Unveiling the Secrets of CAT 2021 Slot 3 VARC: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The Common Admission Test (CAT), conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), is a highly competitive exam that serves as the gateway to top MBA programs in India. VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) is one of the three sections of the CAT, and Slot 3 is one of the four time slots in which the exam is conducted.

In this article, we will delve into the nuances of the CAT 2021 Slot 3 VARC section, providing you with a comprehensive guide to its format, question types, difficulty level, and strategies to excel in it.

Section Format and Question Types

The VARC section of the CAT 2021 Slot 3 will consist of the following question types:

1. Verbal Ability:
   - Jumbled Paragraphs: Arrange a set of sentences in the correct order to form a coherent paragraph.
   - Odd One Out: Identify the word or phrase that does not belong to a given group.
   - Sentence Completion: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word or phrase.
   - Analogies: Determine the relationship between two words or phrases and identify the correct analogy.

2. Reading Comprehension:
   - Passages: Read a passage and answer questions based on its content, including overall gist, author's perspective, and specific details.
   - Summary Questions: Summarize a passage in a concise and accurate manner.

   

   

Number of Questions:

• Verbal Ability: 10 questions
• Reading Comprehension: 24 questions

Time Allocation:

• Total time for VARC: 60 minutes

Difficulty Level

The difficulty level of the CAT 2021 Slot 3 VARC is expected to be moderate to high. Candidates can expect to encounter a mix of easy, medium, and challenging questions. The emphasis will be on testing candidates' ability to read and comprehend quickly, identify logical relationships, and think critically.

Strategies for Success

1. Practice Extensively:
The key to success in the CAT VARC is consistent practice. Solve previous year's papers, take mock tests, and read widely to improve your language skills and reading comprehension abilities.

2. Time Management:
Time management is crucial in the CAT VARC. Allocate your time wisely, spending more time on difficult questions and less on easier ones. Don't get stuck on any one question for too long.

3. Answer First, Guess Later:
If you're unsure about an answer, make an educated guess. This will increase your chances of getting at least some marks for that question. However, be careful not to guess randomly.

4. Eliminate Options:
If you're struggling to choose the correct answer, try eliminating the options that you're least confident about. This will narrow down your choices and increase your chances of getting the right answer.

5. Review Your Answers:
Once you've answered all the questions, take a few minutes to review your answers. Look for any obvious errors or questions you may have missed.

Tips and Tricks from CAT Experts

• Read actively: When reading passages, underline or highlight key words and phrases to help you remember them better.
• Summarize as you read: Try to summarize the main points of the passage in your own words as you read. This will improve your comprehension and help you answer questions more easily.
• Use keywords: When answering questions, identify the keywords in the question and look for them in the passage. This will help you find the information you need more quickly.
• Look for patterns: The CAT VARC often uses specific patterns in its questions. Once you identify a pattern, you can use it to your advantage and answer similar questions more quickly.

Benefits of Excelling in CAT 2021 Slot 3 VARC

• Improved language skills: The CAT VARC section tests your ability to read, comprehend, and analyze complex texts. Excelling in this section will significantly improve your language skills and make you a more effective communicator.
• Enhanced critical thinking: The CAT VARC section encourages critical thinking and the ability to identify logical relationships. This will benefit you in various aspects of life, including decision-making and problem-solving.
• Increased chances of admission: A high score in the CAT VARC section can significantly increase your chances of admission to top MBA programs in India.

Comparison of Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Tests important language and reading skills
• Improves communication and critical thinking abilities
• Contributes towards overall CAT score and admission chances

Cons:

• Can be challenging for non-native English speakers
• Time-consuming to answer all questions effectively
• Requires extensive practice and preparation

Call to Action

If you're preparing for the CAT 2021 Slot 3 VARC section, start practicing today. Follow the strategies and tips outlined in this article, and dedicate enough time to preparation. With hard work and determination, you can achieve high scores in this section and take a step towards your dream MBA program.

Additional Resources

• CAT Official Website: https://iimcat.ac.in/
• Previous Year's CAT Papers: https://iimcat.ac.in/cat-previous-papers
• Mock Test Platforms: T.I.M.E., IMS, CL, etc.

Tables

Table 1: CAT 2021 Slot 3 VARC Question Breakdown

Table 2: Average Word Count of CAT VARC Passages

Table 3: Percentage Distribution of CAT VARC Question Types