The Data Interpretation section in the CAT 2019 exam aims at testing your:
- Statistical mathematical knowledge
- Data analytical skills
- Decision making skills.
The section is combined with Logical Reasoning questions which have already been discussed separately. There is a detailed analysis of the CAT’s DILR section for the last 3 years already done which is worth reading to understand the pattern.
Important DI Facts
The important facts related to DI type questions are:
|
Total Questions in DILR |
32 |
|
Total Time for DILR |
60 minutes |
|
Total DI Sets |
4-5 |
|
Total DI Questions |
16-20 |
|
Total DI Time (Ideal) |
30-35 minutes |
|
DI MCQs |
12-16 |
|
DI Non-MCQs |
4-6 |
|
DI Data Set Types |
Bar, Tables, Pie, Line Graphs |
How will CAT 2019 DI Test You?
- Statistical Mathematical Knowledge basically aims to test your math and critical reasoning skills. You get data sets which cater to areas like – Asset Management, Loans, Industry Sales etc which have huge numbers over various parameters like production, investment etc. Such questions apart from inspection of data and answering questions demand complicated calculations as well.
- Data Analytical Skills basically tests your ability to examine all elements and statistics provided in the question. Over the last three years it has been observed that questions are more “Analytics” based such as Happiness Index, Chess related and Restaurant Ratings etc. Apart from focusing on the calculations, students need to be able to analyze the data that is provided to them and answer the questions.
- Decision Making is another area that is subtly tested via the DI sets. One must use their analytical skills and interpret the given data.
Expectation for CAT 2019 DI sets
As discussed in the detailed analysis of the DI section of the last 3 years, it is expected that most questions will be analytics based. Such questions will present data in the form of tables or graphs which may not be in the form of “large numbers” but will expect you to analyze the information provided and answer related questions.
A typical analytics based data set would look like:
Data Set: A team of 5 players played 4 matches with each other. You are provided with partial information about individual and total score. Each column has two values missing.
|
|
Match-1 |
Match-2 |
Match-3 |
Match-4 |
|
|
Runs Scored By Player |
A |
|
100 |
|
53 |
|
B |
88 |
65 |
|
52 |
|
|
C |
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
D |
72 |
75 |
20 |
56 |
|
|
E |
60 |
|
78 |
|
|
|
Total |
270 |
300 |
240 |
200 |
|
- Additional Information: These are the runs scored by the two lowest scorers in that match. None of the two missing values is more than 10% of the total runs scored in that match.
- Analytics Based Questions: Based on the above data and information, you will be asked a set of questions.
- Tip: looking at the table and information it is obvious that the question may not be calculation intensive, but sure requires you to analyze the given set of information thoroughly.
You can refer to more such questions under DILR Mock Questions.
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