NinetynineCAT DILR preparation from previous year questions
Prepare CAT DILR from its 576 previous-year questions (2017–2025): study topics in order of how often CAT asks them, starting with Charts & Tables and Quant-based Puzzles, solve every PYQ on a topic before moving on, then take the section timed (22 questions in 40 minutes in CAT 2025).
Key facts
- CAT 2025 had 22 DILR questions per slot in 40 minutes.
- Charts & Tables is the most-asked CAT DILR topic since 2017, with 130 questions.
How do I choose which DILR sets to attempt?
CAT 2025 had 5 sets per slot in 40 minutes. Spend the first two or three minutes reading every set's opening, then pick the ones whose type you solve fastest. Learn the recurring set types so you recognise them on sight.
How should I practise DILR from PYQs?
Solve sets family by family (Charts & Tables, Quant-based Puzzles, Grids & Matrices, Venn & Set Puzzles…), untimed at first, always drawing the full table or grid. Then move to timed sets of 10 minutes each. Once you've finished a set, a similar set with new data tests whether you learned the method or remembered the answer.
Which DILR topics matter most?
The top five by questions asked; the full ranking is in most important DILR topics.
| # | Topic | Questions | Share of section | Per paper 2022–2025 | Per paper 2018–2021 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charts & Tables | 130 | 23% | 5.3 | 5.4 | steady |
| 2 | Quant-based Puzzles | 127 | 22% | 5.9 | 4.4 | rising |
| 3 | Grids & Matrices | 67 | 12% | 2.3 | 3.2 | falling |
| 4 | Venn & Set Puzzles | 60 | 10% | 2.0 | 3.2 | falling |
| 5 | Routes & Networks | 41 | 7% | 2.4 | 0.4 | rising |
Where do I find the questions?
All CAT DILR previous year questions, by topic and by paper, with answers and worked solutions.
Method: counted from all 24 CAT papers 2017–2025 (1,830 questions), each tagged with one topic. How the data is built.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a day should I study CAT DILR?
There is no fixed number; consistency matters more. One focused hour a day on a single topic, with review, beats a long unfocused session.
Can I prepare CAT DILR only from PYQs?
PYQs show you what to study and at what level. Once you've solved all 576, you need fresh questions on the same concepts; see are PYQs enough.