Short answer: Read a mix of articles and book chapters every day, summarise them in a few lines, and practise questions from a single prep book to check your understanding.
Reading is the base
Reading comprehension and verbal ability questions depend on how quickly you can follow an argument. That skill grows with regular reading, not with a single burst before the exam.
Pick material from different subjects, such as economics, science, history and opinion articles. This helps you get used to unfamiliar topics.
Make a daily routine
Aim for a fixed slot each day. Read one article or a few pages, then write a two or three line summary: what is the main point, what is the author's view, and what supports it. This is the same skill the exam tests.
Keep a small notebook of unfamiliar words, but focus on understanding words from context before looking them up.
Use one prep book for checking
A prep book gives you exam-style passages and questions. Use it to check whether your summaries match the answers. Note the question types you miss, such as inference or tone.
You do not need many prep books for this. One good set with solutions is usually enough if you review mistakes carefully.
Mistakes to avoid
Many students read only topics they like, which leaves them weak on unfamiliar passages. Others read fast without checking understanding. Slow down enough to summarise what you read.
Another mistake is to practise only when time is available. Even fifteen minutes every day builds more than two hours once a week. Keep the routine short enough to repeat.
Quick checklist
Each day: read one passage or article, write a short summary, note unfamiliar words, and review yesterday's notes for a minute. Each week: do a set of exam-style passages and review mistakes.
Over a few months this routine builds both speed and accuracy without needing a large pile of books.
Review weekly
Once a week, go back through your mistakes and read the passages again slowly. Ask why the correct option is right and why the others are not.
For more on practice choices, see CAT quant practice books vs online mocks. If you need a prep book, compare second hand books with new books.
Remember that verbal ability also includes sentence arrangement and short-answer formats, which you practise by writing and rearranging sentences in your own words. Spend a small part of each week on these formats so that the routine covers the whole section and not only passages.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need many books for CAT verbal ability?
No. A regular reading habit and one good practice book are enough for most students.
How much should I read every day?
Choose an amount you can keep up daily. Consistency matters more than a long session once in a while.
Should I read only English newspapers?
A mix of newspapers, magazines and book chapters gives variety in style and topic.