CAT 2026 DILR Topic Wise Weightage is expected to remain similar to recent years, with Puzzles and Arrangements contributing the largest share of questions.
The DILR section is likely to feature 22 questions across 4-5 sets, with around 50-60% weightage coming from Logical Reasoning topics and 40-50% weightage from Data Interpretation sets.
Based on recent CAT trends, candidates should focus primarily on LR-based DI, Games & Tournaments, and Seating Arrangements, as these topics have appeared frequently and carry significant weightage.
- Puzzles and Arrangements are expected to carry the highest weightage, contributing around 50-60% of the DILR section.
- Data Interpretation sets based on tables, charts, and caselets may account for 40-50% of the questions.
- Games and Tournaments can contribute around 10-20% of the section.
- Venn Diagrams and Hybrid Sets are likely to have a weightage of 5-10%.
- Scheduling and Blood Relations questions may also contribute 5-10% of the DILR section.
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- CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
- CAT DILR Previous Year Analysis
- CAT Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions
CAT 2026 DILR Section Exam Pattern & Overall Weightage
The CAT DILR section evaluates ability to interpret data quickly and apply logical reasoning to solve complex sets. It carries 32% weightage in the overall exam. The pattern has remained consistent in recent years with minor variations in the number of questions and set difficulty.
- There are 22 total questions with a combined 66 marks.
- You have a sectional time limit of 40 minutes to complete DILR and other sections.
- Most of the questions are organized into sets containing 4 to 5 questions each.
- The exam includes a mix of multiple-choice questions and Type In The Answer (TITA) questions.
- No negative marking for TITA questions.
CAT DILR Exam Pattern Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 22 |
| Total Marks | 66 |
| Time Allotted | 40 minutes |
| Number of Sets | 4-5 sets |
| Question Format | MCQ + TITA |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult |
| Good Attempts | 13-16 questions |
| Safe Score for 95+ %ile | 42+ marks |
Also Read:
Ques. How many questions come from Data Interpretation vs Logical Reasoning in CAT DILR?
Ans. Usually, the split is almost equal around 10-12 questions from DI (graphs, tables, caselets) and 10-12 from LR (arrangements, puzzles). However, many sets are hybrid in nature.
Ques. What is the ideal number of sets to solve completely in 40 minutes?
Ans. Most toppers solve 3-4 sets completely with high accuracy rather than attempting all 5 sets partially. Set selection skill is more important than speed.
CAT 2026 DILR Topic Wise Weightage (Expected)
The DILR section in CAT 2026 is expected to have 22 questions across 4-5 sets. The pattern will likely continue. DILR sets consist of balanced Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
- DI topics (especially graphs and tables) are projected to carry slightly higher weightage than LR.
- Mixed LRDI sets form about 20% of the section (4-6 questions), combining both logic and data interpretation.
- At least 2 sets will be calculation-intensive (graphs/tables with conditions).
- Candidates aiming for 99+ percentile should target 14-18 questions with high accuracy.
| Topic | Expected Questions | Weightage (%) | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tables, Graphs & Caselets (Bar, Line, Pie, Mixed) | 8-11 | 40-50% | Moderate to Tough |
| Seating Arrangements (Linear, Circular, Grid) | 5-7 | 22-30% | Moderate |
| Puzzles & Grouping/Team Formation | 4-6 | 18-25% | Moderate to Tough |
| Games & Tournaments | 3-5 | 12-20% | Moderate |
| Distribution, Scheduling & Networks | 2-4 | 10-15% | Tough |
| Venn Diagrams, Binary Logic & Others | 1-3 | 5-10% | Easy to Moderate |
Also Read:
Ques. Will the number of questions in DILR change for CAT 2026 compared to 2025?
Ans. The section is expected to remain at 22 questions, same as CAT 2025. However, the distribution may shift slightly towards more DI-heavy sets in some slots.
Ques. Which type of sets are expected to be the most time-consuming in CAT 2026?
Ans. Hybrid quant-based DI sets (graphs/tables with complex conditions) and advanced Games & Tournaments sets are likely to be the toughest and most time-consuming.
Ques. How should I adjust my preparation based on the expected weightage?
Ans. Allocate 50% of your DILR practice time to Graphs, Tables, and Caselets. Spend the remaining time equally on Arrangements and Puzzles, while practising 10-15 hybrid sets weekly.
Previous Year CAT 2026 DILR Topic Wise Weightage (2025-2021 Analysis)
The DILR section in CAT has maintained a consistent pattern of 20-22 questions across 4-5 sets in recent years. Trends show a strong emphasis on Data Interpretation sets alongside Logical Reasoning puzzles and arrangements.
- Graphs, Tables, and Charts dominate (often 8-12 questions combined).
- Arrangements and Puzzles remain high-yield (6-10 questions).
- Games & Tournaments and Distribution sets appear frequently.
- Difficulty varies by slot, with quant-based DI sets becoming tougher.
Year-wise topic distribution (approximate questions across slots):
| Year | Graphs/Tables/Caselets | Arrangements/Puzzles | Games & Tournaments | Other (Venn, Networks, Hybrid) | Total Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10-12 | 6-8 | 3-5 | 2-4 | 22 |
| 2024 | 9-11 | 7-9 | 4 | 2-3 | 22 |
| 2023 | 8-10 | 8 | 3-4 | 3 | 20 |
| 2022 | 9 | 7-8 | 2-3 | 3 | 20 |
| 2021 | 8-10 | 6-8 | 4 | 2 | 20 |
Detailed Breakdown (Major Topics in DILR ):
| Topic | 2025 (Qs) | 2024 (Qs) | 2023 (Qs) | Trend & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar/Line/Pie Graphs & Charts | 6-8 | 5-7 | 4-6 | Highest weightage; often hybrid with calculations |
| Tables & Caselets | 4-5 | 4 | 3-4 | Data comparison & missing values |
| Seating/Linear/Circular Arrangements | 5-6 | 5-6 | 4-5 | Core LR; conditional logic heavy |
| Games & Tournaments | 3-5 | 4 | 3 | Scoring systems, rankings |
| Distribution & Scheduling | 3-4 | 3-4 | 2-3 | Increasing in recent years |
| Venn Diagrams & Binary Logic | 1-3 | 2 | 2 | Lower but high accuracy sets |
Also Read:
- CAT Syllabus 2026- Download Syllabus PDF
- CAT Total Marks 2026, Total Questions, Negative Marking and TITA Questions in CAT
Ques. How has the number of questions per set changed from 2021 to 2025?
Ans. Earlier years had mostly 4 questions per set (5 sets totaling 20). From CAT 2024 onwards, it shifted to a mix of 4 and 5 questions per set, totaling 22 questions. This makes time management critical as one lengthy set can consume more time.
Ques. Which topic showed the biggest increase in weightage between 2023 and 2025?
Ans. Hybrid quant-based DI sets (graphs with logical conditions or calculations) increased significantly. In 2025, several slots featured sets requiring both data interpretation and arithmetic, testing deeper analytical skills compared to pure LR in 2023.
Ques. Are there slot-wise variations in DILR topics?
Ans. Yes. Slot 1 often has more arrangement-heavy sets, while Slot 2 and 3 lean towards graph-intensive DI. Candidates should practice all variations as the overall section difficulty can differ notably across slots.
CAT 2026 DILR Topic Wise Weightage: High Weightage Topics
Mastering topics like tables, graphs, caselets in the DILR section can help you attempt 14-18 questions with good accuracy. These topics consistently account for 70-80% of the section across recent CAT exams.
- There is a noticeable rise in hybrid sets that blend data interpretation with logical conditions
- Tables and graphs hold the highest weightage across all exam slots.
- Aim to solve 3-4 sets completely for a 99+ percentile attempt.
Must-prepare high-weightage topics for CAT 2026 along with expected questions:
| Topic | Expected Questions (Out of 22) | Weightage (%) | Why It Matters & Preparation Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tables, Graphs & Caselets (Bar, Line, Pie) | 8-12 | 45-55% | Core of DI; involves calculations and comparisons. Practice mixed charts and missing value caselets. |
| Seating Arrangements (Linear, Circular, Grid) | 5-7 | 25-30% | Most frequent LR type. Master conditional logic and possibilities. |
| Puzzles & Arrangements | 4-6 | 20-25% | Hybrid sets common. Focus on team formation, ordering, and grouping. |
| Games & Tournaments | 3-5 | 15-20% | Scoring systems and ranking-based. High accuracy if practised well. |
| Distribution, Scheduling & Networks | 2-4 | 10-15% | Increasing trend. Good for scoring if you visualize well. |
Also Read:
Ques. Which topic should I prioritise first if I have limited time for CAT 2026 DILR?
Ans. Start with Tables, Bar/Line Graphs, and Linear/Circular Arrangements. These three topics together cover more than 60% of the section in most slots and offer the best return on preparation time.
Ques. How do hybrid sets affect the weightage of traditional topics?
Ans. Hybrid sets combine elements like graphs with puzzle conditions or tournament data with calculations. This increases the effective weightage of core topics while making pure standalone sets rarer, demanding versatile practice.
Ques. Are there any low-weightage topics still worth preparing?
Ans. Yes. Venn Diagrams, Binary Logic, and Blood Relations appear 1-3 times but are usually easier and less time-consuming. Solving them quickly can boost your overall attempt and score.
CAT 2026 DILR Topic Wise Weightage: Preparation Strategy & Tips
Topic-wise strategy helps you cover high-yield areas. Consistent practice of 4-6 sets daily. Develop solvable set selection skills. It can push your DILR score to 30+ marks. Focus on understanding logic before calculations and learn to drop difficult sets quickly.
- Solve at least one full DILR section (timed) every 2-3 days.
- Analyse every mock: note easy vs difficult sets and improve selection skills.
- Build calculation speed for DI sets without calculator.
- Aim to attempt 3-4 sets (14-18 questions) with 85%+ accuracy.
Topic-wise Preparation Strategy & Tips:
| Topic | Key Strategy | Best Preparation Tips | Recommended Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tables, Graphs & Caselets | Learn fast data reading, percentages, and missing values. | Practice 3-4 chart sets daily. Use rounding for faster math. | Arun Sharma DI Book, Past CAT Papers |
| Seating Arrangements | Draw clear diagrams and track all rules step-by-step. | Start simple, then try complex rules. Solve 20+ types. | Nishit K Sinha DILR Book |
| Puzzles & Grouping | Find the main clues and eliminate wrong options. | Practice team and order puzzles. Aim for 8-10 minutes per set. | Past CAT Papers |
| Games & Tournaments | Learn how points and rankings work. | Solve tournament sets from the last 5 years. Picture the brackets. | Arun Sharma, Official CAT Papers |
| Distribution & Scheduling | Use a grid or chart to organize the data. | Practice schedules with strict rules. Mix it with data practice. | George Summers LR Books |
Also Read:
Ques. How many DILR sets should I practice daily in the last 3 months before CAT 2026?
Ans. In the last 3 months, solve 5-7 full sets daily (mix of previous year + new mocks). Dedicate extra time to weak areas like hybrid sets while revising strong topics through timed sectional tests.
Ques. What is the best way to improve set selection in DILR during the actual exam?
Ans. Spend the first 2-3 minutes scanning all sets. Prioritise those with familiar structures (clear tables or simple conditions) and fewer variables. Leave calculation-heavy or confusing sets for later.
Ques. Should I focus more on DI or LR if my overall DILR is weak?
Ans. Balance both, but lean slightly towards DI (graphs & caselets) as it carries higher weightage. Strong DI performance can compensate for average LR, especially since many recent sets are hybrid.
CAT 2026 DILR Topic Wise Weightage: Reddit Discussion
A reddit user analyzed all 312 questions across 15 exam slots to identify exact trends, frequency of topics, and preparation strategies.
Takeaway of the discussion :
- Data Interpretation (DI) makes up 59% of the section (183 questions), while Logical Reasoning, Arrangements, and Scheduling make up 41% (129 questions).
- Tables account for 20% of the entire DILR section (61 questions).
- Matrix Arrangements are the most frequent LR format, with 29 questions tested.
Source: Reddit Discussion
CAT 2026 DILR Topic Wise Weightage FAQ’s
Ques. Which chapters/topics in CAT have the highest weightage in DILR section?
Ans. In CAT 2026, Tables, Graphs & Caselets carry the highest weightage with 8-11 questions (40-50%). This is followed by Seating Arrangements (5-7 questions) and Puzzles & Grouping (4-6 questions). These three topics together often account for over 65-70% of the DILR section.
Ques. What is the overall weightage of DILR in CAT 2026?
Ans. The DILR section holds 32% weightage in the CAT exam with 22 questions worth 66 marks. It is one of the most important sections as it significantly impacts percentile for IIM calls.
Ques. What is a good DILR score in CAT 2026?
Ans. A good DILR score is 42+ marks (13-16 questions attempted with 85%+ accuracy) for 95+ percentile. For top IIMs (like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta), aim for 48-55+ marks depending on slot difficulty.
Ques. Is 37 a good score in CAT DILR section?
Ans. A score of 37 marks is considered a moderate to good score. It can fetch around 85-90 percentile in most slots, but may not be sufficient for top IIM calls. Candidates should target 42+ for safer shortlisting.
Ques. Which year was CAT DILR the toughest?
Ans. CAT 2024 and 2025 are considered the toughest in recent years due to increased hybrid sets and calculation-intensive graphs. CAT 2023 was relatively moderate, while CAT 2021 had lengthy but solvable sets.
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