Important DILR Topics for XAT 2026 and How to Prepare Effectively

Particulars

Detailed Important Topics

Tables & Caselets

• Tabular data with multiple variables.
• Caselets where data is presented in paragraph form.
• Often requires cross-referencing multiple conditions.

Bar Graphs, Line Graphs & Pie Charts

• Single or combination of graphs.
• Multi-variable comparisons like % increase, ratio analysis, or growth rates.
• Expect data-heavy questions requiring approximation and mental math.

Data Sufficiency (sometimes clubbed with DI)

• Questions asking if the given information is sufficient to answer a query.
• Requires logical evaluation rather than calculation.

Mixed Graphs

• Combination of bar + line, pie + table, etc.
• Tests ability to connect different data formats.

Particulars

Detailed Important Topics

Seating Arrangements

• Circular, linear, rectangular, or complex seating
• With additional constraints like blood relations, ranking, or grouping.

Puzzles & Caselets

• Floor-based puzzles, scheduling problems, team/committee formation.
• Often presented as short passages with hidden constraints.

Blood Relations & Family Trees

• Common in XAT LR sets.
• Requires drawing family trees or relation diagrams for clarity.

Syllogisms & Statement-Based Reasoning

• Statements and conclusions, assumptions, or arguments.
• Some overlap with Decision Making but included in LR.

Coding-Decoding & Input-Output

• Pattern-based reasoning.
• Usually easier if they appear, but rare.

Particulars

Details

Data Interpretation

The DI questions are often integrated with QA topics. You can expect sets based on various types of data representation, including Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables, and Caselets. The questions usually require a blend of data analysis and quantitative skills.

Logical Reasoning

This part focuses on Critical Reasoning. Expect questions on topics like strengthening and weakening arguments, identifying premises and conclusions, and drawing inferences. While not as prominent as in other exams, some questions may also be based on topics like syllogisms or blood relations.

Particulars

DILR XAT Preparation Strategy

Concept Building (First 1–2 months)

• Revise basic arithmetic (percentages, ratios, averages, speed & time) since DI questions are calculation-heavy.
• Practice LR basics (arrangements, puzzles, sets).
• Go through previous XAT papers to understand structure (XAT DI has a unique flavor, unlike CAT).

Practice from Quality Sources

• Solve XAT previous year questions (PYQs) (at least 10 years).
• Refer to CAT-level DI/LR sets for practice but note: CAT = reasoning-heavy, XAT = calculation + interpretation-heavy

Strengthen Calculation Speed

• Practice approximation, Vedic math techniques, ratio-to-percent conversion.
• Get comfortable with multiplication tables up to 30, squares up to 40, cubes up to 20.
• Learn mental math shortcuts for faster data handling.

Develop Question Selection Skills

• In XAT, not all sets are worth attempting. Some are very time-consuming.
• Learn to scan all sets quickly and pick familiar graph/table type, lower calculation load and high clarity of data presentation.

Regular Mock Practice

• Take sectional mocks for DI-LR (once or twice a week).
• Take full-length XAT mocks (at least 15 before the exam).