Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation Tips and Tricks

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation is the Achilles’ heel for many of you. In fact, at times, students who are proficient in Quantitative Aptitude struggle with this topic. Considering the challenges posed by this section, I have outlined a simple six-step process that you can adopt for this section of the exam.

Let’s get started then.

Step-1: Collect your arsenal

Just list the resources you are going to use for your LR-DI prep and then collect them in one place.
In case you want my input for this section, then I list the following three (in the order given) as my material of choice for this area:
a. Previous year mocks
b. LR-DI book by Nishit Sinha
c. Time/CL Material (these notes might be better than Nishit Sinha as the solutions for sets are more detailed)

Step-2: Acquire basic skills

You need to work on your calculations (Vedic/quicker maths) and Basic Arithmetic Skills. Remember, LR-DI is all about execution. Last year, it was the toughest section in CAT and was time-consuming. If your calculation speed in up to speed, then you can mentally carry out a lot of heavy lifting in this section. This helps speed up the process of solving the question and also lends greater clarity in the problem-solving process. Remember, LR-DI is, at times, all about being familiar with numbers and contexts.

Step-3: Strategy and Set selection

It is critical you know and identify the set types that are your strengths. This skill of identification is almost the most important differentiator in the actual exam. In the actual exam, you need to be able to identify the type of sets you can solve in the quickest amount of time. So, you need to list down all the different set types and understand your strengths and weaknesses.

Step-4: Know units and handy conversions

Try to make sure you know every unit of measurement for quantity, volume, area, etc.
Also, make sure you learn handy conversions (such as percentage-ratio, etc) by heart.

Step-5: Mastery over different data types

Different data types and rules relating to them should be clear. For example, Games and Tournaments is a set type in LR. Make sure you map all the variations possible in games and tournaments. Pick popular tournaments and see their structure and points system.

Pick tournaments such as English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, IPL, Wimbledon/US Open. This year, chances are there that some question might be based on Olympics and its tournament/qualification structure for different games.

In fact, we can do a small exercise here. You guys can analyse these different tournaments and post your analysis as pictures in the comment section. Let’s get some group learning kick-started.

Step-6: Practice, Analyse, Repeat: Infinite Loops

Practice a Mock LR-DI section, Analyze and then Practice Again.
It is an endless repeat loop till the time your process for solving is set in stone. Kill the calculator for now; don’t depend on the on-screen calculator; take this as a challenge.

This is how you build stamina in this section and in terms of real-world equivalents, it is all about building your mental muscle memory here. Build that and you are all set to go in this section.