Does extensive reading improve VARC scores, and do IIMs care about an applicant's English accent or speaking style?
Reading does improve VARC scores, but only when done strategically. Fiction alone or passive scrolling through articles won't move the needle.
What works is analytical reading of non-fiction across economics, science, philosophy, and policy. The goal is to engage with arguments, identify assumptions, and track how authors build their case.
This mirrors the kind of dense, argumentative passages CAT throws at you.
What kind of reading actually helps?
Focus on sources that demand active thinking. The Economist, The Atlantic, Scientific American, and long-form essays on Aeon or LongReads are ideal. Read op-eds in *The Hindu* or *Indian Express* and mentally summarize the author's thesis after each paragraph. Avoid skimming. Pause after every few lines and ask yourself: what is the writer claiming, and what evidence supports it? This habit directly translates to RC accuracy.
From Reddit, we learnt that aspirants who maintained a 30-minute daily reading habit for six months saw their VARC percentile jump by 10 to 15 points. The key was variety.
One day economics, the next day evolutionary biology, then a legal essay. This breadth trains you to adapt quickly to unfamiliar topics under exam pressure.
Does accent or speaking style matter in IIM interviews?
Not at all. IIMs are selecting future leaders, not evaluating elocution.
A Reddit GDPI coach observed that candidates from rural Haryana with thick regional accents have converted IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore without issue. What matters is clarity of thought, confidence in articulating ideas, and the ability to defend your position under questioning.
Panelists care about academic fluency, not diction. Can you explain your undergraduate project coherently?
Can you discuss a current affairs topic with depth? Can you handle a stress question without losing composure?
These traits signal leadership potential. Polished English is irrelevant if your answers lack substance.
How to prepare your speaking skills for PI
Practice articulating complex ideas in simple language. Record yourself answering common PI questions like "Why MBA?" or "Tell me about a failure." Listen back and check for logical flow, not pronunciation. Join a study group and debate current affairs topics. The goal is to think on your feet and structure answers quickly.
If English isn't your first language, focus on expanding your vocabulary through reading, not accent coaching. Read your non-fiction sources aloud for ten minutes daily.
This builds comfort with academic English without forcing you to sound like someone you're not.
The real selection criteria
IIMs weight CAT percentile, academic record, work experience, and diversity factors far more heavily than interview performance. A 99+ percentile from IIM Calcutta or IIM Kozhikode opens doors regardless of accent.
The interview is a final filter for red flags, not a speaking contest. Authenticity and substance win every time.
Before your interview, build your MBA report to understand where you stand on profile strength and compare colleges to tailor your "Why this IIM?" answers.
Pro Tip: Start your VARC prep by reading one long-form article daily and writing a three-sentence summary. After two months, add a second article and focus on spotting logical fallacies or weak arguments.
This dual habit of reading and critical analysis is the fastest route to 99+ in VARC.