Data Interpretation is one of the most important sections of management entrance examinations like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc. MBA aspirants are expected to possess problem-solving skills and data interpretation properly. While it is one of the scoring sections, one needs to be able to interpret all the information given in the caselets. Please refer BYJU’S CAT College Predictor tool.
Though CAT-DI questions are considered to be less challenging than the other two sections, some questions might seem relatively straightforward, but might force the candidates to make a mistake.
The entire section of Data Interpretation comprises topics like percentages, profit and loss, averages, etc., that the candidates have covered at high school levels. The Data Interpretation of CAT is said to be challenging because the answer to these questions demands calculation efficiency and speed from the candidates.
The DI & LR section of the paper constitutes 24 questions and is allotted a duration of 40 minutes of total time. Looking at the time per question ratio makes the demand for calculation speed very clear. Hence, pick up as many shortcut techniques and strategies for DI to be able to manage time properly. Following are some data interpretation tricks which might help to approach the CAT-DI section more efficiently.
Watch the Below Video for DI Tips
CAT Data Interpretation Tips
- Practice
The more you practise, the better you get with DI in the CAT exam. Practise CAT Data Interpretation Questions as much as you can and solve as many question papers as you can. Practice will make you faster and make you confident by familiarising yourself with the related questions. Also, practise several CAT Mock tests and Previous Years’ Papers to get acquainted with the DI questions.
- Use your time wisely
While practising questions, assess which problem requires more time. It helps to devise a suitable plan for attempting different types of problems and manage time well.
- Plan the time allotted per data set
Since CAT is a time-bound exam, planning the amount of time invested into each question is extremely necessary. Ideally, time allocation per question should be in direct proportion to the marks allotted. For example, if a DI question set consists of 5 questions and 10 marks in total, you should ideally spend only 10 minutes to solve it.
Important Note:
Spend the first 2 minutes understanding the data set. After which the further approach must be clear. If the approach isn’t clear in the first few minutes, skip the question and attempt the next one.
- Concentrate on interpretations and not just calculations
Interpretation is what is mainly tested in the data interpretation section of CAT. A single misinterpretation of the hidden texts might result in negative marks. Look out for words like maximum/minimum, must be, can be, possible, etc., in the question. These are the words that will ensure your correct interpretation of the questions posed.
- Organise the data
The Data Interpretation section of CAT is meant to check your data analysis skills. Hence, to make it more complex, the data provided to you might not be in an orderly fashion. Ensure that the data given is structured and in the order of your preference before you proceed with further calculations.
- Don’t assume any information
Consider the problem statement for the particular passage/question and note down the given facts without conjecture of any secondary shades of the facts. It is suggested to stick to that information and avoid assumptions.
- Pay attention to words
Words like “all,” “some,” “none,” “other than,” “only”, or “unless” play a significant role in determining the facts for the particular passage. Pay attention to negative prefixes as well as “non-,” “un-,” or “dis-.” These can be crucial in specifying the basic facts of the paragraph.
- Beware of sitter questions
Sitter questions in the CAT exam are questions that cannot be solved using the given data and would cost you a lot of time to solve them. Attempting these questions will not only make you lose out on time but also disrupt your entire flow of the exam. Scan these questions and leave them unattended or attempt them later.
- Approximate wherever possible
This is a rather valuable tip because it can save significant minutes, which you may otherwise spend on calculating specific values. If only relative values are asked, don’t calculate the exact ones and approximate them.
- Maintain patience and persistence
Maintain patience when you are attempting a particular question. When looking at the question, full attention should be given to arrive at an accurate answer. A little distraction could result in a huge loss in terms of negative marks.
Watch the Video on How to Crack DILR Section
With these data interpretation tricks, the CAT candidates can easily clear the Data Interpretation section and improve their CAT score. It is suggested to properly get acquainted with the CAT syllabus to strategize a proper preparation plan and study accordingly.
With numerous candidates taking the exam every year, it is suggested to start preparing early to be able to practice more. Stay tuned with BYJU’s, to get various CAT video lectures and study materials along with all the relevant CAT notifications to prepare effectively for the exam.
