VARC Syllabus for CAT 2026 PDF: RC & Verbal Ability Topics + Prep Plan

The VARC syllabus for CAT exam focuses on Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA). Below you’ll get the complete topic list, the expected RC vs VA question split (based on recent CAT papers), topic-wise weightage, and a free downloadable PDF checklist to plan your weekly practice.

Download FREE Study Material for CAT + OMETs by SuperGrads

Continue reading to know the detailed VARC syllabus for CAT 2026 here!

Table of Contents

What is VARC Syllabus for CAT 2026?

• VARC stands for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. It is one of the three sections in the CAT exam and evaluates a candidate's proficiency in understanding and interpreting written material.
• Verbal Ability includes questions on grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, and para jumbles.
• Reading Comprehension assesses the ability to understand and analyse long passages of text, focusing on the main idea, tone, and nuances of the passage.
• This section tests a candidate's command of language, reading speed, and comprehension skills

Below is the detailed CAT exam syllabus PDF for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension:

Download Free CAT VARC Syllabus PDF (2026)  

Importance of VARC Syllabus for CAT 2026

Before we move ahead and look into the detailed VARC Syllabus for CAT 2026, let's see why it becomes important for you to ace this section:

• VARC typically carries a high weight in the CAT entrance exam. Scoring well in this section can significantly boost your overall percentile, thus increasing your chances of securing admission into your dream B-school.
• VARC CAT syllabus is not just about testing your language proficiency; it evaluates your Ability to comprehend complex passages, analyse information, and draw logical conclusions.
• The VARC section comprises two distinct but interconnected components: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
• Verbal Ability assesses your proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, and sentence correction, while Reading Comprehension evaluates your Ability to understand and interpret passages across various genres. Excelling in both areas is important for achieving a high score.

VARC Syllabus for CAT 2026: Topics and Question Types 

In CAT 2026, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section is expected to have 24 questions that must be completed within 40 minutes, the same as in CAT 2024.

The official site does not release a CAT exam syllabus PDF. The CAT exam subjects and syllabus are based on CAT previous years' papers. 

• It examines your grammatical knowledge, comprehension skills and vocabulary skills. 
• The CAT VARC section is dominated by questions based on unseen passages, followed by fill-in-the-blank questions, idioms, etc. 
• The table below covers all the important topics regarding the VARC CAT section of the CAT exam. 

Complete VARC Syllabus for CAT 2026:Topic-Wise Breakdown

The image presents a comprehensive topic-wise breakdown of the CAT VARC Syllabus 2026, highlighting all key areas such as Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Verbal Reasoning, and Vocabulary.

Attempt a Free VARC Mock (24 Questions | 40 Minutes

VARC Syllabus for CAT Exam Weightage 2026

If you are going through the CAT 2026 syllabus, you should understand essential details like how the exam works, how marks are given, how long the test lasts, and how many questions there are.

This information can be found in the table below, which summarises the weightage of CAT VARC syllabus and exam format.

• About two-thirds (66%) of the questions are related to Reading Comprehension, where you read a passage and answer questions about it. 
• The remaining questions test your language skills, including grammar and CAT English usage. 
• Important topics for this section include Para summary, jumbles, and odd sentences.  

VARC Topics	No. of Questions	Difficulty Level
Para-Summary	2 to 3 Questions	Moderate
Para-Jumbles	2 to 4 Questions	Moderate
Odd Sentences	1 to 2 Questions	Moderate
Reading Comprehension Passages	24 Questions	Moderately difficult
Sentence Completion and Correction	2 to 3 Questions	Moderately Easy
Word Usage (Vocabulary)	1 to 2 Questions	Easy
Fill in the Blanks	1 to 2 Questions	Easy

Weightage of VARC Syllabus for CAT Exam 2026

VARC CAT Sets	No. of Questions in Slot 1	No. of Questions in Slot 2	No. of Questions in Slot 3
Reading Comprehension	16	16	16
Odd-sentence out	2	2	2
Para Jumbles	3	3	3
Para Summary	3	3	3

Among the three sections, describing the CAT VARC syllabus 2026 is the simplest. Reading Comprehension dominates the section with a little more than 65% of the question weightage.

The remaining questions are from Para Summary, Para Jumble, Odd One Out, and Missing Sentence (introduced in CAT 2022). So, building a reading habit is the key to covering the VARC syllabus for CAT 2026.

In CAT 2024, 4 passages with a total of 16 questions were asked. 3 Para Summary Questions, 3 Para Jumble Questions and 2 Missing Sentence Questions completed the section. From a total of 24 questions, 3 were TITA questions. 

Download Free PDF for VARC Preparation Tips by Supergrads

Latest Changes in VARC Syllabus for CAT Exam 2026 

The MBA Common Admission Test (CAT) syllabus has remained unchanged for over a decade. The only modification considered in the IIM CAT English syllabus has been reducing the number of questions from 100 to 66 over the past two years. 

To gain a clearer understanding of this, please refer to the table provided below:

CAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern	Changes (2019-2020)	Changes (2020-2021)
Total Number of Questions	Reduced to 76 from 100	Reduced to 66 from 76
Raw Score	Reduced to 228 from 300	Reduced to 198 from 228
Total Number of VARC Questions	Reduced to 26 from 34	Reduced to 24 from 26

Download Free PDF For VARC Sample Questions for CAT Exam

Best Books for VARC CAT Syllabus 2026

The market and the internet are flooded with CAT English study material, but choosing the right publication is a significant task. The following table lists the important CAT VARC books and provides detailed descriptions for effective preparation..

CAT Preparation Books 2025: You can refer to the English curriculum for CAT exam

CAT VARC Books Name	Author	Details
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT	Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay	Mock tests are provided Analysis of past years' papers Analysis of past years' papers Written in a lucid manner Analysis of past years' papers Written in a lucid manner Topic-wise segregation is provided
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis	Improves Vocabulary Explain the correct usage of words Review exercises at the end of chapters Divided into oriented sections
High School Grammar and Composition	Wren and Martin

Key Takeaways

Acing the VARC Syllabus for CAT exam requires dedication, practice, and a strategic approach. Keep persevering, stay confident, and believe in your abilities. With the right mindset and preparation, you can ace the CAT exam and get near to your IIM dream!