How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT 2026

Q: How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT?

To prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT, you should be familiar with basic concepts such as percentages, ratios, averages, and data representation. You should also be able to interpret graphs and tables and apply basic mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Q: What strategies can I use to help me prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT?

You should practice solving questions from previous CAT papers to prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT. This will help you familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked and the time limit for each question. Additionally, you should also practice solving questions on various topics such as percentages, ratios, averages, and data representation.

Q: How can I improve my speed in Data Interpretation for the CAT?

You should practice solving questions within the time limit to improve your speed in Data Interpretation for the CAT. Additionally, you should focus on simplifying the problem and breaking it down into smaller parts. You should also develop a habit of reading and understanding the question before attempting to answer it.

Q: What resources can I use to help me prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT?

Several resources can help you prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT. These include online tutorials, practice tests, and past CAT papers. Additionally, you can also find study guides and books that can provide you with additional practice material.

Q: How important is data interpretation in the CAT?

Data interpretation is an important component of the CAT. It is essential to understand the basic concepts related to data interpretation, as questions in this section are designed to test your ability to interpret data and make inferences. Therefore, it is important to dedicate sufficient time and effort to prepare for this section.

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

November 25, 2025

Overview: Preparing for the CAT exam can be challenging, considering the CAT syllabus has three unique sections. If we talk about DILR, we get the most common question: "How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT exam?" Let's find out the solution with the finest tips in this blog!

Data interpretation is an essential section of the CAT exam. It tests the ability to read, analyse, and interpret data presented in tables, graphs, charts, and other diagrams.
The DILR section of the CAT exam has about 22 questions (MCQs + TITA) and must be completed in 40 minutes.

To clear this section without any mistakes, a good study plan followed by expert tips and strategies is very important.

Therefore, in this blog, we will cover the steps on What is Data Interpretation in CAT, How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT PDF 2026 and provide a few tips to help make the process easier.

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What is Data Interpretation in CAT 2026?

Data Interpretation (DI) in CAT is a part of the DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) section. It involves analyzing data presented in formats such as tables, bar graphs, pie charts, and caselets. You are required to interpret this data and answer related questions.

The goal is to test your analytical thinking, logical reasoning, and calculation skills. It assesses how well you can conclude from numerical information under time pressure.

Read more: Complete Details on DILR for CAT

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT 2026: Important Topics to Cover

Practise the topics below in the table.

Important Topics
Sr.No	Tables	Line Chart
1.	Venn Diagram	Pie Chart
2.	Scatter Plot	Radar Chart
3.	Column Graph	Bar Graph
4.	Routes and Network Radar Chart	Bubble Chart
5.	Data Caselets - Reasoning-Based DI	-

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Data interpretation Weightage

Applicants must check out the CAT marking scheme to understand the weightage of this section in the table below.

CAT Sections	Number of Questions	Marks Per Question	CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ)
DILR	22	3	-1

Each right answer carries three marks, and every wrong answer carries -1.

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT 2026?

If you are planning to appear in the coming CAT exam but are scared of "How to prepare for CAT data interpretation," then worry not, as we have aligned expert tips for you.

The CAT Exam's DI portion evaluates your ability to answer logic-based questions. It asks about 22 questions out of a total of 68 questions and is well-weighted for the CAT exam.

So, here are the effective tips to follow to score well in the DILR section:

Important Tips on How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT 2026

#1: Understand the Basics

While looking for ways to improve the data interpretation for the CAT exam, the first step is to understand the basic mathematical concepts; these include:

Percentages: Most DI questions involve calculations with percentages. Practice converting percentages to decimals and vice versa.
Ratios and Proportions: Understanding ratios is key to comparing data sets.
Averages: Many DI problems require calculating averages or weighted averages.

Check: Supergrads CAT Toppers List

#2. Build a Strong Foundation

Data Interpretation involves analyzing data and drawing conclusions from various data sets like tables, charts, and graphs. Here are the important areas that you can focus on:

Tables and Charts: Read and interpret data from tables, bar graphs, line graphs, and pie charts.
Logical Reasoning: Sometimes, DI questions are confusing with logical reasoning.
Speed and Accuracy: Developing a balance between speed and accuracy is crucial for the DI section.

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#3. Practice Mental Calculation

The next tip, "How to prepare for data interpretation for the CAT exam", is to practice mental calculation. After having a decent grasp of the basics and advanced mathematical concepts, I now practice mental calculation.

This involves solving the question without using a pen or paper.
Tables and simple computations will boost the ability to tackle CAT Data Interpretation questions.

#4. Practice More Number of Questions

The next good point to focus on while considering "how to prepare for data interpretation for the CAT exam" is to practice as many questions as possible.

Consistency is key when preparing for the DI section. Set aside time each day to practice different types of DI problems. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Start with Easy Problems: Begin with simpler problems to build confidence.
Gradually Increase Difficulty: As you become more comfortable, move on to more challenging problems.
Timed Practice: Simulate exam conditions by timing yourself. This will help you manage time better during the actual exam.

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#5. Interpret the Data

Most applicants attempt Data Interpretation for the CAT last. When trying the set, don't take a chance or assume that the answer will be clear.
You should "understand" the data rather than "blindly solving" it.
Understand the reasoning behind the DI problem appearing in the exam. Experts advise not attempting all the questions but rather choosing the ones that can be solved easily and quickly.

Also Read: Supergrads CAT Topper Interview

#6. Practice Previous Year's Papers and Mocks

Try to solve as many previous years' papers as possible and give mocks to improve your speed and accuracy.

This will also help to know the question pattern and its difficulty level.
This can help you identify common trends and CAT exam patterns in the data presented, allowing you to solve problems more accurately.
Additionally, by solving CAT questions from previous years, students can become more familiar with the exam format, which can help them be better prepared for the actual exam day.

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How to Prepare for Data Interpretation in CAT 2026 [Recommended Books]

Check the CAT Preparation Books below to prepare for this section.

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishpit K. Sinha
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency for CAT by Ananta Ashish
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma

CAT + OMETs Mock Test to Boost Your Prep

Free CAT Mock Test -01
Free CAT Mock Test- 02
Free CAT Mock Test- 03

Conclusion

How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT 2026? To excel in Data Interpretation for the CAT, prioritise understanding different data formats and sharpen your analytical skills.

Practice with various questions, increase calculation speed and approach the test strategically to improve accuracy and efficiency.

One of the most effective ways to prepare for the CAT exam is to use CAT mock tests. These tests help you familiarise yourself with the exam format and boost your confidence, improving your score.

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