Logical Reasoning (LR) is a key part of the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section in the CAT exam. Logical Reasoning for CAT evaluates a candidate’s ability to analyze patterns, identify relationships, and solve complex problems using logical reasoning. CAT Logical Reasoning questions do not require any specific mathematical formulas, but require reasoning and structured problem solving ability. Common Logical Reasoning questions in CAT exam include arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, and logical sequences. Read how to prepare for CAT Logical Reasoning section. Also check Logical Reasoning questions with answers below.
Before we discuss how to prepare for CAT Logical Reasoning 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
| CAT Exam Components | No of Questions (Divided in MCQs & Non MCQs) | Sectional Time Limit (In Minutes) | Scoring Pattern (Negative Marking is only for MCQs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section-1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 | +3 for Correct; -1 for Incorrect; 0 for Not Attempted |
| Section-2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 | +3 for Correct; -1 for Incorrect; 0 for Not Attempted |
| Section-3: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 | +3 for Correct; -1 for Incorrect; 0 for Not Attempted |
| Total | 68 | 120 | 198 |
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
| Area | Set Description | No. of Questions | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Stock price-based candlestick graph for 7 stocks | 4 | 3 MCQ, 1 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | Bar graph showing 3 people visiting different countries | 4 | 2 MCQ, 2 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Tournament of 6 teams split into two groups, teams play within & across groups | 5 | 5 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Web surfers assigning thirty stars | 4 | 3 MCQ, 1 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | Election between two candidates, comparatively lengthy set | 5 | 4 MCQ, 1 TITA |
| Area | Set Description | No. of Questions | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | Rating - 8 Gymnasts | 5 | 2 MCQ 3 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | 6 firms, PAT, Es, PRD - 2 graphs | 4 | 4 MCQ 0 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Schematic diagram of walkways - Lake | 4 | 2 MCQ, 2 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | 1 to 10 numbers to be arranged in 10 slots with conditions | 5 | 2 MCQ, 3 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | Ecommerce rating distribution - cumulative | 4 | 2 MCQ, 2 TITA |
| Area | Set Description | No. of Questions | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Bar graph on App subscription | 4 | 4 MCQ |
| Data Interpretation | Line graph on Temperature of a room with AC in power mode | 5 | 2 MCQ 3 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Network of roads and ATMs | 4 | 4 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Proteins, Carbohydrates in food items | 5 | 3 MCQ, 2 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | Table on GDP of 10 countries | 4 | 3 MCQ, 1 TITA |
| Total | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 | MCQ and TITA |
After understanding CAT exam pattern and type of questions appearing in this section, lets understand in detail what is CAT Logical Reasoning Section?
Logical Reasoning (LR) is a key part of the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section in the CAT exam. Logical Reasoning for CAT evaluates a candidate’s ability to analyze patterns, identify relationships, and solve complex problems. It is important to note here that questions in CAT Logical Reasoning section do not require any specific mathematical formulas, but require reasoning and structured problem solving ability.
Common Logical Reasoning questions in CAT exam include arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, and logical sequences. Read more in next section.
CAT logical reasoning syllabus includes topics that test a candidate’s ability to answer logical questions. While there is no fixed CAT LR syllabus, the key topics covered in this section are in table below.
| Question Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Seating Arrangements | Questions based on linear, circular, or rectangular arrangements, requiring logical placement of people or objects based on given conditions. |
| Blood Relations | Tests the ability to analyze family relationships and determine connections between individuals. |
| Syllogisms | Involves logical deductions based on given statements using concepts like "All," "Some," and "None." |
| Coding-Decoding | Questions where words, letters, or numbers follow a pattern or code that must be identified to decode information. |
| Direction Sense | Requires understanding movement-based clues to determine direction and final positions. |
| Puzzles | Logical sets involving constraints and conditions that require systematic analysis to arrive at a solution. |
| Venn Diagrams & Set Theory | Questions involving overlapping sets, intersections, and unions, requiring logical grouping of data. |
| Input-Output | Based on sequences of inputs being processed through a logical pattern, requiring identification of underlying rules. |
| Clocks & Calendars | Questions related to time calculations, angles in clocks, and calendar-based date problems. |
| Logical Sequences | Requires identifying the missing element in a given pattern or sequence based on logical rules. |
| Data Sufficiency (Logical Reasoning) | Tests whether given statements provide enough information to answer a logical reasoning question. |
CAT Logical Reasoning Preparation Strategy involves understanding different types of LR questions and finding their solutions. Logical Reasoning for CAT preparation tips are as follows:
Now that you have understood the type of questions and preparation approach, read about best CAT Logical Reasoning for CAT preparation books and material.
“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 LR based questions, studying from Logical Reasoning for CAT Best Book, Attempting Logical Reasoning CAT Previous Year Questions are the best tool to prepare for Logical Reasoning in CAT. Improving on LR Questions and Answers is important because if you do well in the Logical Reasoning for CAT, you will score high in the exam. Below are shared some of the sample LR Problem sets followed by questions and answers based on latest CAT exam question papers. Check below the CAT Logical Reasoning Questions and Answers
LR Question Set-1: Sample Logical Reasoning Problem Set-1 with Questions and Answers
The schematic diagram below shows 12 rectangular houses in a housing complex. House numbers are mentioned in the rectangles representing the houses. The houses are located in six columns – Column-A through Column-F, and two rows – Row-1 and Row-2.The houses are divided into two blocks - Block XX and Block YY. The diagram also shows two roads, one passing in front of the houses in Row-2 and another between the two blocks.
Some of the houses are occupied. The remaining ones are vacant and are the only ones available for sale.
The road adjacency value of a house is the number of its sides adjacent to a road. For example, the road adjacency values of C2, F2, and B1 are 2, 1, and 0, respectively. The neighbour count of a house is the number of sides of that house adjacent to occupied houses in the same block. For example, E1 and C1 can have the maximum possible neighbour counts of 3 and 2, respectively.
The base price of a vacant house is Rs. 10 lakhs if the house does not have a parking space, and Rs. 12 lakhs if it does. The quoted price (in lakhs of Rs.) of a vacant house is calculated as (base price) + 5 × (road adjacency value) + 3 × (neighbour count).
The following information is also known.
1. The maximum quoted price of a house in Block XX is Rs. 24 lakhs. The minimum quoted price of a house in block YY is Rs. 15 lakhs, and one such house is in Column-E.
2. Row-1 has two occupied houses, one in each block.
3. Both houses in Column-E are vacant. Each of Column-D and Column-F has at least one occupied house.
4. There is only one house with parking space in Block YY.
Q.1: How many houses are vacant in Block XX?
Answer Type: Equal
Possible Answer: --
Q.2: Which of the following houses is definitely occupied?
Ans Options
1. D2
2. A1
3. F2
4. B1
Q.3: Which of the following options best describes the number of vacant houses in Row-2?
Ans Options
1. Exactly 3
2. Either 3 or 4
3. Exactly 2
4. Either 2 or 3
Q.4: What is the maximum possible quoted price (in lakhs of Rs.) for a vacant house inColumn-E?
Case Sensitivity: No
Answer Type: Equal
Possible Answer: --
Q.5: Which house in Block YY has parking space?
Ans Options
1. E2
2. E1
3. F2
4. F1
Answer Grid
|
Q 1 |
Q 2 |
Q 3 |
Q 4 |
Q 5 |
|
3 (Non MCQ) |
4 (MCQ) |
4 (MCQ) |
21 (Non MCQ) |
2 (MCQ) |
Conclusion
Logical Reasoning (LR) is the most important part of Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of CAT Exam. Common Logical Reasoning questions in CAT exam include arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, and logical sequences. Read how to prepare for CAT Logical Reasoning section in the above article.
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