Data Interpretation for CAT 2025: Pattern, How to Prepare, Previous Year Questions with Answers

Before we discuss how to prepare for CAT Data Interpretation Section, it is important to understand the overall CAT exam pattern and type of questions appeared in previous CAT exams. CAT 2024 Exam Pattern was same across all the three slots. Check table below. However, there were minor changes in section wise compositions. 

CAT 2024 Exam Pattern for Slot 1, 2, 3 

Slot 1 CAT 2024 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section - Type of Questions

Slot 2 CAT 2024 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section - Type of Questions

Slot 3 CAT 2024 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section - Type of Questions

After understanding CAT exam pattern and type of questions appearing in DI section, lets understand in detail what is CAT Data Interpretation Section? 

Data Interpretation in the CAT exam is a key part of the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section. CAT Data Interpretation section tests a candidate’s ability to analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from a given numerical data presented in table/graph or other formats. CAT DI section requires strong logical reasoning and calculation skills, and a basic understanding of patterns, trends, and relationships. The questions in Data Interpretation are typically based on tables, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, caselets, and mixed data sets. Candidates must perform mathematical operations like percentage calculations, ratio comparisons, and approximations to find answers. In other words, CAT Data Interpretation section is designed to check if candidates interested in MBA will be able to understand data in different subjects like economics, finance and marketing and others. 

CAT Data Interpretation syllabus 2025 includes topics that test a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret data in different forms. While there is no fixed CAT DI LR syllabus, the key topics covered in this section are in table below.

CAT Data Interpretation Preparation Strategy involves building mathematical calculation skills and understating different formats of data presentation like graphs and charts. Data Interpretation for CAT 2025 preparation tips are as follows: 

1. Build Maths Calculation Skills: Improve speed in basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Practice quick percentage calculations, ratios by shortcuts and approximations to save time during the CAT exam.
2. Understand Different Data Presentation Formats: In DI section, data is presented in tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, and mixed data. Become familiar with these data presentation formats.
3. Focus on Logical Reasoning: Work on caselets and logical DI sets that require analytical thinking rather than just numerical calculations. 
4. Improve “Data Sufficiency” Skills: Learn to determine whether the given data is “sufficient” or enough to answer a question instead of solving it completely. Avoid unnecessary calculations to save time.
5. Use “Approximation Techniques”: Instead of precise calculations, use estimation techniques wherever possible to arrive at quick answers, especially in percentage, ration and other arithmetic questions. 
6. Develop a Step-by-Step Approach: Break down complex data sets into smaller parts and analyze them systematically. Look for patterns and relationships before starting calculations.
7. Take Sectional Tests and Mocks and Learn from Mistakes: Attempt regular sectional tests focused on DI and full-length mock tests. Then, prepare a note book of incorrect DI questions, analyze the mistakes, and revisit similar questions to improve your accuracy.

Now that you have understood the type of questions and preparation approach, read about best CAT Data Interpretation preparation books and material. 

1. How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma: This popular book covers basic to advanced DI concepts with solved examples and practice exercises. Read more about latest editions and prices of Arun Sharma CAT Preparation Books. 
2. Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha: This good book provides a structured approach to DI with shortcuts, techniques, and practice questions.
3. Previous Year CAT Papers: Solving actual CAT DI questions from past years helps understand exam patterns and difficulty levels. Check CAT Mock Tests and CAT Previous Year Question Papers. 
4. TIME, IMS, and Career Launcher Study Material: These top CAT coaching institutes provide comprehensive DI modules for structured preparation.
5. Mock Tests and Sectional Tests: Enrolling in mock test series from platforms like MBAUniverse.com, TIME, IMS, Career Launcher, and Cracku helps with online practice and performance analysis. 
6. Newspapers and Business Magazines: Analyzing different data charts in newspapers like MINT and Business Standard to improve data interpretation skills.
7. YouTube Channels for DI Preparation: Channels like Rodha, 2IIM CAT, and Cracku have free video lessons for DI preparation. 

“For DILR, I completed the Arun Sharma book end to end. It really improved my way of tackling the sets. I used to get my doubts clarified if I couldn’t solve a set. Again, I practiced via sectional tests as well, as you need to monitor the time as well. I took coaching from TIME, so their booklets were useful as well to solve high level sets. DILR needs a lot of practice. You need to be able to formulate the right approach” - Srishti Yadav, CAT Topper 99.69%, IIM Kozhikode MBA 2023-25

“Out of 80 pager collation of all DILR cases covering different types of cases that can come up in CAT, I tried to solve them all. With this, I also understood which cases to select and which to avoid (really important as we typically end up solving 1-2 cases in DILR)” – Pooja Sudhakar, CAT Topper 99.11%, SPJIMR PGDM 2023-25

“My key focus areas in DILR preparation were Data Familiarity to get comfortable with different types of data sets and formats; Solved a variety of DILR sets from previous CAT papers; Focused on solving sets quickly while maintaining accuracy; Learned to classify and organize data effectively; Enhanced logical deduction skills for complex problems; Collaborated with peers to solve DILR sets together; Took full-length mock tests to simulate real exam conditions and Allocated time wisely to different sets based on difficulty levels” - Akshat Agarwal, CAT Topper 99.44%, IIT Delhi MBA 2023-25

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.” 

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:

Conclusion 
Data Interpretation for CAT 2025 is the most important part of Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of CAT Exam. This section tests a candidate’s ability to analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from a given numerical data presented in table/graph or other formats. The questions in CAT Data Interpretation section are typically based on tables, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, caselets, and mixed data sets. Check Data Interpretation for CAT 2025 pattern, questions, syllabus, how to prepare and more in the above article.