BIMTECH PGDM Admissions 2026
AACSB Accredited | Highest CTC: 22 LPA
Preparing for CAT 2026 requires a focused strategy, especially because the DILR section has emerged as one of the most challenging parts of the exam. Aspirants often ask why DILR is crucial for CAT 2026, and the answer becomes clear when you analyse CAT previous year questions, the section’s unpredictable pattern and rising CAT difficulty level make it a decisive score booster. To excel in CAT DILR, candidates must strengthen core DILR concepts, practise a variety of logical sets, and consistently work on high-weightage topics that can significantly impact overall CAT 2026 preparation and percentile performance.
This Story also Contains
The CAT 2026 assesses applicants' logical thinking ability through the IIMs Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning component. This DILR section examines your ability to make quick decisions with limited information. Before taking the CAT exam, you should be able to swiftly answer all questions about Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).
This category distinguishes between a normal and an outstanding proportion. You cannot prepare for the CAT in 2026 if you are not time-conscious, as there is a section limit on the number of sections you can take.
Also Read
CAT 2026 evaluates the ability of candidates to use logical thinking skills and the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section of the test. This DILR section checks your decision-making ability and speed using limited input. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), all types of questions should be easy for you before the CAT exam.
This is the category that makes the difference between a normal and a good percentage. Since there is a section limit to try a section, not focusing on time will prevent your CAT preparation in 2026.
DI & LR has generally 4 different types of graphs that can be asked in the exam:
| CAT 2026 DILR Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
Spider Graph | ||
Tables | ||
Triangular Graph | ||
You may encounter questions based on other topics that have not yet been asked. But the following are the favorite topics in the CAT-2026; be well prepared:
| CAT 2026 Puzzles Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
Matching puzzles | ||
Sets | Investment-based puzzles | |
Constraint-based arrangements | ||
The table below gives you an idea of the number of questions asked from each topic, as well as the level of the questions.
| Subject Name | Name of Topic | Expected no. of questions | Level of the questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Logical Reasoning | Seating Arrangement and Data Arrangement | 5-6 | Difficult |
Logical Reasoning | Blood relations | 2-3 | Moderate |
Logical Reasoning | Syllogisms & Venn Diagrams | 2-3 | Easy |
Logical Reasoning | Assumption & Binary Logic | 1-2 | Easy |
Logical Reasoning | Clocks and Calendars | 1-2 | Moderate/Easy |
Data Interpretation | Puzzles | 1-2 | Moderate |
Data Interpretation | Data Sufficiency | 3-5 | Moderate |
Data Interpretation | Graphs related | 5-8 | Moderate |
Data Interpretation | Tables & Caselets | 3-5 | Difficult |
To know the weightage of each topic in previous years, you can visit: CAT DILR topic-wise weightage
The more you practice CAT 2026 DI & LR questions, the better you will get. It is well known how the DI questions for CAT 2026 are calculated. After completing your daily preparation, schedule some brainwashing activities, such as solving Sudoku, family tree, blood ties, and crossword puzzles.
Also Read
Taking a look at any data provided to you is a good start in the CAT 2026 exam. This makes it easier for your brain to read data sets. Wherever you look at some of the data provided, your antennas should go up and look for assumptions you can make from them. This continuous practice will help you to solve the CAT question papers on data interpretation and logical reasoning with ease.
Apart from this, solve puzzles like 2048, Sudoku, Crossword, etc. This will help you create a strong sense of intuition. When you see different obstacles at once, the key/ important control is to jump up and scream at you. This is what it means to "create intuition," & it comes with practicing simple puzzles like Sudoku daily.
Step-by-step CAT 2026 preparation process, as recommended by CAT toppers, is:
Take note of the CAT exam pattern and the CAT 2026 syllabus.
Try some CAT mock tests and previous test documents to find your strong and weak headlines in the DILR section.
Dedicate at least 2-3 hours daily to focused preparation.
Plan your study schedule to balance building a solid foundation and improving conceptual clarity using the recommended books and study materials.
Focus more on your weak areas by allocating extra time to strengthen them.
The candidates must refer to the DILR Ebooks curated by Careers360. These ebooks are suitable CAT 2026 study materials along with previous year's questions and sample papers. Go through the table below to get the download links for the Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation ebooks.
| Important CAT DILR 2026 Ebooks | Download Link |
|---|---|
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions | |
CAT 2026 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics | |
Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightage | |
CAT 2026 Mastery: Chapter-wise MCQs for Success for VARC, DILR, Quant | |
CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers | |
CAT DILR Questions with Solution, Download LRDI Questions for CAT |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Concentrate on recognizing patterns in seating arrangements, blood relationships, and riddles. Work to improve your logic and reasoning skills.
Practice solving puzzles, making seating configurations, and answering data interpretation questions. Focus on increasing your speed, as time management is essential.
Daily practice with scheduled mock tests and a thorough comprehension of important concepts will help you increase your speed and accuracy.
You can increase your capacity to deal with time pressure by practising on a regular basis and focusing on making faster decisions.
The amount of questions varies depending on the topic. For example, seating arrangements may include 5-6 questions, whereas blood relations may have only 2-3.
The most important topics for CAT DILR are as follows:
1) Seating Arrangements and Data Arrangements
2) Blood Relations
3) Syllogisms
4) Venn Diagrams
5) Assumptions and Binary Logic
6) Clocks and Calendars
7) Puzzles
8) Data sufficiency
9) Graphs
10) Tables and Caselets
Yes, you can prepare for the CAT exam without training. However, it will require a single-minded commitment.
No, to distort the CAT exam, candidates have to prepare with the help of CAT preparation books, tutorials, and mock tests.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Here are some top colleges accepting XAT and CAT exams :
Top colleges accepting CAT:
IIMs (All Indian Institutes of Management)
FMS Delhi
SPJIMR Mumbai
MDI Gurgaon
IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)
IIT Delhi (DMS)
IIFT
IMT Ghaziabad
JBIMS Mumbai
Top colleges accepting XAT:
XLRI Jamshedpur
XIMB Bhubaneswar
IMT Ghaziabad
Great
Hi there,
A female candidate with a CAT percentile of 67.97 and low sectional scores should target private and tier-2/3 B-schools that accept overall CAT scores in the 60–70 percentile range and have flexible sectional criteria.
Some suitable options include AIMS Institute Bangalore, Doon Business School Dehradun, Christ Institute of
Hi there,
Yes, you are eligible for XISS Ranchi with a CAT percentile of 67.60.
According to recent admission trends, the CAT cutoff for the PGDM in Human Resource Management for the general category has been around 60 percentile. For other programs such as Marketing, Finance, and Rural Management, the
Hi there,
Careers360 offers a wide range of eBooks and study materials to assist with CAT preparation. You can access past CAT question papers with solutions to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level. Additionally, there are quantitative aptitude handbooks, cheat sheets, and section-specific practice sets for arithmetic, algebra, and
Hi there,
The minimum eligibility criteria for a general candidate to receive a call from IIM Sambalpur are as follows:
VARC: 65%ile
QUANTS: 65%ile
LRDI: 65%ile
Overall: 90%tile
Keep practising and aim to improve your score. You can also focus on other management exams where you may secure a strong
Ranked among top 10 B-Schools in India by multiple publications | Top Recruiters-Google, MicKinsey, Amazon, BCG & many more.
Last Date to Apply: 10th Feb | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025
Highest Package 27.25 LPA | Top 100 Average package 16.65 LPA | AACSB Accredited | Ranked 52 by QS International
NAAC A++ Grade | MBA program graded A** (National) by CRISIL | AACSB, ACBSP and BGA Member
Assured Placements and Career Support
Phase 02 Applications Window Closing on 23rd January 2026 | 100% Placement Record | Average CTC 12.75 LPA | Highest CTC 40.31 LPA | Median CTC 12.49 LPA