Complete Guide to free VARC practice sets for CAT 2026

Mastering the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section is often the biggest hurdle for CAT aspirants. As we look toward the 2026-2027 academic session, the competition for the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) continues to intensify. To stay ahead, candidates need more than just a passing acquaintance with English; they need a rigorous, structured approach to comprehension and logic. This guide provides comprehensive insights into the exam and where to find the best free VARC practice sets for CAT 2026.

What is the Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's premier computer-based entrance examination for admission into Graduate Management Programmes. Conducted annually by one of the top IIMs on a rotational basis, CAT is the primary gateway to 21 IIMs and over 1,200 other top-tier B-schools across India, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon.

In 2026, the exam is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore. It assesses a candidate's aptitude through three distinct sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Unlike many other competitive exams like SSC or RRB, CAT does not test rote memorisation. Instead, it focuses on higher-order cognitive skills such as analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and linguistic precision.

Key Highlights 2026

For the 2026 cycle, aspirants should keep a close eye on the following projected schedule and key details:

• Exam Date: Sunday, November 29, 2026 (Expected).
• Conducting Body: IIM Indore.
• Notification Release: July 26, 2026.
• Registration Period: August 1, 2026, to mid-September 2026.
• Admit Card Release: November 12, 2026.
• Result Declaration: Third week of December 2026.
• Total Questions: 68 (Based on the 2024-2025 trend).
• Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) across 150+ cities.

Syllabus 2026

While the IIMs do not release an "official" syllabus, the VARC section traditionally follows a specific architecture. The syllabus is broadly divided into Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA).

Component	Topic	Description
Reading Comprehension	Social Sciences, Science, Humanities	4 Passages of 400-500 words each. Includes inference, main idea, and tone-based questions.
Verbal Ability	Parajumbles	Rearranging 4-5 jumbled sentences into a coherent paragraph (often TITA).
Verbal Ability	Para-Summary	Identifying the most concise and accurate summary of a given paragraph.
Verbal Ability	Odd Sentence Out	Identifying the sentence that does not fit the context of the others.
Verbal Ability	Para-Completion	Choosing the best sentence to conclude or complete a paragraph.

Exam Pattern

The CAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to follow the 120-minute format introduced in recent years. Each section is strictly timed, and you cannot switch between sections during the allotted 40 minutes.

Section	Total Questions	MCQs	TITA (Non-MCQ)	Time Limit
VARC	24	19-21	3-5	40 Minutes
DILR	22	16-18	4-6	40 Minutes
QA	22	15-17	5-7	40 Minutes
Total	68	50-54	14-18	120 Minutes

Marking Scheme:

• +3 for every correct answer.
• -1 for every wrong MCQ answer.
• 0 (No negative marking) for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for CAT 2026, candidates must meet the following requirements set by the IIMs:

1. Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from a recognised university.
2. Minimum Marks: At least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is 45% marks.
3. Final Year Students: Candidates appearing for the final year of their Bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification examination are also eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of completion by June 30, 2027.
4. Age Limit: There is no age limit for taking the CAT exam.
5. Work Experience: Not mandatory, though it adds weightage during the final IIM selection process.

Application Process

The registration for CAT 2026 is an entirely online process conducted on the official website, iimcat.ac.in.

• Step 1: Registration: Create a user ID and password by providing basic details like name, date of birth, and email.
• Step 2: Login: Fill out the detailed application form including academic history (10th, 12th, and Graduation), work experience, and choice of IIM programmes.
• Step 3: Upload Documents: Upload a passport-sized photograph, signature, and category certificates (if applicable) in the specified format.
• Step 4: City Preference: Select up to six preferred test cities.
• Step 5: Payment: Pay the application fee. For 2026, the fee is expected to be ₹2,600 for General/OBC candidates and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

Preparation Strategy

Preparing for VARC requires a blend of consistent reading and strategic practice. Unlike Quant, where you learn a formula, VARC is about building "mental stamina."

1. Daily Reading: Start with diverse sources like Aeon Essays, The Guardian, and The Hindu. Focus on philosophy, sociology, and economics, as these are common CAT RC themes.
2. Vocabulary in Context: Do not memorise word lists. Instead, learn how words are used in paragraphs to understand nuances and tone.
3. Mastering the Verbal Ability: VA questions like Parajumbles and Para-summaries are high-scoring because they often lack negative marking. Practice at least 5-10 VA questions daily.
4. Mock Tests and Analysis: This is the most crucial step. Use Exam Bhai free mock tests to benchmark your performance. After every test, spend double the time analysing your mistakes. Did you misinterpret the author’s tone? Did you fall for a "distractor" option?
5. Time Management: Aim to finish 4 RCs within 24-26 minutes, leaving the remaining 14 minutes for the 8 Verbal Ability questions.

Cut-Off Trends

Cut-offs vary significantly between the "BLACKI" IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore) and the New/Baby IIMs. Generally, a high sectional percentile in VARC is required for a call from top colleges.

IIM Category	Expected Overall %ile (General)	Expected VARC Sectional %ile
Top IIMs (A, B, C)	99+	85-90+
Mid-Tier IIMs (L, K, I, M)	97-98	80-85+
New/Baby IIMs	92-95	75-80+
Top Non-IIMs (FMS, MDI)	95-98	85+

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How many RC passages appear in the CAT 2026 VARC section? Based on recent trends, there are usually 4 Reading Comprehension passages. Each passage typically contains 4 questions, making a total of 16 RC questions. The remaining 8 questions come from Verbal Ability (Parajumbles, Summary, and Odd One Out).

Q2. Is there negative marking in the VARC section? Yes, for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), there is a penalty of -1 mark for every wrong answer. However, for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions, such as Parajumbles, there is no negative marking.

Q3. Can I use a calculator during the CAT 2026 exam? An on-screen basic calculator is provided for all sections, including VARC. However, it is rarely needed for the Verbal section and is primarily intended for the QA and DILR sections.

Q4. I am an engineer; will I find the VARC section difficult? Many engineering students find VARC challenging because it requires subjective interpretation rather than objective calculation. However, with consistent practice using free VARC practice sets for CAT 2026 and regular reading, anyone can score a 99+ percentile.

Q5. How can I improve my speed in Reading Comprehension? Speed comes with familiarity. Instead of "speed reading" techniques, focus on "active reading." Summarise each paragraph in your head as you read. This prevents the need to re-read the passage when answering questions.

Q6. What is the difference between a raw score and a percentile in CAT? Your raw score is the actual marks you get (Correct x 3 - Incorrect x 1). The percentile represents your rank relative to other test-takers. For example, a 99 percentile means you scored better than 99% of the candidates who appeared for the exam.