CAT Exam: 8 Strategies to Solve Reading Comprehension Effectively and Easily – Times of India

Reading Comprehension is an important section in the CAT (Common Admission Test) examination, designed to assess a candidate’s ability to understand, analyse, and interpret complex passages. This section evaluates not only the candidate’s reading speed but also their comprehension skills, logical reasoning, and vocabulary. In CAT, reading comprehension passages cover a wide array of topics, ranging from humanities and social sciences to science, technology, and business.
Candidates are presented with challenging passages of varying lengths and complexity, followed by a set of questions that test their understanding of the content, as well as their ability to make inferences and draw conclusions.Mastering this section is essential because it not only contributes significantly to the overall score but also mirrors the demands of real-world scenarios where efficient comprehension and critical analysis are paramount skills. As a result, developing a strategic approach and adapting the necessary skills in reading comprehension is indispensable forCAT aspirants, enabling them to excel in this challenging yet integral part of the examination.
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Here are the 8 strategies to solve reading comprehension in CAT effectively;
Develop a good reading habit
The more you read, the better you will become at understanding and comprehending different types of texts. Make a habit of reading a variety of materials, such as newspapers, magazines, novels, and non-fiction books.
Understand question types
There are different types of questions asked in RC passages, such as main idea questions, detail questions, inference questions, and vocabulary questions. Familiarise yourself with the different question types so that you can approach each question with the appropriate strategy.
Read actively
Don’t just passively read the passage; engage with it by asking yourself questions as you read. What is the author’s main point? What are the supporting details? What is the author’s tone?
Underline key phrases and sentences
As you read, underline key phrases and sentences that you think are important. This will help you to remember the main points of the passage and to quickly find the information you need to answer the questions.
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Make notes in the margins
Use the margins of the passage to make notes about the main points, supporting details, and your own thoughts and observations. This will help you to keep track of what you have read and to organise your thoughts.
Don’t get bogged down in details
Sometimes, the details in a passage can be overwhelming. Don’t get bogged down in trying to understand every single detail. Focus on the main points and the overall meaning of the passage.
Use context clues to figure out unfamiliar words
You are not expected to know the meaning of every word in a CAT RC passage. Use context clues to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Read the questions first
Before you start reading the passage, take a quick look at the questions to get a general idea of what you are looking for. This will help you to focus your reading and to identify the information you need to answer the questions.