CAT DILR Topic wise Weightage Last 5 Years (2024-2020): Year-wise Analysis, Question Distribution & Exam Pattern

Pritish Samantaray's profile photo

Pritish Samantaray

Content Writer | Updated on - Aug 14, 2025

CAT DILR Topic wise weightage last 5 years accounts for 30%- 33% of total paper weightage. DI questions typically account for 40%-50% of the CAT exam, and LR questions account for 50%-60%.

Over the past five years (CAT DILR Topic Wise Weightage last 5 years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2020), the number of questions in the DILR section has ranged between 20-24. The maximum marks in the DILR section are between 60-72. MCQs and TITA in the DILR section have varied weightage.

Specific DILR topics for CAT 2025 do not carry equal weight every year. Games and Tournaments, Arrangements, Venn diagrams, Complex caselets, and Reasoning are a few of the highly repeated topics in the DILR section.

CAT weightage topic-wise analysis shows that 2022 and 2024 had a balanced DILR section, while 2021 and 2023 had a larger number of LR questions, also with increased difficulty in LR.

  • DILR has a weightage of 30%-33% depending on the total number of questions.
  • 2024 had 22 DILR questions with a total of 66 maximum marks.
  • DILR has both MCQs and SA (Short Answer) type questions, carrying different weightage.
  • 2020 had 24 DILR questions, 2021-2023 had 20 DILR questions.
  • Scoring 45-55 marks in DILR can get a 99+ percentile.

Related Articles

DILR Weightage in CAT

Key Summary

  • CAT DILR Topic wise weightage last 5 years accounts for 30%- 33% of total paper weightage
  • Since 2021-2022, the DILR section has had 20-22 questions.
  • All these questions need to be answered in 40 minutes.
  • DILR weighs 1/3rd of the overall CAT paper.
  • In CAT 2024, a certain slot had 5 DILR sets instead of 4.
  • Candidates aiming for 99+ percentiles typically need to score a 27-30 raw score in the DILR section.
  • In difficult slots, even a 24-26 raw score can get 98+ percentile.

DILR Weightage in CAT

  • CAT DILR Topic wise weightage last 5 years has shown a consistent trend with 30-33%.
  • DILR carries 22 questions, with a maximum of 66 marks.
  • Out of a total of 204 (in 2024), DILR accounts for 66 marks.
  • Around 38 marks in DILR in 2024 gave 99 percentile.
  • 13 accurate answers with no negative marks will gain 33-36 marks.
  • Over the past five years, the number of questions in DILR has remained 20-24.
Year Total CAT Questions DILR Questions DILR Weightage TotalMarks Difficulty level
2024 204 22 32.35 66 Moderate-Difficult
2023 198 20 30.30 60 Difficult
2022 198 20 30.30 60 Moderate-Difficult
2021 198 20 30.30 60 Difficult
2020 228 27 31.58 72 Very Difficult

DILR Topic Wise Weightage Last 5 Years

DILR Topic Wise Weightage Last 5 Years

DILR Topic Wise Weightage Last 5 Years

CAT DILR Topic wise weightage last 5 years- a needed analysis that will help understand the section and possible topics in a better way.

  • CAT DILR Topic wise weightage last 5 years, can be understood better with a clear breakdown of DI and LR topic recurrence.
  • Bar Graphs, Pie charts, and Tables are most repeated across various questions and caselets.
  • Over the past five years, DILR has maintained a moderate-difficulty level.
  • DI weighs 40%-50% the overall section
  • LR contributes 50%-60% of the weightage.

Check

Check How to Prepare for CAT 2025 using Arun Sharma Books
 

CAT 2024 DILR Topic wise Weightage

Slot Category Notable types of questions Number of questions Weightage Format(MCQ/TITA) Difficulty level
Slot 1 DI
  • Candlestick graph
  • Bar Graph
  • Mixed DI
12 ~5.7% Mixed Easy-Moderate
LR
  • Grid Arrangement
  • Games & Tournaments
10 ~4.9% Mixed Easy-Moderate
Slot 2 DI
  • Bar/Line Graph
  • Quant DI
12 ~5.7% Mixed Easy-Moderate
LR
  • Linear Arrangement
  • Games
10 ~4.9% Most MCQs Easy
Slot 3 DI
  • Mixed Charts
  • Tables
10 ~4.9% Mixed Moderate-Tough
LR
  • Network
  • Logic Puzzles
12 ~5.7% Mixed Easy-Moderate

CAT 2023 DILR Topic wise Weightage

Slot Category Notable types of questions Number of questions Weightage(in the overall paper) Format(MCQ/TITA) Difficulty level
Slot 1 DI
  • Graph-based DI
  • Token Value
  • Metro Line
555 ~15.2% Mixed Easy-Moderate
LR
  • Linear Arrangements
  • Seating Puzzle
5 ~2.5% Mixed Easy-Moderate
Slot 2 DI
  • Sales DI
  • Company revenue and cost Table DI
55 ~5.05% Mixed Easy-Moderate
LR
  • Diagram LR(Widget supplies)
  • Distribution(Salesmen &Companies)
5 5 ~5.05% Most MCQs Easy
Slot 3 DI
  • Graph Analysis
  • Ratio-based Dataset
55 ~5.05% Mixed Moderate-Tough
LR
  • Team formation
  • Games & Tournament
55 ~5.05% Mixed Easy-Moderate

CAT 2022 DILR Topic wise Weightage

Slot Category Notable types of questions Number of questions Weightage(in the overall paper) Format(MCQ/TITA) Difficulty level
Slot 1 14 MCQ 6 TITA DI
  • Venn Diagram
  • Metro Line/Route Logic
55 ~5.05% Mixed Moderate-Tough
LR
  • Games & Tournament
5 ~2.5% Mixed Moderate-Tough
DILR
  • Mathematical Reasoning
5 ~2.5% Mixed Moderate-Tough
Slot 2 DI
  • Venn Diagram
  • Tables & Graphs
55 ~5.05% Mixed Moderate
LR
  • Selection/Distribution
  • Routes & networks
5 5 ~5.05% Mixed Moderate
Slot 3 DI
  • Long Table and Graph Set
10 ~5.05% Mixed Moderate
LR
  • Arrangement
  • Ranking & Ordering
55 ~5.05% Mixed Moderate

CAT 2021 DILR Topic wise Weightage

Slot Category Notable types of questions Number of questions Weightage(in the overall paper) Format(MCQ/TITA) Difficulty level
Slot 1 LR
  • Puzzle
  • Linear Seating
105 ~7.6% Mixed Moderate-Tough
DILR
  • Mathematical Reasoning
5 ~2.5% Mixed Moderate-Tough
Slot 2 DI
  • Coin-based puzzle
55 ~5.05% Mixed Moderate-Tough
LR
  • Puzzle
5 ~2.5% Mixed Moderate-Tough
DILR
  • Mathematical Reasoning
10 ~5.05% Moderate-Tough
Slot 3 DI
  • Mathematical Reasoning
10 ~5.05% Mixed Moderate-Tough
LR
  • Selection & Distribution
  • Routes & Network(Graph-based)
55 ~5.05% Mixed Moderate

CAT 2020 DILR Topic wise Weightage

Slot Category Notable types of questions Number of questions Weightage(in the overall paper) Format(MCQ/TITA) Difficulty level
Slot 1 DI
  • Table DI
  • Quant-logic DI
44 ~1.7%~1.7% Mixed Tough
LR
  • Arrangement
4 ~1.7% Mixed Moderate-Tough
DILR
  • Election Quant Logic
  • Distributions
66 ~2.6%~2.6% Mixed Mostly-Tough
Slot 2 DI
  • Election DI
  • Table DI
64 ~2.6%~1.7% Mixed Moderate-Tough
LR
  • Arrangement
  • Scheduling
  • Seating Arrangement
464 ~1.7%~2.6%~1.7% Mixed Moderate-Tough
Slot 3 DI
  • Venn Diagram
  • Games & Tournament
  • Caselet DI
464 ~1.7%~2.6%~1.7% Mixed Moderate-ToughVery Tough
LR
  • Puzzle
4 ~1.7% Mixed Moderate-Tough
DILR
  • Reasoning
6 ~2.6% Mixed Tough

Read More:

CAT Preparation Strategy for Working Professionals 2025

CAT DILR Exam Pattern

CAT DILR Topic wise weightage last 5 years can be a common question for aspirants of CAT. Several Quora and Reddit users have shown varied opinions and have shared different exam experiences.

  • While the more than 6-year-old posts say DILR to have general questions, such as Blood Relations, TSD, Work Completion, etc.
  • Past 5 years’ posts say CAT DILR Topic wise weightage last 5 years to be 30%-33%.
  • Recent posts share concern over the high level of difficulty and unpredictability of the DILR section.
Total Questions in CAT 68
Total DILR Questions 22
Time limit 40 minutes
Marking Scheme Correct answer +3
Wrong answer -1
Unattempted 0
Type of Questions Multiple Choice Question Has negative marking
Short Answer(TITA) No negative marking
Number of sets 4-5 typical Some slots have non-set questions
Total weightage out of 204 32%-33%
Ideal correct answers for 95 percentile in DILR ~9 correct answers ~27 marks
Ideal correct answers for 98 percentile in DILR ~11-12 correct answers ~33-36 marks
Ideal correct answers for 99 percentile in DILR ~13 correct answers ~37-39 marks

Read More:

CAT 2025 DILR Exam Pattern: Check Topic-wise Weightage, Exam Pattern Comparison

DILR Topics for CAT 2025

  • CAT DILR Topic wise weightage last 5 years- the very purpose behind this question can be purely strategic preparation. Here are the topics that can appear for CAT 2025.
  • For CAT 2025, topics such as Arrangements, Selection-Distribution, Visual DI, Networks, Games and Tournaments, and Blood Relations can repeat on the basis of past trends.
  • The CAT 2025 DILR section is expected to have moderate to tough questions with 1-2 easier sets in each slot.
  • Accurately answering 2 full sets of questions can help in scoring 98+ in this section.

Data Interpretation Topics for CAT 2025

Topic Expected No. of Questions Expected weightage Example Question Types
Charts& Graphs(Bar, Line, Scatter, Candlestick) 4-5 15-20%
  • Infering/analyzing data
  • Compare monthly sales in a bar/line chart
  • Identify the percentage, figures.
Tables & Missing Values 4-5 10-15%
  • Fill in the missing data in a multi-row table
Mixed Graphs 4-5 10-15%
  • Combine data with a Pie chart
  • Find percentage
  • Find data/figure
Caselets 4-5 5-10%
  • Passage on a business scenario
Radar/Spider charts 4-5 0-5%
  • Analyse chart pattern
  • Finding specific figures

Logical Reasoning Topics for CAT 2025

Topic Expected No. of Questions Expected weightage Example Question Types
Arrangements/Grids/Ranking 4-5 15-20%
  • Identifying who is in the right/left/middle.
Selection/Distribution/Scheduling 4-5 10-15%
  • How many allocations are possible with a certain number of workers?
  • In how many days can work be finished with an increase/decrease in the number of employees?
Games and Tournaments 4-5 10-15%
  • Finding missing results.
  • Identifying scores
  • Identifying teams
Puzzles/Mathematical Reasoning 4-5 10-15%
  • Arranging in order.
  • Identifying missing figures.
  • Select the correct sequence of figures or numbers.
Network/Venn/Caselets 4-5 5-10%
  • Find a shorter/longer route.
  • Identifying or selecting a specified group.
  • Logical selection of alternatives

CAT DILR Topic wise Weightage Last 5 Years FAQs

CAT DILR Topic wise Weightage Last 5 Years FAQs

Ques. What is the weightage of DILR in CAT?

Ans. DILR weighs 30%-33% of the overall CAT question paper.

  • The section has 20–24 questions, each carrying 3 marks.
  • Total marks range between 60–72, depending on the year.

Ques. How to score 99 percentile in DILR CAT

Ans. Solving 1-2 full sets with complete accuracy can guarantee 99 percentile.

  • Attempt 2-3 questions accurately in rest of the sets.
  • Accuracy is the key to a higher percentile in CAT.
  • Try to solve all TITA accurately.
  • Avoid Negative marking.
  • Complete preparation is a must to score 99 percentile.

Ques. How many DILR sets to solve before CAT?

Ans. 150-200 DILR sets are suggested to solve before CAT.

  • Solving 3-5 DILR sets daily as a regular study plan is a must to get familiar with questions.
  • Regular practice further helps in time management, as DILR is generally has time constraints.
  • Solving 25+ full-length mocks and 50+ DILR test series is very helpful.

Ques. Which year is the hardest DILR CAT?

Ans. CAT 2020, CAT 2021, CAT 2023, and CAT 2018 are generally considered as very difficult.

  • 2018 and 2020 CAT were specifically tough as they had challenging questions and more number of questions compared to the later years.
  • The 2021 Game and Tournament question was particularly challenging.
  • In the 2023 CAT, Slot1 DILR section was said to be time-consuming and very challenging.
  • The 2024 CAT DILR section, though, was not very tough but had unpredictable questions.

Ques. How to solve DILR fast?

Ans. Fast solving comes from thorough practice and complete preparedness. DILR usually has difficult and confusing data sets. You can still solve fast if you are sure about the answers.

  • Do not spend more than 3 minutes on a question.
  • Skim all sets first
  • Choose high clarity sets
  • Attempt familiar puzzle types first
  • Draw clear diagrams or tables
  • Avoid spending too much time on one question

Ques. What is the score for DILR 100%?

Ans. A raw score of 50 and above in the DILR section can fetch 100 percentile in the section.

  • 100 % can be achieved with a 60/60 score. As CAT follows the percentile system, no need to worry about the percentage.
  • Scaled score of 45-52 can fetch 100 percentile.
  • Depending on the difficulty level scaled score can range be as low as ~38-50.

Ques. How tough is CAT DILR?

Ans. CAT DILR is generally a difficult section.

  • Difficulty ranges from moderate to very difficult.
  • Each slot has 1-2 very difficult sets.
  • Large data sets, complicated caselets make this section challenging.
  • DILR is also quite an unpredictable section.

Ques. Does DILR have TITA questions?

Ans. Yes, DILR has TITA questions.

  • Usually, 5–7 TITA questions appear in DILR every year.
  • These questions are categorised as SA(Short Answer)questions.
  • TITA questions appear mostly in DI or pure logic puzzles.
  • There is no negative marking for TITA questions.

Ques. Is there negative marking for TITA in CAT?

Ans. No, there is no negative marking for TITA questions.

  • No penalty for wrong answers in all three sections for TITA questions
  • Only MCQs carry a −1 mark penalty.

Fees Structure

Structure based on different categories

CategoriesState
General2400
sc1200
pwd1200

In case of any inaccuracy, Notify Us! 

Comments


No Comments To Show