CAT DILR Strategy: How To Prepare For CAT DILR Section

“Journey of thousand miles begins with a single step – Lao Tzu”

Cracking the toughest yet unpredictable section of the CAT Exam -The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning with a 99%ile+ in the first attempt is a goal that many CAT aspirants aim for. However, achieving this feat requires a well-structured and efficient approach. Before jumping in the strategy of the DILR section which I personally followed, I would like to give an overview of what CAT exam is all about.

To give a short brief, The CAT exam is one of the most competitive exams in India, and it tests a student's aptitude in different areas such as Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning. The exam is held every year in November (Last Sunday), and students who clear the exam are eligible to get admission into some of the best management colleges in India. One should familiarize themselves with the CAT exam's pattern and syllabus, especially the DILR section, which comprises sets of graphs, charts, tables, and logical reasoning questions. This understanding will help you to prepare in a more structured and targeted manner.

Here are some hygiene factors that one can develop which will help aspirants to crack the DILR section with a 99%ile+ in their first attempt.

Strong Bottom-line: Building a strong foundation in the basics of mathematics and logical reasoning is essential. One must revisit fundamental mathematical concepts like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry and develop a deep understanding of logical reasoning concepts like sequencing, coding-decoding, and syllogisms for starters.

Time Management: One of the most challenging parts of the CAT exam is managing time. The exam is divided into three sections, and each section has a time limit. In every section, each question must be solved within the specific time range, which the candidate needs to keep in mind in order to ace the section. Especially for the DILR, time is of essence. To improve the time management skills, I timed myself while practicing mocks and made sure to complete the question within the allotted time frame.

Find your Forte: The candidate should be aware of what they know and what they don’t know. 90% of people are unaware of their strengths and weaknesses while giving the exam, which leads to poor scores. Finding you forte involves identifying the areas in which you excel and using them to your advantage at the D-Day. The 5-Step process which I followed to know where I stand involves:

1. Complete the syllabus (At least once)
2. Take Sectional and Full-length Mock Tests
3. Analyse your Performance in Detail
4. Focus on your Strength, work on your weakness
5. Practice Regularly

Perfection Takes Time: One should solve as many DILR questions as possible to improve their speed and accuracy. Attempting previous year question papers and mock tests can help to get a feel of the actual exam and identify areas that need improvement. This process takes time, and therefore one should not leave their preparation in the middle, just stay focused and glued till the end.
Focus on Breathe: The exam is just a means to achieve your higher goals in life. One should remember, it’s not the end and therefore being calm and confident is an integral part in cracking the exam. Taking calm breathes can help reduce stress and anxiety during the exam. One should not panic if they come across a difficult set. Tak a deep breath, read the question carefully, and use the strategy to solve it.

In conclusion, cracking the DILR section with a 99%ile in the first attempt requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and smart preparation. I can say that the journey is tough, but it’s not impossible. One should follow the structured approach yet be open to adapt the changes in real time and be dynamic in nature to ace the exam.