How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT?

Summary: As per the CAT exam weightage, 20 questions from Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) can appear in the exam, carrying a total of 60 marks. Here is an article on how to prepare for data interpretation for CAT?

Data interpretation is an important section of the CAT exam. This section tests the ability to read, analyse and interpret data presented in tables, graphs, charts and other diagrams. 

To score well in this section, you must prepare adequately! 

This article will discuss the essential steps for preparing for data interpretation for the CAT exam and provide a few tips to help make the process easier.

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How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT?

The CAT Exam's DI portion evaluates your ability to answer logic-based questions.

Tables and charts are used in the Data Interpretation section of the CAT exam, and candidates must assess the data in accordance with the questions. Of the three portions, the DI is anticipated to be the most challenging.

How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT? and its Important Topics

Practise the topics below in the table.

Important Topics
Tables	Line Chart
Venn Diagram	Pie Chart
Scatter Plot	Radar Chart
Column Graph	Bar Graph
Routes and Network Radar Chart	Bubble Chart
Data Caselets - Reasoning-Based DI	-

Check: CAT Eligibility 2023

Data interpretation Weightage

Check the weightage of this section in the table below.

CAT Sections	Number of Questions	Marks Per Question	CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ)
DILR	20	3	-1

Each right answer carries 3 marks, and every wrong answer carries -1. 

Check: CAT Exam Pattern 2023

Data Interpretation Preparation Books for CAT

Check the books below to ace the preparation for this section. 

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

Check: CAT Syllabus 2023

Mental calculation

Mental calculation is really crucial. 

To prepare for the CAT, candidates should concentrate on speeding up their mental calculations. 

Tables and simple computations will boost the ability to tackle CAT Data Interpretation problems.

Check: CAT Exam Preparation 2023

Interpret the data

Most applicants attempt Data Interpretation for the CAT last. When attempting 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. 

Get the reasoning behind the DI problem appearing in the exam. Experts advise not to attempt all the questions but rather choose the ones that can be solved easily and faster.

Check: CAT Result 2023

Previous year's papers and mocks

Previous years' papers and mocks can help in Data interpretation by providing valuable insight into the types of questions that are likely to appear on the exam. 

This can help you identify common trends and patterns within the data presented, leading to solving them more accurately. 

Additionally, by solving questions from previous years, students can become more familiar with the exam format, which can help to be better prepared for the actual exam day.

Check: CAT Cut off 2023

More practice 

Students should improve their accuracy by working through problems involving ranks, arrangements, and matrices.

To prepare for this section, you should solve Sudoku or other puzzles from study guides and other internet portals. 

Check: CAT exam centres 2023

Conclusion

Familiarise yourself with different data interpretation questions, such as line graphs, pie charts, bar graphs and tables. Knowing how to read and understand data interpretation questions is also important. It is important to practice problem-solving and analytical skills to make sense of the data presented in the questions. Build up the speed and accuracy essential to solve DI problems.