CAT DILR section carries 24 questions across Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning sets, solved in 40 minutes with +3/-1 marking for MCQs. Download the last 10 years CAT DILR question papers with solutions below, then check the set-wise weightage table to see which DI and LR types appear most often.
Official website: iimcat.ac.in
- CAT 2026: Expected November 2026 | exact dates pending IIM announcement
- DILR section: 24 questions in 5 to 6 sets, 40 minutes - section-locked
- Marking: +3 for correct MCQ, -1 for wrong; TITA questions carry no negative marking
- Top IIM DILR cutoff: 85 to 90 percentile for IIM A, B, C shortlisting
- CAT 2024: 3.29 lakh students registered; sets are multi-layered - skipping a whole set is a valid strategy
CAT DILR Sample Papers 2026 - Download PDF
| Sample Paper | PDF Download |
|---|---|
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 1 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 2 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 3 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 4 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 5 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 6 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 7 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 8 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 9 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 10 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 11 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 12 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 13 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 14 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 15 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 16 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 17 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 18 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 19 | Download PDF |
| CAT DILR Sample Paper 20 | Download PDF |
PDFs will be updated as new papers are added. Bookmark this page.
| Year | Slots Available | Solutions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3 | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2023 | Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3 | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2022 | Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3 | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2021 | Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3 | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2019 | Slot 1, Slot 2 | Available | Collegedunia |
CAT DILR Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution 2026
CAT DILR is the second of three sections - 40 minutes, section-locked, no carry-over.
- Total questions: 24 across 5 to 6 sets (mix of MCQ and TITA)
- Marking: +3 correct MCQ, -1 wrong | TITA carries no negative marking
- No labels: The paper does not mark which set is DI and which is LR - you identify the type on reading
CAT DILR Sample Papers with Multi-Layer Set Problems - Why 2022-2024 Papers Matter Most
Since 2021, CAT DILR sets have within-set dependencies: later questions assume you solved earlier ones in the same set. Skipping Question 1 usually makes Questions 3 and 4 in that set unsolvable. The 2022 to 2024 papers reflect this format fully - build your prep on these first, then use earlier papers only after you can complete 3 sets cleanly within 40 minutes.
CAT DILR Set Wise Weightage - High Scoring Topics to Focus in Sample Papers
| Topic Type | Avg Questions Per Year | Difficulty | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tables and Caselets (DI) | 6-8 | Moderate | Multi-condition filtering, ratio and percentage mix |
| Bar and Stacked Charts (DI) | 4-6 | Easy-Moderate | Reading approximate values, multi-bar comparisons |
| Line Graphs (DI) | 3-4 | Easy-Moderate | Rate of change, compound growth across years |
| Pie Charts and Combinations (DI) | 2-4 | Moderate | Sector value derivation when only percentages are given |
| Linear and Circular Arrangement (LR) | 4-6 | Moderate-Hard | Conditional seating, incomplete information sets |
| Games and Tournaments (LR) | 4-6 | Moderate-Hard | Round-robin scoring, knockout bracket logic |
| Scheduling and Sequencing (LR) | 3-5 | Moderate | Multi-day assignment, constraint chains |
| Binary Logic and Grouping (LR) | 3-4 | Hard | Truth-teller/liar variants, set-based classification |
Do not skip Bar Charts and Line Graphs. These two types combine for 7 to 10 marks and are among the fastest sets to finish - saving them for the end of the 40-minute window is a common mistake.
CAT DILR Sample Paper Video Solutions 2026 - Watch Before You Start Solving
Watching an expert work through a full DILR section shows you the decision that separates high scorers: when to commit to a set and when to exit. The video below covers CAT 2024 Slot 1 DILR, including how to read set structures quickly and which sets to pick first.
Watch: CAT 2024 Slot 1 DILR Solution - Amit Panchmatia
Channel: Amit Panchmatia | Year: CAT 2024 Slot 1
How to Use CAT DILR Sample Papers to Hit 99 Percentile
The 99 percentile in DILR needs 16 to 18 correct answers - not all 24. Students who reach it waste fewer minutes on sets they should have skipped.
- Skim all set headers first: Read every set intro in the first 3 minutes, flag your 3 best sets, then start. Exit any set where you are not 60% done in 7 minutes.
- Log wrong answers by type: "Got Games and Tournaments wrong 4 times" is more useful than "Got 2023 Slot 2 wrong."
- Track accuracy, not speed: Most students below 90 percentile finish on time but make errors in rushed answers.
CAT DILR Sectional Strategy - How to Hit the Cutoff Using Sample Papers
The IIM ABC DILR cutoff is 85 to 90 percentile - roughly 12 to 15 correct answers out of 24. Build your strategy around 3 strong sets, not attempting everything.
- Track accuracy by set type: After each timed practice, note your hit rate per type. Drop set types where accuracy is below 50%.
- Time limit per set: No more than 12 minutes on any single set.
- Skip-first list: Mark Binary Logic sets for last - attempt them only if you have more than 8 minutes remaining.
- Target 3 complete sets: Three sets at 80% accuracy beats five sets at 45% accuracy, even with negative marking.
CAT DILR 4 Week Preparation Plan Using Sample Papers
- Week 1: Solve CAT 2024 Slot 1 DILR untimed. Map every question you could not start in 5 minutes to a topic type.
- Week 2: Drill your two weakest topic types, then solve CAT 2023 Slot 2 DILR under 40-minute timing.
- Week 3: Solve CAT 2022 Slot 1 and CAT 2023 Slot 3 back to back. Focus on deciding which 3 sets to attempt within the first 3 minutes.
- Week 4: One full DILR mock daily under timing. Stop new papers 2 days before your target date and review your error log only.
FAQs on CAT DILR Sample Papers 2026
Ques. How many CAT DILR sample papers are enough to score above 95 percentile?
Ans. 15 to 20 timed DILR sections is a reasonable target, but only if you maintain a topic-wise error log. Students who solve 40 papers without reviewing set-type accuracy tend to plateau around 80 to 85 percentile.
Ques. Are CAT DILR question sets repeated across years?
Ans. The exact sets are never repeated, but structures recur. Games and Tournaments in 2024 and 2022 both used round-robin with partial scoring - solving one helps you read the other faster.
Ques. Which CAT DILR slot should I start solving first?
Ans. Start with CAT 2024 Slot 1 or CAT 2023 Slot 2 - these match the current format most closely. Avoid 2017 to 2018 papers to start; the format was different and will skew your baseline.
Ques. Can I clear the DILR sectional cutoff in 30 days using only PYQs?
Ans. Yes, if you treat each paper as a diagnostic. Thirty days is enough to work through 8 to 10 full DILR sections, find your two weakest set types, and drill them.
Ques. Should I attempt TITA questions in CAT DILR even if I am unsure of the answer?
Ans. Yes - TITA questions carry no negative marking, so any calculated answer from partial work has positive expected value. Do not spend more than 90 seconds on a TITA you cannot solve from first principles.
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