There are many students who see the dream of studying in some of the best IIMs out there in the country. The Common Admission Test is an entrance examination that gives the opportunity to the students to fulfil this dream of theirs. Students are able to do well for themselves when they get a good percentile in the CAT exam. With the score of the CAT exam, students can see that they can meet the cutoff percentiles of their dream institutions, and they can take a seat on merit in those universities. There are many students who are constantly preparing for the CAT exam with this dream. They want to do well for themselves and get what they are aiming for. Students prepare for all three sections of the CAT exam really well. Through this article, we will understand the various aspects of the CAT DILR which are important for the students to know.
Exam Pattern for CAT
The CAT exam is conducted in online computer-based test mode. Students get 3 sections in the exam, and they have 40 minutes to complete each section. In between the exam, students cannot move from one section to another. The next section will automatically appear after the time limit of the previous section is over. The first section is Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), which consists of 24 questions. It includes topics like Reading Comprehensions, parajumbles, Odd Sentences, and sentence correction and focuses on grammar and vocabulary. The second section is Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), which consists of 22 questions. It includes topics like analysing charts, tables, graphs, puzzles, arrangements, and groupings based on logic, etc. The last section is Quantitative Ability (QA), which consists of 22 questions. It includes mathematical topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, etc.
Information About CAT DILR
The CAT DILR section mainly has two components that are important. There are questions on data interpretation for CAT and logical reasoning for CAT. Students have to simultaneously prepare for these two topics really well. For the data interpretation part of the CAT DILR section, students need to be good at analysing the data and solving various puzzles and patterns, and while focusing on the CAT logical reasoning section, students should be good at understanding the various patterns and putting their logical thinking into the right places so that they're able to make better choices in the answer. The marking scheme of the CAT DILR section is also the same. 3 marks are given for every correct answer. There is no negative marking for type in the answer type questions, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for MCQs.
CAT DILR Syllabus
It is important for the students to understand that there are various topics that they need to have solid command over if they want to perform well in the CAT DILR section. Students will have to solve data interpretation questions for CAT and logical reasoning questions really well. Therefore, students should firstly try and understand the CAT syllabus really well. Talking about the syllabus, there are going to be bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, tables, caselets, mixed charts, data sufficiency, arrangements, blood relations, grid puzzles, scheduling tasks, selection criteria, logical sequences and Venn diagrams, grouping and distribution questions, etcetera.
Question Trends for CAT DILR
For the CAT DILR section, there are 22 questions, out of which typically there are five sets: two sets of five questions and three sets of four questions each. Over the years, the CAT DILR section has ranged from moderate to difficult in difficulty level. When it comes to the data interpretation questions, there are usually tables, charts, bar graphs, and mixed charts that are commonly asked. When it comes to the logical reasoning questions, there are arrangements, groupings, tournaments, puzzles, complex arrangements, scheduling, etcetera that are asked. There are four to six questions asked in the type-in-the-answer-type questions.
Preparation Tips for CAT DILR
While the students are trying to give their best and prepare for the DILR section of the CAT exam. The first and foremost step for them should be to familiarise themselves with the various aspects of the section. There are many students who feel like they do not have a lot of information about the DILR section. Therefore they should go and have good research on what data interpretation and logical reasoning are. Once the students feel that they are pretty much familiar with what these sections entail, that is when the students can start with their preparation. Students should try and use as many mock tests and sample papers out there that they can use for their practice. This will help the students to search many different topics that can be asked in the exam. Students can look at the various ways in which the puzzles and other arrangement questions are put up. Regular and consistent practice of this section is what will help the students to actually become better at understanding and recognising patterns. Students will learn how to apply logical deduction while solving the logical reasoning questions. This will really help them in the exam.
Conclusion
In order to have a complete and holistic preparation for the exam, students have to be well versed with each section of the CAT exam. Students will need to prepare for every section in the best way possible, and this will help them to score good percentiles. Students will be able to fulfil their desires when they can see that they have been able to score a good result. It is the intent with which the students prepare that is going to decide how well they end up doing in the exam. Therefore, students should try their best to give their all to the CAT preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many sections does the CAT exam have?
The CAT exam has a total of 3 sections.
2. What is the time of the CAT exam?
The overall time duration of the CAT exam is 120 minutes.