CAT 2025 preparation requires consistent effort across all sections, but aspirants often overlook one powerful habit — reading daily. Experts say reading improves not just Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) but also overall understanding and speed.
While aspirants usually ask, “Which RC book should I solve?” or “How many mocks should I take?”, data shows that top VARC scorers read regularly and develop skills gradually. Reading strengthens comprehension, reasoning, and speed — all crucial for CAT.
CAT 2025: Why Reading Is Important?
The VARC section tests comprehension, logic, and comfort with dense text rather than grammar. Every RC passage is like a combined speed-reading and reasoning exercise. Candidates face 1,500+ words across four passages and must interpret abstract topics under time pressure.
Past paper trends indicate:
- Around seventy percent of VARC is Reading Comprehension.
- Questions focus on tone, inference, and critical reasoning, not vocabulary.
- Daily readers consistently achieve higher percentiles.
Reading regularly improves three critical skills:
- Comprehension depth – Quickly grasp the author’s structure, tone, and hidden arguments.
- Retention and concentration – Stay engaged without rereading lines.
- Speed with accuracy – Process complex information efficiently.
This skill also benefits future MBA studies, where candidates encounter case studies, research papers, and reports requiring fast, accurate reading.
CAT 2025: What to Read?
Many aspirants make the mistake of reading only “CAT-like” content. CAT passages cover a wide variety of topics — humanities, economics, science, sociology, philosophy, and psychology. Candidates must adapt to both easy and difficult passages.
A simple reading plan requires three to four reliable sources daily. Here’s a suggested schedule:
Type | How to Read |
Newspaper Editorials | Choose any editorial on economy, international, or social topics. Read slowly and summarise the author’s point in two lines. |
Long-Form Articles | Read two to three essays weekly. Focus on identifying central argument and tone. |
Science / Tech Features | Read one short article every few days. Focus on logical flow and cause-effect language. |
Optional Variety | Lifestyle, environment, or culture articles can help adapt to different writing styles. |
By following these reading habits consistently, CAT aspirants can improve comprehension, retention, and reading speed, leading to better VARC performance and stronger MBA admission prospects.
