I have been preparing for CAT since july 2026. I used to read and solve rcs well. I was able to comprehend well. As my total mock scores were in the range of 25-32 marks, I began to spend more time on the DILR and QA sections. I recently have noticed that VARC has become my weakest section. I am really scared. I have watched many videos regarding the attempt strategy and score improvement but whenever I attempt a varc sectional or pick a single rc to solve, I get overwhelmed by either RC selection or making mental map while reading the rc. I really want to do something to improve my marks. sometimes, I get carried away with those things and end choosing wrong options. I find it hard to eliminate the wrong options even though I know the framework to do so. For dilr, I have been solving Pyqs. I usually solve one complete set and try to attempt another set. I end up attempting 5-7 questions and get 4-5 of them right. For QA, I attempt questions from arithmetic and algebra. I usually solve 4-5 questions and dpending upon my mental state, my accuracy and attempt rate varies. However, I am working on improving my speed in QA by solving more pyqs as sectional mocks and practicing. I am really scared about this exam. I have to do my best but somehow, I get carried away by the exam anxiety or my past life experiences. I want to score more than 90 or 94 percentile in CAT 2026. Also, I have purchased CRACKUs mock test series and attempted 4 DASHCAT mocks, though the scores demotivates me a bit. I have attempted pyqs of all three sections individually so in the last 20 days, how can i improve my overall score? and especially in the VARC section? I really need help. I cannot fail in this exam. As every aspirant has their won reasons to do well in this exam, I too have my own and I am really confused about where i am actually at. Please, someone help me with this. To be honest, I really have to work on my self-esteem. A good performance in this exam would mean a personal victory for me. So, please help me.
5 Answers
Vrinda Tandon · 2026-11-11 · 2 helpful
yeah !! same thing is happening with me. mine dropped to 10-20s. But Let's just not loose hope. all we can do is to see where we are making mistakes and improve on it. And let's not focus on the mocks score they are just for our prep so that we can't repeat those mistakes in main exam. Just follow the schedule u used to and don't panic. All the best !!
Bhuvanesh · 2026-11-11 · 1 helpful
Yea Varc Score Drop Happens... I was Scoring 30-40 In Varc IDK Why But All Of A Sudden My Varc Score Dipped To 20s And I Cant Bring It Back Up So I Really Know What You're Going Through And All We Have To Do Rn Is Focus On Our Prep And Mocks Are Just Feedback Dont Stress Too Much On Mock Scores Ik Youll Make It Bro
Mayank · 2026-11-11 · 1 helpful
Hey, I can relate to every single thing you said. I also started preparing for CAT in July, and I, too, just want to score above 90 percentile. This is also my last chance to prove myself, and I really don't want to fail.
Now, coming to VARC, if you're struggling with RCs, I would suggest focusing more on strengthening the VA part. If you're struggling with VA as well, then I would say stick to solving only VARC PYQs because Cracku's DashCAT VARC is much harder. Even Maruti Sir sometimes scores around 30–32 in his own VARC mocks, so don't stress too much about your mock scores.
lastly as only 20 days is left Jaan lga do puri baad me ye kehne ko na rahe ki thoda or mehnat krna chaiye tha...
Just keep practising and doing the same things consistently for these last 20 days. All the very best to you! I hope this helps you
PRIYANSHIII · 2026-11-11 · 1 helpful
First, don't panic. You've already prepared for months. Last 20 days mein strategy change nahi, execution improve karna hai.
**1. VARC – Highest priority**
- Daily 2 RCs + 4–5 VA questions timed practice karo.
- Mental map banane ke pressure mein mat aao. Bas passage ka central idea, paragraph flow and author's tone understand karo.
- RC selection mein zyada time waste mat karo.
- Har wrong answer analyse karo ki option eliminate kyun nahi kar paaye. Focus on accuracy, not attempts.
**2. DILR**
- Daily 2 CAT PYQ sets solve karo.
- Set selection aur ek complete set accurately solve karne par focus karo.
- Difficult set par unnecessary time mat spend karo.
**3. QA**
- Arithmetic and Algebra prioritise karo.
- Daily 15–20 quality questions + formula revision.
- Easy and moderate questions pehle attempt karo.
**4. Last 20 Days Strategy**
- Alternate days full mocks do.
- Har mock ka proper analysis karo.
- Error notebook maintain karo.
- Ab naye resources aur strategies ke peeche mat bhaago.
**One important suggestion:** 90–94 percentile target karna achha hai, but mock scores se apni capability judge mat karo. Abhi tumhe syllabus nahi, accuracy, question selection aur time management improve karna hai.
Consistency rakho. 20 days ko pressure nahi, improvement ka opportunity samjho. All the best!
Abhishek (Co-founder) · 2026-11-11 · 1 helpful
you’re actually in a better spot than you think, you just need to simplify VARC a bit.
you were good at RCs before, so the skill hasn’t gone anywhere. i think all those strategy videos are making you overthink. for the next 20 days, keep it simple: for RC selection, read the first few lines and if it feels readable, go for it, don’t spend more than 30 seconds deciding. skip the elaborate mental map, just note one line per paragraph. when you’re stuck between two options, go back to the passage and pick the one that’s less extreme. do 2–3 RCs daily like this.
DILR and QA, just keep doing what you’re doing, you’re on the right track :)