CAT DILR Previous Year Question Papers PDF

Download CAT DILR Previous Year PDFs with Solutions

CAT Year	Slot 1	Slot 2	Slot 3
2025	Download CAT 2025 DILR Slot 1 PDF	Download CAT 2025 DILR Slot 2 PDF	Download CAT 2025 DILR Slot 3 PDF
2024	Download CAT 2024 DILR Slot 1 PDF	Download CAT 2024 DILR Slot 2 PDF	Download CAT 2024 DILR Slot 3 PDF
2023	Download CAT 2023 DILR Slot 1 PDF	Download CAT 2023 DILR Slot 2 PDF	Download CAT 2023 DILR Slot 3 PDF
2022	Download CAT 2022 DILR Slot 1 PDF	Download CAT 2022 DILR Slot 2 PDF	Download CAT 2022 DILR Slot 3 PDF
2021	Download CAT 2021 DILR Slot 1 PDF	Download CAT 2021 DILR Slot 2 PDF	Download CAT 2021 DILR Slot 3 PDF
2020	Download CAT 2020 DILR Slot 1 PDF	Download CAT 2020 DILR Slot 2 PDF	Download CAT 2020 DILR Slot 3 PDF

CAT DILR Exam Pattern

The following table presents the recent CAT 2025 DILR examination structure.

Exam Parameter	CAT DILR Pattern
Section Name	Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Questions	22
Maximum Marks	66
Sectional Time Limit	40 minutes
Marks for Each Correct Answer	3 marks
Negative Marking for Incorrect MCQs	-1 mark
Negative Marking for TITA Questions	No negative marking
Question Formats	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type in the Answer (TITA)

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CAT DILR Topic-Wise Priority

Topic Area	Important Subtopics	Preparation Priority
Arrangements and Ordering	Linear, circular, rectangular and multi-variable arrangements	High
Games and Tournaments	Round-robin, knockout, rankings, points tables and match results	High
Distribution and Allocation	Assigning people, objects or roles under constraints	High
Scheduling and Sequencing	Timetables, sequences, calendars and order-based puzzles	Medium to High
Venn Diagrams	Two-set, three-set and multi-set overlapping data	Medium to High
Data Interpretation	Tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts and caselets	Medium to High
Networks and Routes	Maps, routes, connections and diagram-based reasoning	Medium
Quant-Based DI	Percentages, ratios, averages and missing data	Medium

CAT Arrangement Questions with Solutions

Arrangement questions require aspirants to place people, objects or events in a sequence or position based on given conditions. A clear table or diagram is essential before attempting the questions.

Question 1: Linear Arrangement

Question: Five friends A, B, C, D and E sit in a row facing north.

• A sits immediately to the right of B.
• C sits at one of the ends.
• D sits between A and E.
• E does not sit at either end.

Who sits in the middle position?

Solution:

Represent the five positions from left to right as:

Position 1, Position 2, Position 3, Position 4, Position 5

Since all face north, immediately to the right means the next position to the right.

A sits immediately to the right of B, so the possible pairs are:

B-A, B-A, B-A

D sits between A and E. Therefore, the sequence must include A-D-E or E-D-A.

Since A is immediately to the right of B, the sequence B-A-D-E is possible.

This uses four positions. C must occupy the remaining end.

Therefore, the arrangement is:

C, B, A, D, E

The middle position is occupied by A.

Final Answer: A.

Question 2: Circular Arrangement

Question: Six people P, Q, R, S, T and U sit around a circular table facing the centre.

• P sits opposite Q.
• R sits immediately to the left of P.
• S sits immediately to the right of Q.
• T sits between R and S.

Who sits opposite T?

Solution:

Place six positions around the circle.

Let P occupy one position. Since P faces the centre, the person immediately to P’s left is the next position in the anti-clockwise direction.

Place R immediately to the left of P.

P sits opposite Q, so place Q directly opposite P.

S sits immediately to the right of Q.

T sits between R and S.

The only remaining person is U.

The arrangement is:

P, R, T, S, Q, U

T is opposite U.

Final Answer: U.

2. CAT Games and Tournaments Questions with Solutions

Games and tournaments questions test match results, points, rankings and possible outcomes. Aspirants should create a points table early and use wins, losses, draws and total matches to eliminate possibilities.

Question 1: Round-Robin Tournament

Question: Four teams A, B, C and D play a round-robin tournament, where each team plays every other team exactly once. A win gives 3 points, a draw gives 1 point and a loss gives 0 points. At the end of the tournament, A has 7 points, B has 4 points, C has 2 points and D has 3 points. How many matches ended in a draw?

Solution:

Each team plays three matches, so the total number of matches is:

4C2 = 6

Let the number of drawn matches be x.

Each drawn match gives 1 point to each team, contributing 2 points in total.

Each decided match gives 3 points to the winner and 0 points to the loser, contributing 3 points in total.

Total points:

2x + 3(6 - x) = 7 + 4 + 2 + 3

2x + 18 - 3x = 16

18 - x = 16

x = 2

Final Answer: 2 matches ended in a draw.

3. CAT Venn Diagram Questions with Solutions

Venn diagram questions test overlapping categories and set relationships. Aspirants should begin with the innermost region, use the total number of elements and fill the diagram step by step.

Question 1: Two-Set Venn Diagram

Question: In a group of 50 students, 30 study Mathematics, 25 study Physics and 10 study neither subject. How many students study both Mathematics and Physics?

Solution:

Students studying at least one subject:

50 - 10 = 40

Using the inclusion-exclusion principle:

n(M ∪ P) = n(M) + n(P) - n(M ∩ P)

40 = 30 + 25 - n(M ∩ P)

n(M ∩ P) = 55 - 40

n(M ∩ P) = 15

Final Answer: 15 students study both Mathematics and Physics.

Question 2: Three-Set Venn Diagram

Question: In a survey of 100 people, 40 like tea, 35 like coffee and 30 like milk. Exactly 10 people like all three beverages. Exactly 5 people like none of the three beverages. If 20 people like exactly two beverages, how many people like exactly one beverage?

Solution:

Total people = 100

People who like at least one beverage:

100 - 5 = 95

Let the number of people who like exactly one beverage be x.

People who like exactly two beverages = 20

People who like all three beverages = 10

Therefore:

x + 20 + 10 = 95

x = 65

Final Answer: 65 people like exactly one beverage.

4. CAT Data Interpretation Questions with Solutions

Data Interpretation questions test the ability to extract information from tables, charts and caselets. Aspirants should read the chart title, units, legends and footnotes before solving.

Question 1: Table-Based DI

Question: The table below shows the number of books sold by a bookstore in four months.

 

Month	Fiction	Non-Fiction	Total
January	120	80	200
February	150	100	250
March	180	120	300
April	200	150	350

What is the percentage increase in total books sold from January to April?

Solution:

Total books sold in January = 200

Total books sold in April = 350

Increase = 350 - 200 = 150

Percentage Increase = (Increase / Original Value) * 100

= (150 / 200) * 100

= 75%

Final Answer: 75%.

Question 2: Pie Chart DI

Question: A pie chart represents the expenditure of a family with a total monthly budget of ₹40,000.

• Rent: 30%
• Food: 25%
• Education: 20%
• Travel: 15%
• Savings: 10%

What is the difference between the amount spent on rent and the amount spent on travel?

Solution:

Amount spent on rent:

30% of ₹40,000 = ₹12,000

Amount spent on travel:

15% of ₹40,000 = ₹6,000

Difference:

₹12,000 - ₹6,000 = ₹6,000

Final Answer: ₹6,000.

Question 3: Caselet DI

Question: A school has 200 students. Each student studies at least one of three subjects: Mathematics, Science or English.

• 80 students study Mathematics.
• 90 students study Science.
• 70 students study English.
• 20 students study all three subjects.
• 30 students study exactly two subjects.

How many students study exactly one subject?

Solution:

Total students = 200

Students studying exactly two subjects = 30

Students studying all three subjects = 20

Students studying exactly one subject:

200 - 30 - 20 = 150

Final Answer: 150 students.

5. CAT Scheduling and Distribution Questions with Solutions

Scheduling and distribution questions require aspirants to assign people, tasks or objects under multiple constraints. Aspirants should use a table with all possible options and eliminate invalid combinations.

Question 1: Scheduling

Question: Four workshops W1, W2, W3 and W4 are scheduled from Monday to Thursday, one workshop per day.

• W1 is not scheduled on Monday.
• W2 is scheduled immediately before W3.
• W4 is scheduled on Thursday.

What is the schedule from Monday to Thursday?

Solution:

W4 is fixed on Thursday.

W2 must be immediately before W3. The available positions for W2 and W3 are:

• Monday and Tuesday
• Tuesday and Wednesday

W1 cannot be scheduled on Monday.

If W2 and W3 occupy Monday and Tuesday, W1 must occupy Wednesday, which is allowed.

Therefore, the schedule is:

Monday: W2
Tuesday: W3
Wednesday: W1
Thursday: W4

Final Answer: W2, W3, W1, W4.

Question 2: Distribution

Question: Three teachers X, Y and Z teach four subjects: Mathematics, Science, English and History. Each teacher teaches at least one subject, and no subject is taught by more than one teacher.

• X teaches Mathematics.
• Y does not teach Science.
• Z teaches History.

Which subject does Y teach?

Solution:

X teaches Mathematics.

Z teaches History.

The remaining subjects are Science and English.

Y does not teach Science.

Therefore, Y teaches English.

Final Answer: English.

CAT DILR Formula Sheet and Techniques

DILR does not require a large formula sheet, but the following methods improve speed and accuracy.

Question Type	Useful Method
Arrangements	Create a table or diagram before solving
Circular Arrangements	Fix one person and use opposite-position rules
Games and Tournaments	Maintain a points table and track total matches
Venn Diagrams	Fill the innermost region first
Data Interpretation	Check units, totals, percentages and missing values
Scheduling	Fix definite positions before testing possibilities
Distribution	Use elimination based on direct constraints
Quant-Based DI	Convert data into ratios, percentages or averages

Important CAT DILR Techniques

• Read the entire set first: Understand the scenario, variables and questions before solving.
• Create a structured layout: Use tables for arrangements, grids for distributions and Venn diagrams for overlapping sets.
• Start with definite conditions: Fixed positions, exact numbers and direct statements provide the strongest starting points.
• Use elimination: Remove impossible cases instead of testing every possibility.
• Check consistency: Verify that the final arrangement satisfies every given condition.
• Identify dependent questions: If one answer unlocks several questions, prioritise that set.
• Avoid sunk-cost thinking: Leave a set if the initial setup does not become clear within a reasonable time.
• Use TITA strategically: TITA questions have no negative marking, so aspirants can enter a reasoned numerical answer.

How to Practise CAT DILR Previous Year Questions

1. Practise Set Types Separately

Begin with one set type at a time. For example, solve 10 to 15 arrangement sets before moving to games and tournaments, Venn diagrams or Data Interpretation.

Practise the following separately:

• Linear and circular arrangements.
• Games, tournaments and points tables.
• Venn diagrams and set theory.
• Tables, bar graphs, line graphs and pie charts.
• Scheduling, distribution and network-based sets.

2. Attempt Complete DILR Sections

After topic-wise practice, aspirants should solve complete 22-question DILR sections in 40 minutes. They should not check solutions during the attempt.

Record the following after every practice session:

• Number of sets attempted.
• Number of questions attempted.
• Number of correct and incorrect answers.
• Time spent on each set.
• Questions skipped due to difficulty.
• Sets abandoned after initial reading.
• Errors caused by misreading conditions or calculation mistakes.

3. Analyse Solutions After Every Attempt

Checking the final answer is not enough. Aspirants should examine the method used to solve each set and identify the deduction that unlocked it.

For example:

• In arrangements, identify the condition that fixed the starting point.
• In tournaments, identify the total-points method or ranking constraint.
• In Venn diagrams, identify the region that should be filled first.
• In Data Interpretation, identify whether ratios, percentages or totals simplify the calculation.
• In scheduling, identify the fixed positions and dependent conditions.

4. Maintain a DILR Error Log

An error log helps aspirants track recurring mistakes and plan revision sessions. Use the following format:

Column	Purpose
Set Type	Identifies recurring question patterns
Mistake Made	Reveals the cause of the error
Incorrect Interpretation	Shows whether a condition was misread
Correct Approach	Records the reliable solving method
Time Taken	Identifies sets that require faster execution
Revision Date	Supports regular revision

Common Mistakes to Avoid in CAT DILR

• Starting calculations before understanding the complete set.
• Ignoring units, totals, footnotes or chart legends.
• Making assumptions not stated in the question.
• Missing negative conditions such as not, cannot or does not.
• Spending too much time on one difficult set.
• Attempting every question without assessing the set’s solvability.
• Leaving TITA questions blank despite no negative marking.
• Making speculative MCQ attempts despite negative marking.
• Comparing raw DILR scores across slots without considering normalisation.

CAT DILR Preparation Strategy

Use CAT DILR previous year questions with solutions as a regular part of preparation. Begin with arrangements, games and tournaments, then strengthen Venn diagrams, Data Interpretation, scheduling and network-based sets.

A practical preparation sequence is:

1. Revise the approach for each DILR set type.
2. Solve topic-wise CAT DILR PYQs.
3. Review incorrect answers and identify the reason for each mistake.
4. Create a personal template for tables, Venn diagrams and tournament points tables.
5. Attempt complete DILR sections under the 40-minute time limit.
6. Analyse mock tests to improve set selection and accuracy.
7. Revisit difficult sets and practise alternative solving methods.

Combine previous-year question practice with sectional tests and full-length mock examinations. Regular analysis of mistakes improves logical accuracy, calculation speed and set-selection judgement.