CAT DILR Syllabus 2026 is split into two subparts, which include Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
CAT DILR is rated as the toughest section, as the questions are unpredictable, and excelling requires a lot of practice.
- CAT Data Interpretation syllabus 2026 comprises questions from tables, graphs, and charts, Venn diagrams, and caselets.
- CAT Logical Reasoning syllabus consists of topics that include puzzles, data arrangements, sequencing, and coding.
- According to the previous year's CAT question paper, the DILR section consists of 8 to 10 questions each from Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and questions from mixed LRDI sets.
- As per the CAT 2026 exam pattern, CAT DILR consist of 22 questions which need to be answered in 40 minutes.
To master CAT DILR syllabus 2026, you need to practice a lot of mixed LRDI sets daily to recognize similar patterns, build accuracy and speed to read, analyse and solve data logically.
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Key Summary
- IIM Indore is the conducting body for CAT 2026 and is expected to commence on November 29, 2026.
- IIMs do not release the CAT syllabus; it is analysed with the help of previous years' question patterns.
- As per the marking scheme, + 3 marks are awarded for a correct answer, and 1 mark is deducted for an incorrect answer.
- According to previous years' toppers, follow Arun Sharma’s book for CAT DILR syllabus 2026 to crack it.
- Caseltes, Distribution and Grouping, Linear and Circular Arrangements, Tables, Graphs and Grid-Based Puzzles are the most asked topics in the CAT DILR section.
CAT DILR Syllabus 2026: Overview
The CAT DILR section tests your data analysis and logical thinking through sets. You should follow the previous year's question set pattern as your real syllabus guide.
The table below shows the CAT DILR syllabus 2026 at a glance.
| Part | Focus | Approx Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Tables, graphs, charts, caselets, data sufficiency | 10 to 12 |
| Logical Reasoning | Arrangements, puzzles, Venn diagrams, games and tournaments | 10 to 12 |
Note: The CAT DILR syllabus has no major changes for 2026, so you can rely on past year set types.
Related Article: Check out the CAT 2025 DILR Question Paper PDF
| CAT DILR Slot | Question Paper | Solution PDF |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 DILR Slot 1 Question Paper | Download Pdf | Download Pdf |
| AT 2025 DILR Slot 2 Question Paper | Download Pdf | Download Pdf |
| AT 2025 DILR Slot 3 Question Paper | Download Pdf | Download Pdf |
Ques. Is the CAT DILR syllabus 2026 the same as last year?
Ans. Yes, the CAT DILR syllabus 2026 is the same as previous years. The IIMs do not change the broad set types year to year.
CAT DILR Syllabus 2026: Topic-Wise List
The detailed CAT DILR Syllabus 2026 have been tabulated below:
| Sections | Focus Area | CAT DILR Syllabus 2026 Topic-Wise List |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Speed and accuracy in analysing data |
|
| Logical Reasoning | Structured thinking and similar pattern recognition |
|
You can watch this YouTube video to know the CAT DILR Syllabus 2026 and how to prepare for it:
Related Article:: CAT DILR Exam Analysis: Check Slot-wise Analysis, Weightage, Cut off
Ques. What topics are in the CAT DILR syllabus 2026?
Ans. The CAT DILR syllabus covers Data Interpretation sets like tables and graphs, and Logical Reasoning sets like arrangements and puzzles.
CAT DILR Syllabus 2026: Set-Wise Weightage
DILR is a set-based section. The table below shows the expected CAT DILR set-wise weightage based on previous year trends.
| Set Type | Approx Sets | Approx Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation (tables, graphs, caselets) | 2 | 8 to 10 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Logical Reasoning (arrangements, puzzles) | 2 | 8 to 10 | Difficult |
| Mixed or LRDI sets | 1 | 4 to 6 | Difficult |
Note: The key skill in DILR is picking the right sets to solve first, not attempting all of them.
According to a Reddit post, a user shared some advice regarding CAT DILR. As per the suggestion, candidates should follow these preparation tips for CAT DILR section:
- Don't focus on specific topics, but rather focus on sets to expand your thinking capacity.
- Try to find ideas to solve the set first by yourself, rather than watching videos.
- Finding ideas will help you with a variety of techniques to solve problems.
- Target at least 4-6 sets per day to broaden your knowledge and logic.
Source: Reddit
Related Article: CAT Syllabus 2026- Download Syllabus PDF, Section-wise Weightage and Preparation Tips
Ques. How many questions are in the CAT DILR section?
Ans. The CAT DILR section has 22 questions in 40 minutes. They come in 4 to 5 sets of 4 to 6 questions each.
CAT DILR Exam Pattern 2026
The following table gives you an idea of CAT DILR exam pattern with time allotted to each section:
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 40 minutes |
| DILR | 22 | 40 minutes |
| QA | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes |
You can watch this YouTube video to know the CAT exam pattern 2026 and the past 7-year paper trend:
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Ques. Is DILR the toughest section in CAT?
Ans. Yes, DILR has been the toughest CAT section since 2020. Set selection and accuracy are the keys to scoring well.
CAT DILR Trending YouTube Videos 2026
The trending CAT DILR videos below are from well-known educators.
| Key Area | Trending CAT DILR YouTube Video |
|---|---|
| Covers the full DILR syllabus and a study plan | |
| LRDI improvement plan | |
| Solves the latest DILR paper set by set | |
| Focuses on seating and arrangement sets |
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Ques. Does the CAT DILR section have an official syllabus?
Ans. No, the IIMs do not release an official CAT syllabus. The DILR set types are based on past CAT papers.
Best Books for CAT DILR 2026
The table below lists the best CAT DILR 2026 books.
| Books | Author | Why This Book |
|---|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma | Strong DI concept building and practice |
| How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT | Arun Sharma | Wide LR set coverage |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | CAT-level sets and approach |
| Previous Year CAT DILR Sets | Various | Real exam-level set practice |
Note: Arun Sharma and Nishit K. Sinha are the most recommended books for CAT DILR.
You can watch this YouTube video to see the best books for CAT:
Related Article: CAT Books PDF: Arun Sharma, Oswal and Best Books pdf Free Download
Ques. How many sets should I solve in CAT DILR?
Ans. Solving 3 to 4 sets with full accuracy is usually enough for a strong percentile. Picking the right sets matters more than attempting all.
CAT DILR Preparation Tips 2026
A clear plan turns the DILR syllabus into a high score. Follow these tips for CAT DILR preparation 2026:
- Practice set selection daily, since picking the right set is the core DILR skill.
- Solve a mix of DI and LR sets every day.
- Time each set and learn when to leave a set midway.
- Focus on accuracy, since wrong MCQs carry negative marking.
- Solve previous year DILR sets to learn the real difficulty.
- Take sectional DILR mocks and analyse every set after.
- Build speed in reading data and spotting patterns quickly.
Related Article:: CAT Preparation 2026: 6 Month Strategy, Self-Preparation, Books, Mock Tests & Online Coachings
CAT DILR Topic Wise Weightage 2026
The table below shows the expected set-wise distribution for CAT 2026, based on the CAT 2024 and 2025 structure.
| Set Type | Expected Sets | Expected Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation (tables, graphs, caselets) | 2 | 9 to 10 |
| Logical Reasoning (arrangements, puzzles) | 2 to 3 | 9 to 10 |
| Mixed or hybrid LRDI sets | 0 to 1 | 0 to 4 |
| Total | 5 | 22 |
Is DILR the Toughest Section in CAT
Yes, DILR is consistently rated the toughest CAT section because of the following:
- DILR is the only section where a single wrong set choice can waste 10 or more minutes.
- Second, the difficulty swings more in DILR than in any other section year to year.
Note: DILR has been the toughest CAT section since 2020, and the difficulty is unpredictable, so you should always train for harder conditions.
Related Article:: CAT DILR Mock Test: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
CAT DILR Good Attempts for 99 Percentile
The good attempts target for DILR depends heavily on the paper difficulty that year.
- CAT 2024, was the easier paper; solving around 3 to 3.5 sets accurately was enough. One topper shared that solving 3.5 sets fetched a scaled score of 40 and a 99.30 percentile in DILR.
- CAT 2025, which was tougher, most students managed 2 sets. An attempt of 8 to 11 questions with high accuracy was enough for a 99 percentile. The scaled score needed dropped from 37.8 in CAT 2024 to 29.8 in CAT 2025.
For CAT 2026, target 2 to 3 fully accurate sets, which is around 8 to 14 correct questions, rather than trying to attempt every set.
| Year | DILR Difficulty | Good Attempts for 99 %ile | Scaled Score for 99 %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2024 | Moderate | 3 to 3.5 sets (12 to 16 Q) | 37.8 |
| CAT 2025 | Difficult | 2 sets (8 to 11 Q) | 29.8 |
| CAT 2026 (Expected) | Moderate to Difficult | 2 to 3 sets (8 to 14 Q) | Depends on difficulty |
Related Article:: CAT Exam Analysis: Check Slot-Wise Difficulty, Good Attempts & Expected Cutoff
CAT Data Interpretation Syllabus 2026
In CAT, DI comes in sets of 4 to 5 questions. Check out the high-weightage topics in CAT Syllabus 2026 for Data Interpretation:
| DI Set Type | What It Tests | Frequency in CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Tables | Reading and comparing multi-row data | High |
| Bar and Line Graphs | Trend reading and value comparison | High |
| Pie Charts | Percentage and proportion calculation | Moderate |
| Caselets | Data extraction from paragraphs | High |
| Mixed Charts | Handling two or more data types together | Moderate |
| Routes and Networks | Flow, distribution, and connectivity | Low to Moderate |
CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus 2026
In CAT, LR comes in sets where all questions share a common setup, such as a seating arrangement or a tournament bracket. Check out the high-weightage topics in CAT Syllabus 2026 for Logical Reasoning:
| LR Set Type | What It Tests | Frequency in CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Linear and Circular Arrangements | Ordering people or objects with conditions | High |
| Distribution and Grouping | Assigning people or items to groups | High |
| Grid-Based Puzzles | Multi-condition grid problems | High |
| Games and Tournaments | Points, standings, and match outcomes | Moderate to High |
| Binary Logic | True-false or liar-truth-teller logic | Moderate |
| Scheduling and Ordering | Sequencing tasks or events with constraints | Moderate |
| Venn Diagrams | Overlapping sets and categories | Low to Moderate |
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CAT DILR vs QA: Which is Tougher
Both sections have 22 questions in 40 minutes, but they test different skills. Here is how the two sections compare based on recent CAT data.
| Parameter | DILR | QA |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty (CAT 2025) | Difficult | Moderate to Difficult |
| Year-to-year volatility | High | Moderate |
| Scaled score for 99 %ile (CAT 2025) | 29.8 | Higher than DILR |
| Scaled score for 99 %ile (CAT 2024) | 37.8 | Around 33 |
| Key skill needed | Set selection and accuracy | Concept application and speed |
| Negative marking impact | Higher risk per wrong set | Question-level risk |
Related Article:: CAT QA Mock Test: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
How to Prepare CAT DILR from Scratch
If you are starting DILR preparation from zero, the goal is to build set-solving instinct over time. Follow this phase-wise plan.
- Phase 1 - Learn set types (Weeks 1 to 4): Work through each set type one at a time. Use Nishit K. Sinha's book to understand the approach for each. At this stage, focus on understanding, not speed.
- Phase 2 - Build speed (Weeks 5 to 10): Solve 2 to 3 sets daily. Time each set. Aim to bring your average solving time under 12 minutes per set.
- Phase 3 - Set selection practice (Weeks 11 to 16): Practice scanning 5-set bundles and choosing the 2 to 3 easiest ones to attempt first. This is the most underrated DILR skill.
- Phase 4 - Full sectional mocks (Weeks 17 onwards): Take timed 40-minute DILR sectionals. Analyse every set after the mock, including sets you skipped.
Related Article: CAT 2026 5 month Preparation Strategy
CAT DILR 40 Minutes Time Strategy
Time management is the defining skill in DILR. The 40-minute limit with 5 sets means you cannot attempt everything. A proven strategy used by toppers works in three stages.
- Stage 1 - Go through all sets (First 3 to 5 minutes): Read all the sets without solving any questions. Rate each set as easy, medium, or hard based on the questions.
- Stage 2 - Solve your best sets first (Next 30 minutes): Pick your 2 to 3 easiest sets and solve them fully. Aim to finish each set in 8 to 12 minutes.
- Stage 3 - Use the remaining time (Last 5 to 7 minutes): If time remains after your chosen sets, attempt individual easy-looking questions from a fourth set.
Related Article: CAT Previous 10 Years Question Papers with Solutions PDF for 99 Percentile
CAT DILR Caselet Practice Sets
Unlike graph-based DI, where the data is visual, a caselet presents all data inside a paragraph. You have to read the paragraph, extract the numbers, build a mental or rough table, and then answer 4 to 5 questions, all within 10 to 12 minutes.
Why caselets are hard:
- The data is buried in text, so missing one number means wrong answers for the whole set.
- The paragraph often has conditions attached to the numbers.
- There are no visual images you need to recreate it quickly on rough paper.
How to practise caselets effectively:
- Read the paragraph once fully before writing anything.
- Read and organise all numbers into a rough table.
- Only attempt questions after your table is complete.
- Practise at least one caselet set daily for four weeks to build reading speed and accuracy.
Related Article: How to Crack CAT 2026 for FREE: Best Study Material, Mock Test and 99+ Percentile Strategy
CAT DILR Syllabus 2026: FAQs
Ques. Does CAT DILR have negative marking?
Ans. Yes, CAT DILR has a penalty of minus 1 for each wrong MCQ. There is no negative marking for TITA questions.
Ques. Which books are best for CAT DILR 2026?
Ans. Arun Sharma and Nishit K. Sinha are the most recommended books for CAT DILR. You should also practice previous year sets.
Ques. Where can I download the CAT DILR syllabus 2026 PDF?
Ans. There is no official syllabus PDF. You can use the CAT brochure on iimcat.ac.in and previous year DILR sets as your reference.
Ques. How should I prepare for CAT DILR from scratch?
Ans. Start by learning each set type, then practice DI and LR sets daily. Focus on set selection, timing, and accuracy with regular mocks.
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