Why DILR Feels Intimidating (And Why It Doesn’t Have To Be)

DILR has earned its reputation as a section that can get even the best minds scratching their heads. Why? Because there’s no fixed syllabus. One day, you’re organizing tables at a wedding, and the next, you’re solving a train heist puzzle.

But here’s the good news: DILR questions may seem unpredictable, but the way to approach them isn’t. With practice, you’ll start noticing patterns. Let’s break it down with some real talk and examples.

Types of DILR Sets You’ll Face

There are broadly two types of sets in DILR:

1. Data Interpretation (DI): Think graphs, charts, and tables. This is about interpreting data (duh) and drawing conclusions.
2. Logical Reasoning (LR): This is the fun part where you arrange people, events, or objects to solve puzzles.

Now, let’s discuss how you can deal with both.

Example 1: Tackling Data Interpretation Like a Pro

Imagine this scenario: You’ve got a table with sales figures for different products over five years. Looks terrifying, right? Here’s the secret:

• First Scan: Don’t dive into calculations immediately. Look at the data for patterns. For example, is there a steady increase or decrease in sales?
• Simplify Values: If numbers look messy (like 5791), round them off. Estimations will save time.
• Do Questions in Order: DILR sets are like a Friends sitcom—skipping ahead might ruin the plot. Stick to the sequence.

Let’s take a sample question:

Year Product A Product B

2018 5000 7000

2019 6000 7500

2020 6500 8000

What’s the percentage increase in Product A sales from 2018 to 2020?

Here, focus on the formula: Percentage Increase = (2020 Value – 2018 Value)/ 2018 Value multiplied by 100. The calculation isn’t tricky; spotting that it’s a DI question and needs simple arithmetic is.

Example 2: Winning at Logical Reasoning

Now picture this: There’s a puzzle involving five people (let’s call them Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, and Joey). They perform on different days, but no two on the same day. How do you approach it?

• Sketch It Out: Don’t keep it all in your head. Make a grid or table.
• Look for Clues: Questions will have clues like,  “Monica performs on Tuesday, Rachel performs two days before Joey, Chandler performs the day before Monica.”Arrange them one by one.
• Trial and Error: Sometimes, brute force is okay. Test a possibility and see if it aligns with the remaining clues.

Question: On which day did Ross perform?

Write it out and eliminate possibilities systematically. This might initially feel tedious, but practice makes you a reasoning wizard.

Key Strategies to Ace DILR

1. Choose Wisely: Not all sets are created equal. Identify ones you can solve quickly and accurately. Remember, CAT rewards accuracy more than attempts.
2. Practice Timed Mock Tests: Real exam situations demand speed. Familiarise yourself with the pressure by timing your practice sessions.
3. Master Shortcuts: Learn tricks like approximation, identifying key data points, and scanning through clues efficiently.

The more you solve, the better you spot the hidden structures in these questions. DILR isn’t an impossible riddle. Think of it as a challenging escape room. You’re bound to unlock the exit with the right strategy and tools. Happy Solving!