Data Interpretation (DI) Preparation Tips for MBA Exams - Check Syllabus, Weightage, Practice Questions

Data Interpretation is the process of analysing data through predefined processes to arrive at an inference. This activity is a crucial part of business management for making reports and business plans. It is universally accepted that charts/graphs talk more than numbers do. Thus, the relevance of Data Interpretation in MBA.

For preparation of Data Interpretation for the CAT and other MBA entrance exams, one needs to have the basics of Maths in place, such as multiplication, division, roots, pi, measurements, etc. 

Also Read:

VARC Preparation Tips for MBA Exams

Quantitative Aptitude Preparation Tips for MBA Exams

Listed below are the main topics of Data Interpretation for CAT and MBA entrance exams along with explanation:

Bar Graph: A bar graph is pictorial representation of two related form of data. One needs to read one set of date in relation to the other set of data. A bar graph is based on two axis: X-axis and Y-axis and can be horizontal or vertical. In a horizontal bar graph, Y-axis shows the data categories and X-axis shows the scale. In vertical bar graph, it is vice versa.

Tables: In Tables, the data is presented in the form of rows and columns. The questions based on tables generally requires candidates to read and interpret the data and find the right answer. 

Line Graphs: A line graph is a representation of data/activity over a certain period of time. In this form of data presentation, rise/fall/change is represented on a line over x-axis and Y-axis. In most MBA entrance exams, various DI questions are based on line graphs.

Pie Charts: Data in pie charts are represented circular shaped graphs divided into sectors to represent numerical proportions of the sub-set. Reading a pie chart is often simpler than other form of pictorial representation as it is easier to visually identify which section takes up more space in the pie.

Caselets: A set of paragraphs that include numerical data in them which needs to be put in a structure to be understood. These could be counting based, calculation based, logic based or structure based. Given below are some examples for Caselets:

1. Counting based sets: A set of data for candidates to count the instances which meets the question’s needs. For example: How many states have male employment rate more than 70 per cent and female employment rate less than 65 per cent?
2. Calculation based sets: These sets have data in the form of percentage increase/decrease. For example: In which year ITC reported highest increase in revenue, in the last 10 years.
3. Logic Based Sets: These sets have data presented in range or with condition where exact numbers are hard to decipher. For example: How many of the gym members of the range 25 to 35 years would be above 30 years if average age of the members of this age group Is 42?
4. Structure Based: These sets are rarely asked as the data presented is layered and they are time consuming. For example: Sets based on goals of various teams in a tournament.

To crack Data Interpretation section of any MBA entrance exam, one needs to be well versed with advanced calculation methods and develop the ability of logical deduction. This section is all about interpretation thus no formula works here. The sharper your ability to make keen observation, the better your chance of scoring well. Calculations are usually basic but if one cannot understand the question, they will not be able to make correct calculation as well. 

The most important aspect of Data Interpretation preparation is solving a variety of DI questions. Solve a variety of questions multiple times to gain speed and accuracy so that in the exam you don’t end up floundering for more time.

• Experts suggest, the best way to tackle DI is by memorizing Tables (at least up to 20), Squares, Cubes, Square Roots, Percentage and Fraction.
• Apart from that, if you are good at percentage, averages & ratio proportion, DI won’t pose a big challenge to you.
• Go for the basic. Understand the nature of data given whether Absolute (meters, kilograms, seconds) or Relative (percentage, ratio, proportion, per million, per square feet). While the former is easy to handle, the latter can be slightly tricky.
• A special aspect of Data Interpretation questions is that, at times there may not be the exact answer but one has to choose the closest/correct option. Thus, read the answer options before reading the question. This will save plenty of time.
• Solve DI questions five days a week for one hour because the more you practice the better you get at interpreting data.

Also Read:

• How to prepare for CAT exam
• How to prepare for SNAP exam
• How to prepare for MAT exam
• How to prepare for ATMA exam
• How to prepare for XAT exam
• How to prepare for CMAT exam
• How to prepare for MAH CET exam

Listed below are some of the highly recommended books for Data Interpretation, for preparation of CAT and other MBA entrance exams. These books cover all the sections of DI and offer a variety of sample questions of various difficulty levels. These books are available online as well as offline. You can either buy hard copy or PDF.

• How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
• Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha
• CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri

Apart from these CAT DI preparation books, you can refer to secondary reading and sample paper sets available in the market. You should also refer to exam specific test book series if you are preparing for multiple MBA entrance exams. 

Also Read: MBA Preparation 2025: Tips to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams

Since DI is mostly a part of Quants section, only a few questions are asked from it. but one has to study a lot of DI questions. It is only in CAT and MAT that DI questions are of a definite number. Listed below are some of the top MBA entrance exams and weightage of their Data Interpretation questions.

MBA Exam	Number of Questions	Total Marks
CAT	22	66
XAT (QA and DI)	27	27
CMAT	20	80
MAT	30	30
SNAP (QA-DI-DS)	20	20
ATMA	60	60
MAH-CET (QA-DI)	50	50

Directions for questions 1 to 4: Answer the questions on the basis of the information give below.

Mr. John has 5 children & he gives different pocket money to all of his 5 children to do 5 particular tasks viz. going for morning walk, Exercise, Completing their home work, Drinking Milk and Assisting in family work. A particular child can do only one task at a time and each task can be assigned to one child only. (The values are in $)

Children	1	2	3	4	5
Going for Morning Walk	35	31	44	23	36
Exercise	48	42	57	35	37
Completing their Homework	28	55	52	38	44
Drinking Milk	55	21	26	37	42
Assisting in Family  work	26	35	34	51	47

1. If no two children can work simultaneously so that each task is done one after than the other, then what will be the least amount a parent has to give to all the tasks done?

(a)   $150                              

(b)   $147

(c)    $143                              

(d)   Cannot be determined

Solution: (c)

2. If no two children can work simultaneously so that each task is done one after than the other, then at most what amount will be the given to get all the tasks done?

(a)   $210                              

(b)   $254

(c)    $220                              

(d)   Cannot be determined

Solution: (b)

3. If Mr. John has to choose 2 children to do all the work, where the first child will do the first 2 works and the remaining 3 works will be done by the other child. Then which two children will Mr. John choose so that he has to pay the least amount?

(a)   1 and 4                          

(b)   2 and 3

(c)    4 and 5                          

(d)   Cannot be determined

Solution: (a)

4. If all the children increase the pocket money demanded by them for the tasks, then what will be the least amount for doing the task, keeping in mind that children 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 increased the amount for the task by 50%?

(a)   $225                              

(b)   $220.5

(c)    $214.5                           

(d)   Cannot be determined

Solution: (c)

Download Free DILR Question Bank for Practice Click to Download

Listed below are some Data Interpretation articles you may want to read:

• CAT Preparation Plan for DILR
• Data Interpretation and Time Management
• Challenges of Data Interpretation
• Data Interpretation is All About Practice
• Data Interpretation Solved Questions-1
• Data Interpretation Solved Questions-2

Data Interpretation Practice Questions with Solutions Free PDFs

Get here free PDFs of DI practice questions with solutions. Practice these DI questions to improve your performance in CAT and other MBA entrance exams:

DI Easy Questions Set 1	DI_Easy_Set 1 Solutions
DI Medium Questions Set 1	DI_Medium_Set 1Soutions
DI Difficult Questions Set 1	DI Difficult Set 1 Solutions
DI Easy Questions Set 2	DI Easy Set 2 Solutions
DI Medium Questions Set 2	DI Medium Set 2 Soutions
DI Difficult Questions Set 2	DI Difficult Set 2 Solutions