How to improve logical reasoning in CAT exam

Prepare logical reasoning and score high in CAT exam

Before 2015, in CAT exam, the LR (Logical Reasoning) was a part clubbed with Verbal Ability. So the students were not much worried about LR questions and could manage top ranking without LR.  After 2015 a separate section of DILR was created with 32 questions, 16 from DI and 16 from LR.

In the overall CAT exam, there is a minimum cut off for each section individually. Many candidates score high percentile say 98% or more but do not get a call from IIM. The reason is they are below the cut-off or minimum marks of DILR section.

The pattern of LR questions:

There are total 16 questions of LR, 12 are MCQ type and 4 are non-MCQ type. In MCQ type questions for wrong answers, there is a negative marking of 1, but for non-MCQ type questions, there is no negative marking. So the candidate must attempt all non-MCQ type questions.

A complete analysis of DILR section with LR part is given in the following table:

DILR Section of CAT 2019	LR composition of 2019
Section Name	Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Total DILR questions	32
Time allowed for DILR section	60 minutes
Total LR problems	4
Questions per LR problem	4
Total Questions in LR	4×4 = 16
MCQ questions	12
Non-MCQ questions	4
Mark for each correct answer	3
Negative mark for each wrong answer	-1
Difficulty Level	Moderate to high

Further LR problem/ topic wise analysis table:

LR Problems (4)	Questions from LR Topics ( 4 from each problem)
Problem 1: Venn Diagrams/Binary Logic	set theory, network diagrams are included – difficult and need more practice
Problem 2: Syllogisms/Logical Deduction	statements, arguments,
Problem 3: Quantitative Reasoning/Puzzles	Arithmetic, Geometrical data, various puzzles on words, letters, arrangements, seating etc.
Problem 4: Arrangements/Rankings/Team Formation	Ranks, Seating arrangement, a different type of team formation. Many conditions may be placed to make the question difficult.

Now, LR questions should also be given priority as other sections like Verbal Ability and Quantitative Analysis is given.

Initially, easy and fundamental questions should be attempted and the move to the medium and difficulty level of questions. Practice one mock paper regularly and observe and analyze your improvement. E mock online is also a better option to practice as this will eliminate several bindings of available time and space. E mock papers can be practiced on computers, laptop or on mobile. Candidates can also practice on sabakuch.com and get three sets free of cost for e mock papers. For more sets, there are paid options which are worth purchasing.