🗣️ CAT 2024 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI LR) Section Analysis: Slot-Wise Breakdown & Lessons for CAT 2025

In CAT 2024, the DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) section typically comprised 5 sets (an increase from 4 in earlier years), with a mix of DI and LR sets. Out of these, roughly 2–3 sets were DI-focused in each slot. Each DI set had 4–5 questions, often in MCQ and/or TITA formats. Overall difficulty across slots ranged from Easy–Moderate to Moderate, with some slot-wise variation.   🔎 SLOT-WISE DI ANALYSIS 📌 CAT 2024 – Slot 1 Number of Sets: 5 (3 DI sets + 2 LR sets) DI Sets: 3 sets, each with 4 questions Difficulty Level: Moderate overall for DI Question Types in DI: Graph-based sets (bar charts, line graphs) Table/chart interpretation Mixture of straightforward computations and multi-layered inference Format: Mostly MCQs; some TITA questions embedded in DI sets (depending on set) Key Observations: DI sets were “moderate”—not very time-consuming individually, but required accuracy in reading and multi-step calculations. Some sets involved combining information from multiple small charts/tables. Careful scanning for relevant rows/columns helped avoid wasted time. Avoided extremely convoluted data; focus was on clear interpretation with 2–3 levels of inference. Good Attempts & Accuracy: Attempting about 8–9 DI questions (i.e., about 2 full DI sets plus parts of a third) with ~80–85% accuracy was considered a safe target for a high percentile in the DILR section. 📌 CAT 2024 – Slot 2 Number of Sets: 5 (2 DI sets + 3 LR sets) DI Sets: 2 sets, one with 4 questions, one with 4–5 questions Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate for DI sets Question Types in DI: Profitability/table interpretation (e.g., firms’ financial metrics, ratios) Distribution/rating charts (e.g., ecommerce rating distributions, cumulative percentages) Occasionally mixed charts (e.g., combining tabular data with simple graphs) Format: Primarily MCQs; some TITA questions in DI sets depending on the set Key Observations: Compared to previous year, DI sets were relatively easier—fewer layers of inference. Straightforward computations (e.g., percentage changes, ratios) were common. Candidates reported that clear labeling in charts/tables made data lookup faster. Time saved here could be reallocated to trickier LR sets. Good Attempts & Accuracy: Attempting around 6–7 DI questions (i.e., about 1 full DI set plus parts of the second) with ~85%+ accuracy was a good benchmark. 📌 CAT 2024 – Slot 3 Number of Sets: 5 (2 DI sets + 3 LR sets) DI Sets: 2 sets, each with 5 questions Difficulty Level: Moderate for DI sets (slightly tougher than Slot 2, but still manageable) Question Types in DI: Chart interpretation (e.g., bar graphs on app subscriptions, line graphs on temperature trends) Tabular data (e.g., GDP of countries, financial metrics) Mixed DI (combining multiple small data blocks) Format: Mix of MCQs and TITA questions (e.g., 3 MCQs + 2 TITA in a set) Key Observations: DI sets had moderate inference depth: often required multi-step filtering (e.g., selecting top/bottom categories, computing derived ratios). Some sets demanded careful attention to detail (units, time periods). Still more straightforward than many LR sets in Slot 3. Candidates with strong tabular reading skills gained time advantage. Good Attempts & Accuracy: Attempting around 7–8 DI questions with ~80–85% accuracy aligned with scoring ~27–30 in DILR for a high percentile. 📊 Comparative Snapshot of DI in CAT 2024 Parameter Slot 1 Slot 2 Slot 3 No. of DI Sets 3 2 2 Questions per DI Set 4 4–5 5 DI Difficulty Moderate Easy–Moderate Moderate Common DI Types Mixed charts/tables Straightforward tables/graphs Charts + tables with moderate inference Format (MCQ vs TITA) Mostly MCQs (some TITA) Primarily MCQs (few TITA) Mix of MCQs and TITA Good DI Attempts ~8–9 questions ~6–7 questions ~7–8 questions Accuracy for High Percentile ~80–85% ~85%+ ~80–85% 🔑 Key Takeaways for CAT 2025 DI Preparation Consistent DI Practice: Regularly solve varied DI sets (tables, bar/line charts, pie charts, mixed data) to build speed in data extraction. Focus on both quick-read tactics (e.g., scanning relevant rows/columns) and deeper inference (e.g., deriving ratios, trends). Accuracy Over Attempts: In DI, wrong answers carry negative marking in MCQs. Prioritize accuracy: if unsure about multi-step inference, skip or mark TITA if confident. Cultivate elimination skills: sometimes a rough estimate of ranges helps eliminate wrong options without full calculation. TITA Familiarity: Many DI sets include TITA questions where negative marking is absent. Practice these to boost safe attempts. Ensure precision, since TITA requires exact values/formats. Time Management: In mocks, allocate ~12–15 minutes for DI (out of 40 for DILR, shared with LR). Adjust based on personal strengths: if DI is a strength, aim to finish DI sets quickly and channel saved time to LR. Varied Difficulty Exposure: CAT DI can vary from very straightforward computations to moderate multi-layered inference. Practice both “easy” and “moderate” DI regularly so you’re prepared for any slot variation. Error Analysis & Logging: Maintain an error log: note the nature of mistakes (data misread, calculation slip, misinterpretation). Review weekly to avoid repeats. Integration with LR Practice: Since DI and LR share the same section, simulate actual test conditions: after finishing DI, switch mindset to LR puzzles. Practice seamlessly transitioning. 📅 CAT 2025 DI Prep Plan (June – November) Below is a month-wise roadmap focusing on Data Interpretation. Adjust weekly/daily schedules based on your overall prep (VARC, QA, LR). The plan assumes you begin in June 2024–25 cycle and take regular mocks. ✅ JUNE – Foundation & Exposure Goals: Familiarize with basic DI formats; build comfort with reading data quickly. Activities: Daily: Solve 1 simple DI set (4 Qs) in untimed mode; types: single-table, single-bar-chart. Weekly: 1 mixed DI practice session (table + simple chart together). Concept Review: Techniques for reading tables/charts, basics of percentages, ratios, averages. Resource: Assemble a “DI Toolkit” sheet listing formulae/tricks (e.g., how to convert pie-chart percentages to values). Outcome: Comfortable interpreting straightforward data; minimal calculation errors. ✅ JULY – Speed Building Phase Goals: Improve speed in data extraction and basic computations. Activities: Daily: Timed solving of 1 DI set (4 Qs) in 5–6 minutes. Focus on accuracy within time. Weekly: 2 sessions of mixed DI sets (e.g., 2 sets