CAT 2024 VARC Score vs Percentile: Complete Analysis & Preparation Insights

Among the three sections of the Common Admission Test (CAT), the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section remains the most unpredictable and highly differentiating component. In CAT 2024, the VARC section once again proved to be the “make-or-break” area for aspirants, as moderate accuracy could significantly boost percentile rankings due to the steep score curve.

Understanding the CAT VARC score vs percentile mapping helps aspirants evaluate their performance realistically and plan future preparation strategies — especially for CAT 2025. The following analysis by MyCollegeRoute decodes the relationship between scores and percentiles in VARC, along with trends, difficulty insights, and preparation recommendations.

How Scores Translated into Percentiles in VARC (CAT 2024)

99.9 Percentile – The Perfect Comprehender

Scoring around 55 marks or higher placed candidates in the top 0.1 percentile, representing the best 300–400 aspirants across India. This group demonstrated exceptional comprehension speed, flawless grammar precision, and time mastery. Such candidates typically cleared sectional cut-offs for IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and Lucknow comfortably.

99–99.5 Percentile – The Elite Zone

Scores between 40–44 marks translated into the 99–99.5 percentile range, sufficient for shortlist consideration in IIM Kozhikode, Indore, and Shillong. These candidates excelled in Reading Comprehension (RC) accuracy and avoided traps in Para Jumbles (PJ) and Summary-based questions.

95 Percentile – The Strong Communicators

With an average score of 30 marks, aspirants reached the 95th percentile mark, a critical threshold for newer IIMs (Udaipur, Trichy, Raipur) and top-tier non-IIMs like IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, and MICA. This bracket required accuracy in at least 12–14 out of 18 RC questions and strong verbal reasoning performance.

85–90 Percentile – The Emerging Achievers

Scores between 20–24 marks placed candidates around the 85–90 percentile, ideal for Baby IIMs (Jammu, Sirmaur, Bodh Gaya) and B-Schools like GIM Goa or KJ Somaiya. Most test-takers in this range displayed balanced accuracy but struggled with time prioritization or over-attempting difficult passages.

75–80 Percentile – The Learning Foundation

Scoring between 15–18 marks reflected developing comprehension skills — ideal for first-time aspirants or those reattempting in CAT 2025. These scores generally indicated competence in shorter RC passages but inconsistencies in Para Summary or Odd-One-Out questions.

VARC Section Breakdown – CAT 2024

Section Composition

• Total Questions: 24
• Reading Comprehension (RC): 16 questions
• Verbal Ability (VA): 8 questions
• Marks: 3 per correct answer; -1 for incorrect

RC Dominance

RC continued to hold nearly two-thirds weightage, with four passages averaging 450–550 words each. CAT 2024’s RC passages revolved around:

• Social psychology
• Environmental economics
• AI & ethics
• Post-colonial literature

VA Section

VA questions tested logical reasoning and contextual understanding through:

• Para Summary (2)
• Para Jumble (2)
• Odd Sentence Out (2)
• Critical reasoning / inference (2)

The VARC difficulty was moderate, but the time crunch and option closeness made it tricky, rewarding accuracy over attempt volume.

Score vs Percentile Trends (2020–2024)

Observation:

Over the past five years, VARC’s percentile gap has narrowed — with only 10–12 marks separating 90%ile and 99%ile. This demonstrates a steep scoring curve where even 2–3 marks can change percentile by 1–1.5 points.

Key Insights from CAT 2024 VARC Section

1. RC Passages Were Conceptually Dense:
   Focus shifted from factual recall to inferential understanding. Passages on AI ethics and human cognition challenged interpretive depth.
2. Options Were Close in Meaning:
   Increased emphasis on linguistic precision and contextual differentiation tested higher-order comprehension.
3. Verbal Ability Gained Weightage:
   VA questions carried tougher logical reasoning links, particularly in Para Summary questions.
4. Non-Engineering Candidates Excelled:
   MyCollegeRoute analysis shows 18% higher accuracy for non-engineering backgrounds in RC due to reading fluency.
5. Speed Was the Real Differentiator:
   High percentile candidates completed 3 passages (12 questions) within 35 minutes with 85–90% accuracy.

How to Benchmark Your VARC Performance

1. Target Percentile Bands:
   • 99+ → 42+ marks
   • 95–98 → 30–35 marks
   • 85–94 → 20–27 marks
2. Mock Test Calibration:
   Use normalized mock data to gauge percentile jump with each incremental 2-mark gain.
3. Accuracy Prioritization:
   Attempt fewer RCs but aim for 90% accuracy — quality trumps quantity.
4. Sectional Weightage Balance:
   A strong VARC can offset an average Quant or DILR section, crucial for overall IIM call eligibility.

Cut-Off Insights for IIM Shortlists (CAT 2024)

Preparation Takeaways for CAT 2025 Aspirants

• Read Every Day: Editorials, journals, and diverse content (economy, psychology, philosophy).
• Timed RC Practice: Use 40-minute sprints with mixed difficulty sets.
• Error Analysis: Maintain an “error log” for recurring misinterpretations.
• Learn Option Elimination: Identify wrong choices through tone, exaggeration, or logical inconsistency.
• Focus on Retention: Practice note-making during reading to retain main ideas faster.

Expert Insight: Prof. Route on VARC Strategy

“The 2024 CAT VARC section reinforced the truth — reading is reasoning. Candidates who treated comprehension as interpretation, not information recall, emerged winners. For CAT 2025, aspirants should invest in daily reading diversity rather than over-practice. Consistency in comprehension speed will outperform blind accuracy drills.”
— Prof. Route, Academic Advisor, MyCollegeRoute.com

Conclusion: VARC — The Silent Game-Changer

The VARC section in CAT 2024 was not just about reading comprehension but about interpretive intelligence. With steep percentile jumps for small score improvements, mastering VARC demands consistent practice and exposure to complex arguments.

For CAT 2025 aspirants, the message is clear: build reading stamina, sharpen inferential reasoning, and focus on accuracy. As seen in this year’s pattern, one strong performance in VARC can secure your IIM shortlist — even with average Quant or LRDI scores.