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How To Prepare For Verbal Ability/Reading Comprehension For Entrance Exams - Konversations With Karan

As the CAT preparation season begins, we bring to you students who have been in your shoes and managed to go all the way! Shoot all your queries related to the Verbal Ability/Reading Comprehension section and they will be answered right here in this live chat! This chat is going to be facilitated by Karan Kakkar, who is currently studying in IIM Kozhikode and scored 99.50 percentile in CAT 15. Shoot your questions!

CONDUCTED BY:
Karan Kakkar
Jul 20
07:00 PM

Jul 20
08:00 PM
  • Profile Picture ns

    I would like to know how u learned wordlists and increased ur vocabulary

    01:26 PM

  • Profile Picture

    Hi I would like to know...How I can get good comprehension in RCS ??

    01:33 PM

  • Profile Picture Nikhil Sharma

    Since my schooling medium was Gujarati, I started reading novels, newspapers etc when I started to prepare for CAT (I.e 1 year). In Aimcats, I am scoring 99+%tile in LRDI, 95+%tile in QA but screwing up VARC with 60-70%tile. How to go ahead?

    01:34 PM

  • Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hello Everyone!!

    01:34 PM

  • Profile Picture Subham Patro

    How should I practice RCs..??

    01:34 PM

  • Profile Picture ns

    I would like to know how u learned wordlists and increased ur vocabulary

    01:26 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    hey, barron's wordlist is a great source. Try to devote 15 minutes of your time daily towards it.

    01:36 PM

  • Profile Picture

    Hi I would like to know...How I can get good comprehension in RCS ??

    01:33 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    RCs require you to be good at 2 things: 1. Reading speed 2. Comprehension In order to increase your reading speed, read everything and anything you can get your hands on. In order to improve your comprehension skills, practice a lot of questions from mocks, study materials and last year CAT papers

    01:38 PM

  • Profile Picture Viswakanth Reddy

    I kinda get bored after doing 2 or 3 passages continuously and RC being the first in that section couldn't focus on the rest of it. Do you have a strategy to get over that problem?

    01:39 PM

  • Profile Picture Nikhil Sharma

    Since my schooling medium was Gujarati, I started reading novels, newspapers etc when I started to prepare for CAT (I.e 1 year). In Aimcats, I am scoring 99+%tile in LRDI, 95+%tile in QA but screwing up VARC with 60-70%tile. How to go ahead?

    01:34 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hey harshil, This is a common problem some people face. In addition to reading learn how to comprehend the data. For that you will need to directly practice from TIME/CL/IMS study material, current and past year mocks, CAT papers (2000-2009). After extensive practice, you will yourself begin to see a great deal of difference in your scores. All the best!!

    01:41 PM

  • Profile Picture Subham Patro

    How should I practice RCs..??

    01:34 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Answered in the chat!!

    01:42 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir what are the sources to practice for cat rc passages other then ims materials

    01:43 PM

  • Profile Picture Soumya Ranjan Mohanty

    i m currently in my 3rd year engineering.So what sholud be the plan for VARC.m already into reading HINDU,some novels still i need some more can u suggest some essential reading

    01:44 PM

  • Profile Picture Aayush Nayak

    Hey karan. I used to score 90+%ile in AIMCATS last year in VARC section but my score in final CAT was 80%ile. I have started preparing for CAT again and don't want to face the same thing again. How to improve my VARC in order to anyhow manage a score of more than 95%ile atleast.

    01:45 PM

  • Profile Picture Viswakanth Reddy

    I kinda get bored after doing 2 or 3 passages continuously and RC being the first in that section couldn't focus on the rest of it. Do you have a strategy to get over that problem?

    01:39 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hey Viswakanth, That is again a very common problem. There are 2 solutions for it: 1. Try to mix the questions that you are solving i.e solve 2-3 RCs and then solve 3-4 VA based questions and then come back to solve more RCs. 2. Develop a reading habit: Once you start reading everyday for around 1-2 hours (minimum) you wont face this problem. All the Best!!

    01:46 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    sir what is Barron wordlists ?

    01:46 PM

  • Profile Picture Aayush Nayak

    And what is the best souce to practice VARC from?

    01:46 PM

  • Profile Picture Shubham K

    I am doing repeat without coaching coz done it in last year of engineering . I am reading indian express but I need 6-7 hours of time so I can't give enough time for other section.what should I read in news paper

    01:46 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir what are the sources to practice for cat rc passages other then ims materials

    01:43 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hey, Past year CAT questions (2000-2008) are a great source.

    01:46 PM

  • Profile Picture ns

    Did u join online sites for cat prep or for verbal ability

    01:46 PM

  • Profile Picture Viswakanth Reddy

    Could you suggest some best websites for RCs (with questions following them)?

    01:48 PM

  • Profile Picture Sohini Ghosh

    I am pursuing engineering and currently in my 2nd year. What plan do you suggest to me to crack CAT with high marks in VA and RC? If you share how you prepared for VA and RC that will be veru helpful.

    01:48 PM

  • Profile Picture Shubham K

    I am week in english than in other section and doing a full time repeat after doing classes last year so how much time should I devote for english. And in that time what should be read

    01:49 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir i have some questions to ask u regarding National Stock Exchange certificate exam can I ask u hear sir or sir plz may I know would u conduct any more chat sessions for this other then di lr va rc and quants

    01:50 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir i really need help for clearing my doubts sir plz reply

    01:51 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    for political science rc topics where should I refer for is that only I should go for the newspapers??

    01:53 PM

  • Profile Picture Soumya Ranjan Mohanty

    i m currently in my 3rd year engineering.So what sholud be the plan for VARC.m already into reading HINDU,some novels still i need some more can u suggest some essential reading

    01:44 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hey, for now just continue to read one newspaper daily (hindu is a great source). The ultimate key to improve your verbal ability is to read extensively and to read books from different genres. This ensures that when the time for reading comprehension comes you are well acquainted with different writing styles and topics. I would recommend no specific authors just ensure you have read different writing styles and topics

    01:53 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir i really need help for clearing my doubts sir plz reply

    01:51 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hello, please stay patient I am answering a lot of questions. I will answer all doubts so don't worry.

    01:54 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    ok karan sir

    01:55 PM

  • Profile Picture Aayush Nayak

    Hey karan. I used to score 90+%ile in AIMCATS last year in VARC section but my score in final CAT was 80%ile. I have started preparing for CAT again and don't want to face the same thing again. How to improve my VARC in order to anyhow manage a score of more than 95%ile atleast.

    01:45 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hey Aayush, Only extensive reading won't help. You also need to be able to do comprehension in a time-constrained environment. For that you will need to directly practice from TIME/CL/IMS study material, current and past year mocks, CAT papers (2000-2009). After extensive practice, you will yourself begin to see a great deal of difference in your scores. Solve as much questions as you can in a test environment and you will do great. All the best!!

    01:57 PM

  • Profile Picture Krutak Shelat

    Hey ! I am currently in 3rd Year. I wanted to ask if having a work experience​ before getting into any IIM gives you a greater leverage over other ?

    01:57 PM

  • Profile Picture garima priyadarshee

    Hi Sir,

    01:58 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    sir what is Barron wordlists ?

    01:46 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    A comprehensive list of words which Barron’s publish, which they believe are most frequent in GRE Verbal Exam. https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-Barrons-word-list

    01:58 PM

  • Profile Picture Aayush Nayak

    Thanks man

    01:58 PM

  • Profile Picture garima priyadarshee

    I am very weak in rc..which book should I follow and??how to analyse the mocks for verbal section

    01:59 PM

  • Profile Picture Aayush Nayak

    And what is the best souce to practice VARC from?

    01:46 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Questions from TIME/CL/IMS study material, current and past year mocks, CAT papers (2000-2008).

    01:59 PM

  • Profile Picture Shubham K

    I am doing repeat without coaching coz done it in last year of engineering . I am reading indian express but I need 6-7 hours of time so I can't give enough time for other section.what should I read in news paper

    01:46 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    The underlying purpose is to read daily and extensively. If you are failing short of time then just read all the general sections in the newspaper and the economics section is a must.

    02:01 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    will practicing from cracku online free materials will help any how or will get any correct reply if I ask my queries regarding va di lr and quant in cracku chat box

    02:02 PM

  • Profile Picture ns

    Did u join online sites for cat prep or for verbal ability

    01:46 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    No, I mostly practiced from IMS/TIME study material, solve past year CAT papers (2000-2008) and gave a lot of mocks.

    02:02 PM

  • Profile Picture Shubham K

    I am week in english than in other section and doing a full time repeat after doing classes last year so how much time should I devote for english. And in that time what should be read

    01:49 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    According to me 2 hours a day with full concentration should be enough and again make a habit of reading the newspaper (HINDU is the best). Other than that practice a lot of questions in a time-constrained environment. Refer to my other answers here and you should be fine. All the Best!!

    02:05 PM

  • Profile Picture Anil Alexander

    Hi could you give some tips regarding RCs. I am mostly confused between 2 options and can't decide upon which one to select since both the options seem correct.

    02:05 PM

  • Profile Picture Prashant Kumar

    Hello

    02:06 PM

  • Profile Picture Krutak Shelat

    Hey ! I am currently in 3rd Year. I wanted to ask if having a work experience​ before getting into any IIM gives you a greater leverage over other ?

    01:57 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Question not relevant to this chat. But yes, having a work experience will give you some extra points in the procedure.

    02:06 PM

  • Profile Picture

    Hello sir, my scores in SIMCATs have plateaued in at 85-87 percentile..how can i take that to 99+?

    02:07 PM

  • Profile Picture Prashant Kumar

    I practice RC everyday for 1 hour and read from sources like arts and letter,word pandit.I can see the improvement in my approach.But that makes only 1 hour of reading.Shall i count RC solving as part of reading?

    02:09 PM

  • Profile Picture garima priyadarshee

    I am very weak in rc..which book should I follow and??how to analyse the mocks for verbal section

    01:59 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    The following books are good: How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Meenakshi Upadhyay and Arun Sharma Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning For The CAT by Nishit Sinha: Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis Also study materials of TIME/CL/IMS are also great. While analyzing look for the amount of time spent and which types of questions you are getting right or wrong on a continuous basis and try to develop on your strengths and improve your weaknesses.

    02:10 PM

  • Profile Picture Prashant Kumar

    1 hour RC practice and 1 hour reading or 2 hour reading and 1 hour RC practice? Accuracy as of now 65-70 %

    02:12 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    will practicing from cracku online free materials will help any how or will get any correct reply if I ask my queries regarding va di lr and quant in cracku chat box

    02:02 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hey, yes if you are practicing well those free material will help. I am not sure about cracku chat box. Also practice and solve all the past year CAT questions (2000-2008) on VA/RC and you will see a lot of difference in yourself.

    02:12 PM

  • Profile Picture Anil Alexander

    Hi could you give some tips regarding RCs. I am mostly confused between 2 options and can't decide upon which one to select since both the options seem correct.

    02:05 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hey, Anil. Believe me you are not alone, everyone troubles between 2 close options. There is no secret here but a lot of practice. Also after the results of mocks are out, try to see what was the reasoning behind the answers. after a lot of practice you will surely improve.

    02:15 PM

  • Profile Picture

    Hello sir, my scores in SIMCATs have plateaued in at 85-87 percentile..how can i take that to 99+?

    02:07 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Practice, Practice and Practice some more. 85-90 means you have the ability. You just need to solve a lot of different types of VA/RC questions in a time-constraint environment. Solve sections and topic wise IMS tests, they will really help you.

    02:17 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir are you conducting any more chats

    02:18 PM

  • Profile Picture Prashant Kumar

    I practice RC everyday for 1 hour and read from sources like arts and letter,word pandit.I can see the improvement in my approach.But that makes only 1 hour of reading.Shall i count RC solving as part of reading?

    02:09 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Yes, when you are solving RCs you are reading extensively from different sources. Give 1 hour daily for normal reading and 1 hour for solving RCs/VA questions daily and you will do fine. All the best!!

    02:18 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir are you conducting any more chats

    02:18 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Yes, InsideIIM has just started with these chats. There will be many more chats by me and other members of the InsideIIM student team so stay tuned!!

    02:20 PM

  • Profile Picture Prashant Kumar

    1 hour RC practice and 1 hour reading or 2 hour reading and 1 hour RC practice? Accuracy as of now 65-70 %

    02:12 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    1 hour RC practice and 1 hour reading is the way to go according to me!!

    02:20 PM

  • Profile Picture Anil Alexander

    Thanks for the help Karan.

    02:20 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir are you conducting the chat in next Thursday

    02:21 PM

  • Profile Picture Prashant Kumar

    Attempts and accuracy to target for 99+ in VARC?

    02:21 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir i have some questions to ask u regarding National Stock Exchange certificate exam can I ask u hear sir or sir plz may I know would u conduct any more chat sessions for this other then di lr va rc and quants

    01:50 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    https://www.nseindia.com/education/content/module_ncfm.htm Financial Markets: A Beginner's Module Mutual Funds: A Beginner's Module Do these 2 modules and you will be fine. Please keep the questions relevant to VA/RC prep.

    02:22 PM

  • Profile Picture Prashant Kumar

    Attempts and accuracy to target for 99+ in VARC?

    02:21 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Depends on the toughness of the exam. I used to solve 28+/34 questions regularly. The accuracy will depend on the toughness so I cannot comment on that.

    02:24 PM

  • Profile Picture Prashant Kumar

    Thanks a lot

    02:25 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir are you conducting the chat in next Thursday

    02:21 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Most probably yes. But I have an exam next thursday here at IIM Kozhikode so I am not sure. You will get notified about it here on konversations.com.

    02:25 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir for political science rc topics passages where should I refer to is only going through the newspaper is ok if yes can you mention a particular one??

    02:29 PM

  • Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Hey everyone you can refer to the following article https://insideiim.com/99-percentilers-prepare-cat-part-2-verbal-ability-reading-comprehension/ for more info on how to crack the VA/RC section.

    02:29 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    karan sir for political science rc topics passages where should I refer to is only going through the newspaper is ok if yes can you mention a particular one??

    02:29 PM

    Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Going through the HINDU on a daily basis is enough. All the Best!!

    02:29 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    sir plz reply the last question

    02:30 PM

  • Profile Picture So Nu

    thank you sir

    02:30 PM

  • Profile Picture Karan Kakkar

    Ok thank you everyone!!! All the Best and keep practicing!! Stay tuned for more such chats on konversations!!

    02:31 PM

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