RC in CAT / CUET: is reading the newspaper daily actually helping your speed?

I've been reading an English newspaper every morning for about two months because every guide says it's the best way to improve RC. My mock RC accuracy has improved a little, but my speed hasn't changed and I still run out of time on the last passage.

A senior told me newspapers are too easy compared with exam passages, which are denser and on topics like philosophy, science and economics. Their suggestion was long-form opinion essays and book reviews instead.

• What are you reading, and for how long each day?
• Do you summarise articles after reading them? Out loud or written?
• Did your RC speed actually go up, or did accuracy improve first and speed follow later?

Would love to hear from anyone whose VARC score moved noticeably, and what changed.