CAT DILR section has 22 questions and it can be tough to manage all of them in merely 40 minutes. Confusing DI tables and unfamiliar LR patterns can seem daunting in the given time limit. Check out last week tips to ace CAT DILR section.
It's only a week left for the CAT 2025 exam. Candidates who have been studying for months, need to know the answers to the following questions:
- What to study in the last week of CAT exam?
- How to study in the last week of CAT 2025?
- What to revise in the last week of CAT preparation?
CAT 2025 will be of moderate to high difficulty level, as always. There is no change in exam pattern or number of questions. The CAT question paper will consist of MCQs but solving them would require time. In the DILR section, there will be 11 DI questions and 11 LR questions. Most of the questions will be in sets. Needless to say, it is important to prepare for every section in the best possible manner.
In the last week CAT preparation series, we have provided last week preparation tips for VARC and last week preparation tips for QA. In this article, we shall unveil the secret to score more in the CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) 2025.
CAT 2025: Last week preparation tips for DILR
Focus more on increasing calculation speed
It isn't enough to only know how to solve DILR questions. Having quick calculation speed should be your prime focus. In the CAT DILR section, the questions will be based on data in tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, case studies, logical games, calendars, clocks, cubes, seating arrangements, blood relations, etc. Taking all this into account, it is very important to improve your speed in calculation, so that you finish the section within 40 minutes. Use the last week to improve DILR calculation speed. Do not depend on calculators - focus on mental calculations, use vedic mathematics, memorize all the root formulas, squares, cubes roots, percentage formulas, etc. for CAT 2025 preparation. Practice mental maths.
Focus on arrangements and puzzles
The last week of CAT preparation 2025 is the time to focus more on solving questions related to arrangements, puzzles, games, averages, sets, cubes, games, variations. It is extremely important to have a good knowledge about finding logics, identifying links and key attributes.
Manage your time efficiently
For each section of CAT, 40 minutes is allotted. Manage your time efficiently. In DILR, you cannot divide 40 minutes into 20-20 minutes each. Allot time to both DI and LR separately according to your capability viz. both. In the last week of CAT preparation 2025, focus on time management. Dedicate a particular time slot to every section and practice sectional CAT mock test. This prepares you well in time management in CAT 2025 exam.
Do not start any new DILR topic in the last week
Do not start any fresh topic in the last week before CAT - this could only lead to confusion in concepts. Confusion can ruin your prior preparation, thus it is recommended to revise the already completed DILR topics. Also, since CAT has negative marking, it is always a better idea to strengthen what you have already prepared instead of starting a new topic. Also read: CAT 2025 exam pattern
Focus on question selection
In the last week of CAT 2025 preparation, start evaluating which type of questions you can solve accurately in the DILR section. Mark only such questions for attempting in the exam. Selection of the questions plays a decisive role in the CAT exam. Read the questions carefully and make a wise choice across each section - this will help in maximizing possibility of high score. When practicing CAT mock tests in the last week, concentrate more on question selection so that when appearing for the exam you have a fair idea of which questions to attempt and which ones to skip.
Keep accuracy in mind
Along with time management in CAT DILR, it is extremely important to focus on accuracy as wrong answers carry negative marking in CAT. Candidates must keep in mind that it is not important to answer maximum number of questions; it is important to answer maximum number of questions accurately. If you attempt less questions, but with accuracy rather than more questions incorrectly, you will still score well. Aim for the same. Ideally, an attempt of 15-17 correct questions is considered good in CAT DILR.
Solve easy questions first
One mistake many candidates make is that they start with difficult questions, keeping aside the easy ones for later. The wise things to do is finish all the easy questions first. At the same time, keep in mind that some DILR questions may look easy but they are not. Read questions carefully. Also, do not spend more than the decided time on each question otherwise you might miss solving both easy and difficult questions. It is not mandatory to solve all the questions, but it is necessary to solve the questions correctly.
Do not just glance through. Scan every question
As stated earlier, most CAT Data Interpretation questions will comprise numbers, diagrams and statistics - these might appear scary, but in reality they might be easy to solve. Instead of getting nervous by the questions, act calmly. Scan the question for important data points or key arguments. If you do not scan the question and jump onto the next one after a quick read, you might miss out on solving a question in which you could have scored.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
It is no hidden fact that there is no shortcut to hard work, so if you have worked hard for CAT 2025, you are sure to excel. Just keep faith in your abilities and handle the exam smartly. Nevertheless, these last week CAT tips can help you in maximising your efforts and strengthen your chances of scoring 100 percentile.
All the best!
Check out Free CAT Mock Test by Shiksha
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solution |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solution |
Read more:
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
9 Jan '26
30 Sep '25 - 10 Jan '26
5 Jan '26 - 10 Jan '26
29 Nov '25 - 11 Jan '26
13 Jan '26
XAT
22 Jan '26
15 Dec '25 - 23 Jan '26
23 Jan '26
Top Colleges accepting CAT score
CMAT syllabus is somewhat same as CAT syllabus. It has two extra subjects, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and General Awareness. However, these two subjects are not tough and can be covered alongside Quantitative Aptitude, English and Logical Reasoning. Despite having less subjects CAT is tougher than CMAT.
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
Read Full BioNews & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jan '26 | XAT 2026 result |
Jan '26 | XAT 2026 Cut Offs Release |
9 Jan '26 | SNAP 2025 result announcement |
20 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 session 3 |
5 Jan '26 - 10 Jan '26 | NMAT 2025 Scheduling (Addition... |
5 Jan '26 - 10 Jan '26 | NMAT 2025 Registration (Additi... |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
23 Feb '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT Registration ... |
26 Feb '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT admit card |
14 Feb '26 - 22 Feb '26 | IBSAT 2025 Selection Process |
30 Dec '25 | IBSAT 2025 Result |
25 Jan '26 | CMAT 2026 exam |
26 Nov '25 - 28 Nov '25 | CMAT 2026 form correction |
7 Apr '26 - 8 Apr '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam |
9 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam 2 |
Jan '26 | Publication of TANCET notifica... |
Jan '26 | TANCET registration window |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
No, candidates who wish to apply for the Global MBA course at Lexicon MILE are required to clear the LAT conducted by Lexicon MILE. The CAT exam score at Lexicon MILE is only used for deciding the PGDM admissions along with several other entrance exams.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
CAT is one of the accepting exams for MBA admission at Karunya School of Management. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also apply through XAT, MAT or KMAT scores. Candidates must also complete graduation to apply for MBA at KSM Coimbatore.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered Yesterday
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to MBA programme at Amity University Bengaluru. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also get admission in MBA via MAT, GRE or CMAT scores. Candidates with scores in these entrance exams can also get scholarship provided they meet the criteria.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered Yesterday
No, CAT exam is not mandatory for VIT-AP MBA admissions. Candidates who are interested in the MBA course offered by the institute can also apply through the scores in the XAT and MAT as well.
VIT-AP also accepts the scores obtained in the VITBEE for the MBA admissions. However, candidates with a high
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for enrollement into MBA course at IIS Jaipur. As per the info. available on the website of the institute, the institute give prefrences to those students who have secured scored in the management entrance exams, such as CAT/ XAT/ CUET PG/ MAT. Thus, CAT scores can
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, Manipur Institute of Management Studies, Manipur University does accept CAT scores for admission to its MBA course. Students can also submit scores of other national-level exams, such as MAT/ XAT/ CMAT/ GMAT/ ATMA etc.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for enrollement into MBA course at International School of Informatics and Management. As per the info. available on the website of the institute, the institute give prefrences to those students who have secured scored in the management entrance exams, such as CMAT/
I
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
CAT registrations generally start from the month of Aug. Candidates wanting to get into IBMR MBA course can apply with a valid CAT score. The application window closes by Sep. Both the applications for CAT exam and IBMR Kolkata MBA course are separate.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
FMS Delhi CAT Cutoff 2025 has been released for admission to the MBA/PGDM programme. The CAT Cutoff list is not available to the public but only to those who appeared for the exam. According to the cutoff trends over the last three years, the cutoff was around 90 percentile for the General category
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
The CAT 2025 examination results have been officially published. Candidates who took this test may now access their respective IIMCAT scorecards by visiting the IIMCAT web portal and entering their registration ID and password. Each candidate's scorecard contains information concerning his/her secti
A
Contributor-Level 10
CAT exam is a national level MBA entrance exam conducted by the IIM. Every year, over 2.3 lakh candidates apply for it. Since the last two years, the competition has increased further with oveer 3 lakh candidates applying for the exam.
The CAT score is accepted by the Iims and all top MBA colleges in India. To select the best candidates from over 3 lakh test takers there is a need for stringent criteria. That's why, the CAT exam is tougher than other MBA entrance exams. Even though the syllabus of CAT is same as that of other MBA entrance exams, the question paper set by the IIM faculty always has tough questions. Moreover, CAT has sectional time limit for each section which is not there in any other exam except XAT. Having a time limit for each section adds pressure on candidates to complete solving adequate number of questions in a section within the time limit. If a student is weak in a particular subject, they can't use the time as per their need. CAT's Reading Comprehension passages are long and dense unlike other MBA exams. This is one more reason why most candidates feel CAT is tougher than any other MBA entrance exam.