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.
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!
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Commonly asked questions
India's premiere b-schools accept CAT for MBA admissions. More than 2.5 lakh candidates fighting for limited seats at these institutes make the exam tough to crack.
CAT exam is held in about 170 cities across India. Candidates can choose up to six cities as their preferred test location. The list of test cities for CAT is available in application form. Candidates should choose the test city carefully as the request to change the test city later may or may not be accepted due to non-availability of seats at the centres in that particular city. Given below are the cities where CAT exam is usually held.
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is the third and the last section of the question paper. It has 22 questions and the total marks is 66. This section of the CAT exam is usually dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra. Most of the questions out of 22 are asked from these two topics. There are about 7-9 Algebra questions and 7-9 Arithmetic questions (the exact number varied for all three slots). Apart from these two topics, there are questions from Mensuration Modern Math and Number System in the Quantitative Aptitude section CAT. Some of the important sub topics in this section include: Arithmetic topics: Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss Mixtures and Allegations Averages, Percentages, Mean Median Mode, Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance Algebra topics: Basics Algebraic Formulae, Number of integer solutions, Quadratic Equations, Finding out roots, Maxima and Minimal, Higher Degree Equations, Linear Equations, Problems on ages, Descartes Rule of Signs, Inequalities, Logarithm, Functions, Modifications of Graphs, The smallest Value in a Maximum Function Number System topics: Finding Out Last Two Digits, Number of Trailing Zeroes, Finding out Remainders based on, Basic Divisibility Rules, Binomial Theorem, Simplifying the Dividend (Single and/or Multiple Divisors), Basics of Numbers, Properties of Numbers, Divisibility Rules, Divisibility and Factors, the highest Common Factor and the lowest Common Multiple, Finding Out the Last Digit, Fermat's Theorem, Euler's Theorem, Pattern Recognition and Cyclicity of Remainders, Wilson's Theorem, Base Systems, Conversion of Bases, Addition/Subtraction/ Multiplication in different bases Geometry Topics: Lines and Angles, Triangles Basic Concepts, Area, Angles, Similar Triangles Polygons, Circles, Solids / Mensuration 3D Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry Modern Math topics: Sequence and Series Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Probability.
The total number of questions in the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section of CAT exam is 22 (as per CAT 2024 question paper). Earlier, the number of DILR questions was 20.
There is equal number of question distribution between Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, which means both sections have 11 questions each. The total marks for DILR is 66. The questions on Data Interpretation as based on Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, whereas Logical Reasoning questions are based on Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism. This section of the CAT is usually moderate in terms of difficulty level and about 12-14 correct attempts are good enough to score high marks. Some of the other important topics include Series, Proposition, Direction Sense, Coding-Decoding, Assumptions, Clocks and Calendars, Statements, Binary Logic, Data Structures, Data Sufficiency and Data Arrangement. To score high in this section, candidates must practice a good number of practice tests and sectional mock tests. The better you learn to interpret given data and apply reasoning to a given situation, the better you get at solving related questions.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 13 hours ago
Yes. CUSAT has two main campuses offering B.Tech: the main campus in Kochi (School of Engineering) and the Kuttanad campus (CUCEK). The main campus cutoffs are significantly tighter than those for CUCEK.
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Contributor-Level 8
Answered 14 hours ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in MBA at SVNIT Surat. The college considers a valid score in entrance exams such as: CAT/GMAT/GRE/XAT/CMAT/MAT for admission into MBA. Other than this, the institute also conducts its own exam for MBA admissions.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 16 hours ago
Yes, CAT is one of the compulsory exams to be eligible for MBA course at Assam Institute of Management. The institute offers admission to MBA programme based on score of national-level entrance exam (CAT/CMAT/MAT/XAT/ATMA). CAT exam being one of it becomes essential to take admission in the same col
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Contributor-Level 6
Answered 17 hours ago
Christ Delhi NCR does accepts CAT scores for admission in MBA programme. However, aspirants with MAT, CMAT, ATMA or any other Management entrance exam scores can also get admission. Selected candidates also need to pass GDPI, written assessment and micro-presentation rounds.
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Guide-Level 15
Answered 18 hours ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in MBA at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University. Applicanta are given admission based on their performance in CMAT entrance exam. It is followed by personal interview to get shortlisted.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, PIBM Guwahati Campus accepts valid scores from national-level management entrance exams such as CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, and ATMA for MBA admissions. Candidates are shortlisted based on their entrance exam scores, academic performance, and overall performance in the institute's selection process, m
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Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, you can get admission to the MBA programme at Manipal University Jaipur, but not through direct admission without meeting the admission criteria.
For the regular MBA, you generally need:
A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks.
A valid CAT/MAT/CMAT/XAT/GMAT score.
Selection is based on your aca
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Beginner-Level 3
Answered 6 days ago
As a current student at DBS Global University, I can say that yes, the university accepts a valid CAT score for MBA admissions. If you meet the eligibility criteria, then you can apply through your CAT score, and you do not have to take the universities entrance exam. The best thing about DBS, is t
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Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
SAGE University, Indore has not mentioned any other accepted entrance exams other than SEE for MBA courses. Generally, CAT is an accepted entrance exam for MBA courses. Therefore, candidate should get confirmation by asking this from admission desk.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, CAT score is not mandatory to get a seat at CSMU for MBA. While the college accepts CAT scores, it also accept scores from other tests like MAT, CMAT, and MHT-CET. If a candidate have not taken any national entrance paper, they can simply sit for the institutional CSMU-CET exam. Seat will be bas
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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
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