Crack CAT 2025: Key Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Topics

Crack CAT 2025: Key Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Topics

Team Careers360Updated on 15 Dec 2025, 11:24 AM IST

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.

LiveIIM CAT 2025 Result (OUT) LIVE: MBA admission criteria for IIMs; CAT score weightage, cut-offsDec 26, 2025 | 11:01 PM IST

IIM Kozhikode will retain its three-stage admission process for the MBA (PGP) 2026–28 batch, with CAT 2025 scores carrying a final weightage of 35 percent. The minimum overall CAT cut-off for general category candidates remains at 85 percentile, with sectional qualifying scores required in VARC, DILR, and QA. Shortlisting of candidates will be based on CAT performance, academic record, and personal interview rounds.

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CAT Preparation 2026 - Check Important Topics for DI and LR and Know Tips to Solve Questions

This Story also Contains

  1. CAT 2026 Preparation - Check Important topics for DI and LR
  2. CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy
  3. Important Ebooks for CAT DILR Preparation
Crack CAT 2025: Key Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Topics
CAT Check Important Topics of DILR

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.

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CAT 2026 Preparation - Check Important topics for DI and LR

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.

CAT 2026 preparation - Check Important topics for DI and LR

DI & LR has generally 4 different types of graphs that can be asked in the exam:

CAT 2026 DILR Topics

Pie Charts

Line Graphs

Spider Graph

Tables

Bar Graphs

Scatter Graph

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

Seating Arrangements

Blood Relations - family tree

Syllogism

Venn Diagrams

Statements and Assumptions

Clocks and calendars

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 NameName of TopicExpected no. of questionsLevel 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.

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How to Crack the DILR Section in the CAT exam?

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.

CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy

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.

CAT 2025 College Predictor
Use CAT 2025 College Predictor to check your chances for IIM and top MBA calls based on CAT percentile, profile, work experience and cut-off trends.
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Important Ebooks for CAT DILR Preparation

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 EbooksDownload Link

Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions

Download Here

CAT 2026 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics

Download Now

Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightage

Download Now

CAT 2026 Mastery: Chapter-wise MCQs for Success for VARC, DILR, Quant

Download Now

CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers

Download Now

CAT DILR Questions with Solution, Download LRDI Questions for CAT

Download Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I prepare for the CAT exam without coaching?
A:

Yes, you can prepare for the CAT exam without training. However, it will require a single-minded commitment.

Q: What are the most important topics for DILR CAT?
A:

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

Q: Can I prepare for CAT by practicing the mock tests only?
A:

No, to distort the CAT exam, candidates have to prepare with the help of CAT preparation books, tutorials, and mock tests.

Q: How many questions will be asked about each topic during DILR?
A:

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.

Q: How can I prepare for the DILR section?
A:

Practice solving puzzles, making seating configurations, and answering data interpretation questions. Focus on increasing your speed, as time management is essential.

Q: How can I enhance my speed for DILR?
A:

Daily practice with scheduled mock tests and a thorough comprehension of important concepts will help you increase your speed and accuracy.

Q: How can I manage time constraints during the DILR section?
A:

You can increase your capacity to deal with time pressure by practising on a regular basis and focusing on making faster decisions.

Q: What are some suggestions for logical reasoning questions?
A:

Concentrate on recognizing patterns in seating arrangements, blood relationships, and riddles. Work to improve your logic and reasoning skills.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

With 84.91 percentile in CAT (General, male, no work experience), top colleges like IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, etc. are not possible. You may get calls from private institutes such as IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, IMI Bhubaneswar, XIME, SDMIMD, Welingkar (some programs) and similar colleges. Universities like Amity or LPU are also options.

It’s better to choose carefully, as placements and ROI may be average. Reattempting CAT or trying XAT/CMAT could improve options.

Hello,

With a CAT percentile of 88.77 and a strong CGPA of 9.0, you are in a competitive range for newer IIMs (like IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Nagpur) and several top non-IIM B-schools such as TAPMI, BIM Trichy, Great Lakes, IMI Delhi, FORE School of Management, and KJ Somaiya. You may not reach the older IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, etc.) since they usually require 98+ percentile, but you have excellent chances at mid-tier and emerging institutes.

For more details access mentioned link below:

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-cutoff-2025-category-wise-iims-iits-top-mba-colleges-cutoff

Hope it helps.

Hello

The expected cutoff for the JAP (Joint Admission Process) is around 90 to 95th percentile, with a minimum sectional cutoff of around 75 percentile in Quantitative Ability. You have scored 82.2% which is very low; that's why you are unlikely to meet the minimum criteria for the JAP IIMs in the general Category.

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.

Hello,

Here is your IIM Cutoff for Gen/OBC/SC/ST, CS Score Cut Off. I am providing you the link. Kindly open and check it out. From here you can get all the details.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-2025-cut-off-live-updates-iim-blacki-expected-cat-cs-score-cut-off-iim-cat-call-cut-off-latest-updates

I hope it will help you.

Thank you.


With a CAT score of around 80 percentile and about 2 years of work experience, getting a call from the top IIMs (IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore) is extremely difficult, as their cutoff percentiles are usually much higher, even for reserved categories. These institutes typically shortlist candidates above 95–99 percentile depending on category, academic profile, and diversity factors.

However, you may still have some chances at a few of the newer or baby IIMs, especially if you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) and have a decent academic background. IIMs such as IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Nagaland, IIM Amritsar, and IIM Vizag have historically called candidates in the 75–85 percentile range for certain categories. Your 2 years of work experience can also work in your favour, as most IIMs give weightage to professional experience during shortlisting and final selection.

That said, selection does not depend on CAT percentile alone. Factors like your 10th and 12th marks, graduation score, academic consistency, gender and academic diversity, work experience quality, and performance in the personal interview play a very important role. Even with an 80 percentile, a strong interview and profile can improve your chances at newer IIMs.

You should also keep strong non-IIM options open. At this percentile, good colleges like newer IIT MBA programs, some NITs, and reputed private B-schools can offer better and more realistic opportunities. Applying broadly and preparing seriously for the interview stage is very important.

In summary, while top IIMs are unlikely at 80 percentile, you may still have a realistic chance at some of the newer IIMs depending on your category and overall profile.