster speeds.
Improves listening comprehension, which enhances overall verbal ability.

Final Takeaway: Reading daily is not enough—you must read the right material and use active engagement techniques to improve comprehension and speed.

📌 Key Action Plan for RC Reading Success:
✅ Diversify your reading list—expose yourself to editorials, academic journals, and analytical essays.
✅ Prioritize non-fiction—build logical reasoning with books on philosophy, psychology, and economics.
✅ Master skimming and scanning—read efficiently instead of just faster.
✅ Engage in active reading—take notes, underline arguments, and predict counterpoints.
✅ Use audiobooks and podcasts—train your brain for verbal reasoning and quick comprehension.

By following these strategies daily, you’ll develop RC expertise, improve accuracy, and ace the CAT exam with confidence! 🚀

2. Develop a Strategy to Tackle Different RC Passages

Why It Matters

RC passages in CAT are unpredictable—they can range from factual reports to abstract philosophical arguments. A one-size-fits-all reading strategy won’t work. Different types of passages require different reading techniques to maximize speed, comprehension, and accuracy.

Understanding what kind of passage you’re dealing with and adapting your strategy accordingly can make a huge difference in how efficiently you answer questions. The key is to approach each passage with a clear game plan so that you don’t waste time on unnecessary details or get lost in abstract arguments.

How to Do It Right

✅ How to Do It Right
A. For Factual Passages – Look for Keywords and Focus on Details: – What are factual passages? These passages are data-heavy and focus on historical events, scientific reports, research findings, or business case studies.

✅ Common Question Types:: Direct fact-based questions (What did the researcher conclude?); Definition or explanation-based questions (How does the author define inflation?); Cause-effect relationships (What led to the economic crisis?)

How to Approach:: – Skim for numbers, names, dates, and key facts—these are often the basis for direct questions.; – Look for explicit statements rather than implied meanings—these passages are usually straightforward.

✅ Example:: – A passage discusses the rise of e-commerce between 2010-2020 and provides sales data.; – Strategy: Focus on figures and trends because the questions will likely ask about growth rates, comparison between years, and specific technological advancements.

✅ B. For Abstract/Philosophical Passages – Focus on Tone and Intent: – What are abstract passages? These are opinion-driven, conceptual, and often deal with deep ideas like existentialism, ethics, or linguistics.

Common Question Types:: ✅ Inference-based questions (What can be inferred about the author’s stance on human consciousness?); ✅ Main idea questions (What is the central argument of the passage?); ✅ Tone-based questions (What is the author’s attitude toward postmodernism?)

How to Approach:: – Don’t get lost in jargon! Focus on the overall argument rather than complex terminology.; – Identify the author’s perspective—positive, negative, or neutral?

Example:: – A passage discusses how Nietzsche’s ideas shaped modern existentialism.; – Strategy: Instead of worrying about difficult terms, focus on how the author presents Nietzsche’s influence—is it supportive, critical, or neutral?

✅ C. For Opinion-Based Passages – Identify the Author’s Stance and Arguments: – What are opinion-based passages? These passages express a strong viewpoint on political, economic, or social issues. They often include persuasive language and rhetorical questions.

Common Question Types:: ✅ Author’s stance questions (Does the author favor or oppose globalization?); ✅ Strength of argument questions (Which statement best strengthens the author’s argument?); ✅ Contradictory argument questions (Which claim would weaken the author’s view?)

✅ How to Approach:: – Pinpoint the thesis statement—usually found in the first or last paragraph.; – Identify supporting arguments—these are the reasons given to justify the author’s stance.

Example:: – A passage argues that artificial intelligence will create more jobs than it will eliminate.; – Strategy: Look for evidence supporting this claim (e.g., job creation in tech sectors) and opposing viewpoints (e.g., automation replacing workers).

✅D. Use the Elimination Method – Narrow Down Answer Choices: – One of the biggest traps in CAT RC is close answer choices. If two options seem correct, you must know how to break them down effectively.

✅ How to Apply the Elimination Method:: – Rule Out Extreme Statements: If an answer uses words like “always,” “never,” “only,” or “completely,” it is probably wrong.; – Compare with Passage’s Main Idea: If an answer choice introduces a new idea not discussed in the passage, eliminate it.; – Look for Partial Truths: If an answer choice partially matches the passage but adds incorrect details, it is a trap!

✅ Example:: Question: What is the main idea of the passage?; Passage Summary: The passage argues that economic inequality is worsened by lack of government intervention.

❌ Option A:: “Economic inequality is always caused by government policies.” (Too extreme)

✅ Option B:: “Lack of government intervention can contribute to economic inequality.” (Moderate and aligns with the passage)

❌ Option C:: “Government intervention never solves economic problems.” (Contradicts passage)

Correct Answer: B

✅ E. Apply the Reverse Engineering Method – Predict Questions Before Looking at Options: – Why This Works: If you predict what the question will ask before reading the options, you reduce the risk of being tricked by misleading choices.

Example Approach:

– After reading a passage on climate change policies, ask yourself:

• Is the passage FOR or AGAINST government intervention?

• What arguments support this stance?

• What are the key examples used?

– When you anticipate the question, you won’t be easily swayed by misleading answer choices.

✅ F. Use Annotation Techniques – Mark Key Ideas While Reading: – Why This Works: RC passages can be long and dense, and you don’t have time to re-read them fully.

✅ What to Do:: – Highlight transition words (however, therefore, consequently) to follow the argument’s flow.; – Underline the main idea of each paragraph in your scratchpad.; – Summarize paragraphs in 3-5 words (“AI and job creation”, “government regulation debate”).

✅ Example: Passage on Universal Basic Income (UBI):: – Paragraph 1: UBI explained; – Paragraph 2: Pros – reduces poverty; – Paragraph 3: Cons – may discourage work; – Paragraph 4: Author’s final stance – supports UBI but with conditions

✅ How This Helps:: – If a question asks, “What is the author’s final stance?”, you don’t need to reread the passage—you already noted it down!

✅ Final Takeaway:: – Different passages require different reading strategies—there’s no universal method that works for all. By customizing your approach based on the passage type, you will save time, improve comprehension, and increase accuracy.

📌 Key Action Plan for RC Mastery:
✅ Identify whether the passage is factual, philosophical, or opinion-based.
✅ Use skimming for factual passages, tone analysis for abstract ones, and argument mapping for opinion pieces.
✅ Apply the Elimination Method to avoid extreme or misleading answer choices.
✅ Use Reverse Engineering—predict potential questions before reading the options.
✅ Annotate key ideas while reading to avoid re-reading the passage entirely.

By refining your RC strategy, you’ll read smarter, answer faster, and maximize your accuracy! 🚀

3. Enhance Your Vocabulary and Comprehension Skills

Why It Matters

Vocabulary plays a critical role in Reading Comprehension (RC). When you encounter unfamiliar words, your brain slows down while trying to understand their meaning, making reading less fluid and increasing the risk of misinterpreting the passage. This can be a major hurdle in CAT RC since time is limited and passages often contain technical or abstract language.

Building a strong vocabulary not only improves reading speed and accuracy but also enhances your ability to grasp complex ideas quickly. Moreover, CAT passages frequently draw from economics, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and science, where precise vocabulary is essential for understanding key arguments.

By learning words in context rather than through rote memorization, you develop a natural intuition for understanding difficult passages.

✅ How to Do It Right

A. Learn Root Words – Unlock the Meaning of Unfamiliar Words: – Many English words have Greek or Latin roots, and understanding these roots can help you guess the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Example:: – “Bio” (Greek: life) → Biology, Biography, Biodegradable; – “Chron” (Greek: time) → Chronology, Chronic, Anachronism; – “Anthrop” (Greek: human) → Anthropology, Philanthropy, Misanthrope

✅ Why This Works:: – If you come across an unfamiliar word like “anachronistic”, breaking it down helps:; • “Chron” = time; • “Ana” = against; – Meaning: Something out of its correct historical time (e.g., A horse-drawn carriage in a modern city is anachronistic).

✅ Pro Tip:: – Maintain a Root Word List and actively practice identifying roots in words you read.

✅ B. Use Flashcards – Train Your Brain for Long-Term Retention

– Apps like Anki, Quizlet, and Magoosh Vocabulary Builder help you retain new words through spaced repetition—a scientifically proven method to strengthen memory.

How to Use Flashcards Effectively:
• Front Side:: – New word (e.g., Laconic)
• Back Side:

Meaning: Using very few words

– Sentence: His laconic reply made it clear that he was not interested in the discussion.

– Synonyms: Concise, Terse, Succinct

– Antonyms: Verbose, Talkative

Bonus Tip:: – Set daily goals—learning 5-10 words per day can significantly improve your vocabulary in just a few months.

✅ C. Contextual Learning – Learn Words in Action, Not in Isolation: – Many aspirants make the mistake of memorizing definitions without understanding usage. The best way to truly learn new words is to see how they are used in different contexts.

Example:: – Word: “Pragmatic”
• Incorrect way to learn:: – “Pragmatic means practical.”
• Correct way to learn:: – The manager took a pragmatic approach to solving the company’s financial problems, focusing on cost-cutting rather than risky investments.; – Unlike his idealistic brother, who believed in grand theories, he was pragmatic and focused on real-world solutions.

Why This Works:: – Now you understand that pragmatic means practical, realistic, and focused on results, rather than just memorizing the definition.

✅ D. Practice Word Mapping – Connect Words to Expand Your Vocabulary: – A word map connects a new word to synonyms, antonyms, and related words, helping you remember it better.

Example – Word Map for “Ephemeral” (meaning: short-lived):: 📍 Synonyms: Fleeting, Transient, Momentary; 📍 Antonyms: Permanent, Lasting, Enduring; 📍 Related words: Evanescent (fading away), Impermanent (not lasting)

Why This Works:: – Instead of learning one word at a time, you build a network of related words, making retention much easier.

How to Do It:: – Use a notebook or a digital app to create word maps.; – Try forming sentences with multiple related words (e.g., His ephemeral joy quickly faded, making him realize how transient happiness can be.).

✅ E. Use a Vocabulary Journal – Track and Reinforce Learning: – Keeping a Vocabulary Journal helps you track progress and reinforce what you’ve learned.

How to Maintain a Vocabulary Journal:: – New Word: Ubiquitous; – Meaning: Found everywhere; – Sentence 1: Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern life.; – Sentence 2: Coffee shops are ubiquitous in large cities.; – Related Words: Omnipresent, Pervasive, Prevalent; – Antonyms: Rare, Uncommon

Why This Works:: – Reviewing the words weekly ensures they become a permanent part of your vocabulary.

Important Terms for CAT RC (With Examples)

Many CAT RC passages come from economics, philosophy, sociology, and science. Understanding key terms in these areas can significantly boost comprehension.

📌 Key Economics Terms:: – Inflation: The general rise in prices over time. (High inflation reduces the purchasing power of consumers.); – Fiscal Policy: Government policies on taxation and spending. (The government used expansionary fiscal policy to stimulate economic growth.); – Opportunity Cost: The loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one option is chosen. (Choosing to work instead of attending college has an opportunity cost of missing higher education benefits.)

📌 Key Philosophy Terms:: – Empiricism: The belief that knowledge comes from experience and observation. (Scientists rely on empiricism rather than abstract theories.); – Existentialism: A philosophy emphasizing individual freedom and meaning in life. (Sartre’s existentialism argues that people create their own meaning in life.); – Determinism: The idea that all events are caused by previous conditions. (Some argue that free will is an illusion because of determinism.)

📌 Key Psychology Terms:: – Cognitive Bias: A systematic error in thinking. (Confirmation bias makes people accept information that aligns with their beliefs and ignore contradictory evidence.); – Classical Conditioning: Learning through association. (Pavlov’s experiment with dogs demonstrated classical conditioning.); – Heuristic: A mental shortcut for problem-solving. (Using a rule of thumb to make a decision is an example of a heuristic.)

Final Takeaway: Improving vocabulary isn’t just about memorizing words—it’s about learning them in context and applying them in reading and comprehension.

📌 Key Action Plan for CAT Vocabulary Mastery:
✅ Learn root words to decode unfamiliar words.
✅ Use flashcards for quick memory retention.
✅ Practice contextual learning—read and analyze words in sentences.
✅ Create word maps to connect synonyms and antonyms.
✅ Maintain a vocabulary journal for regular revision.
✅ Understand key terms in philosophy, economics, and psychology to decode CAT passages easily.

By integrating these techniques into your daily reading practice, you will build a powerful vocabulary and improve your RC accuracy significantly! 🚀

4. Time Yourself While Practicing

Why It Matters

Time management is one of the biggest challenges in the CAT Reading Comprehension (RC) section. Many aspirants struggle to complete all RC passages within the allotted time, leading to panic, rushed decisions, and incorrect answers. The key to excelling in RC is not just reading well but reading efficiently under time constraints.

Here’s why timing your RC practice is critical:
✅ The CAT exam allows 40 minutes for the entire VARC section, which includes 4-5 RC passages and 7-11 VA (Verbal Ability) questions.
✅ If you spend too much time on one passage, you might not have time left for easier questions.
✅ Without timed practice, aspirants tend to re-read unnecessarily, slowing themselves down.
✅ Reading efficiently boosts comprehension and accuracy while ensuring you attempt all questions.

✅ How to Do It Right

✅ A. Use a Timer – Develop a Consistent Time Allocation Strategy: – Set a fixed time limit per passage during practice (8-10 minutes max).; – If the passage is shorter or easier, aim for 7-8 minutes. If it’s dense and abstract, allow 9-10 minutes.; – Use stopwatches, exam simulators, or timer-based reading apps to track your reading time.; – Train yourself to answer questions within a strict time frame—do not allow yourself extra time.

✅ Pro Tip:: – Initially, your speed may be slow, but stick to the time limit. Over time, your brain will adapt, and your reading efficiency will naturally improve.

✅ B. Read Efficiently – Eliminate Rereading and Passive Reading: – Many aspirants waste time by re-reading sentences or getting stuck on complex words.; – Train yourself to keep moving forward even if a word is unfamiliar—focus on the overall meaning instead.; – Avoid subvocalization (reading in your head as if you’re speaking) as it slows you down.; – Use a pointer or your finger to guide your eyes across the text faster.

✅ Example:: – Before: Reading a dense philosophy passage word by word → getting lost in complexity → re-reading sentences → wasting time.; – After: Reading actively with a mental summary → skipping unnecessary details → answering questions confidently.

✅ How to Improve:: – Use eye-tracking techniques—your eyes should glide smoothly across the text, not jump around.; – Avoid fixating on complex phrases—try to get the gist of the passage rather than understanding every word.

✅ C. Prioritize Questions – Read Smart, Not Just Fast: – Not all questions require deep reading. Some are fact-based, where answers are directly in the passage, while others are inference-based, requiring deeper understanding.; – If a passage has inference-heavy questions, read slowly and carefully to grasp the argument’s depth.; – If a passage has fact-based questions, skim and locate key phrases quickly.; – Mark tricky questions for review—if a question takes too long, don’t get stuck! Move on and return later if time permits.

✅ Example:: – If the question asks: “What is the main argument of the passage?” → Read carefully.; – If the question asks: “According to the passage, what did the researcher conclude?” → Quickly scan for keywords related to “research” and find the direct reference.

✅ D. Use the 3-Pass Strategy – Structured Reading Approach: – This method ensures maximum comprehension within minimum time.

🚀 Step 1: Skim the Passage Quickly (1-2 minutes): – Focus on the first and last sentences of each paragraph.; – Identify the main theme and structure without getting lost in details.

🚀 Step 2: Read the Questions Before Deep Reading (30 seconds): – Quickly glance at what is being asked.; – This preps your brain to spot relevant information while reading.

🚀 Step 3: Read the Passage in Detail and Answer (5-7 minutes): – Now, read with purpose—looking for answers actively instead of passively consuming the text.; – Eliminate obviously wrong answer choices first to narrow down options.

✅ Why It Works:: – This method prevents over-reading unnecessary parts and ensures you target key areas efficiently.

✅ E. Work on Your Eye Span – Train Yourself to Read in Chunks: – Most people read word by word, which slows them down. Instead, train yourself to read in phrases or groups of words.; – Expand your visual span by absorbing 3-4 words at a time rather than one word at a time.

✅ Example:: – Instead of reading:; ❌ The economic downturn has affected various industries, leading to job losses.; – Read as:; “The economic downturn | has affected various industries | leading to job losses.”; – This allows faster comprehension without skipping key information.

✅ How to Train Your Eye Span:: – Use newspaper columns or narrow texts to force your eyes to move faster.; – Practice speed reading exercises daily—aim for at least 300-350 words per minute.; – Use apps like Spritz, Spreeder, or Iris Reading Trainer to build speed.

✅ Extra Pro Tips for Time Management in RC
✅ Learn Passage Selection:: – If 4 passages appear in CAT, identify which one to solve first.; – If a passage is dense or unfamiliar, skip it initially and come back later.

✅ Set Mini Deadlines:: – If solving 4 passages, allocate 10 minutes per passage strictly.; – Ensure that you’re moving on after 10 minutes, even if unsure about one or two questions.

✅ Practice with Time Pressure:: – During practice, try solving an entire VARC section in 35 minutes instead of 40.; – This builds a buffer so you don’t panic if one passage takes longer than expected.

Final Takeaway: Time management in CAT RC is all about precision, efficiency, and practice. Instead of reading randomly, train your brain to read actively, minimize re-reading, and structure your approach.

📌 What You Should Do:
✅ Use a strict timer—stick to 8-10 minutes per passage.
✅ Read efficiently—avoid rereading unnecessarily.
✅ Prioritize questions—know when to skim vs. read deeply.
✅ Use the 3-Pass Strategy to maximize retention and minimize wasted time.
✅ Train your eye span to absorb multiple words at once, increasing reading speed.

By applying these techniques consistently, you will not only complete all RC passages on time but also improve accuracy and confidence! 🚀

5. Focus on Main Ideas and Inferences

Why It Matters

In CAT RC, factual recall is rarely tested. Instead, most questions require you to grasp the core theme of the passage and make logical inferences. This means memorizing details won’t help—you need to develop a habit of extracting key messages and understanding what the author is implying rather than just stating outright.

Here’s why mastering this skill is crucial:
✅ Over 60% of CAT RC questions are inference-based—you must go beyond surface-level reading.
✅ RC passages often have complex structures, and focusing on the main idea prevents you from getting lost in details.
✅ Many incorrect answer choices contain minor distortions—grasping the passage’s essence helps eliminate these traps.

If you struggle with inference-based questions, you’re not alone—most aspirants do! But with the right strategy, you can turn this weakness into a scoring opportunity.

✅ How to Do It Right

A. Summarize Each Paragraph in Your Head – Active Comprehension Training: – Don’t just read—engage! After each paragraph, mentally summarize the key takeaway in 1-2 lines.

Why it works:: – It forces your brain to process information actively instead of passively absorbing text.

Example:: – If a paragraph discusses how AI is transforming healthcare, your summary might be:; “AI enhances medical diagnosis and efficiency but raises ethical concerns.”

Bonus Tip:: – If you struggle with this, practice with editorials from The Hindu or The Economist—read a paragraph, then summarize before moving to the next.

B. Understand the Author’s Tone – Decode the Passage’s Intent: – The tone of a passage can help you answer inference-based questions correctly.

✅ Common tones found in CAT RC passages:: Neutral/Analytical – The author presents facts without personal bias.; Critical/Skeptical – The author questions or criticizes an idea.; Optimistic/Supportive – The author strongly favors a concept.; Cautiously Optimistic – The author acknowledges potential benefits but also highlights concerns.

Example:: – If a passage on climate change discusses both scientific advancements and the limitations of current policies, the tone is likely “Cautiously Optimistic” rather than “Pessimistic.”

✅ How This Helps in RC:: – Most inference questions ask, “What is the author’s perspective?” or “What can be inferred about the author’s attitude?”; – If you’ve already identified the tone, these questions become much easier to answer.

✅ C. Identify Supporting Arguments – The Backbone of Any Passage: – Authors don’t just state conclusions—they support them with evidence, examples, and logic.
How to Spot Supporting Arguments:: – Look for transition words like “for example,” “this suggests that,” “research indicates,” which introduce evidence.; – Identify contrasts—if an argument is challenged, the author often says “However,” “On the other hand,” or “Critics argue that…”

Example:: – If a passage argues that remote work improves productivity, supporting points might include:; “A 2022 study by Harvard found that remote employees are 20% more efficient.”

✅ How This Helps:: – Inference-based questions often test your ability to connect the dots between claims and evidence. If you can pinpoint supporting arguments, you’re halfway there.

✅ D. Use Mind Mapping Techniques – Organize Complex Passages Visually: – Long CAT RC passages can feel overwhelming. Mind maps simplify the structure and make it easier to retain key ideas.

How to Create a Quick Mind Map:: 1. Write the central theme in the center (e.g., “Impact of AI on Jobs”).; 2. Branch out key arguments (e.g., “Positive Impact: Efficiency Gains” vs. “Negative Impact: Job Displacement”).; 3. Add supporting evidence under each branch.

Example:: 📍 Main Idea: Climate Change Policies; ↳ ✅ Pro: Renewable energy reduces carbon emissions; ↳ ❌ Con: Implementation is costly and slow; ↳ 📖 Example: 2021 UN Report on global temperature rise

✅ Why This Works:: – When an inference question asks, “Which of the following best supports the author’s argument?” you can quickly recall the passage structure instead of scanning aimlessly.

✅ E. Reverse-Engineer Inference-Based Questions – Spot CAT’s Favorite Traps: – Many CAT inference questions trick you with misleading answer choices.

Common trap types:: ❌ Extreme Statements – The passage says “Technology may help reduce poverty,” but the answer choice claims “Technology will eliminate poverty completely.” (Too strong!); ❌ Half-True Choices – The first part of the statement is correct, but the second half distorts the author’s argument.; ❌ Opposite Meaning – If the passage supports an idea, some wrong choices will criticize it.

Example – Real CAT-Style Inference Question:: 📄 Passage Excerpt:; “Urbanization has led to economic growth in developing nations, but it has also widened the gap between rich and poor.”

💡 Question:: What can be inferred about the author’s perspective?; ❌ A. Urbanization should be banned due to its negative impact on inequality. (Extreme statement); ❌ B. Urbanization has no benefits for developing nations. (Opposite of passage); ✅ C. Urbanization is a double-edged sword, with both benefits and challenges. (Correct—matches passage tone!)

✅ How to Master This:: – Identify the argument structure first, then look for choices that align with the passage’s logic.; – Avoid answer choices that introduce new information not mentioned in the passage.

✅ Final Takeaway:: – The ability to extract main ideas and inferences is what separates top CAT scorers from average ones. Instead of passively reading passages, you need to actively process the author’s message and argument structure.

📌 Key Action Plan for CAT RC Success:
✅ Summarize each paragraph in your own words.
✅ Detect the author’s tone and overall stance.
✅ Spot supporting arguments to strengthen your understanding.
✅ Use mind maps to visualize key ideas in complex passages.
✅ Recognize inference traps—especially extreme and distorted answers.

By consistently practicing these techniques, your RC accuracy will skyrocket, and inference-based questions will feel effortless! 🚀

6. Practice Previous Year CAT RC Passages

Why It Matters

CAT RC passages follow a pattern, and understanding this pattern is key to improving your performance. The test setters often focus on specific themes, writing styles, and question types, which means reviewing previous years’ passages can give you a strong predictive advantage over what to expect.

Many aspirants waste time preparing for every possible reading topic, but previous year RCs filter what truly matters. They help you:
✅ Recognize Repeated Themes – Certain topics like philosophy, science, and economics frequently appear in CAT.
✅ Familiarize Yourself with Question Framing – CAT RC questions tend to be inference-heavy rather than fact-based.
✅ Improve Time Management – Practicing past RCs under timed conditions makes you comfortable with exam pressure.
✅ Develop Confidence – Knowing that you have tackled similar RCs before the exam reduces anxiety.

How to Do It Right

✅ A. Solve at Least 5 Years’ Worth of Papers – Build Familiarity with the CAT RC Pattern: – Go through at least 5-7 years of previous RC questions. If time permits, extend this to 10 years.; – Observe recurring passage structures—does CAT prefer dense academic articles, narrative pieces, or journalistic reports?

Example:: – If you notice that philosophy-based RCs have appeared multiple times, prioritize practicing such passages.

Real-Life Impact:: – A student who practiced 6 years’ worth of CAT RCs found that their reading speed improved because they got accustomed to complex sentence structures that CAT frequently uses. Instead of being overwhelmed by dense passages, they felt mentally prepared to tackle them.

✅ B. Analyze Mistakes – Learn from Patterns in Your Errors: – Simply solving previous year questions isn’t enough—you need to review mistakes.

Maintain an RC Mistake Journal where you categorize errors into:: – Misinterpreted Information: When you misunderstood a key argument.; – Wrong Inference Selection: When you misjudged the author’s intent.; – Time-Management Issues: When you ran out of time before attempting all questions.

Example:: – If you repeatedly get inference-based questions wrong, you know that you need to practice more critical reasoning exercises to refine your ability to deduce implied meanings.

✅ C. Simulate Exam Conditions – Train for Real-World Pressure: – Take previous year RCs in a timed setting. Set a 40-minute countdown and attempt them as part of a full VARC section.

✅ Why this works:: – The CAT is designed to test endurance—long, tricky RCs can exhaust you if you aren’t conditioned to handle them under pressure.

Example:: – A test-taker who did all previous RCs under strict time constraints found that their accuracy improved by 20% because they learned how to prioritize which passages to attempt first.

✅ D. Identify Common Themes – Focus on High-Yield Topics: – Look for patterns in the types of RC passages that appear frequently. Common CAT RC themes include:; Philosophy & Abstract Ideas (Kant, Nietzsche, Ethics); Science & Technology (AI, Genetic Engineering, Environmental Issues); Economics & Business (Global Trade, Market Trends, Economic Theories); History & Sociology (Colonialism, Gender Studies, Human Rights)

✅ Why it works:: – Instead of reading random articles online, focusing on these themes helps you prepare more effectively.

Example:: – If 3 out of 5 previous CAT papers had passages on economic theories, it makes sense to practice more articles from The Economist and Harvard Business Review rather than reading random blog posts.

✅ E. Compare the Difficulty Levels Across Years: – Not all CAT papers are of the same difficulty level. Some years have tougher passages, while others are more straightforward.

✅ Comparing past papers helps you:: – Understand whether CAT is increasing or decreasing the difficulty level over time.; – Adjust your reading and solving strategies accordingly.

Example:: – If the last two years had tougher RCs with deeper inference-based questions, focus more on strengthening logical reasoning skills rather than just speed reading.

✅ F. Reverse-Engineer CAT’s Question Trends: – Some RC question types appear more frequently than others. By analyzing past papers, you’ll notice trends such as:; Inference-based questions (e.g., “Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?”); Tone and Attitude questions (e.g., “What is the author’s tone in the passage?”); Main Idea identification (e.g., “What is the central theme of the passage?”); Application-based questions (e.g., “Which of the following scenarios best aligns with the passage’s argument?”)

✅ Why this works:: – If 60-70% of CAT RC questions focus on inference and tone, then you should dedicate most of your prep to mastering these types.

Example: A candidate who realized that direct fact-based questions are rare shifted their strategy to practicing inference-heavy passages. Their accuracy in RC jumped from 60% to 85%.

Final Takeaway: Referring to previous year CAT RCs is the smartest way to optimize your prep. Instead of blindly reading everything, it helps you focus on the right materials, understand the question trends, and train under real exam conditions.

📌 What You Should Do:
✅ Solve at least 5-7 years’ worth of CAT RCs to grasp patterns.
✅ Maintain an RC Error Log to track and fix mistakes.
✅ Focus on common passage themes and read relevant materials.
✅ Practice under timed conditions to build mental endurance.
✅ Identify high-frequency question types and prioritize inference-based exercises.

By doing this, you’ll turn your CAT RC preparation into a data-driven strategy—and significantly boost your accuracy and confidence! 🚀

7. Work on Your Mental Stamina

Why It Matters

Reading Comprehension (RC) requires sustained focus over a long period. Many CAT aspirants find their concentration dipping midway through the test, leading to careless mistakes, misinterpretation of passages, and inefficient time management. Unlike Quantitative Aptitude, where questions are often independent, RC demands continuous mental engagement with long, dense passages and multiple questions based on them.

Building mental stamina is crucial because:
✅ The CAT exam is a 2-hour test, and VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) makes up 40 minutes of this. You cannot afford lapses in focus.
✅ Lack of stamina leads to mental fatigue, making it harder to analyze dense texts efficiently.
✅ RC passages require layered thinking—you must remember different perspectives, identify main ideas, and process complex arguments, all while working against the clock.

The good news? Mental stamina is trainable. By conditioning your brain to sustain focus over long durations, you can improve reading speed, comprehension, and accuracy, all of which are vital for CAT success.

The Psychology Behind Mental Stamina

Mental stamina is a combination of attention span, cognitive endurance, and resilience against distractions. Here’s how it works:
🧠 Cognitive Endurance: Your brain, like a muscle, tires after prolonged use. The more you push it to focus for extended periods, the stronger it gets.
🧠 Neuroplasticity: Regular training rewires your brain, making deep focus more natural over time.
🧠 Delayed Gratification: Practicing prolonged focus enhances your ability to resist distractions and stay engaged with tough passages.
🧠 Flow State: When trained well, your mind can enter a state of deep focus where comprehension becomes effortless.

The goal? Train your brain to sustain focus for the entire RC section without fatigue.

How to Do It Right

✅ A. Read in Blocks – Train Yourself for Extended Focus: – Start with 25-minute reading sessions (Pomodoro technique) and gradually increase to 40-50 minutes.; – Read difficult, dense materials like The Economist, Scientific American, or The Atlantic to build endurance.; – Simulate test-like conditions—sit at a desk, use a stopwatch, and avoid interruptions.

✅ Pro Tip:: – If your mind drifts, jot down a quick summary of each paragraph. This forces active engagement.

✅ B. Eliminate Distractions – Build a Study Fortress: – Turn off notifications—even a single message can break deep focus.; – Use noise-canceling headphones or play instrumental music if you work better with background noise.; – Practice in an isolated, distraction-free environment similar to the exam setting.

Psychology Tip:: – Studies show that multitasking reduces efficiency. Train your brain to handle one task at a time—reading, analyzing, and answering RC questions.

✅ C. Meditate and Use Mindfulness Techniques: – Meditation improves cognitive control—just 10 minutes a day can enhance your ability to stay focused during reading tasks.; – Try guided mindfulness apps like Headspace or Calm to strengthen attention span.; – Engage in breath-focused meditation before studying—inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4. This primes the brain for focus.
Scientific Insight:: – A study from Harvard found that mindfulness training improves sustained attention and reduces mind-wandering, making it perfect for CAT RC prep.

✅ D. Take Breaks Strategically – Prevent Burnout: – Use the 50-10 Rule – read for 50 minutes, take a 10-minute break.; – Breaks should be rejuvenating, not distracting—avoid scrolling social media, which kills focus.; – Use active breaks—stretch, walk, or do a few deep breaths to reset your mind.

Why It Works:: – Short breaks restore concentration and prevent cognitive fatigue, keeping your mind sharp during long study sessions.

✅ E. Increase Mental Load Gradually – Endurance Training for Your Brain: – Start with one RC passage a day, then increase to two, then three.; – Practice back-to-back RC passages without breaks to simulate the exam.; – Challenge yourself with tougher material—economics reports, philosophy essays, and legal texts.

Example:: – If you can focus on a dense article for 30 minutes today, push for 35 minutes tomorrow, then 40. This builds gradual cognitive endurance.

✅ F. Develop Reading Rituals – Condition Your Brain for Focus: – Set a fixed reading time daily—morning is often best, when your brain is freshest.; – Always have a notebook handy—writing insights increases engagement.; – Read in a consistent environment to create a strong habit loop.

Why It Works:: – Rituals train your brain to shift into deep focus mode instantly, making practice more effective.

✅ G. Simulate Exam Conditions Regularly: – Take mock tests in one sitting—don’t break RC into sections.; – Use a timer and practice exact exam constraints (40 minutes for VARC).; – Keep a distraction-free, silent environment to mimic test-day stress.

✅ Final Step:: – After each mock, assess where your focus dipped. Were you losing energy mid-way? Did certain passage types tire you more? Refine your approach accordingly.

Final Takeaway: Mental stamina is a game-changer for CAT RC prep. Just like athletes train for endurance, you must train your brain to sustain focus, eliminate distractions, and process complex texts efficiently.

📌 The winning formula:
✅ Read in longer blocks to develop sustained focus.
✅ Minimize distractions to create a high-performance study zone.
✅ Practice mindfulness for sharper attention control.
✅ Take strategic breaks to prevent burnout.
✅ Increase difficulty gradually to push cognitive limits.
✅ Simulate real exam conditions to build resilience.

By consistently practicing these techniques, you’ll not only improve your RC accuracy but also develop the mental toughness needed to ace the CAT exam. 🚀

8. Learn to Identify Traps in Answer Choices

Why It Matters

CAT RC questions are designed to be tricky, and often, more than one option seems correct. The test-makers deliberately include trap answer choices that appear plausible but subtly distort the passage’s intent. Many aspirants lose marks not because they didn’t understand the passage, but because they fall for these traps.

Understanding the common pitfalls in answer choices will help you improve accuracy and eliminate wrong options systematically.

How to Do It Right

✅ Trap 1: Extreme Words – ‘Always,’ ‘Never,’ ‘Must,’ ‘Only’: 💡 Why It’s a Trap: CAT RC passages rarely make absolute claims. Extreme words in answer choices overstate the argument made in the passage, making them incorrect.

🔴 Example of a Wrong Answer Choice:: – Passage: The article states that government intervention can help stabilize the economy in certain cases.; – Incorrect Answer: Government intervention always stabilizes the economy.

✅ Why It’s Wrong:: – The passage allows for exceptions, but the answer choice makes a blanket statement.

✅ How to Avoid This Trap:: – Look for moderate and balanced choices using words like “can,” “sometimes,” “often,” “generally,” or “tends to.”

✅ Trap 2: Half-True, Half-False Statements: 💡 Why It’s a Trap: Some answer choices contain a mix of correct and incorrect information. Since part of it seems right, test-takers often assume the entire choice is correct.

🔴 Example of a Wrong Answer Choice:: – Passage: The study found that moderate coffee consumption improves focus, but excessive intake can lead to anxiety.; – Incorrect Answer: The study found that coffee consumption always improves focus and has no negative effects.

✅ Why It’s Wrong:: – The first part is true, but the second part distorts the passage’s actual claim.

✅ How to Avoid This Trap:: – Check if every part of the answer choice is supported by the passage. If any portion is incorrect, eliminate it.

✅ Trap 3: Outside Knowledge: 💡 Why It’s a Trap: Some answer choices may seem correct based on what you already know, but if they are not explicitly stated in the passage, they are incorrect.

🔴 Example of a Wrong Answer Choice:: – Passage: Studies suggest that exercise can improve mental health by reducing stress levels.; – Incorrect Answer: Exercise is the only scientifically proven way to improve mental health.

✅ Why It’s Wrong:: – You might know that exercise is beneficial for mental health, but the passage never claims it is the only way.

✅ How to Avoid This Trap:: – Base your answer only on the passage, not on prior knowledge or assumptions.

✅ Trap 4: Distorted Main Idea: 💡 Why It’s a Trap: These answer choices take part of the main idea but slightly alter its meaning, leading to a misinterpretation.

🔴 Example of a Wrong Answer Choice:: – Passage: The book argues that technological advancements have both positive and negative consequences.; – Incorrect Answer: The book claims that technological advancements are largely negative.

✅ Why It’s Wrong:: – The passage presents a balanced view, but the answer distorts it by focusing only on the negatives.

✅ How to Avoid This Trap:: – Summarize the passage’s actual main idea in your head before looking at the answer choices. Compare each choice to your summary.

✅ Trap 5: Answer Choices That Are Too Broad or Too Narrow

💡 Why It’s a Trap:

– Overly broad choices include ideas beyond the passage’s scope.

– Overly narrow choices focus on minor details instead of the main point.

🔴 Example of a Wrong Answer Choice:: – Passage: The decline of print newspapers is linked to the rise of digital media.; – Incorrect (Too Broad): The internet has completely replaced all traditional media.; – Incorrect (Too Narrow): Print newspapers are declining only because of advertising revenue loss.

✅ Why They’re Wrong:: – The passage doesn’t claim that all traditional media is dying (too broad), nor does it attribute the decline solely to advertising revenue (too narrow).

✅ How to Avoid This Trap:: – Find an answer choice that is just broad enough to reflect the passage’s main idea without exaggeration or excessive limitation.

✅ Trap 6: Opposite Meaning Trap: 💡 Why It’s a Trap: These answer choices completely reverse the passage’s intended meaning. If you read too quickly, you might not notice the subtle switch.

🔴 Example of a Wrong Answer Choice:: – Passage: The author suggests that stricter regulations could help reduce financial fraud.; – Incorrect Answer: The author argues that regulations have no impact on financial fraud.

✅ Why It’s Wrong:: – The answer choice states the exact opposite of what the passage says.

✅ How to Avoid This Trap:: – Pay attention to qualifiers and negations in the passage and in the answer choices.

✅ Trap 7: Answer Choices That Sound Right But Lack Evidence: 💡 Why It’s a Trap: Some options may sound logical but are not explicitly mentioned in the passage.

🔴 Example of a Wrong Answer Choice:: – Passage: Companies that focus on employee well-being tend to have higher productivity.; – Incorrect Answer: Employee well-being is the sole factor determining company success.

✅ Why It’s Wrong:: – While the passage links well-being to productivity, it never claims it is the only factor.

✅ How to Avoid This Trap:: – If an answer choice extends beyond the passage’s actual claims, eliminate it.

✅ Final Takeaway:: – CAT RC answer choices are filled with traps designed to mislead you. The key to avoiding these pitfalls is careful reading, logical elimination, and strict adherence to the passage’s actual content.

✅ Here’s how to beat the traps:: ✅ Be skeptical of extreme statements.; ✅ Double-check that the entire answer choice is correct.; ✅ Always stick to what’s stated in the passage.; ✅ Watch out for distorted meanings and opposite claims.; ✅ Identify whether an option is too broad or too narrow.

9. Join Study Groups or Discussion Forums

Why It Matters

✅ Preparing for CAT Reading Comprehension (RC): – Preparing for CAT Reading Comprehension (RC) can sometimes feel like a solitary journey, but it doesn’t have to be. Engaging in discussions with peers can provide fresh perspectives, alternative approaches, and valuable insights into different passage types and question-solving techniques.

✅ Study groups and forums help in:: – Understanding Different Interpretations: RC passages often have multiple layers of meaning. Discussing them with others helps in uncovering nuances you might have missed.; – Developing Critical Thinking: Debating different answer choices enhances your ability to reason through complex arguments.; – Boosting Motivation and Consistency: Preparing in a group fosters accountability, ensuring you stay consistent in your RC practice.; – Learning From Mistakes: You get to see where others go wrong, and that, in turn, helps you refine your own approach.

✅ How to Do It Right
✓ Join Online Forums & Telegram Groups: – Participate in active study communities where members discuss CAT-level RC passages, share expert strategies, and solve tricky questions together.; – Join Wordpandit’s Telegram Group for exclusive updates, doubt-solving, and discussion with serious aspirants.; 👉 Join the Wordpandit Telegram Group Here; – Engage in discussions at our English forum:; 👉 Verbal Club – Your English Learning & CAT Prep Forum; – Stay away from forums filled with spam or misinformation—focus on quality discussions with experienced mentors.

✓ Discuss and Debate Thoughtfully: – Make a habit of breaking down editorial pieces, essays, and RC passages with fellow aspirants.; – Pose and answer challenging inference-based questions to strengthen your analytical skills.

✓ Seek Feedback & Improve Your Approach: – Share your RC passage interpretations and answer justifications with peers to see how your thought process aligns with others.; – Discuss tricky elimination choices—learn why one answer is better than another when both seem correct.; – Use feedback to fine-tune your approach and avoid repeating mistakes in future RC attempts.

✓ Access Free Expert-Led RC Courses: – For structured guidance, enroll in Wordpandit’s free VA-RC Prep Course, which offers:; ✅ Expert breakdown of RC strategies; ✅ Topic-wise practice with in-depth explanations; ✅ Live doubt-solving and mentorship; 👉 Join Wordpandit’s Free VA-RC Course Here

10. Take Mock Tests and Analyze Performance

Why It Matters

Practicing without proper evaluation is like shooting in the dark—you won’t know what’s working and what’s not. Mock tests simulate real exam conditions, helping you manage stress, optimize time, and develop exam temperament. Moreover, analyzing mock performance gives insights into strengths, weaknesses, and improvement areas. Identifying weak areas early allows targeted preparation, preventing last-minute panic.

How to Do It Right

✓ Take Sectional and Full-Length Mocks: – Aim for at least 10 full-length mocks before the CAT exam, but ideally 15-20 mocks if you want a strong grasp of the test format.; – Incorporate sectional tests focusing on just the RC portion to develop accuracy and confidence.; – Simulate real exam conditions by taking tests at the same time of day as the actual exam, using the same time constraints.; – Gradually increase difficulty by practicing tougher RC passages beyond CAT levels (e.g., GMAT or LSAT RC sections).

✓ Track Progress with Performance Analytics: – Use mock analysis tools provided by platforms like TIME, IMS, or Career Launcher to identify patterns in errors.; – Monitor accuracy percentage, time spent per question, and consistency across passages to see trends in performance.; – Maintain a Mock Performance Log—record your scores, time per passage, accuracy, and key takeaways after each test.; – If possible, compare performance with percentile benchmarks to understand where you stand among other aspirants.

✓ Revise Mistakes Effectively: – Go beyond just checking right and wrong answers—analyze why you got an answer wrong.; – Did you misinterpret the question? Did you fall for a trap option?

✓ Categorize mistakes into:: – Conceptual Errors: Misunderstanding the passage or main idea.; – Comprehension Errors: Failure to understand a specific paragraph.; – Inference Mistakes: Struggling to deduce implied meanings.; – Time Management Issues: Spending too much time on one passage.

✓ Error Notebook: – Create an Error Notebook where you document key mistakes and the correct approach.; – Re-attempt incorrect questions after a few days to ensure learning retention.

✓ Use AI-Based Analytics and Peer Review: – Platforms like GMAT Club, Cracku, and Unacademy offer AI-driven insights into mock test performance.; – Engage in peer discussions—analyze tough passages with friends or online groups to get fresh perspectives.

✓ Refine Strategy Based on Insights: – Identify if you need more reading speed practice or if accuracy should be prioritized over speed.; – Adjust your mock-taking frequency—if accuracy is low, focus more on revision; if speed is an issue, practice timed passages more.; – Develop a personalized passage selection strategy—if longer passages tire you out, attempt shorter ones first in the exam.

✓ Final Takeaway:: – Mock tests are not just about taking exams but about learning from them. The key to maximizing their impact is structured analysis and continuous improvement.; – Treat every mock test as a stepping stone towards refining your reading comprehension strategy for the CAT exam. 🚀