
| Updated On - Oct 19, 2026
CAT VARC Mock Test 2026 helps candidates practise Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability questions under timed conditions. Candidates can use a free CAT VARC mock test online, sectional tests with solutions, previous-year questions, and topic-wise practice to improve accuracy and question selection.
The VARC section has 24 questions and 72 marks in the current CAT pattern. Reading Comprehension accounts for an estimated 16 questions, while the remaining questions test Verbal Ability. Candidates have 40 minutes to complete the section.
3.1 QA Analysis
3.3 VARC Analysis
3.4 While your CAT mock analysis for VARC make sure that you:
3.5 DILR Analysis
7.1 VARC-
7.2 QA-
7.3 DILR-
Taking full-length mock tests is key to refining your strategy, familiarizing yourself with the CAT syllabus, and enhancing your strengths. Links to the full-length mock tests are provided below:
| Test | Link | Test | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | Take the test | Test 13 | Take the test |
| Test 2 | Take the test | Test 14 | Take the test |
| Test 3 | Take the test | Test 15 | Take the test |
| Test 4 | Take the test | Test 16 | Take the test |
| Test 5 | Take the test | Test 17 | Take the test |
| Test 6 | Take the test | Test 18 | Take the test |
| Test 7 | Take the test | Test 19 | Take the test |
| Test 8 | Take the test | Test 20 | Take the test |
| Test 9 | Take the test | Test 21 | Take the test |
| Test 10 | Take the test | Test 22 | Take the test |
| Test 11 | Take the test | Test 23 | Take the test |
| Test 12 | Take the test | Test 24 | Take the test |
CAT VARC sectional tests help candidates practise Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability within a limited time. They are particularly useful when a candidate's overall mock score hides a specific weakness in one section.
| Practice stage | What to do | What to measure |
|---|---|---|
| Topic-wise practice | Solve RC and Verbal Ability questions separately | Accuracy by topic |
| Timed sectional test | Attempt a complete VARC test within 40 minutes | Attempts, score and time |
| Solution review | Analyse incorrect and unattempted questions | Reasons for errors |
| Repeat practice | Reattempt questions from weak topics | Improvement in accuracy |
Start with the Collegedunia CAT VARC sectional tests and move to full-section practice once you are comfortable with individual question types.
CAT VARC previous-year questions (PYQs) help candidates understand the question formats used in earlier examinations. Practising PYQs with solutions also helps candidates identify mistakes and compare their approach with the correct reasoning.
| Slot | Resources | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 VARC Slot 1 | Download PDF | Take Mock Test |
| Solution PDF | ||
| CAT 2025 VARC Slot 2 | Download PDF | Take Mock Test |
| Solution PDF | ||
| CAT 2025 VARC Slot 3 | Download PDF | Take Mock Test |
| Solution PDF |
CAT VARC Mock Analysis 2026
After every VARC mock test, review your answers to identify weak areas, improve accuracy and manage time better. Use the following table to track your performance.
| Analysis Parameter | What to Check | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (RC) | Record the topic and accuracy for each passage. | Practise passages from different topics, such as science, economics and philosophy. |
| Author’s Tone | Check how many tone-based questions you answered correctly. | Identify whether the author is critical, neutral, supportive or sceptical. |
| Incorrect Answers | Count mistakes caused by misunderstanding the passage or missing key details. | Read the explanation and identify the exact reason for each mistake. |
| Confusing Options | Track questions where you selected the wrong option despite narrowing down the choices. | Compare the options and choose the one best supported by the passage. |
| Verbal Ability | Record correct and incorrect answers in para jumbles, para summary and sentence elimination. | Practise weak question types separately. |
| Vocabulary | Note unfamiliar words encountered in passages. | Record their meanings and revise them regularly. |
| Time Management | Track time spent on each passage and question. | Practise with a timer and avoid spending too long on one question. |
| Overall Accuracy | Calculate the percentage of attempted questions answered correctly. | Review recurring mistakes before attempting the next mock. |
CAT 2026 provides 40 minutes for VARC. The ideal time allocation depends on your reading speed, accuracy and question selection.
Use the following as a practice framework, not a fixed rule:
| Practice Activity | Suggested Approach |
|---|---|
| Initial question scan | Identify promising questions and passages |
| Reading comprehension | Prioritise passages you can understand and analyse accurately |
| Verbal ability | Attempt suitable questions based on your strengths |
| Final review | Recheck selected answers if time permits |
Do not force yourself to complete every question. Prioritise accuracy and avoid spending too long on a passage that you cannot understand.
Improving your VARC score can help increase your overall CAT score and percentile. The following table shows an illustrative example of how improving VARC performance while keeping DILR and QA scores constant can increase your total marks.
| Scenario | VARC Score | DILR Score | QA Score | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Performance | 25 | 25 | 25 | 75 |
| Moderate VARC Improvement | 35 | 25 | 25 | 85 |
| Strong VARC Improvement | 45 | 25 | 25 | 95 |
| High VARC Performance | 55 | 25 | 25 | 105 |
Note: These are illustrative scores, not predicted CAT 2026 scores or percentile estimates. The maximum VARC score under the current 24-question pattern is 72 marks.
Start with the numbered sample papers below, then use the year-wise PYQ table for past papers.
| Sample Paper | PDF Download |
|---|---|
| CAT VARC Sample Paper 1 | Download PDF |
| CAT VARC Sample Paper 2 | Download PDF |
| CAT VARC Sample Paper 3 | Download PDF |
| CAT VARC Sample Paper 4 | Download PDF |
| CAT VARC Sample Paper 5 | Download PDF |
| CAT VARC Sample Paper 13 | Download PDF |
| CAT VARC Sample Paper 14 | Download PDF |
| CAT VARC Sample Paper 15 | Download PDF |
| CAT VARC Sample Paper 16 | Download PDF |
| Slot | Resources | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 VARC Slot 1 | Download PDF | Take Mock Test |
| Solution PDF | ||
| CAT 2025 VARC Slot 2 | Download PDF | Take Mock Test |
| Solution PDF | ||
| CAT 2025 VARC Slot 3 | Download PDF | Take Mock Test |
| Solution PDF |
| CAT Exam Slot | CAT 2024 Question Paper PDF Free Download | CAT 2024 Solution PDF Free Download |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2024 Question Paper VARC Slot 1 | Download PDF | Click Here |
| CAT 2024 Question Paper VARC Slot 2 | Download PDF | Click Here |
| CAT 2024 Question Paper VARC Slot 3 | Download PDF | Click Here |
Working professionals face a different prep challenge - limited daily hours and high fatigue. The mock strategy for a working professional has to be realistic, not aspirational.
| Month | Mock Type | Frequency | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | Sectional + 1 full-length mock/week | 1 full + 4 sectional mocks | Time management and identifying weak areas |
| October 2026 | Full-length mocks | 2 per week | Set selection, accuracy and attempt strategy |
| November 2026 | Full-length mocks | 3 per week until exam week | Final strategy and exam-day calibration |
Read More:
Reading comprehension forms a major part of VARC. Practise passages from different subjects, including philosophy, economics, science, technology and social sciences. After solving each passage, review the questions you answered incorrectly and identify why the correct option is better.
Use CAT VARC Mock Tests for sectional practice and CAT Previous Year Question Papers to understand the style of questions asked in earlier exams.
| VARC Question Type | What to Practise | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Main idea, inference, tone, author's purpose and supporting arguments | Identify the central argument before answering questions |
| Para Summary | Main idea and supporting points | Choose the option that captures the passage without adding new information |
| Para Jumbles | Sentence order and logical flow | Identify opening sentences, connectors and links between ideas |
| Odd Sentence Out | Sentence relevance and paragraph flow | Find the sentence that does not fit the central idea |
| Inference Questions | Conclusions supported by the passage | Avoid options based on assumptions or outside knowledge |
Attempting more questions does not always lead to a higher VARC score. Since incorrect MCQs attract negative marking, candidates should focus on selecting answers supported by the passage rather than guessing between options without a clear reason.
Use the following examples to understand how accuracy affects your score.
| Questions Attempted | Correct Answers | Incorrect Answers | Unattempted | VARC Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 28 |
| 16 | 13 | 3 | 8 | 36 |
| 18 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 42 |
| 20 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 44 |
| 22 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 46 |
Note: These are illustrative examples assuming all incorrect answers are MCQs, with +3 for a correct answer and -1 for an incorrect answer. Actual performance and percentile will vary.
The table shows why candidates should balance attempts with accuracy. Track these figures after every VARC mock and identify whether additional attempts are improving your score or increasing negative marks.
Ques. Where can I take a free CAT VARC mock test online in 2026?
Ans. You can practise with the CAT VARC Mock Test on Collegedunia. Online mock tests help improve reading comprehension, verbal ability, accuracy and time management.
Ques. Is a free CAT sectional mock test available for VARC?
Ans. Candidates can practise using VARC sectional mock tests under a 40-minute time limit. Review your answers after each test to identify weak areas and improve accuracy.
Ques. Where can I download the CAT VARC mock test PDF?
Ans. Visit the CAT Previous Year Question Papers page on Collegedunia to check for available question papers and solutions. Check whether PDF downloads are available, as not every online mock test comes in a downloadable format.
Ques. How should I prepare with a CAT VARC sectional mock test?
Ans. Attempt the test under timed conditions and track your correct, incorrect and unattempted questions. Analyse reading comprehension, para summary, para jumbles and sentence elimination separately to identify topics that need more practice.
Ques. Where can I find CAT VARC mock tests based on previous-year questions (PYQs)?
Ans. You can practise using CAT Previous Year Question Papers. Solve available papers under timed conditions and review the solutions to understand question patterns and common mistakes.
Ques. Are free CAT VARC mock tests useful for CAT 2026 preparation?
Ans. Yes, free VARC mock tests help candidates practise reading comprehension and verbal ability, assess their accuracy and improve time management. Combine mock tests with previous-year questions and detailed analysis for effective preparation.
Ques. How many questions should I attempt in the CAT VARC mock test?
Ans. There is no fixed number of attempts that guarantees a high percentile. Focus on answering questions accurately within the available time. Track your attempts and accuracy across multiple mocks to develop an effective strategy.
Ques. How can I improve my accuracy in CAT VARC mock tests?
Ans. Review every incorrect answer to identify whether you misunderstood the passage, missed the author's viewpoint or selected an unsupported option. Practise your weakest question types and compare your performance across successive mock tests.