The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of the CAT is the most unpredictable section of the exam, with scores and percentiles rising each year. The DILR section is also a popular section where students can boost their scores. However, it can be tricky because it requires regular practice, quick thinking to solve problems, and managing time well. Some students can solve a DILR set in 8 minutes, while others may need up to 40 minutes for just one set. In this blog, we will break down trends from previous CAT papers, explore the most common DILR sets, analyze the number and difficulty of DILR questions, and share effective strategies to help you master this section.
DILR 5-Year Trend Analysis
Before diving into the deep, let’s first examine how the DILR section’s pattern has evolved. The analysis focuses on the past five years, as significant changes in the exam structure and pattern have occurred since 2019.
CAT LRDI Exam Pattern Trends
| Year | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | Change in the exam pattern |
| 2020 | 24 (5 sets of 4 questions each) | Moderate | Reduction in sets and number of questions, resulting in concise and complex language |
| 2021 | 20 (4 sets of 5 questions each) | Moderate to Difficult | Question increased in each set |
| 2022 | 20 (4 sets of 5 questions each) | Moderate | – |
| 2023 | 20 (4 sets of 5 questions each) | Moderate to Difficult | – |
| 2024 | 22 (3 sets of 4 questions each, 2 sets of 5 questions each) | Moderate | Increased number of questions and one set added |
Compared to the difficult sets in 2023, the 2024 CAT DILR section was slightly more lenient for aspirants, offering one easier set in each slot. However, the exam regained its complexity by introducing new graph types like candlesticks and bubble charts. Aspirants also faced challenges due to the reappearance of DI sets instead of LR sets, as indicated by past trends. This confused many students, especially when they struggled with data interpretation under exam pressure. Below is a detailed breakdown of the DILR sets for each year:
CAT DILR Sets Detail Breakdown
| Year | Type of Sets | Level of Difficulty |
| 2020 | Venn Diagram, Puzzle, Table & Graphs, Board Games, Selection & Distribution | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2021 | Selection & Distribution, Tables & Graphs, Puzzle, Arrangement, Mathematical Reasoning | Moderate |
| 2022 | Table & Graphs, Arrangement, Rank & Ordering, Venn Diagram, Games and Tournaments | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2023 | Puzzle, Arrangement, Mathematical Reasoning, Distribution, Routes and Networks | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2024 | Candlesticks, Mathematical Reasoning, Games & Tournaments, Bar Graph, Board Games, Bubble Chart, Distribution, Puzzle, Board Games, Table and Graphs | Moderate |
Recent CAT DILR trends show increasing complexity in both reasoning and data interpretation (DI) sets. However, the exam typically includes one easy set per slot to ensure fair competition. Despite this, many students struggle due to poor time management and difficulty in identifying the correct approach to solve the sets. In recent years, new question formats, such as candlestick and bubble charts, have also been introduced, adding to the challenge. These trends highlight the importance of mastering both DI and reasoning skills while improving time management strategies.
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Most Frequent and Important Topics for CAT DILR
To get the 99 percentile in the DILR section and 99 percentile in CAT. Here are the most important topics in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):
- Puzzles
- Arrangement
- 3 variable Venn Diagram
- 4 variable Venn Diagram
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Selection & Distribution
- Ranking & Order
- Table & Graphs
- Line & Bar Graph
- Line Graph
- Circular & Linear Arrangement
- Quant based LR
- Binary Logics
- Routes and Networks
- Games & Tournaments
- Caselets
- Cubes
- Board Games
Whether you are a first-time CAT aspirant or someone who has attempted it multiple times, iQuanta can help you excel in the DILR section. With top-class CAT faculty and regular live, application-based classes, iQuanta trains you to handle time-bound questions and solve sets of varying difficulty levels. Our 24/7 doubt-solving team and peer discussions in India’s largest CAT preparation Facebook community ensure continuous learning and support. Additionally, iQuanta’s structured approach to solving DI and LR sets, combined with expert time management strategies, helps you tackle complex sets under pressure. With iQuanta, you can sharpen your problem-solving abilities, compete effectively, and push closer to achieving that 99 percentile.
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