Data Interpretation for CAT 2024: Pattern, Type of Questions, How to Prepare, Sample Questions, Topper Tips & Tricks

Before beginning your CAT preparation on DI, check below the CAT exam pattern, number of questions, time duration, scoring pattern for the DILR section:

The Data Interpretation Questions for CAT appear in the second section of IIM CAT exam named as Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. DI problems based on Tables, graphs, charts are followed by set of 4-5 questions. DI in CAT is as important as the other 2 sections as sectional cut offs announced by IIMs for DILR section are the same as applicable for Quant and VARC sections. DI commands 16 to 22% weightage in overall CAT exam and 50 to 75% weightage in DILR section.

The structure and content of Data Interpretation section in CAT exam is shared below. Data Interpretation (DI) problems and type of questions in CAT have twisted pattern. Following details on DI section in CAT will help you to take the right path on your DI CAT preparation journey:

Once you know about the Data Interpretation question Pattern in CAT exam, your next step for preparation is to scan the CAT Syllabus for DILR section. Please note that CAT exam DI syllabus is not pre-defined by IIMs and is based on latest topics that appeared in past CAT exams.

Many other CAT toppers with 99 and 100 percentile have shared that they found Data Interpretation was their weak area while preparing for CAT. But they improved a lot in it with consistent preparation. Sharing with MBAUniverse.com, these CAT toppers spoke about their preparation strategy for Data Interpretation:

How to Prepare Data Interpretation for CAT: Topper Tips by Rachit Saran, (CAT 99.04 %) 
CAT Topper Rachit Saran explained how he cracked Data Interpretation, “I believe that the difficulty level of this section is usually overrated. I would start with the set that I’m most comfortable with and I would just read carefully and follow the instructions word-by-word. Next, I would try to follow my instincts, use hit and trail, make cases, and eliminate the erroneous ones. Again, practice is what did wonders here. Also, do not be scared of using that on-screen calculator, just make it a friend.”

How to Prepare Data Interpretation for CAT: Topper Tips by Rohan Joshi (99.63% in CAT)
Sharing with MBAUniverse.com, CAT Topper Rohan Joshi (99.63 % in CAT 2017) explained how he cracked DILR section, “CAT is known to ask trickiest questions in this section. I regularly solved different puzzles and Sudoku’s to enhance my logical thinking ability. Gave many sectionals to test my preparation.”

How to Prepare Data Interpretation for CAT: Topper Tips by Abhishek Kumar Pandey (99.63% in CAT)
Speaking to MBAUniverse.com, CAT Topper Abhishek Kumar Pandey (99.63 % in CAT 2017) explained, “I was weak at the LRDI section. I tried to improve by solving as many varieties of LRs and DIs as possible and identify the kind of sets at which I was good. This strategy helped in improving my mock scores.”

How to Prepare Data Interpretation for CAT: Topper Tips by Rachit Gupta, (99.83% in CAT) CAT topper with 99.83 percentile, Rachit Gupta and IIM Lucknow pass out of 2017-19 batch shared with MBAUniverse.com, “For LR/DI, I again practiced questions of each type and emphasized more on wherever I was not so confident.” 

• Preparation Material, practice questions of Best Coaching Institutes like TIME, CL, IMS could be very helpful to prepare Data Interpretation for CAT

Also Read Best CAT Preparation Books

The best books for Data Interpretation for CAT are:

Sample DI based questions, previous question papers, DI based Mock tests are the best tool to prepare for Data Interpretation in CAT. Improving on DI Questions and Answers is important because if you do well in the Data Interpretation for CAT, you will score well in the exam. Below are shared some of the sample DI Problem sets followed by questions and answers based on latest CAT exam question papers.

Data Interpretation for CAT Question Set-1: Sample Data Interpretation Problem with Questions and Answers  

Five restaurants, coded R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 gave integer ratings to five gig workers –Ullas, Vasu, Waman, Xavier and Yusuf, on a scale of 1 to 5.

The means of the ratings given by R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 were 3.4, 2.2, 3.8, 2.8 and 3.4respectively.

The summary statistics of these ratings for the five workers is given below.

* Range of ratings is defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum ratingsawarded to a worker.

The following is partial information about ratings of 1 and 5 awarded by the restaurants tothe workers.

(a) R1 awarded a rating of 5 to Waman, as did R2 to Xavier, R3 to Waman and Xavier, andR5 to Vasu.

(b) R1 awarded a rating of 1 to Ullas, as did R2 to Waman and Yusuf, and R3 to Yusuf.

Q.1: How many individual ratings cannot be determined from the above information?

Case Sensitivity: No

Answer Type: Equal

Q.2: To how many workers did R2 give a rating of 4?

Case Sensitivity: No

Answer Type: Equal

Q.3: What rating did R1 give to Xavier?

Case Sensitivity: No

Answer Type: Equal

Q.4: What is the median of the ratings given by R3 to the five workers?

Case Sensitivity: No

Answer Type: Equal

Q.5: Which among the following restaurants gave its median rating to exactly one of the workers?

Ans Options

1. R3

2. R5

3. R2

4. R4

Answer Grid:

Data Interpretation for CAT Question Set-2: Sample Data Interpretation Problem Set with Questions and Answers  

Direction for questions 1 – 4: Read the information given below and solve the questions based on it.
Following table gives the result of dueNorth soccer competition. Matches were played round robin (each team playing against another once) and the teams participated were Bihar, Punjab and Haryana. The table has some data missing:

Q1. What is the total number of matches played in the competition?
1. 3            2. 6      3. 9      4. None of these
 
Q2. What did the score card read in favor of Punjab in Punjab-Haryana match?
1. 2-5           2. 1-5      3. 1-4      4. 1-6
 
3.How many matches did Punjab lose?
1. 0       2. 1      3. 2     4. 0 or 1
 
4.How many goals did Haryana score? 
1. 5       2. 1     3. 3     4. 7

Quick tips to Solve DI CAT Questions

You may find one question set with 4-5 questions based on games. You must know the quick and accurate approach to solve these question sets.

In this set of questions, we are 1^st required to calculate total number of matches. Let us understand the scheme of matches in a Round Robin League tournament.

Method 1 - In a round robin league tournament, each team plays against other team once. So if there are five teams A, B, C, D and E (let us assume), total number of matches are going to be the following:

AB, AC, AD, AE
BC, BD, BE
CD, CE,
DE

Hence total number of matches = 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10.

In general, if there are n teams, then total number of matches = (n-1) + (n-2)+….+3 + 2 + 1 = (n(n-1))/2

Method 2 - each team plays one match with every other team. So, number of matches played by each team = 4. So total number of matches = 5 teams × 4 matches = 20 matches. But each of these matches has been counted twice – for example match AB and BA both have been counted.
So total number of unique matches = 20/2= 10 matches.

Method 3 – Using Permutation and Combination

There is a match for every set of two players. So, if there are n players, total number of matches = nC2.
In this question, there are three teams – Bihar, Punjab and Haryana.
Hence total number of matches = 2 + 1 (Using method 1)
This is also equal to  (n(n-1))/2 =  (3(3-1))/2 = 3 matches.
Hence answer to Q1.Total number of matches played in the competition = 3 matches. Hence option (1) is the answer.

SECONDLY,

Total Goals for by all the teams = Total Goals Against all the teams
Now total goals against = 4 + 7 + 1 = 12 goals
This gives us the number of Goals for Haryana = 12 – (2+3) = 7

Now, Bihar has drawn one of its matches, so it has either won or lost the other match. 

Since it has drawn one of its two matches, possible score for Bihar is:

2-2 = Goals for 2 and goals against 2.

It can be seen that Bihar is losing its second match.

Testing Hypothesis 1:

Hereafter, we will have to go ahead with hypothesis 1. Using the conditions given, then, we will verify if the assumptions that we have assumed are correct or not.

Assume that Bihar has its match drawn with Punjab and lost its match against Haryana.

Since Punjab and Haryana both have played one match with Bihar at this stage, total number of matches occurred so far = 2. And next match will be between Punjab and Haryana.

Using the score card of Punjab – Goals for 3 and Goals against 7.

Since one of its matches was drawn with Bihar (score 0 – 0), hence score of 2^nd match against Haryana would be = 3-7

Now Finally, we will have to evaluate if the goals for / against obtained in two matches against Haryana (one against Bihar and another against Punjab) support the figure given in the original table given in the question.

Bihar’s score against Haryana = 2 – 4 Þ Score read in favour of Haryana = 4 – 2 (i.e. Haryana scored 4 goals and Bihar scored 2 goals) ---------------------(1)

Punjab’s score against Haryana = 3 – 7  Þ Score read in favour of Haryana = 7 -3 (i.e. Haryana scored 7 goals and Punjab scored 3 goals) ------------------(2)

Using the information given above in (1) and (2):

Haryana scored a total of 4 + 7 = 11 goals against these two teams. Looking at the information given in the table, Haryana has scored only 7 goals against both the teams taken together.

So, our hypothesis that Bihar drawn its match against Punjab with 0-0 is wrong.

Testing Hypothesis 2:

Similarly we will test our 2^nd Hypothesis that Bihar drawn its match against Punjab with 1-1.

Testing Hypothesis 3:

Now checking the hypothesis that Bihar drawn its match against Punjab with score 2-2.

Using the score card of Punjab – Goals for 3 and Goals against 7.

Since one of its matches was drawn with Bihar (score 0 – 0), hence score of 2^nd match against Haryana would be = 3-7

Bihar’s score against Haryana = 0 – 2 Þ Score read in favour of Haryana = 2 – 0 (i.e. Haryana scored 2 goals and Bihar scored 0 goal) ---------------------(1)

Punjab’s score against Haryana = 1 – 5  Þ Score read in favour of Haryana = 5 -1 (i.e. Haryana scored 5 goals and Punjab scored 1 goal) ------------------(2)

Using the information given above in (1) and (2):

Haryana scored a total of 5 + 2 = 7 goals against these two teams. Looking at the information given in the table, Haryana has scored 7 goals against both the teams taken together. At the same time, Punjab and Bihar taken together have scored 0 + 1 = 1 goal against Haryana. This also suits the tally given in the table (in original question).

So Hypothesis 3 is correct.

Hence the final table is like:

Now all the questions from Q2 to Q4 can be answered.

Answer Grid:

Check below the DILR preparation plan for 6 months, 3 months, 1 Month by experts:

180 days (6 Month) CAT DILR Preparation Plan 2024
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning CAT preparation plan 2024 for next 180 days beginning from March/April, include your judiciously divided preparation hours and everything related to DILR preparation with attending expert sessions on CAT preparation, your practice sessions, doubt solving sessions and all other preparation related steps. You need to gather best Data Interpretation for CAT books and get access to Data Interpretation for CAT tutorial. Study the basics of Data Interpretation for CAT and also learn the CAT Data Interpretation Tricks and shortcuts to crack the questions.

In next 180 days, you have close to 3600 hours available with you. According to CAT experts, you are expected to spend 15 to 20% of available hours out of 24 hours per day on CAT preparation. Accordingly, you have to spend 800 hours during next 180 days on CAT preparation and divide the same on Scanning the CAT Syllabus and divide it into sections for study; Choose Time Lines to complete the task one after another as follows:

• First 90 Days: Clear the Concepts & their Applications, Go for Tests. By the end of 85 days, you will know the topics, type of questions, that are asked in CAT DILR, their key concepts, how to answer
• Next 60 Days: Devise Strategy and Take Mocks, Sectional tests
• Last 30 Days: Go for revision and frame final strategy

CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Preparation Study Plan: April, May, June, July
During March, April, May, June, July, devote 500 hours minimum to strengthen your concepts on the topics as per CAT syllabus and get complete clarity with attempting exercise questions on each concept simultaneously. This will help you to revise and understand how strong your basics have become and where you need further study of concepts.

How to Prepare for CAT 2024: 180 Days DILR Preparation Plan
Focus both on Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Apart from clarity on concepts, you need to practice more on problems based on Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. With your judiciously planned CAT preparation you need 130 hours to prepare well for DILR in following manner

DILR Topics to Study

Overall Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section Month-wise Preparation Plan

DILR Mocks for CAT 2024: Start Taking CAT Mocks from August
Attempting maximum number of Mocks for CAT and analysing each of them is as important as appearing in actual CAT 2024 exam. So, what should be the Mock taking strategy and how many mocks you need to attempt – all details are shared below to prepare well for CAT 2024. 

Spend Exact 2 Hours to Attempt 1 Mock Test
Each Mock is of 2 hours duration and you not only have to attempt the mock but also have to maximise your attempts with accuracy. How it can be achieved-Check below

Devote 3 hours to Analyse a Mock Test
After completing your CAT mock test in 2 hours, next 3 hours should be devoted to its analysis so that you may understand where you have gone wrong. Identifying your errors and rectifying them, will consistently improve your test taking strategy. If you take the mock at the scheduled hour, you will be ready for CAT day.

When to Start Taking Mocks? Experts explain
According to CAT experts, you should start taking Mocks and analyse each of them, beginning from August 3^rd or 4^th week

300 Hours that You Need for Different Types of Mocks:
You need to attempt 4 Types of Mocks. These four type of Mock tests that you would take in 300 hours and their time division to get ready for CAT exam day are:

75 Hours for Prime Mocks: Beginning from August, you must start taking full length prime mock tests.

• There would be 15 mock tests of 2 hours duration and each mock will be divided into 3 sections – VARC, DILR, Quant
• Each section in mock test will have sectional time limit of 40 minutes as is there in the CAT exam
• Each 2 hours Mock test should go through the 3 hours analysis to check and avoid any recurrence of similar mistake.

75 Hours for Count Down Mocks: After the first 75 hours, you need to move to full length count Down Mocks. When CAT exam gets a bit closer, you would also be increasing your CAT preparation time.

• There will be at least 15 count down mock tests of 2 hours duration
• Like Prime mock, each Count Down Mock will be divided into 3 sections – VARC, DILR, Quant.
• Each section in mock test will have sectional time limit of 40 minutes, like actual CAT exam. Each 2 hours Mock test will again go through the 3 hours analysis to avoid any future error.

Sectional Mocks in 90 Hours: Next most important thing is to attempt sectional mocks. In other words these are the sectional CAT papers.

• You need to attempt at least 15 Mock Tests on Data Interpretation
• Attempt 15 Mocks on Logical Reasoning
• Take complete 15 DILR Mock Tests  
• Each sectional mock should be of 40 minute duration
• Each Sectional Mock must be followed by 80 minutes of analysis to check your preparedness in each section.

Solve Actual CAT Papers in 60 Hours: Since 2017 IIMs have started releasing the CAT exam papers for all the slots with answers.

• There are total 18 CAT question papers available so far, that you need to go through, solve and analyse
• In 2017, 2018, 2019 CAT was conducted in two slots of 3 hours duration on same day.
• In 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 CAT was conducted in 3 slots of 2 hours duration on the same day.
• There are 6 CAT question papers of 2017, 2018 and 2019 as there were 2 slots in each CAT exam,
• There are 12 CAT papers for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 as there were 3 slots in each CAT exam.
• It is very important that you solve and analyse these CAT papers.

Attempt Previous CAT question papers 

CAT DILR 3 Months Preparation Plan
In last 3 months obviously, you will have more speed, so

• Use only 1 Month to prepare on concepts if not yet done
• Further improve your strengths
• In case you need to start some thing new, complete it latest by September
• Go for more practice sessions and taking Mocks
• Spend more time on CAT DILR practice tests

CAT DILR 1 Month Preparation Plan

• In last 1 month avoid starting anything new
• Your Mock Taking Speed will increase, so use it, taking Mocks and analysing them
• Take 4 DI Sectional Mocks and 2 Full Length Mocks every week 
• Further improve your strengths
• Spend more time on Practice & Revision

Experts and toppers emphasize that since Data Interpretation questions for CAT test your analytical skills of interpreting the Data given to you in the form of Table, Chart, Graph or in other form, DI preparation for CAT requires you to first get as many as DILR practice questions for CAT. Following are the important CAT 2024 Data Interpretation Tips and Tricks from experts on how to prepare Data Interpretation for CAT Exam:

• Go from LOD=1 to LOD=3. The problem with DI questions is that they all need data comparison, data analysis and if you are correct in your analysis, you will hit the entire set of questions correct otherwise, you may lose your marks for entire set of 4 questions. If one goes wrong, all may go wrong.
• Once the practice of variety of DI questions is done, you will develop the methodology and will come to know beforehand whether you will be able to solve a particular DI question, when it appears in the examination or should leave that and move ahead. 
• Keep on attempting and searching for the Quality Questions which are NON-REPETITIVE in nature
• Solve 4–5 sets Everyday (i.e. 20 questions) from the DI Book or Coaching study material.
• Questions at Foundation, Moderate and Advanced levels with solutions and explanations in the books on DI and LR are available. After attempting the exercises, analyse your mistakes and make sure you do not repeat them. 
• If you find yourself average in an area it means that you have not solved similar questions earlier. It is your time - to go through the concepts and solve the questions - that will take you to higher levels of intelligence.
• The good part is - types of questions asked in CAT are finite. A question is difficult only if you are seeing it for the first time. If you find a question difficult even if you are seeing it for the second time, ask yourself - Are you honest enough with your preparation?

Many candidates who scored 99 percentile in CAT could not get a call from any IIM only because of the reason that their score in DILR was below the IIMs cut off. The CAT Data Interpretation proved to be the most difficult and time consuming section resulting in a low score for them.

This is not the story only of a few but of many CAT takers who scored high percentile. Candidates can hardly solve only a few DILR questions in CAT exam. Accordingly, CAT DILR preparation is very important due to sectional cut offs announced by IIMs for shortlisting the candidates. IIMs require a minimum CAT cut off of 75 to 80 percentile in DILR section.