Introduction
Welcome to another video in the RC Rapidfire series by WordPandit. I’m Prashant, your trainer, mentor, and founder of WordPandit. In this series, we address important questions about RC preparation for the CAT exam. Today, we’re focusing on a question I get asked frequently: Should I read ‘The Hindu’ for CAT RC prep?
The Hindu: A Common Recommendation
Many coaching institutes often suggest reading The Hindu as a critical part of CAT Verbal Ability and RC prep. It’s frequently recommended as a go-to resource for improving reading skills, and for good reason. But, should it be your primary source? Let’s break it down.
The Benefits of Reading ‘The Hindu’
The Hindu is undeniably a valuable resource for CAT preparation, especially for its strong coverage of:
- Factual information
- In-depth analysis of current events
- Laws and policies being debated in Parliament
- World events and political affairs
- General Knowledge (GK) – which may come in handy for other sections of exams.
This newspaper offers a great foundation for improving your knowledge of current affairs, international developments, and political trends.
The Limitations of ‘The Hindu’ for CAT RC
However, while The Hindu is excellent for building factual knowledge, it has its limitations when it comes to Reading Comprehension (RC) preparation for CAT. The focus of its articles is primarily on event-based and fact-based information, which is useful but doesn’t fully prepare you for the range of topics that CAT RCs often cover.
CAT RC: A Diverse Range of Topics
CAT RC passages can come from a wide variety of subjects, including:
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Feminism
- Race and racism
- Art and culture
- Literature
Reading only The Hindu might not provide enough exposure to these abstract and analytical topics, making it insufficient as your sole resource for RC prep.
A Balanced Approach to RC Prep
So, what’s the solution? While The Hindu should remain a key part of your preparation, it should not be the only source. Here’s how you can take a balanced approach to RC prep:
- Use ‘The Hindu’ for factual knowledge – It’s excellent for building your understanding of current affairs.
- Diversify your reading materials – Read from a wide range of genres to cover the diverse topics CAT RCs present.
- Guided Reading – At WordPandit, we offer daily sets of articles for students, tailored to provide a wide range of reading experiences. These cover topics like philosophy, sociology, and art to ensure you’re well-prepared for CAT RCs.
- Doubt-solving sessions – We also offer the facility for students to solve doubts about the reading material.
By following this approach, you will be better equipped to handle the diverse types of passages you’ll encounter in the CAT exam.
The Passion for Reading
As someone deeply passionate about reading, I encourage you to develop a love for it beyond exam preparation. Reading is not just about scoring well in an exam—it’s about gaining knowledge, growing intellectually, and enjoying the process of learning. The joy of reading will not only help you in CAT but also enrich your life in numerous ways.
How to Use ‘The Hindu’ Effectively
To maximize the benefits of The Hindu for your RC prep:
- Stay updated on current affairs and major political developments by reading the lead articles.
- Supplement your reading with books and articles from other genres, such as philosophy, sociology, and the arts.
- Focus on a diverse reading regimen to match the variety of CAT RC topics.
Conclusion
In summary, The Hindu is a valuable resource, but it should be part of a broader strategy for RC prep. By diversifying your reading and incorporating different genres, you can build the skills necessary to tackle the diverse range of topics found in CAT RC passages.
Stay tuned for more videos where we’ll cover other major national news publications and their usefulness for CAT RC prep. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel, leave your questions in the comments, and keep coming back for more insightful content. As always, happy learning!
