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Summary:
Skills Required to Crack DILR Section
How to Prepare for DILR Section
FAQs Regarding DILR Preparation
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning commonly known as DILR is one of the integral sections of all MBA entrance exams. DILR is a test of analytical and critical thinking abilities of an MBA aspirant. The section consists of an array of questions on multiple topics such as graphs, charts, diagrams, caselets, clocks & calendars, arrangements, to name a few. Although the topics and weightages may vary from exam to exam, the section is common to all national, state level and university level entrance exams.
The difficulty level of DILR is mostly considered to be moderate to tough. Not only are the questions of the high level of difficulty, they are also often tricky and time-consuming. Getting a high score in this section can make or break the chances of cracking the MBA entrance test.
What is Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning?DILR questions are mostly caselet based, wherein a particular case carries multiple questions that might involve multiple topics or multiple approaches need to be taken to solve the questions and choose the correct option. Preparing for DILR section can be tricky owing to the fact that there is no specific theory or formulae that a student can refer to. Let us see what are the different facets of the section and how can one prepare to ace the section.
Although DI and LR are separate areas, they are often combined as a single section. Earlier, CAT combined Data Interpretation with Quantitative Ability whereas the Logical Reasoning area was combined with the Verbal Ability section. However, the current pattern carries Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning as a single section.
Also Read:
| VARC Preparation Tips for MBA Exams | Quantitative Aptitude Preparation Tips for MBA Exams |
The following skills or abilities are necessary to crack the DILR section:
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Analytical Reasoning
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Critical Thinking Ability
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Data Computation
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Quick calculation ability
Although there is no specific syllabus for the MBA entrance exams, we bring the common topics or subjects of the DILR section based on the previous years’ analysis.
| Data Interpretation |
Logical Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Tables |
Venn Diagram |
| Graphs (Line and Bar) |
Blood Relations |
| Charts (Pie, Area, Line) |
Arrangement (Seating, Linear and Matrix) |
| Data Analytic Caselets |
Coding-Decoding |
| Data Structure |
Logical Sequence |
| Calendar |
Assumption |
| Clocks |
Binary Logic |
| Data Sufficiency |
Critical Reas |
The preparation for DILR section requires a systematic approach like other sections of MBA entrance exams. The key areas of the DILR section have been mentioned in the table above. Since the questions that are asked in the DILR section can be classified as a calculation based, counting based, logic-based and structure-based. To prepare for this section, MBA aspirants have to follow the strategies given below:
Know the Questions: Before starting extensive preparation, aspirants are advised to get well versed with the types of questions to get a thorough idea on the topics to study in the section. For this, they can refer to the previous years’ question papers.
Get the Right Books: Although the DILR questions do not involve any theory, concepts or formulae one needs to understand they types of charts, tables and patterns. There are several DILR books and study material by MBA experts which give a detailed and descriptive idea about the topics, strategy to solve the questions, and practice materials. Getting the right books wILL make the task of the students a lot easier.
Practice: The best way to prepare for DILR section of any entrance exam is by practising. According to experts, test takers should practice DILR questions for at least five hours per week, one hour for each session. Candidates can take sectional mock tests prior to taking full-length mock tests to gauge their preparation level as well as to gain expertise over the area.
Improving Speed: The DILR section is considered to be calculation intensive by the experts. Hence, the speed or pace of solving a question plays an important role. With regular practice and application of smart tricks and tips will enable the students to improve the speed of solving questions.
Also Read:
- How to prepare for CAT 2022
- How to prepare for SNAP 2022
- How to prepare for MAT 2022
- How to prepare for ATMA 2022
- How to prepare for XAT 2023
- How to prepare for IIFT 2023
- How to prepare for CMAT 2022
- How to prepare for MAH CET 2022
There is no dearth of books for DILR preparation. Those books and study material are the best, which not only give the conceptual or theoretical clarity to MBA aspirants but also provide the perfect strategy for acing the section. Some of the most preferred books for the DILR section are as follows:
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How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma
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Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
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CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
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Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency Competition Exam by Arihant Experts
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Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency for CAT & Other MBA Exams by Gajendra Kumar and Abhishek Banerjee
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Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Pearson
Read More: Best Books for CAT Preparation Recommended by MBA Experts
Weightage of DI and LR in Top MBA Entrance ExamsListed below are some of the top MBA entrance exams and weightage of their Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section.
| MBA Exam |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| CAT |
20 |
60 |
| XAT |
27 |
27 |
| IIFT |
30 |
90 |
| CMAT |
25 |
100 |
| MAT |
40 |
40 |
| SNAP |
35 |
45 |
| ATMA |
60 |
60 |
| MAH-CET |
25 |
25 |
Listed below are some Data Interpretation preparation articles you may want to read:
- CAT Preparation Plan for DILR
- CAT Preparation Plan for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
- Approach for DI & LR
- CAT Exam: Last Week Tips to Score More in DILR
- MBA Preparation 2021: Tips to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams
| Download Free DILR Question Bank for Practice Click to Download |
Q: What does Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning mean?
A: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning or DILR is one of the sections of the MBA entrance exams or other competitive exams. This section carries questions on a particular situation or graphs/charts/diagrams, etc. which test-takers have to study and examine properly to answer the multiple-choice questions that are related to the caselets or figures and diagrams. DILR section tests candidates’ analytical bent of mind and critical thinking ability.Q: Is DILR section part of all MBA entrance exams?
A: Yes, DILR section is commonly asked across all MBA entrance exams, especially the national level exams. There are a few state-level exams line TANCET, which does not have a section on DILR area.Q: Is DILR one section in the MBA entrance exam patterns or asked separately?
A: This varies from exam to exam. While for CAT, DILR is a combined section, in XAT, the DI area is combined with Quantitative Ability and LR is combined with Verbal Ability.Q: What are the different names of the DILR section?
A: DILR section is also known as Decision Making, Data Analysis, Critical Reasoning, Logical Ability, Analytical Ability, etc.Q: What are the best ways to prepare for the DILR section?
A: The best way to prepare for DILR section is through practice. Before starting the preparation, aspirants should be accustomed to the question types by going through previous years’ question papers and solving those. Since there is not much conceptual understanding required in this section, practice is the key to excel in this area.Q: What are the best books to refer for the DILR section?
A: Some of the most popular books on DILR section are How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Pearson, to name a few .Q: Is it possible to crack this section with self-study?
A: Yes, it is possible to prepare for DILR section with self-study. In order to score well in the DILR section with self-study, students will have to follow a systematic strategy. The first step should be to go through previous years’ question papers and know the various topics and question types of the section. They should also refer to the top books for DILR preparation to know about the tips and tricks of solving questions from various topics. This should be followed by ample practice. Aspirants have to solve past question papers, take sectional mock tests and analyse their performance regularly to find out ways of improvement. Last but not the least, they should focus on the speed factor. DILR questions can be time-consuming, hence it is crucial to improve the speed of solving questions.Q: What is the weightage of the DILR section in CAT?
A: In CAT, there are 20 questions in DILR section and the total sectional marks is 60 out of 198. In CAT 2020, there were 24 question on DILR and the sectional marks was 72.Q: Which are the top MBA entrance exams, which carry a high weightage of this section?
A: Some of the top MBA entrance exams carrying a high weightage of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions are MAH CET, ATMA, CAT, CMAT, XAT IIFT, to name a few.Q: Is DILR a theory-based section or practice-based?
A: The DILR section is mostly practice-based. There is not much theory-based or conceptual parts involved in the question unlike Quantitative Ability or Verbal Ability sections. Here, rather than focusing on the definitions of the topics, students get more accustomed to the question types and excel in the areas through practice. As it takes practice to improve the analytical and critical thinking ability rather than rote learning the concepts.Q: Is it necessary to have studied Science or Engineering to perform well in DILR?
A: While it is easy for the candidates belonging to Science and Engineering background to have an edge over this section, it is not impossible for students from non-Science background to crack it. With regular practice and understanding of the question types and topics, candidates, irrespective of the educational background, can crack this section. It is important to identify the weak areas and improve on them to get a stronghold on this section. Dates Section:| Domain | national |
| Exam Type | exam |
| Is Conducting Body | No |
| Is Exam Paid | 0.0 |
| Is Abroad | 0.0 |
| Abbreviation | DILR Preparation Tips for MBA |
| Is Abroad | 0.0 |
| Exam Year | 2022 |
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