Are you appearing for CAT Exam and have no idea about how to prepare for Logical Reasoning and Data representation? We have this blog entirely dedicated to helping you with Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation. With the help of this blog, we will unfold all the facets of this section. The Indian Institute of Management conducts the Common Admission Test (also known as CAT exam) every year in India. It is a computer-based test.
Based on the results of this exam, students get an opportunity to complete their business administration programs from top management colleges across India. But for admissions into such popular colleges and institutes, clearing sectional cut-off and overall cut-off of this entrance test is very necessary. CAT exam mainly comprises of three sections- Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
What is Logical Reasoning and Data Representation?
Logical reasoning basically refers to the questions asked from the candidates in order to judge abilities such as their way of interpreting sequences, shapes & relationship between them, patterns etc. whereas Data representation means questions asked on the basis of given data in the form of diagrams, bars, charts or graphs. The section of LR & DI consists of 32 questions in all in which generally 24 questions will be MCQs and 8 questions will be Non-MCQs.
Important Topics of This Section
Various common topics of this section are Calendars, Data Sufficiency, Blood relations, Family tree, Patterns, Syllogisms. Other than these some more important topics of LR & DI for CAT are:
- Directions
- Coding and Decoding
- Number Series
- Arrangements such as Circular Arrangement, Matrix arrangement and Seating management
- Clock-related problems
Sample Question from CAT Exam
Q1. In a follow-up survey of the same kids two years later, it was found that all the kids were now in school. Of the kids who were not in school earlier, in one region, 25% were in G now, whereas the rest were enrolled in P; in the second region, all such kids were in G now; while in the third region, 50% of such kids had now joined G while the rest had joined P. As a result, in all three regions put together, 50% of the kids who were earlier out of school had joined G. It was also seen that no surveyed kid had changed schools. What percentage of the surveyed kids in S, whose mothers had dropped out before completing primary education, were in G now?
- A) 94.7% B) 89.5% C) 93.4% D) Cannot be determined from the given information
(Source: CAT 2017)
Best Books for CAT Logical Reasoning
Though the topic of Logical reasoning and Data representation is vast but with the help of good reference books, CAT aspirants can achieve their desired score in this section and clear the sectional cut-off very smoothly. Our best picks for LR & DI include:
- How to prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma
- Nishit Sinha’s The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning
- Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashish
- Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha
- Trishna’s Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT by T.I.M.E. Publisher: Pearson
Tips for Preparing
Various resources for the study of Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation are available online as well as offline. You should give mock tests on a weekly basis or daily basis (if possible). You should pay attention to the given data because if you crack the trick, the questions following can be solved easily. Here are some more useful tips to save you all from some tiny errors which students generally make while attempting questions of this section-
- Learn basic formulas, squares till 30 and cubes till 20 in advance before the exams.
- Read questions carefully and never presume any information which is not provided in the question.
- Read all the options/ choices attentively before marking the right answer.
- You can avoid difficult questions temporarily to save your time and solve them later.
- Read the passages and directions for the questions with attention.
Good luck!
