CAT Logical Reasoning

How to Prepare for CAT Logical Reasoning | Explore LR Syllabus, Basics, and Examples

Logical Reasoning is a part of the DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) section. In CAT 2020, the DILR section included 24 questions, out of which ten questions were based on Logical Reasoning. Further, there was a reduction in the number of questions in CAT 2021. There were 20 questions in the DILR section out of which 12 questions were based on Logical Reasoning. There is no doubt that CAT logic reasoning is a favourite section of numerous CAT aspirants as it acts as an excellent score booster. However, candidates tend to make silly mistakes, and eventually lose scores if they are not careful enough. Practising different types of Logical Reasoning questions can be one way to reduce those mistakes. Also, being aware of them beforehand will help avoid similar mistakes during the CAT Exam.

In this article,

• What is Logical Reasoning for CAT?
• Overview of CAT Logical Reasoning
• Logical Reasoning Exam Pattern
• CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus
• How to Prepare for CAT Logical Reasoning
• Tricks to ace the Logical Reasoning Section

What is Logical Reasoning for CAT?

The ability to recognise and infer the significance of patterns using the given data is known as logical reasoning. It is a combination of logical thinking and analytical skills that is used in solving problems of every kind, including Maths problems. Candidates possess these skills and use them in all aspects of daily life, sometimes without even being consciously aware of them.

Overview of CAT Logical Reasoning

There are usually both easy and challenging questions in the Logical Reasoning part of DILR. CAT exam questions on Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) are answered after the VARC section. The total number of DILR questions was reduced from 32 to 24 in CAT 2021. The number was further reduced to 20 in CAT 2022. Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation are combined in the CAT examination.

Logical Reasoning Exam Pattern

Here you can find a slot-wise summary of the Logical Reasoning Questions in CAT 2021:

CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus:

Logical Reasoning questions are designed to measure an aspirant’s ability to understand a system of relationships and to draw appropriate conclusions about those relationships. However, there isn’t any definitive syllabus for CAT Logical Reasoning released by the IIM.Questions are asked from various topics like Alphanumeric series, Cubes and cuboids, Reasoning/Statement Analysis, Directions, Series and Sequences, etc., It is important for students to understand the CAT Syllabus for Logical Reasoning in order to master this section in the exam, the following table summarises some of the important topics.

Logical Reasoning Related Videos for CAT 2022

Discover expert insights into the Logical Reasoning section of the CAT Exam by watching these videos.

How to Prepare for CAT Logical Reasoning:

• Work on your time management skills. There is a time limit of forty minutes in which you have to solve both the MCQs and TITA Questions. First, decide on which questions you are confident to answer. Then set a time limit within which you will answer them with precision and accuracy.
• To answer the logical reasoning questions, devise your own strategy. As you solve more and more practise questions, you’ll figure out the methodology works best for you.
• Practise previous year’s question papers and mock tests with all diligence, as if you’re sitting for the real exam. Doing so will decrease the stress and anxiety you could face on exam day.

Tricks to ace the Logical Reasoning Section:

Here are some tips that might help the CAT candidates improve their way of solving Logical Reasoning questions while practising.

Make sure you write down your LR questions rather than picturising them in your mind.

Logical Reasoning questions are primarily based on arrangement-type questions with certain conditions to fulfil. Great attention to detail helps to solve them in very little time. It’s better to draw inferences from the statements. There are some smaller implications that become apparent as the question goes along.

Critical Thinking is critical to solving Logical Reasoning Questions

Consider this question –

There are four males sitting on a bench to be photographed.

1. Ravi
2. Vijay
3. Ram
4. Sonu

They are sitting as per the below conditions:

1. Vijay is sitting to the left of Ravi.

2. Ram is sitting to the right of Ravi.

3. Sonu is between Ravi and Ram.

Question: Who would be 2nd to the left, in the photograph?

The Answer is Sonu. Read the question again – Who would be the 2nd to the left, IN THE PHOTOGRAPH?

When the sentence in the Photograph comes, the seating arrangement will turn to 180 degrees. So, Sonu would be 2nd to the left, in the photograph.

Had the question been – who is the person sitting 2nd to the left? Then the arrangement would be – Ram, Sonu, Ravi and Vijay.

So, it is seen how these little things can affect the answers and ability to score marks in the CAT exam. Time and again, it has been stressed that questions like this consist of three to four questions that will carry more marks. If one condition is not looked upon carefully, the whole arrangement could turn out wrong, which will affect the marks.

Put in small blanks to fill question figures there

If the number of people is given in the question, the figure must be drawn first. For example, if the question says five people sitting around the circle facing the centre, the sequence with five blank spaces should be quickly drawn. Once the conditions of those questions are read, dissecting them bit by bit will help solve the Logical Reasoning questions for CAT faster.

Logical reasoning can be very tricky, but you can score well in this section and ace the CAT exam with the right practice and methods. Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn various tricks and techniques from India’s best CAT trainers.

Important links for CAT Logical Reasoning: