Reading Comprehension

CAT MANIA

INTRODUCTION TO READING COMPREHENSION

Reading Comprehension, together with Verbal Ability, forms one of the three sections of the CAT question paper (as given in

the last 4 years). The following tables give an analysis of the structure and composition of Reading Comprehension given in

the last four CAT papers.

CAT is designed to test the candidate on those basic and fundamental skills which are indispensable for academic and

professional success. One such vital skill is reading. The amount of reading that a student at a top-notch B-school is required

to do as part of the course curriculum can only be described as ‘enormous’. And it goes without saying that the schedule is

generally so hectic that time is perennially at a premium. Hence, the ability to read quickly and get the gist is not optional. It

is mandatory. It is impossible to survive in a top B-school without this vital skill. The Reading Comprehension sections of

examinations like the CAT essentially test candidates on this vital skill. The candidate is required to read a certain number of

passages and answer questions based on the information given in the passages.

It has been said of R.C. that it is the only section in which candidates have the answers to the questions in their hands in the

examination hall! And yet, as most of you will agree, it is not as simple as that. The very fact that even outside the examination

hall, learned and experienced people are often in disagreement over the correct answer to questions gives us some idea of the

level of difficulty.

Let us first look at the importance given to R.C. in CAT. Until 1998, R.C. was a separate section with 5-7 passages and 50

questions i.e. it had approximately 25% weightage. Since 1999, it has been clubbed with Verbal Ability. Within this section

also, the marks allotted to R.C vis-à-vis Verbal Ability (as seen from the table) seems to have declined. Do not hastily

conclude that R.C is becoming less important. V.A. questions themselves (especially the ‘summary’

questions and the ‘conforms to standard English usage’ questions) seem to be becoming more and more like R.C., involving

a lot of reading, comprehending and drawing inferences.

Getting back to R.C., generally there are 5 passages of about 700 - 900 words with 5 to 6 questions each. In recent years, there

appears to be an average of one question for every 175 words of the passage. In November 2003, there was a poem of about 40

lines and 5 questions were based on it. The questions on the poem were quite simple.

While the subject matter of the passages can be as wide ranging as Science (like Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy,

Medicine), Social Sciences (like Psychology, History, Economics, Politics, Philosophy, Religion, Sociology), Humanities (like Literature, Art, Music) or Current Affairs (Social, Political, Economics), Society (class conflict, change, social life), the student is not

expected to have a prior knowledge of the topics and any intelligent reader can understand the passages.

Students are advised to allot about 35 minutes for each section in a three-section paper. This would mean that one can spend

about 12-13 minutes on the Verbal Ability part and 22-23 minutes on R.C. To be able to answer 12-13 questions, one must

have a reading speed of about 400 words per minute.

What you need to crack R.C.:

Reading Speed & Comprehension: The two most important things to succeed in R.C. is speed of reading and comprehension

of the passage. A person who can read faster can answer more questions in the given time than one with a lower reading

speed, other things remaining equal. Your speed of reading is something you can and should improve. Constant and extensive

reading will help you improve your speed. Make a conscious effort to read faster and maintain a diary tabulating the length of

the passages, time taken to read and your speed. You can see your speed increase over a period of time.

That brings us to the second point, i.e., understanding the passage. There is no point in reading fast if you are not able to

answer the questions. A good vocabulary will help you to understand the nuances and grasp the various issues discussed in

the passage. You should develop the ability to zero in on the central theme. This can be developed by extensive reading as well

as proper concentration at the time of reading the passage. The candidate’s command over the language is tested by basing

questions on the idioms and expressions used, and on the metaphorical and underlying meaning.

Your Preparation for R.C.:

The first, last and most important part of your preparation is to read extensively, on a regular basis. You must spend at least an

hour and a half on reading everyday. Your regular reading must include a good newspaper, magazines, a business newspaper

and business magazines. Read on a wide variety of topics, so that you can read and comprehend areas unfamiliar to you.

Read with concentration. After reading, check whether you can summaries the central idea in one sentence. Try to comprehend

what is stated and what is implied. List down the supporting arguments and reasons mentioned in the passage. After this,

go back to the passage and see if you have missed anything. Note new words that you come across, and figure out their

meanings, usages, synonyms, antonyms, other words derived from etc. Remember you can improve only with practice.

Happy Reading!