Hi everyone, I’m Prashant, the founder of WordPandit. Welcome to this post where we tackle an essential question that often comes up during CAT preparation: What should you read for CAT RC prep? This is part of my RC Rapidfire Series, aimed at breaking down key concepts for Reading Comprehension (RC) to help you in your CAT journey.
The Most Common RC Question: What Should You Read?
A frequently asked question is: What kind of reading material should you focus on for CAT RC? My advice here depends largely on how much time you have left to prepare.
Start with What You Love (If Time Permits)
Conventional wisdom suggests that you should start with reading what you enjoy. This helps you build a consistent reading habit and makes the process less daunting. If you have two years or more for your CAT preparation, this approach works well. Reading what you love helps you:
- Develop a habit of regular reading.
- Build stamina for reading lengthy passages.
- Enjoy the process, making it easier to stick to.
Shift Focus to What Challenges You
However, as the exam date nears, say six months or less, you need to pivot your strategy. The reality is that the CAT exam will throw passages on topics that may not be your favorite. You might encounter passages on philosophy, sociology, psychology, or other abstract subjects that you might find difficult to digest. These are the topics that could stump you during the exam, causing you to lose focus or feel overwhelmed.
In such cases, continuing with what you love to read won’t suffice. Instead, you need to build familiarity with topics that challenge you, so you don’t freeze up when faced with them on exam day.
The Strategic Approach: Read What You Don’t Like
Here’s what I recommend: Start by identifying areas you find tough to read or simply don’t enjoy. For many students, these areas include:
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Psychology
These subjects represent a broad spectrum of human thought and are common in CAT RC passages. While they might seem intimidating, the more you read them, the more comfortable you’ll become. So, my suggestion is to:
- Read at least one article daily from a topic you don’t enjoy.
- Treat it like medicine—it’s essential for your success, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Why This Approach Works
- Prevents Exam Day Surprises: You’ll be better prepared for any topic that comes your way.
- Builds Mental Resilience: By regularly reading challenging material, you toughen up your mind to handle difficult passages.
- Expands Your Knowledge Base: Engaging with a variety of topics improves your comprehension skills and broadens your understanding of complex subjects.
Key Takeaways
To wrap it up, here’s how to optimize your reading for CAT RC prep:
- Start with what you love if you have plenty of time. This helps develop a habit and builds reading stamina.
- Focus on challenging topics when the exam is nearing. Identify the areas that trouble you and dive into them.
- Read consistently, especially from areas you struggle with, to improve your comfort level and comprehension abilities.
This method ensures that you’re well-prepared to handle any passage that CAT throws your way. The more you expose yourself to difficult readings now, the less intimidated you’ll feel on exam day.
Thank you for reading! If you found this post helpful, feel free to explore more VA-RC resources at learn.wordpandit.com. I’m Prashant, signing off, and as always—happy learning!
