Introduction
The IPMAT 2026 is a golden opportunity to aspirants who want to attain admission into the illustrious five-year integrated course in management (IPM) at IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak. Although there is a lot of hype about the Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning section, the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section is of great importance as far as determining the overall score as well as the rank is concerned. This part does not only test your best command of English grammar and vocabulary but also your efficiency in reading and analyzing what you read.
In this guide we are going to discuss the VARC syllabus in Indore and Rohtak, how to study it, give you a step wise plan on how to crack this section and understand the strategies to use in order to master this section. This is how you will achieve success in IPMAT 2026.
IPMAT VARC Exam Pattern 2026
Before diving into the syllabus, let’s first understand how the VARC section fits into the overall exam structure.
| Exam | VARC Questions | Time Allotted | Marking Scheme |
| IPMAT Indore | 45 Questions | 40 Minutes | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| IPMAT Rohtak | ~40 Questions | 30 Minutes | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
Key points to remember:
- Both exams are sectional-time bound, meaning once the timer runs out, you cannot revisit the section.
- Indore has a sectional cut-off, while Rohtak considers overall performance.
- Speed, accuracy, and prioritization are essential in attempting this section.
IPMAT 2026 VARC Syllabus (Indore & Rohtak)
The IPMAT 2026 VARC plan lists Grammar, Reading Skills, Word Skills, and Word List. Even though Indore and Rohtak have much the same topics, there are small changes in focus.
IPMAT VARC Syllabus – Indore
| Section | Topics Covered |
| Grammar | Noun & Pronoun, Verbs & Adverbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Direct & Indirect Speech, Figures of Speech, Articles, Active-Passive Voice, Poetic Devices, Subject-Verb Agreement, Sentence Correction |
| Reading Comprehension | Word meanings, Tone of passage/author, Main idea, Inference-based reasoning, Idioms & phrases from passage, Critical reasoning |
| Verbal Ability | Error spotting, Fill in the blanks, Sentence completion, Para jumbles, Sentence improvement |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms & Antonyms, Spelling errors, One-word substitutions, Odd one out, Incorrect word usage, Phrasal verbs, Para completion, Idioms & Phrases |
IPMAT VARC Syllabus – Rohtak
| Section | Topics Covered |
| Grammar | Noun & Pronoun, Verbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Articles, Direct & Indirect Speech, Figures of Speech, Sentence Correction, Voice, Subject-Verb Agreement |
| Reading Comprehension | Word meaning, Tone of passage, Main idea, Inference-based questions |
| Verbal Ability | Error spotting, Sentence completion, Para jumbles, Sentence improvement, Analogy |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms & Antonyms, One-word substitutions, Odd one out, Word usage, Idioms & Phrases, Etymology & Roots |
Understanding the Core of VARC – Reading Comprehension
One of the major components of the VARC section is Reading Comprehension (RC), which, as stated in previous years; exams, accounts for almost 40–50 % of the questions. Hence, to master it, a combination of speed, accuracy, and critical thinking is required.
- Reading (40%) – Retention of the details and arguments of the passage on the basis of given context.
- Reading Speed (30%) – The faster one can read the passage, the more time will be left for the analysis.
- Tone & Context Understanding (20%) – Categorization of the passage such as analytical, critical, or narrative.
- Vocabulary in Context (10%) – Learning difficult words and idioms in the passage.
Reading Comprehension Tips
Reading from diverse genres – Politics, economics, literature, psychology, and science.
Practice 2 RCs daily – Use the previous year IPMAT papers along with the mock tests.
Annotate your reading – For every passage you come across, jot down its central idea in 2–3 sentences.
Employ the elimination technique – Normally, two options in a question are distractors; hence, concentrate on logic rather than gut feeling.
Refrain from making assumptions – Limit yourself to the data that the passage provides.
Daily Preparation Strategy for VARC
The secret of VARC success is the same as with any other exam – Consistency. The following is a feasible everyday schedule that may assist you to overcome the section:
Reading Practice (30–45 minutes)
- Choose one editorial from The Hindu or The Economist.
- Make a list of new words and learn their meanings.
RC Practice (2 sets daily)
- Time yourself to check your accuracy and speed.
- Do the mistakes analysis after you have attempted the questions.
Grammar & Vocabulary (20 minutes)
- Practice subject-verb agreement, modifiers, and tense through grammar rules.
- Use Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for vocabulary.
Verbal Ability (20 minutes)
- Para jumbles, sentence correction, and fill-in-the-blanks are the skill areas you can work on by practicing.
Carrying out this routine for at least 90 minutes every day can facilitate the progress to be exponential over time.
Conclusion
The VARC section in IPMAT 2026 can totally change the game for you if you come to it with the right mindset and strategy. Many Quantitative Aptitude-centric aspirants ignore the fact that those who regularly practice their Reading Comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary have a distinct advantage. Forming a habit of daily reading, carefully analyzing the mocks, and systematically practicing different question types is the crux of it. By building strong comprehension skills, improving your accuracy, and learning to manage your time effectively rather than racing through the paper, you will reap the benefits. One of your highest scoring areas can be the VARC section if you are disciplined with your preparation. The thing is—VARC is less a memorization task and more training your mind to read and think critically effectively.
FAQs
Q1. How many questions are asked in the IPMAT VARC section?
There are 45 questions in VARC with 40 minutes allotted for IPMAT Indore. Whereas, for IPMAT Rohtak, approximately 40 questions are given and the time allowed is 40 minutes.
Q2. Which topics carry the most weight in IPMAT VARC?
Most of the content in the section is from Reading Comprehension. Some easy-going types like vocabulary-based questions and grammar topics such as sentence correction, para jumbles, error spotting also get some weight.
Q3. How should I start my VARC preparation for IPMAT 2026?
Start the ball rolling by reading daily—editorials, magazines, and journals. Add vocabulary building and daily practice of 1-2 Reading Comprehension passages to the mix to strengthen comprehension and speed.
Q4. Are previous year question papers useful for VARC preparation?
Definitely, practicing with PYQs helps you know the difficulty level, question framing, and recurring themes. Plus it also facilitates time management and accuracy.
Q5. What is the best strategy to attempt the VARC section in the exam?
The best way is to start with Verbal Ability questions (such as para jumbles and grammar-based) and then move on to shorter RCs and finally take up the longer RC passages. Following this order you will save time and feel more confident.
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