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The Most Common Words You’ll Encounter in the CAT Exam

The Most Common Words You’ll Encounter in the CAT Exam


The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a gateway to some of the most prestigious business schools in India. A significant portion of the exam, especially the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section, relies on a strong vocabulary. Familiarity with commonly used words can help you tackle reading comprehension passages, sentence completion, and verbal reasoning questions with confidence. Below, we highlight some of the most frequent words in the CAT exam, their meanings, and how to prepare for them effectively.

Most Common Words in CAT and Their Meanings

Here’s a list of words you are likely to encounter:

1. Ambiguous

  • Meaning: Open to more than one interpretation; unclear.
  • Example Sentence: The ambiguous nature of the passage confused many readers.

2. Alleviate

  • Meaning: To make something less severe.
  • Example Sentence: The editor tried to alleviate the reader’s confusion by clarifying the argument.

3. Arbitrary

  • Meaning: Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than reason.
  • Example Sentence: The author’s choice of words seemed arbitrary in certain parts of the passage.

4. Comprehensive

  • Meaning: Including all or nearly all elements or aspects.
  • Example Sentence: A comprehensive understanding of the topic is essential for success in CAT.

5. Contradict

  • Meaning: To assert the opposite of a statement made by someone.
  • Example Sentence: The writer’s argument contradicts established scientific theories.

6. Cumbersome

  • Meaning: Large or heavy, making something difficult to carry or use; complicated.
  • Example Sentence: The passage was filled with cumbersome sentences that made it hard to follow.

7. Dichotomy

  • Meaning: A division between two entirely different things.
  • Example Sentence: The author explores the dichotomy between tradition and modernity.

8. Empirical

  • Meaning: Based on observation or experience rather than theory.
  • Example Sentence: The empirical evidence supported the author's argument effectively.

9. Epitome

  • Meaning: A perfect example of a quality or type.
  • Example Sentence: The protagonist of the story is the epitome of resilience.

10. Hypothetical

  • Meaning: Based on or serving as a hypothesis.
  • Example Sentence: The author presents a hypothetical scenario to strengthen their argument.

11. Intrinsic

  • Meaning: Belonging naturally; essential.
  • Example Sentence: The intrinsic value of education was a recurring theme in the passage.

12. Nuance

  • Meaning: A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound.
  • Example Sentence: Understanding the nuances of the argument is crucial for answering comprehension questions.

13. Plausible

  • Meaning: Seeming reasonable or probable.
  • Example Sentence: The author’s conclusion appears plausible given the evidence presented.

14. Pragmatic

  • Meaning: Dealing with things sensibly and realistically.
  • Example Sentence: The writer offers a pragmatic solution to the problem discussed.

15. Redundant

  • Meaning: Not or no longer needed or useful.
  • Example Sentence: Certain sentences in the passage feel redundant and could have been omitted.

16. Subjective

  • Meaning: Based on personal feelings or opinions.
  • Example Sentence: The analysis presented in the passage is highly subjective.

17. Ubiquitous

  • Meaning: Present or appearing everywhere.
  • Example Sentence: Technology is a ubiquitous theme in modern literature.

18. Zealous

  • Meaning: Having or showing great enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.
  • Example Sentence: The zealous approach of the author emphasizes the urgency of the issue.
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