CAT 2025 DILR Syllabus PDF - Download CAT DILR Syllabus Topic wise

Updated By Tiyasa Khanra on 23 Jul, 2025 14:55

Registration Starts On August 01, 2025

The CAT 2025 syllabus consists of three important sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Developed by IIM Kozhikode, the CAT 2025 question paper will contain questions on all syllabus subjects. Reputed for its toughness, CAT tests the aspirants with complex questions, so a good grasp of concepts is the key to passing it successfully.

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CAT DILR Syllabus 2025

The CAT DILR Syllabus 2025 assesses a candidate's ability to think logically, understand, analyze and decipher complex data presented in various forms like tables, graphs, charts, etc., and make logical conclusions on the basis of the data or information provided. The important topics for CAT DILR evaluate if a candidate is well-versed in data analysis, data sufficiency, logical reasoning, and problem-solving. Data Caselets, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, Graphs, Tables, Word and Letter Puzzles, and more are covered under the DILR syllabus for CAT exam. The DILR section will be divided into four sets of two questions each (two sets of six and two sets of four). The total number of questions in this section is 20 (12 MCQs & 8 TITA). Since these sets are categorized as easy, moderate, and difficult, it becomes essential for students to be able to determine which set to solve and which not. 

The DILR CAT syllabus 2025 aims to assess if an individual possesses the essential skills for management and leadership roles by evaluating his/her aptitude for handling situations that are driven by complex data and making sound and informed decisions or logical deductions while under pressure. Candidates aiming to appear for CAT 2025 must be aware of the CAT DILR syllabus 2025 and CAT DILR topic wise weightage to prepare for the exam effectively. Find the detailed CAT DILR syllabus 2025 and the important DILR topics for CAT below.

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CAT DILR Syllabus 2025 Highlights

One of the most difficult and unpredictable sections among the trinity (QA, VARC, and DILR), this section encourages candidates to use logical reasoning and critical thinking skills to solve problems and draw conclusions based on given information. The ability to analyze and evaluate data accurately, identify patterns, trends, and relationships within the data enhances one’s analytical skills. The main highlights of the DILR syllabus for CAT have been provided in the table below:

Particulars

Details

Sectional Time Allotted for CAT DILR

40 minutes

Total Number of DILR Questions 

20 questions (reduced from 24)

Number of Questions Asked from Data Interpretation

8 - 10 questions

Number of Questions Asked from Logical Reasoning

8 - 12 questions

Total Number of MCQs in the CAT DILR Section

12 questions

Total Number of Non-MCQs

8 questions

Questions Without Any Negative Marking

8 questions

Total Maximum Marks of the DILR Section

60 marks

Type of Questions in the CAT DILR Section

  • MCQs (Multiple-Choice Questions)
  • Non-MCQs / TITA (Type-In The Answer)

Overall Difficulty Level

Moderate to Difficult

CAT DILR Marking Scheme

  • Marks Awarded for Every Correct Response: +3 
  • Marks Deducted for Each Wrong Answer: -1
  • No negative marks for Non-MCQs

Important DILR Topics for CAT 2025

Here are some important DILR topics for CAT 2025:

Seating Arrangement

Syllogisms & Venn Diagrams

Blood Relations

Clocks & Calendars

Matching puzzles

Assumptions

Data Structures

Direction Sense

Statements

Sets

Bar Graph

Coding-Decoding

Tables & Caselets

Binary Logic

Family Tree

Data Arrangement

Data Sufficiency

Proposition

Pie Charts

Games & Tournaments

Distribution

Games Betting

Logic-based DI

Logic-based Tables

Important Topics in CAT DI 2025 

The difficulty level of the CAT DI section ranges from easy to moderate. Candidates may check the important topics for CAT DI 2025 below:

  • Tables
  • Bar Graphs
  • Line Charts
  • Pie Charts
  • Caselets
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Sufficiency
  • Combination of two or more types of graphs
  • Data Comparison of different years, groups, and classes, and ages
  • Analysis of the given data, drawing conclusions, and predicting the future
  • Comprehending the missing linkages in the information provided, solving and obtaining the data of the missing parts, and taking clues

Important Topics in CAT LR 2025

The difficulty level of the CAT LR section ranges from moderate to high. Candidates may check the important topics for CAT LR 2025 below:

  • Ranks
  • Puzzles
  • Syllogisms
  • Binary Logic
  • Venn Diagrams
  • Blood Relations
  • Direction Sense
  • Cubes and Dice
  • Coding-Decoding
  • Logical Sequence
  • Data Arrangement
  • Clocks & Calendars
  • Seating arrangement
  • Number & Letter Series
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Types of Team Formation
  • Assumptions & Assertions
  • Arguments and Statements
  • Syllogisms/Logical Deduction

People Also Ask

Ques: What are the most asked topics in CAT DILR?

Ans: In CAT DILR, the topics with the highest weightage from Data Interpretation include Tables, Bar Graph, Pie Chart, Line Graph, Venn Diagram, Radar Chart, Histograph, Caselets, Networks and Diagrams, Reasoning-based DI, Data Arrangement, Mathematical Puzzles. The most asked topics from Logical Reasoning include Linear Arrangement, Circular Arrangement, Selection, Sequencing, Binary Logic, Cubes, Routes, Games & Tournaments, 2D/3D Space LRs, Coin Picking, Conditional LRs, and Case-based LRs.

Also Read:

Tips to Answer Logical Reasoning Questions in CAT 2025

How to Approach CAT 2025 Question Paper?

How to Prepare for CAT DI & LR

Important Topics for CAT 2025
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CAT DILR 2025 Topic-wise Weightage

Aspirants for the CAT 2025 exam must refer to the following table to know the weightage of the important topics included under the DILR section:

Important Topics

Number of Questions Asked

Weightage (in Percentile)

Difficulty Level

Good Attempts

Routes and Networks

5 questions

6.1%

Moderate to Difficult

3-4 questions

Tables

5-10 questions

10.6%

Easy to Moderate

4-5 questions

Scheduling, Optimization, and Allocation

5-10 questions

15.8%

Moderate to Difficult

3-4 questions

Bar Graphs

4-5 questions

5.6%

Easy to Moderate

4-5 questions

Grids

5-10 questions

17.6%

Moderate to Difficult

3-4 questions

Arrangements

5-6 questions

7%

Moderate to Difficult

3-4 questions

Word Puzzle

4-6 questions

5.9%

Moderate to Difficult

3-4 questions

Math Puzzles

4-5 questions

12.6%

Moderate to Difficult

3-4 questions

Venn Diagrams

4-8 questions

7.7%

Easy to Moderate

4-5 questions

Scatter Plot

5 questions

2.9%

Easy to Moderate

4-5 questions

Gantt Chart

4-5 questions

2%

Easy to Moderate

4-5 questions

Radar Chart

3-4 questions

1.8%

Easy to Moderate

4-5 questions

Smoothies (DI)

4 questions

5.9%

Moderate

2-3 questions

Researchers and Publishing

6 questions

5.9%

Moderate to Difficult

3-4 questions

Friends, Strangers, and Acquaintances

6 questions

5.9%

Easy to Moderate

4-5 questions

Horizontally stacked column graph (product, shipment days)

4 questions

5.9%

Moderate

2-3 questions

Games and tournament-based

6 questions

5.9%

Moderate to Difficult

3-4 questions

Online food delivery rating parameters

6 questions

5.9%

Moderate

4-5 questions

Graph-based – easy to solve

4 questions

5.9%

Easy to Moderate

3-4 questions

Javelin Tournament

6 questions

5.9%

Moderate

3-4 questions

Pure and Impure Solutions

4 questions

5.9%

Moderate to Difficult

2-3 questions

Review of Academic Questions

6 questions

5.9%

Easy to Moderate

4-5 questions

Weightage of Important Topics in CAT DILR Syllabus Over the Years

The weightage of each topic in the CAT previous year question papers have been provided in the table below.

Name of the Topic

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Arrangements

18%

10%

14%

13%

19%

25%

Grouping & Conditionality

20%

10%

25%

6%

6%

0%

Games & Tournaments

17%

17%

8%

13%

0%

0%

Puzzles

5%

10%

14%

19%

19%

25%

Scheduling

0%

7%

0%

6%

0%

0%

Miscellaneous

10%

7%

0%

6%

6%

0%

DI - Reasoning Based

10%

10%

17%

19%

19%

31%

DI - Calculation Based

10%

10%

14%

13%

31%

19%

DI - Observation Based

10%

19%

8%

6%

0%

0%

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Best Books to Cover CAT DILR Syllabus 2025

In order to prepare effectively for the DILR section of the CAT 2025 exam candidates must refer to the CAT best books 2025 mentioned below. The most important feature of these books is that all the topics of data interpretation and logical reasoning have been covered exhaustively and after each topic has been explained, sample questions of varying difficulty levels are provided that will enable the candidates to assess their level of preparation. The best books to cover the important topics in the CAT DILR syllabus 2025 are:

  • A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Agarwal
  • CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
  • How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma
  • How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
  • Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency for CAT by Ananta Ashish
  • Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit Sinha

Also Read:How Much Time is Required to Prepare for CAT 2025?

Mistakes to Avoid in CAT DILR 2025

The CAT DILR section can be one of the toughest portions of the entire CAT question paper. Therefore, aspirants must make sure they are fully-prepared for this section and avoid any anniversary mistake possible. Take a look at the mistakes to avoid in CAT DILR section mentioned below:

  • Not Knowing CAT DILR Syllabus: Candidates must be intimately familiar with the DILR syllabus for CAT. Not knowing all the important DILR topics can be detrimental to candidate’s performance. Since the only way to ace this section of CAT is by rigorous practice, candidates must make sure they are well-aware of all the important topics, concepts, and questions related to the topics with the most weightage.

  • Missing Regular Revisions: In addition to rigorous practice sessions, candidates must also revise already learned topics to ensure they do not forget previously covered areas.

  • Not Taking Mock Tests: One of the biggest mistakes candidates can make is to not attempt mock tests for CAT. Mock tests are key to understanding a candidate’s personal strengths and weaknesses.

  • Not Reading Questions Carefully: A common mistake made by many aspirants, not reading the DILR questions in CAT carefully can lead to drastic mistakes and time loss which can be detrimental to a candidate’s overall CAT score and percentile.

How to Prepare for the CAT DILR Syllabus 2025

Candidates should develop their ability to quickly understand and interpret large amounts of data to solve the DI questions. Candidates should devote enough time to understand various types of charts, including bar charts, pie charts, etc. and try to understand the patterns, trends, and relationships between different variables. They must enhance their problem-solving approach to solve questions involving arrangements, comparisons, puzzles, etc. It is crucial to improve one’s ability to do mental calculations using techniques such as approximation, estimation, and simplification. Usage of shortcuts is necessary to prevent wastage of time in the CAT DILR section. Candidates should strengthen their analytical math handling abilities and increase their problem-solving speed.

Before selecting the appropriate option, it is important that candidates thoroughly read all of the available options and learn to eliminate the obviously incorrect options to narrow down their choices. In order to improve their speed and accuracy, aspirants are suggested to attempt at least one CAT mock test per week after which they must evaluate their performance, identify their weak areas, and make efforts to strengthen them. Candidates must avoid over-approximating or making assumptions while answering the questions since it may result in inaccuracy.


People Also Ask

Ques: Should I memorize any formulas or theory for CAT DILR?

Ans: The DILR section in CAT is not formula-based but rather based on your skills. However, you still can revise tables, bar graphs, seating puzzles, Venn Diagram logic, Games & tournament formats, Basic percentages, averages, Ratios, tables, weighted averages, and some shortcut techniques for time management.


Related Links: 

How to Prepare for CAT VARC

Know How VARC is Evaluated in CAT

CAT Study Plan for Students in Final Year of Graduation

How to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability (QA)

CAT 2025 Syllabus for Other Sections

Candidates preparing for CAT 2025 must also check out the syllabus for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Ability provided below.

CAT VARC Syllabus 2025

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2025

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