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A solid vocabulary is crucial for excelling in the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT exam. This section tests your ability to comprehend complex texts and answer questions based on them. A wide-ranging vocabulary not only improves your comprehension skills but also enhances your performance in questions like sentence completion, synonyms, and antonyms. At Cattakers, we believe a strong vocabulary can give you a significant edge, and here’s how you can build and strengthen yours effectively for the CAT exam.
1. Read Regularly and Diversely
1.1. Expand Your Reading Horizons
One of the best ways to enhance your vocabulary is by reading widely across various topics and genres. CAT passages often come from diverse fields such as literature, science, economics, and sociology. Exposing yourself to different subjects will help you encounter new words in context and improve your understanding of their meanings.
1.2. Focus on Newspapers and Magazines
In addition to books, make it a habit to read high-quality newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express, and magazines like The Economist and Time. These publications are known for their sophisticated language and will introduce you to advanced vocabulary that’s relevant for the CAT exam.
Cattakers’ Tip: Dedicate at least 30-45 minutes daily to reading articles from varied domains to familiarize yourself with complex words and sentence structures.
2. Maintain a Vocabulary Journal
2.1. Keep Track of New Words
As you encounter unfamiliar words while reading, jot them down in a dedicated vocabulary journal. Write the word, its meaning, its usage in a sentence, and any synonyms or antonyms. This practice helps reinforce your memory and builds an active vocabulary bank.
2.2. Review Regularly
Merely writing down new words isn’t enough; it’s essential to revisit and revise them regularly. Make a habit of reviewing your vocabulary journal every few days to ensure the words stick in your long-term memory.
Cattakers’ Suggestion: Use digital tools like Evernote or Google Keep for easy access to your vocabulary list, making it easier to revise on the go.
3. Use Flashcards for Quick Revision
3.1. Leverage Digital Flashcards
Flashcards are an excellent tool for quick and frequent vocabulary revision. Apps like Anki, Quizlet, and Vocabulary.com allow you to create custom flashcards, which you can review anytime. These apps use spaced repetition algorithms, ensuring that you focus more on words you find difficult while reinforcing your understanding of easier words.
3.2. Create Your Own Flashcards
Alternatively, you can create physical flashcards by writing a word on one side and its meaning and usage on the other. Carry a small set with you and review them during short breaks or while commuting.
Cattakers’ Tip: Regularly test yourself using flashcards to ensure you can recall words and their meanings quickly—an essential skill during the CAT exam.
4. Learn Word Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
4.1. Decode New Words
Understanding the roots, prefixes, and suffixes of words can greatly enhance your ability to guess meanings of unfamiliar words. Many English words derive from Latin and Greek, and recognizing common roots like “bene” (good) in “benevolent” or “mal” (bad) in “malevolent” can help you deduce their meanings.
4.2. Build a Word Tree
Create a “word tree” with a root or prefix at the center and connect words that share the same root. This technique will help you see patterns and relationships between words, making it easier to understand and memorize new vocabulary.
Cattakers’ Suggestion: Familiarize yourself with common word roots used in English vocabulary. This knowledge will significantly boost your ability to tackle unfamiliar words on the exam.
5. Practice with CAT-Level Vocabulary Questions
5.1. Take Mock Tests and Quizzes
To effectively build a vocabulary that’s relevant for the CAT exam, you need to practice with actual CAT-level vocabulary questions. Online resources, apps, and CAT preparation websites often provide vocabulary quizzes that simulate the level of difficulty you’ll face in the exam.
5.2. Focus on Contextual Usage
While learning words in isolation is useful, the CAT exam often tests words in context. Practice understanding how words are used in sentences and paragraphs, particularly in Reading Comprehension (RC) passages, where vocabulary is key to understanding the nuances of the text.
Cattakers’ Tip: Take regular mock tests that include VARC questions to build familiarity with the type of vocabulary tested in the CAT exam.
Building a strong vocabulary is an essential part of preparing for the CAT exam, especially for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section. By reading widely, maintaining a vocabulary journal, using flashcards, and understanding word roots, you can develop a robust vocabulary that will improve both your comprehension and accuracy in the exam. At Cattakers, we provide aspirants with the right resources and strategies to help you strengthen your vocabulary and ace the CAT exam.
