CAT DILR Syllabus 2026 PDF Download [Weightage & Important Topics]

Overview: Understanding CAT DILR Syllabus is one of the essential steps while preparing for CAT 2026. The section typically asks 22 questions covering various topics. Read on to get the complete DILR CAT syllabus here!

• DILR stands for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. It is the second most difficult section of the CAT exam, consisting of 22 questions that must be solved in 40 minutes.
• Most DILR questions are asked in sets of 3-4; only a few are standalone questions.

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Continue reading to know the complete CAT DILR syllabus 2026 here!

What is CAT DILR Syllabus 2026?

The DILR, or Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, is one of the key sections of the CAT exam.

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI LR) section, as outlined in the CAT DILR syllabus, tests your ability to analyse data, recognise patterns, and solve complex problems using logic and reasoning.

CAT DILR Syllabus Pattern 2026

Before diving into the DILR syllabus for CAT 2026, it is important to understand the exam structure of the DILR section:

Section	Total Questions	MCQs	Non-MCQs	Duration
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	~14	~6	40 minutes

Please note: The number of questions may vary slightly each year as the paper pattern is not fixed.

Here are the key highlights of the DILR section 

Total Questions: Approximately 20-22 questions (varies slightly each year)

• Time Duration: 40 minutes
• Question Types: Combination of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQS) and Type in the Answer (TITA) questions
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to High
• This section is typically divided into two parts:
  • Data Interpretation (DI): This involves analysing charts, graphs, tables, and data sets that require calculations.
  • Logical Reasoning (LR): Tests your ability to solve puzzles, arrangements, blood relations, and other logical constructs.

Check: VARC Syllabus for CAT 2026

CAT DILR Syllabus 2026: Key Topics in the Data Interpretation Section

The CAT DILR syllabus 2026 for Data Interpretation includes a mix of charts, graphs and data-heavy sets. Use the table below to quickly see what each DI topic tests and why it is important for your CAT preparation.

Data Interpretation Topic	What It Tests	Why It Matters in CAT DILR
Tables	Extracting and analysing data using averages, percentages, ratios and trends.	Builds accuracy with raw numbers and multi-row, multi-column data.
Bar Graphs	Interpreting data using bar lengths, differences, sums and percentage changes.	Frequently used to test comparison-based and percentage-change calculations.
Line Graphs	Understanding trends over time, including growth/decline and multi-line comparisons.	Improves comfort with time-series data and rate-of-change questions.
Pie Charts	Analysing proportional data and converting percentages into absolute values.	Helps in handling share/percentage-based allocation questions quickly.
Venn Diagrams	Solving problems involving overlapping sets and categories.	Important for set-based DI where students and items belong to multiple groups.
Caselets	Reading short passages with embedded data and drawing inferences.	Combines reading skills with data interpretation in a CAT-like format.
Radar / Spider Charts	Analysing multivariate data plotted on a circular grid with multiple axes.	Tests your ability to compare several parameters at once.
Histograms	Understanding frequency distributions of grouped numerical data.	Useful for questions on ranges, frequency counts and data spread.

Know: Important Formulas For CAT

Logical Reasoning Syllabus for CAT 2026

The Logical Reasoning part of the CAT DILR syllabus 2026 checks how well you can work with puzzles, arrangements, family trees, selections and other rule-based setups under time pressure. Use the topic-wise table below to see what each LR area includes and why it is important, Here are the topics covered in the Logical Reasoning section of the CAT exam:

Logical Reasoning Topic	What It Includes	Why It Matters in CAT DILR
Arrangements	Linear, circular and complex arrangements with multiple conditions.	Core part of CAT DILR sets, often combined with puzzles and selection rules.
Puzzles	Seating, scheduling, floor-based and grouping puzzles with detailed clues.	Builds multi-step logical thinking and information organisation skills.
Blood Relations	Family trees, coded relations and relationship-based questions.	Tests your ability to decode and track relational information accurately.
Venn Diagram–based LRs	Logical sets that use Venn diagrams to show overlapping groups and constraints.	Helps in solving set-based LR problems where people/items belong to multiple groups.
Clocks & Calendars	Time calculations, day–date questions and calendar-based logic.	Improves comfort with structured, rule-based logical setups.
Cubes & Visual Reasoning	Cutting, painting, folding cubes and visualising 2D/3D objects.	Sharpens spatial reasoning needed for high-level LR sets.
Routes & Networks	Route maps, networks and flow diagrams with movement and capacity constraints.	Useful for questions on shortest path, routing and flow-based setups.
Binary Logic	Statements marked true/false, people who always lie or always tell the truth.	Builds clarity in dealing with conditional and contradiction-based logic.
Games & Tournaments	Ranking, scoring, league tables and knockout/round-robin formats.	Tests your ability to track multiple conditions, scores and outcomes.
2D / 3D Arrangement LRs	Placing objects in grids, rooms or multi-floor structures.	Improves structured thinking and visualisation of complex layouts.
Selection & Grouping	Selecting people/items based on given rules and constraints.	Very common in CAT DILR sets where you must form valid teams or groups.
Sequencing	Arranging events/items in a logical order using clues.	Helps in handling ordering-based LR sets quickly and accurately.
Conditional LRs	"If–then" rules, logical connectives (AND, OR, NOT) and case-based logic.	Essential for complex CAT LR sets with layered conditions.
Truth Lie & Logical Matching	Finding who is telling the truth and matching elements from different sets.	Enhances your ability to resolve conflicting statements and deduce hidden links.

These topics together form the core of the Logical Reasoning syllabus for CAT 2026, and CAT often mixes two or more of them in a single DILR set.

Check: Logical Reasoning Questions for CAT

CAT 2026 DILR Syllabus: Expected Topic-wise Weightage

The CAT DILR syllabus 2026 usually appears as 4–5 sets with 4–6 questions each, adding up to around 20 questions in total. The table below gives a broad idea of the topic-wise weightage and difficulty level based on recent CAT papers.

Area of CAT DILR Syllabus 2026	Expected No. of Questions	Typical No. of Sets	Overall Difficulty
Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs & Charts)	8–10	2 sets	Easy to Moderate
Reasoning-based DI (Hybrid DI + LR)	4–6	1–2 sets	Moderate to Difficult
Pure Logical Reasoning (Puzzles, Arrangements, Games, etc.)	6–8	2 sets	Moderate to Difficult
Overall DILR Section	≈ 20 questions	4–5 sets	Moderate to Difficult

Remember, CAT does not follow a fixed blueprint, so the exact CAT DILR topic-wise weightage can vary slightly each year. Use this table as a guideline, not as a rigid pattern.

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Best Books for CAT DILR Syllabus 2026 Preparation

When it comes to cracking CAT DILR section, the right study material can make all the difference, and we’ve built ours from the ground up, just for you.

Our in-house study material and mock test series are thoughtfully designed by a team of subject matter experts who understand the evolving exam patterns of CAT exam. Every book, every module, and every mock test is crafted to ensure you’re not just covering the syllabus you’re building mastery over it.

Our Flagship Study Material Series

Here’s a look at our handpicked, topic-wise resources:

S. No.	Book Name	Focus Area
1	RSM Lateral Thinking Book	Puzzle-solving & critical thinking
2	RSM 07 Critical Reasoning Grail	Critical reasoning, assumption, logic
3	RSM 01 Absolute DI 01	Basic Data Interpretation drills
4	RSM 02 Logic Mania 01	Intro to Logical Reasoning
5	RSM 03 Logic Mania 02	Advanced Logical Reasoning sets
6	RSM 04 Logic Mania 03	CAT-level puzzles, sets & patterns
7	RSM 05 Absolute DI 02	Advanced DI sets with visuals & tables

Some Other Useful Study Materials to Boost CAT 2026 DILR Preparation 

Book Title	Author	Key Highlights
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT	Arun Sharma	Concept-wise theory, past CAT questions, and ample practice sets
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT	Arun Sharma	Comprehensive LR topics, shortcut methods, CAT-style exercises
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT	Nishit K. Sinha	Beginner to advanced exercises, detailed explanations, mock practice sets

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CAT DILR Preparation Tips for 2026

To prepare well for the DILR syllabus for CAT 2026, here are the key tips that every CAT aspirant should follow:

• Remember, the DILR section focuses on charts, graphs, and series. To get a good handle on this section, practice questions based on these CAT 2026 dilr important topics.
• Since the CAT DILR Syllabus asks questions based on mathematical operations, it is essential to be strong in mathematical calculations.
• To achieve this, memorise tables up to 20, as well as squares and square roots, cubes and cube roots, and practice speed math questions.
• The CAT exam's Logical Reasoning section includes questions on blood relations, family trees, coding and decoding, seating arrangements, caselets, and more.
• To master these DILR syllabus for CAT topics, it is best to solve as many questions as possible. Also, try to solve the previous year's CAT question paper.

Practice with: CAT Trigonometry Question with Solutions

Conclusion

The CAT DILR syllabus 2026 may look extensive at first glance, but it becomes far more manageable once you know the exact topics, pattern and expected weightage. With consistent practice on CAT-level sets, your accuracy and speed in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning will improve steadily.

• Start by mastering the core DILR topics and building a strong calculation base.
• Practise full-length DILR sets regularly instead of isolated questions.
• Analyse every mock carefully to understand which type of DILR set troubles you the most.

To make this journey easier, use:

• CAT DILR previous year questions and practice sets to experience real exam-level difficulty.
• CAT mock tests by Supergrads to simulate the full exam and track your sectional performance.
• CAT DILR online course to get structured classes, doubt-solving and guided practice.

Join Toprankers | Supergrads to turn the CAT DILR section into a scoring advantage and move one step closer to your dream B-school.

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