Reading Comprehension is a part of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT Exam.
According to the previous year question papers, we can expect 16-18 questions of Reading Comprehension alone. Scoring well in Reading Comprehension is important for acquiring a good overall percentile in CAT.
In order to score well, we must prepare well, but what approach should a student choose to guarantee the utmost amount of outcome to the effort and time put in?
Approach for Reading Comprehension Questions:
- Understanding the Questions: As soon as you get the question paper, make sure you read the questions thoroughly first. Try to contemplate what you’re reading while you’re at it.
- Central Idea: After reading the questions, read the passage given and try to connect it with the questions asked already and make out the central idea of the passage.
- Rule of Elimination: Cross out the options that are irrelevant to the question asked. Narrow down your options to at least 2.
- Delay the difficult: Skip the ones you are confused about for now and get back to it with a clearer mind after solving the other sections or questions.
Now, the Reading Comprehension part of the CAT exam is mastered differently than other sections of the CAT Exam. To improve your score in RC, a student must consistently use the methods given below.
Methods of Preparation for Reading Comprehension:
1. Taking Practice Tests:
This is one of the most common approaches to preparing for Reading Comprehension questions and believe me, for a good reason there. Solving questions regularly by taking the practice tests not only makes you really familiar with the questions asked in the exam, but also helps you evaluate your mistakes and keep track of the progress you’re making. It’s like shooting two birds (or rather three in this case) with one stone.
Also, Initially taking untimed tests really helps you get familiar with the pattern of passages asked and lets you keep a record of the time taken to thoroughly solve the questions. After you gain some momentum on your progress track, you may consider taking a test prep course.
2. READ, READ, READ:
Honestly, there’s no substitute for reading. Read magazines, books, articles, blogs, and anything you can possibly get your hands on. Reading the topics that you’re not specifically interested in helps you increase your ability to focus on unfamiliar subjects.
If you don’t already have a habit of reading every day, it’s never too late to make one.
You can start by reading an article or two of a newspaper first thing in the morning and then, slowly increase the number of articles you read every three days.
Maintaining a specific time to read every day is one of the most efficient tactics to making a healthy reading habit.
3. Summarizing:
After you read anything, try to summarize what you’ve understood so far in a few sentences. This will improve your ability to quickly grasp the underlying concept of the context given in the exam.
4. Stick to the Basics:
Be a passive reader. Do not indulge your prior knowledge on the passage and the passage questions. Do not presume any information that’s not already given in the passage in the Exam. This is one of the most common mistakes. Try to avoid it as much as you can. You can also join our My Captain programs to strengthen your weak areas. Visit our website to learn about us.
5. Reading Speed:
Maintain your reading speed. Do not read so fast that you can neither grasp nor comprehend what you have just read. Do not read so slow that you spend ample amount of time on each passage and question. Making a Reading Habit helps you increase your Reading Speed while maintaining your power to understand the text thoroughly. Refer to point 2.
These are some simple methods you must follow consistently to see visible results. Contact us to learn more about CAT 2024.
We, at BellCAT– CAT coaching Kolkata, hope you do well in your exams!
Author:
- Name: bellCAT CAT Coaching Center in Kolkata
- Address: First Floor, 161, 7 C, Rash Behari Ave, Gariahat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019
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