On a bad day, my 99.99 percentile could easily have been a 99.
That’s the nature of competitive exams—they test not just your skills, but also your ability to stay calm under pressure.
But that doesn’t mean you stop aiming for a 100.
If I could do it, you can do it too. Don’t let self-doubt sabotage your chances before you’ve even begun. Believe in your potential. You’re more capable than you think.
That said, my high percentile wasn’t a fluke. It was the result of consistent effort and focused preparation. On most days—and in most mocks—I was scoring above 99 in DILR. That consistency is what carried me through, even on days when things didn’t go perfectly.
In the rest of this post, I’ll walk you through the mindset, preparation methods, and specific tactics that worked for me. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all guide—but I hope it gives you something valuable to take forward in your own journey.
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Step1: Understanding DILR– What is this section asking from you?
At the end of the day, it is just judicial management of information to reach conclusions. They have given you a set of statements which will lead you towards the solution of a puzzle. Once you have enough pieces, you can see a picture forming. Now all you have to do is answer questions about the picture you see.
Look at it as an opportunity to break down something complex into simpler peices, and then pieces them together to draw an easy picture– So Satisfying!
Step2: Percentile in the section– What is 99 percentile?
The section is worth 60-66 marks(They increased the weightage in CAT 2024). That means 20-22 questions. These questions are grouped together in 4-5 puzzles. To get a 99 percentile you need to solve half of these puzzles(most years, varies according to the length and difficulty of the particular paper). To get a 100 percentile, solve all!
Can you solve all of them?- if you have a knack for sudoku or wordle or anything similar- hell yes. It is not impossible. I had managed to solve 4 out of the 5 sets to get my score.
Hence, Don’t get in with the mindset of wanting to solve only 2 sets- aim for maximum!
Step3: Particulars of the Section- What do you need to study?
I will first explain the type of sets that are being asked about, then in next step explain to you the strategies I prepared them.
Data Interpretation (DI) Sets
These sets focus on numerical reasoning and data analysis. You typically get a set of charts, tables, or graphs, followed by questions requiring interpretation, calculation, or approximation.
Common Types:
-Tables and Charts- Data presented in tables, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, or combinations. Often require comparison, ratios, percentages, averages.
-Caselets- Descriptive paragraphs with embedded numerical data. Requires converting text into solvable data formats.
-Missing Data/Incomplete Tables- Tables with partial data; you need to deduce missing values.
-Calculation-Heavy Sets. Sets requiring substantial computation, usually involving profit/loss, percentages, or time-based data.
Logical Reasoning (LR) Sets
These sets test your ability to apply logic and structure to solve a problem. They may or may not involve numbers.
Common Types:
-Arrangements- Linear or circular seating, based on clues. May include multiple variables like age, color, city, etc.
-Grouping & Team Formation- Assigning individuals to teams or categories under specific constraints.
-Puzzles- Classic logical puzzles with clues—e.g., who lives in which house, owns what pet, etc.
-Venn Diagrams- Set theory-based problems involving overlapping groups.
-Games and Tournaments- Knockouts, round-robin tournaments, scoring tables. Often include points, wins, losses, and rankings.
-Scheduling/Timetabling- Assigning tasks/events across days, time slots, or individuals.
-Matrix-Based Reasoning- You fill in a grid/matrix based on multiple conditions—common in matching-type problems.
Hybrid Sets (LRDI Mix)
CAT often blends DI and LR elements in the same set, making it harder to classify.
Examples: A puzzle involving salespeople visiting cities (logic + numbers) ; An arrangement problem with tabular data and profit margins.
These are increasingly common in recent CAT papers and require both logical deduction and numerical calculation.
Step4: How do you prepare for this section?- This is the secret sauce!
This is the secret sauce.
If there’s one mantra I swear by when it comes to mastering DILR, it’s this:
PYQs. Past Year Questions. They’re gold.
These sets have already appeared in CAT over the years, and they offer the perfect blend of challenge, variety, and relevance. If you're subscribed to something like the IMS test series, you're in luck—they have an entire section dedicated to past year CAT papers, complete with detailed solutions and alternative methods to solve each set.
That’s where the real magic lies.
It’s not just about solving the set—it’s about learning the most efficient way to solve it. Every time you attempt a set, make it a habit to:
1. Try solving it on your own first (even if it takes time).
2. Then, go through the best solution—understand the logic, shortcuts, and smarter approaches.
3. Internalize the technique, not just the answer.
You can also find excellent breakdowns on blogs and YouTube channels. The key is to treat each set as a lesson, not just a question.
Step5: Practice Like a Pro!
If I had to pick the most important step, this would be it.
Practice. Relentless, consistent, disciplined practice.
Over the course of your preparation, you’ll likely take 40–50 tests, including both full-length mocks and sectionals. That adds up to solving 200–250+ DILR sets.
And trust me—this is how you master the art.
No amount of reading strategies can replace hands-on experience. The more sets you solve, the more patterns you’ll start to recognize. Your speed will improve. Your confidence will rise. You’ll stop fearing DILR—and might even start enjoying it.
In fact, after a while, you’ll get a genuine kick out of cracking a tough set quickly and correctly. That feeling? It's addictive. And it’s a sign that you’ve turned a corner.
And just like that, one entire section of CAT becomes a strength instead of a stress.
Step 6: Refinement- The Personal Touch.
This final step deserves an article of its own. Because while the first five steps are universal, refinement is deeply personal.
This is where your preparation becomes less about solving sets—and more about solving yourself.
You’ll face unique challenges. Maybe your accuracy dips under time pressure. Maybe you forget constraints halfway through a set. Maybe your issue is just second-guessing good decisions. Whatever it is, you’ll need custom solutions—built by you, for you.
Let me give you a quick example from my own journey.
One of my biggest struggles was forgetting what information I had already used. I’d read a clue, use it, move on—and then come back to reread it, again and again. It wasted precious time.
My solution? I started creating codewords—a shorthand system just for me.
Every time I read a piece of information, I’d rewrite it in my own symbols—letters, arrows, signs, whatever made sense. As soon as I used it in solving the set, I’d strike it out. If I used it only partially, I’d mark it differently.
This simple habit changed the game for me. It made my approach more structured, my mind less cluttered, and my solving speed noticeably faster.
And that’s what refinement looks like—not big changes, but small habits that solve your problems.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If this article helps you—even just a little—I’ll consider it worth writing.
The DILR section can feel daunting. But with the right approach, consistent effort, and some self-awareness, you’ll not just survive it—you’ll start to enjoy it.
All the best with your prep.
Believe in the process. And most importantly, believe in yourself.
Read More:
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- TISS Mumbai HRM and LR Final Placements Report
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