CAT 2024 DILR Preparation : Effective Tips, Exam Strategy, Elimination Techniques, and Best Books

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The Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of the CAT is often seen as the most confusing and challenging. It doesn't have a fixed syllabus like the other sections, which makes it harder for aspirants. The challenge comes from the fact that many of the topics are unfamiliar since they're not taught in school or college. This is why many candidates say it's the toughest part of the exam.

However, because many avoid DILR and don't prepare well, it's actually easier to score a good percentile in this section. The key to success is practice. The more questions you solve, the better you'll get at finding new techniques to answer them. While there's no set syllabus, consistent preparation will help you learn the essential tricks to solve these questions.

DILR Preparation: CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Before 2019, the DILR section had 32 questions across 8 sets. But in CAT 2023, the pattern changed slightly, and there were only 20 questions in this section out of a total of 66. The sets were divided equally, with 4-5 questions per set. While solving all 4 sets is difficult, candidates can start with the easier sets and move to the harder ones to maximize their scores.

Section	Detail
Total Questions for DILR	20
Total Time for Section	40 minutes
Division of questions	4 sets of 5 questions each
Marking Scheme	+3 for a right answer -1 for a wrong answer No negative marking for TITA

CAT 2024 Preparation: Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The CAT exam has changed a lot because of the pandemic. To do well in CAT 2024, it's important to understand the exam pattern and syllabus. We expect CAT 2024 to follow a similar format to CAT 2023. The number of questions and the duration of the exam have stayed the same for the last two years, so analyzing this pattern is key to performing well.

CAT 2024 Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Section	No. of Questions	Time Allotted	Main Topics
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	40 minutes	RC passages, Inferences, Summary, Para jumbles, etc.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	40 minutes	Graphs, charts, syllogism, arrangements, etc.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	40 minutes	Algebra, arithmetic, trigonometry, probability, etc.

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DILR Preparation: Key Topics for CAT 2024

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of the CAT exam is often seen as the most unpredictable part. Many candidates find it to be the toughest section. However, with the right strategy and mindset, you can succeed in this area. It's important to choose the right questions and develop an effective approach when preparing for DILR.

Important DILR Topics for CAT 2024

Here’s a list of key topics in the DILR section, along with their difficulty levels:

Topics	Difficulty Level	Expected No. of Questions
Blood Relations	Moderate	2 to 3 Questions
Puzzles	Moderate	1 to 2 Questions
Data Sufficiency	Moderate	3 to 5 Questions
Graphs Related	Moderate	5 to 8 Questions
Seating Arrangement and Data Arrangement	Moderately difficult	5 to 6 Questions
Tables and Caselets	Moderately difficult	3 to 5 Questions
Clocks & Calendars	Moderately Easy	1 to 2 Questions
Assumption and Binary Logic	Easy	1 to 2 Questions
Syllogisms and Venn Diagrams	Easy	1 to 2 Questions

DILR Preparation: Smart Strategies for CAT 2024

Preparing for the DILR section of the CAT 2024 exam can be tricky, but knowing the right strategies can help. There isn’t just one way to prepare, as every student has their own style. Here are two key strategies that can make a big difference:

Manage Your Time: Time management is crucial in this section. If you use your time wisely and choose the right questions, you’ll have a better chance of doing well.
Select Your Questions Wisely: It’s important to choose which sets of questions to attempt. The questions are divided into easy, medium, and hard. Decide which ones you feel comfortable with and start with the easier ones.

Take about 5 minutes at the beginning of the exam to decide which sets you’ll tackle. This planning will help you use the next 35 minutes more effectively. Aim to finish each set, answering all the questions, in about 13-14 minutes. This way, you should have enough time to complete all the sets you chose.

Also, try to practice these strategies during your mock tests and adjust them to suit your needs.

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DILR Preparation: Helpful Tips for CAT 2024

While there are no strict rules for solving DILR questions, here are some practical tips to improve your preparation:

Take Mock Tests: Mock tests are essential for getting used to the exam format and time limits. They help you understand how well you are performing in this section.
Look at Previous Year Papers: Reviewing past papers helps you see the level of difficulty and identify tricky questions. This can help you create a strategy to score well.
Balance Speed and Accuracy: Being quick is important, but you also need to be accurate. Work on your weaknesses while also enhancing your strengths to improve both speed and results.
Analyze Your Performance: Regularly check how you’re doing. After each mock test, note down what you still need to improve and what you’re doing well.
Create Your Own Strategy: After monitoring your performance and studying past papers, figure out how to do well in this section. Focus on your strengths and plan how you’ll tackle DILR questions during the exam.

By using these strategies and tips, you can improve your DILR preparation and feel more confident for CAT 2024!

DILR Preparation: Recommended Books DILR for CAT 2024

If you are planning on preparing for the CAT exam by yourself. Here are some books that can help you in preparing for this section-

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit Sinha

DILR Preparation: Scores and Level of Difficulty in CAT Over the Years

The DILR section of the CAT exam has changed a lot over the years. Here’s a simple overview of what has happened recently:

CAT 2022: The DILR section had 4 sets, each with 5 questions. This was a slight change from CAT 2021.
CAT 2021: The difficulty level was moderate, with a total of 20 questions. It included 2 sets with 4 questions each and 2 sets with 6 questions each.
CAT 2020: This year also had a moderate difficulty level, featuring 24 questions in the DILR section.
CAT 2019: The DILR section was a bit easier than in 2018, with a total of 32 questions.
CAT 2018: The difficulty level was moderate, again with 32 questions.
CAT 2017: This year was more challenging than 2016, with 32 questions in DILR.

Conclusion

The DILR section is just as important as the other sections of the CAT exam. Good preparation for DILR can greatly affect your chances of being selected by IIMs, as they often have cut-off scores for each section. Since DILR can be tough and time-consuming, many candidates score lower. It's important to create a study plan that fits your needs.