CAT 2019 VARC Analysis: Slot 1 Breakdown and Strategy

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📋 Table of Contents

• Introduction
• CAT 2019 VARC Slot 1 Overview
• Reading Comprehension Challenges
• Verbal Ability Breakdown
• Passage-Wise RC Summary
• New Trick Question Patterns
• Best Attempt Strategy
• FAQs
• Conclusion

🔍 Introduction

The CAT 2019 VARC Slot 1 section was moderately difficult, offering a mix of straightforward and challenging elements. From dense RCs with inference-heavy questions to slightly confusing para-jumbles, it tested aspirants’ precision more than speed. This detailed breakdown will help you understand what made this section unique—and how you can learn from it.

📊 CAT 2019 VARC Slot 1 Overview

• Structure matched CAT 2018, but difficulty and trickiness increased
• 10 TITA questions this year, slightly more complex than before

📘 Reading Comprehension Challenges

Structure

• 5 RC passages:

  • 4 passages with 5 questions
  • 1 passage (on Emperor Penguins) with 4 questions

• Word count: ~550–600 words each

Key Highlights

• Over 50% inference-based questions
• Tricky options slowed down processing speed
• Close choices made even easy passages harder to solve
• POE (Process of Elimination) was essential for accuracy

🧠 Verbal Ability Breakdown

Para-Jumbles (4 Questions)

• 2 TITA questions were moderately difficult
• Required clear identification of opening sentences and logical flow
• TITA format: no negative marking, so worth attempting

Summary Questions (3 Questions)

• Topics included academics and marketing
• Passages were easier to read than last year
• Answer choices could be narrowed using elimination logic
• Strategy: Identify core idea → eliminate detail-oriented or partially correct summaries

Odd Sentence Out (3 Questions)

• Relatively easier questions
• Focus on thematic consistency across sentences
• Easy to score if you grasp the flow and eliminate the outlier

📚 Passage-Wise RC Summary

🧠 New Trick Question Patterns

One of the defining features of CAT VARC 2019 Slot 1 was the introduction of complex question framing. Examples include:

• “Which of the following, if TRUE, will strengthen the author’s argument the least?”
• “Which of the following would NOT cause the inversion referred to as ‘flipping the script’?”

These types require two-step thinking:

1. Understand the argument/inversion completely
2. Assess each option’s impact or lack thereof

🧠 Pro Tip: Train for such twists using assumption & reasoning drills in mock tests.

⏱️ Best Attempt Strategy

For 95+ Percentile

• Target Attempts: 23–25
• Accuracy Goal: ~85%
• Ideal Approach:

  • Prioritize 2–3 RCs that are easy-to-moderate (e.g., Penguins, Online Marketing)
  • Attempt all TITA VA questions
  • Be selective with summary & inference-heavy RCs (e.g., Aladdin or Topophilia)

Time Management

• RCs: 40–42 minutes
• VA: 18–20 minutes

❓ FAQs

1. Was CAT 2019 VARC Slot 1 more difficult than CAT 2018? Yes. Due to trickier inference questions and close answer options, Slot 1 was perceived as slightly tougher.
2. How many TITA questions were there? There were 10 TITA questions, higher than previous years.
3. Should you skip tricky inference-based RCs? Yes—if options appear confusing and time-consuming. Focus on accuracy and RCs where POE works effectively.

✅ Conclusion

The CAT 2019 VARC Slot 1 section was a test of clarity and critical reasoning more than mere reading speed. Knowing how to handle inference-heavy questions, eliminating subtle traps, and leveraging TITA opportunities are the best ways to beat sections like this. Use this analysis to adapt your preparation and gain that extra edge.