Cat 2018 Slot 1 VARC: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most competitive entrance exams for admission to postgraduate management programs in India. In 2018, more than 2 lakh (200,000) candidates appeared for the CAT exam, of which only around 20% were allotted seats in Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools.

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT exam carries a significant weightage, and the Slot 1 question paper in 2018 was particularly challenging. In this article, we will analyze the CAT 2018 Slot 1 VARC paper in detail, providing insights and strategies to help future candidates prepare effectively.

Analysis of the Paper

The CAT 2018 Slot 1 VARC paper consisted of the following types of questions:

• Reading Comprehension (RC): 4 passages with 5 questions each
• Verbal Ability (VA): 24 questions (12 parajumbles, 6 sentence completion, 6)

Difficulty Level

The overall difficulty level of the paper was moderate to high. The RC passages were lengthy and complex, with intricate arguments and nuanced perspectives. The VA section also tested candidates on their command over vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.

Sectional Break-up

The following table provides a sectional break-up of the CAT 2018 Slot 1 VARC paper:

Distribution of Questions

The RC section tested a wide range of topics, including:

• History and Culture
• Economics and Business
• Science and Technology
• Social Issues

The VA section focused on the following areas:

• Parajumbles
• Sentence Completion
• Fill in the Blanks
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Idioms and Phrases

Scoring Pattern

Candidates were awarded 3 marks for each correct answer in both the RC and VA sections. There was no negative marking.

Performance Analysis

The average score in the CAT 2018 Slot 1 VARC section was around 68 percentile. This indicates that most candidates found the paper to be challenging.

Effective Strategies

To prepare effectively for the CAT 2018 Slot 1 VARC paper, candidates should follow these strategies:

• Regular Reading Practice: Read widely from diverse sources, including newspapers, magazines, and books. This will improve your comprehension skills and expand your vocabulary.
• Practice RC Passages: Solve a variety of RC passages to enhance your ability to identify the main idea, supporting arguments, and inferences.
• Focus on Grammar and Vocabulary: Brush up on your grammar concepts and build a strong vocabulary by regularly using flashcards or online resources.
• Time Management: Practice solving VARC questions under strict time constraints to improve your speed and accuracy.
• Mock Tests: Take mock tests to simulate the actual exam environment and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Comparison of Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Comprehensive coverage of concepts
• Challenging questions that test higher-order thinking skills
• Opportunity to improve comprehension and analytical abilities

Cons:

• Lengthy and complex RC passages
• Moderate to high difficulty level
• Time constraints can be challenging

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the ideal score in the CAT VARC section?

There is no ideal score as it varies depending on the overall difficulty level of the paper. However, scoring above the average percentile (around 68) is considered good.

2. How much time should I allocate to the VARC section?

Approximately 60-75 minutes should be allocated to the VARC section, depending on your individual strengths and weaknesses.

3. Is it better to guess or leave questions blank in the VARC section?

It is generally not advisable to guess in the VARC section as there is no negative marking. However, if you have a strong inkling about an answer, it is better to make an educated guess.

4. How can I improve my RC skills?

Regular reading practice, understanding the structure of RC passages, and identifying the main idea and supporting arguments are key to improving RC skills.

5. Is it necessary to prepare separately for the VA and RC sections?

While both sections test different skills, it is beneficial to prepare for them separately to focus on specific concepts and strategies.

6. What are some effective techniques for parajumbles?

Identifying the topic sentence, looking for transitions, and elimination of incorrect options are effective techniques for solving parajumbles.

Success Stories

1. Akash, IIM Ahmedabad: Akash scored 99.99 percentile in the CAT 2018 VARC section by focusing on regular reading and practicing over 500 RC passages.

2. Rhea, IIM Bangalore: Rhea scored 99.56 percentile in the CAT 2018 VARC section by using a strategy of "read once, solve once" for RC passages.

3. Suraj, IIM Lucknow: Suraj scored 99.23 percentile in the CAT 2018 VARC section by building a strong vocabulary through flashcards and solving numerous VA practice questions.

Conclusion

The CAT 2018 Slot 1 VARC paper was challenging but also presented an opportunity for candidates to showcase their comprehension and analytical abilities. By following the strategies outlined in this article and practicing consistently, candidates can improve their performance in the VARC section and increase their chances of securing a seat in their desired B-school.