How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT? Check Paper Pattern and Marking

To prepare for the CAT DI section, you must be clear with the syllabus covered in the exam. Additionally, you should learn to identify the important topics of the given data and approach it step by step.  Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) is one of three sections in the Common Admission Test (CAT) question paper and is integral in deciding your CAT score.

A good score in DILR section of CAT is considered to be 150+ to gte the top B-schools and IIMs in India. If you wish to get MBA admission in the top colleges, you must aim to score 150+ in the CAT DILR section. The tips and tricks to easily prepare for this section has been shared below. The CAT DILR section clubs the questions on the topics of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. 20 questions are allotted to this section in the CAT question paper. 

The questions on the topic of Data Interpretation aim to test the interpretation and problem-solving skills with questions based on Line Charts, Tables, Pie Charts, Bar Charts, Venn Diagrams, Graphs and other data representation structures. The other type of Data Interpretation questions often asked in CAT are Caselets which are paragraphs that contain numerical data. 

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT?

Scoring in the Data Interpretation section is integral to your overall score. For this, you must know the best tips to prepare for CAT DI 2025. The following information will help you with the same. 

1. Calculation Skills- The ability of mental calculation is a skill that you need to hone during the CAT preparation, especially for the Data Interpretation section. The skill to do the basic operations fast will be a definite advantage to you. Thus you must work to improve your calculation speed. 

2. Skills of Approximation with the use of options- The options given for the answer are a crucial part of the question in Data Interpretation. You need to understand the question's necessity first. The next step will be to understand the options given to determine the required accuracy that needs to be found. By following this, you can get the required data from the given data structures. You need to remember that finding the exact answer is not necessary but finding the correct option is. 

3. Information, Interpretation and Interrelation - The skills of gathering information, interpreting and interrelating them with the skills of calculation and approximation will aid you in solving the Data Interpretation questions in the CAT exam. 

CAT Data Interpretation Syllabus 

The exam does not have an assigned CAT syllabus design. However, after analysing the frequently asked question over the years and the question templates, the following compilation of topics will help you prepare for it.

• Bar Graphs
• Tables
• Missing Data Interpretation
• Caselets
• Pie Chart
• Line Chart
• Venn Diagrams

Also Read:

• How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2025 at Home?
• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude Section of CAT 2025?

Tips on How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT

The following tips will help you prepare for the CAT DILR section easily. However, you must remember that hard work is the key to success. 

1. You should work to gain knowledge of the CAT DILR syllabus by analysing the CAT previous years question papers. Knowing the topics to be prepared will allow you to strategically organise your preparation. 
2. Mock tests and previous exam papers must be taken to know your progress. 
3. Consistent practice to hone the calculation speed and approximation skills are necessary. 
4. You must practice comprehending voluminous data for solving the caselets questions. 
5. Lastly, skip answering the unsure question to avoid negative marking and save time during the exam in the CAT exam centre.

CAT Question Paper Pattern for the DILR Section

The question paper pattern for the DILR section is tabulated below. The questions are clubbed with the Logical Reasoning questions in this section. You must be quick and complete this section within the stipulated time.  

Note: Descriptive Questions do not have negative marking for incorrect answer.