CAT Study Guide for Verbal Ability

Questions based on vocabulary in CAT can range from Sentence Completion and Cloze Tests to Synonyms, Antonyms, Spellings, Analogies, Often Misspelled Words and Odd Words. Here we are providing the complete guide for VA/RC to get a strong hold on it.

Two most important points that needs to be focused on while preparing for Verbal Ability in CAT exam are stated below:.

1. "Verbal questions are not at all difficult. RCs or paragraphs are provided. You just need to read them and answer the questions."
2. "It’s tough to even figure out what is correct in Verbal. The most strange ones tends to be correct.”

So what is the answer to this? It is not a middle ground between these two responses. Verbal Ability section can be simple, provided you get your perspective about it right. Below mentioned are various Verbal Ability question types and the tips that one needs to apply for CAT preparation.

Vocabulary: CAT strategy 2020

Vocabulary-based questions of CAT can range from Reading Comprehensions(RCs), Grammar & Verbal Reasoning. 

Verbal Reasoning comprises Para-jumbles, Critical Reasoning, Misfit Sentence / Error Corrections, Summary Writing, Para-completion.

It requires a combination of vocabulary knowledge, thorough reading and reasoning skills. Further, it should also be kept in mind that vocabulary knowledge is not only knowing what a word means but understanding what contexts the word can fit into.

Tricks to improve Vocabulary?

Often,we see that the difference in 94 and 96 percentile is only due to that one word meaning which hindered your understanding of the given text. Hence, it is vital that you build up your word power.

Strengthening your vocabulary can be done easily by learning new words on a regular basis. This can be done by learning the meaning of 5 new words daily and maintaining a list of that and regularly adding to it.

Although, no direct questions based on vocabulary are asked in CAT for the last three years, vocabulary plays a vital role in enhancing your effectiveness in all the areas discussed above. It helps you to expand your ability to understand complex reading material.

How to go for Grammar?

It can be easily done by following two approaches– one the classical approach, here you go by rules and learn the various parts of speech, their usages and the rules that apply, or you practice the kind of questions that are asked and you take an approach of learning the kind of errors which lead to questions based on error detection or sentence correction. 

CAT used to feature only 3-4 grammar questions till 2015. But, after that, there have been no direct questions from grammar. 

Once you are familiar with the error types, a hell lot of practice will help you to become the master of it. Understanding Grammar has a considerable impact on solving questions like Para-jumbles, Logical Continuation, Summary and even RC questions because some of the option eliminations can be done through grammar rules as well.

Usual questions from the Grammar section are Error Detection, Sentence Correction, Word Usage and Fill in the Blanks.

Plan for Reading Comprehension?

Reading Comprehensions, the most vital segment of the CAT Verbal Ability section. RC questions comprises almost 24 questions out of the total 34 in VARC section.

Reading skills can make or break your verbal score! It can be developed in three phases:

1. Cultivating daily reading habit: First & foremost, you need to cultivate the reading habit. Read, read and read. You can start with simple fiction, newspapers and blogs, or anything of your choice. Things to be focused upon are sustained concentration and retention of information while reading.

1. Speed Reading: Speed of reading is a critical part of any aptitude exam, you need to cultivate speed. Target should be nothing less than a reading speed of about 300 words per minute depending on the level of the text, and not only just reading but also to understand it thoroughly.
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3. Diversify your Reading list: Read more & read diverse. Choose those topics that are out of your comfort zone. RCs can be drawn from any field.

Tackle the Logical Reasoning Questions:

6-8 questions are generally asked in the form of Logical Continuation, Logical Discontinuation, Para-jumbles, Odd sentences, Summary Making or Critical Reasoning.

Performance in this part depends entirely upon the reading skills along with ability to make logical inferences.Most of these topics do not have any concrete rules but have a simple series of instructions that you need to follow in order to solve them

While reading you need to read it critically and jot down your views, because Critical Reasoning not only helps to prepare you for addressing the whole gamut of CR questions - Assumptions, Strengthen, Weaken, Method of Reasoning, Flaw in the Reasoning, Syllogisms but it also enables you to understand structuring of ideas hence, facilitating critical reading. 

Best Books for Preparation:

1. Word Power made easy by Norman Lewis
2. Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT by Ajay Singh
3. How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay

Verbal Aptitude has multi-layered benefits for CAT aspirants and aspiring managers. It helps in structuring of thought, generation of ideas & finding solution to problems, that results only from a good Verbal Aptitude.