Introduction
Welcome to another video in our series on improving your Reading Comprehension (RC) preparation for the CAT exam. I’m Prashant, the founder of WordPandit, and today we’re tackling a common question: Should you solve previous year CAT RCs? Let’s break it down and see why this is an essential part of your CAT prep.
The Short Answer: Yes, Absolutely!
Solving previous year CAT RCs is a no-brainer. It’s an indispensable part of your preparation strategy. Here’s why and how you should approach this:
CAT 2017 Onwards: A Public Resource
- All CAT exams from 2017 onwards are publicly available, as the testing authorities have released these papers.
- You should treat these as full section tests, simulating the exam environment.
- Even if the structure has slightly evolved (for example, CAT 2017 had a 60-minute VARC section), you should solve these as complete section tests under timed conditions. This helps in replicating the actual test experience and building stamina.
CAT 1990 to 2008: A Goldmine of Practice Material
Why These Papers Are Important
- The CAT papers from 1990 to 2008 were conducted in a pen-and-paper format, and official papers were released during this period.
- Many of the RC passages from this era are still highly relevant today. For example, CAT 1995 featured a passage discussing different forms of communism and socialism—topics that remain relevant even 30 years later.
CAT 2000 to 2008: Particularly Challenging
- RCs from 2000 to 2008 are known for their level of difficulty, with some exceptionally tough passages.
- These passages are must-solve material if you’re looking to strengthen your reading skills, especially for more challenging RCs.
How to Approach Older Papers
- Some passages from this period may be longer than what is currently tested, but they still provide valuable practice.
- If a passage feels excessively long, you can choose to skip it, but don’t ignore these papers—they are excellent practice material.
What About CAT 2009 to 2016?
Unfortunately, the CAT papers from 2009 to 2016 were never officially released. While there are PDFs floating around online, their authenticity isn’t verified, so proceed with caution when using these as practice material.
WordPandit’s Approach to Old CAT Papers
At WordPandit, we’ve taken these older CAT RC passages and added value to them in our courses:
- We’ve elevated the level of RCs from CAT 1990 to 2008 by adding new questions to these passages.
- You get not only the original CAT questions but also fresh questions for each passage, offering a new perspective and deeper understanding of the material.
- This approach enhances your practice, providing a more comprehensive preparation strategy.
Key Takeaways
- CAT RCs from 2017 Onwards: Treat them as section tests, simulate actual exam conditions, and gain familiarity with the format.
- CAT RCs from 1990-2008: These older papers are a hidden treasure of valuable and challenging material, especially the tough passages from 2000 to 2008.
- Practice with Value Addition: In the WordPandit courses, we’ve added new questions to older RC passages, giving you a fresh take on these classic materials.
- Be Wary of Unofficial Materials: Papers from 2009 to 2016 are not officially available, so their authenticity might be questionable.
Conclusion
Incorporating previous year CAT RCs into your study plan is crucial for your preparation. They expose you to a variety of RC types and difficulty levels, helping you build both skill and confidence. Here’s a summary of what you should do:
- Use CAT 2017 onwards papers as full section tests.
- Don’t ignore the older papers (1990-2008) as they contain valuable practice material.
- Be cautious with unofficially released papers (2009-2016).
- Consider using enhanced versions of old RCs (like those in WordPandit courses) for added value.
For more tips and strategies, subscribe to our channel, and don’t forget to share these videos with your friends preparing for CAT. This is Prashant, signing off with my favorite words: Happy Learning!
