How to Prepare for DILR in CAT 2026: Smart Tips & Strategies

About CAT DILR Section

The DILR section of CAT exam comprises problems according to the seat assignment, quantitative reasoning, puzzles, tables, graphs, and so on. The DILR section is split into two parts; Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. This section tends to be the most unpredictable section of CAT exam as it does not have any specific and defined syllabus as compared to the other sections. Due to this, students often find the DILR section challenging. Nevertheless, with a good strategy, students can achieve success in their preparation and in the examination as well.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning - Are They Same?

So before we delve into details, let’s first understand what is Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning:

• Data Interpretation: In the DI part, data is given in the form of a chart, graph, or in various forms of visualization. Students are instructed to solve the questions provided based on the information presented.
• Logical Reasoning: In the LR part, information may be presented in a non-structured fashion. Here, students are instructed to structure it and determine the result to solve the provided questions.

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Exam Pattern & Syllabus For DILR Section Of CAT Exam

Until CAT 2019, the DILR section had 32 questions across 8 sets. However, since CAT 2020, the exam pattern has been shorter. In CAT 2025, the DILR section included 22 questions, divided into 4-5 sets with 4-5 questions each.

Also Check: CAT Syllabus | CAT Exam Pattern

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Important Topics Of DILR Section Expected In CAT 2026

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of the CAT Exam is considered the most unpredictable section and is said to be a game-changer for many. While most CAT candidates acknowledge that the DILR portion is the most unexpected and challenging of the three, succeeding in this section becomes far simpler with the right strategy and mindset. Therefore, selecting the right question and effective approach for you is important when preparing for CAT DILR.

Have a look at the table given below mentioning the important topics which are included in the DILR section along with their difficulty level:

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How To Prepare DILR For CAT 2026?

The CAT DILR section today is far more logic-driven than calculation-heavy, so relying only on Maths basics or fast calculations is not enough. What truly improves performance is consistent practice with diverse DILR sets and learning how to solve them under time pressure. As you practice regularly, you'll notice steady improvement in your speed, accuracy, pattern recognition, and set selection skills- the real factors that determine your CAT DILR score.

The Right Strategy To Prepare DILR For CAT 2026

Before moving on to the right strategy to improve DILR, you must know that there is no 'one' right approach or strategy to improve DILR. Every student has a different strategy of their own. However, here we will talk about the most popular strategy. It revolves around two things -

• Time management- Since CAT has become increasingly logic-heavy in recent years, optimising your limited time is the biggest game-changer. Your aim should be to avoid getting stuck and maximise accuracy in the sets you choose.
• Question Selection- CAT sets now come in varying levels of difficulty, and selecting the right ones is more important than attempting more. Your goal is to identify which sets are solvable for you and which ones will drain time.

This implies that the candidate must decide the level of difficulty of each set as per their own capability and finally move on to answer, "What sets am I going to answer and in what order (from easy to hard)?"

This scanning process usually takes 2-3 minutes, not more. So, with an initial sacrifice of 5 minutes, a candidate has now strategized the next 35 minutes and the optimal course of action. Now apart from choosing the right number of sets, Ideally, aim to solve 1-2 sets depending on their difficulty; CAT DILR has become more about depth than quantity. Some sets may take 8-10 minutes, and difficult ones should be skipped immediately.

One should know exactly where they stand and what areas they are struggling with. The best way to find out these areas is through free DILR mock tests available online. When you know what your areas of weakness are, you can mould your preparation strategy accordingly, thereby improving your CAT DILR scores.

Steps To Solve DILR Based Questions

Listed below are some of the steps to solve logical reasoning questions and answers:

• Read and try to understand the information given in the question.
• List the breakdown of key details preferably in the form of a table or pie chart.
• Try to think of different possible solutions that could fit.
• Compare your answer against the potential options.
• Reach a logical conclusion based on your analysis.

You can also improve your DILR sectional score and get into the 99%ile bracket in the most unpredictable section of CAT, with DILR1000, curated by our CAT experts, Gautam Puri (IIM-B), Gautam Bawa (IIM-C) and Raviteja Mahavadi (IIM-Kashipur).

Get GP sir’s tips to improve your DILR Prep

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How To Improve CAT DILR Scores?

There are no particular rules on how to solve a DILR set of CAT; however, there are no shortcuts in CAT DILR — what matters is structured thinking and the ability to organize information efficiently under time pressure. This can only be developed by practicing as many questions as possible before you sit for the actual exam. Apart from this, there are a few tips that can be followed while preparing for the DILR section of CAT 2026 to take your CAT preparation to the next level.

Tips To Solve DILR For CAT 2026

• Practice Mock Tests: Mock tests are essential in getting you accustomed to the paper pattern, syllabus, and time constraints. It will also give you a fair idea of how well you are performing in this section.
• Review Previous Year Papers: This helps you understand the real CAT style- heavy logic-based sets, multi-layered constraints, and patterns of set selection.
• Balance Accuracy and Set Selection: CAT DILR is less about speed and more about choosing the right sets and solving them with high accuracy. Steadily build on your weaknesses and play your strengths to improve your speed and results side by side.
• Conduct a Performance Analysis: As you progress through your DILR preparation for CAT ensure that you review your performance regularly. After every mock test or practice paper, outline the areas that you still need to improve and areas where you are doing well.
• Build Your Strategy: After analysing your mocks, decide your scanning approach- spend the first 2-3 minutes identifying which 1-2 sets you will attempt and which to skip. Play by your strengths and identify the order and plan in which you would attempt DILR for CAT.

Essential Tips for DILR Prep by GP sir PDF

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Best Books To Improve DILR For CAT

Success in CAT DILR section depends entirely on your data interpretation, reasoning skills, and consistent practice of related questions. Past analysis shows that scoring well in DILR is comparatively more challenging than in the other two sections.

To help candidates prepare for DILR for CAT, we have listed a few books that can be used for guidance alongside CAT previous year papers and mock tests.

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Level of Difficulty & Scores In CAT DILR Section Over The Years

The DILR section for CAT has seen many changes over the years. Here is an overview of the past few years:

• CAT 2024 saw significant changes with the addition of 2 extra questions in the DILR section and 5 sets instead of 4, with 4 to 5 questions each.
• CAT 2022 DILR had a slight change in the exam pattern. The DILR section was divided into 4 sets with 5 questions, unlike CAT 2021’s DILR section.
• CAT 2021 DILR difficulty level was moderate with 20 questions. The section had 2 sets comprising 4 questions each and 2 sets comprising 6 questions each.
• CAT 2020 DILR difficulty level was moderate with 24 questions.
• CAT 2019 DILR was a little easier than the 2018 CAT DILR with 32 questions in total.
• CAT 2018 DILR difficulty level was moderate with 32 questions.
• CAT 2017 DILR was more difficult than the 2016 CAT DILR with 32 questions.

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Conclusion

DILR for CAT is as crucial as VARC and QA, especially because IIMs release sectional cut-offs during the shortlisting process. The section is known for being challenging, time-consuming, and often responsible for lower scores. That's exactly why a structured strategy built around regular practice, timed sets, and smart analysis makes all the difference. Stay consistent, attempt diverse sets, and refine an approach that genuinely works for you. With the right plan, DILR becomes manageable and even scoring.