Most table DI sets do not hide a clever trick. They hide a trap: a missing cell, a mismatched unit or a percentage taken on the wrong base. With CAT 2026 on 29 November, a fair question is this: how do you solve table-based sets faster and more accurately in the days that remain? This guide gives you a 4-step method, one fully solved set and a free PDF with 10 challenging CAT 2026 table DI questions sets to practise under a timer.
Quick answer: CAT 2026 is on 29 November 2026, and the DILR section has 22 questions in 40 minutes. Table DI sets reward careful reading and quick, smart calculation. Practise 10 timed sets, fill every blank cell before you answer, and attempt only the sets you can finish with accuracy.
Want the sets right away? Download the free CAT 2026 table DI practice PDF with 40 questions, answers and explanations, then come back for the method.
CAT 2026 DILR Pattern at a Glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Exam date | Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three slots |
| Conducting body | IIM Indore |
| DILR questions | 22, grouped in sets of about 4 to 6 questions |
| DILR time | 40 minutes, with no switching between sections |
| DILR marks | 66 |
| Marking | +3 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong MCQ, no negative marking for TITA |
This table follows the latest published pattern. Confirm any change on the official CAT website before exam day.
Why Table DI Sets Trip Up Strong Students
Table sets look simple, so students rush them. Four traps cause most lost marks.
| Trap | Example | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Unit mismatch | One column in Rs lakh, another in Rs crore | Write the unit beside every column before you start |
| Percent vs percentage point | A share rises from 25% to 30% | Call the gap 5 percentage points, and the growth 20% |
| Wrong base | A fall from 150 to 125 | Divide by the starting value, 150, not by 125 |
| Blank cells | Missing totals or rates | Fill them from the totals and ratios the set gives you |
A 4-Step Method for Any Table DI Set
You can apply the same routine to every set. Here is how the time splits.
| Step | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Scan | 60 seconds | Read the title, units, row and column labels and any footnote |
| 2. Fill | 60 to 90 seconds | Complete every blank cell you can deduce |
| 3. Choose | While reading | Answer the easy questions first and skip any question that needs more than 2 minutes |
| 4. Calculate smart | Throughout | Compare ratios instead of dividing fully, and estimate when the options sit far apart |
Set selection matters as much as speed. In the first three or four minutes, scan all the sets and start with the one whose table you understand fastest. Quick percentage and ratio skills also help.
Solved Example: A Set With Missing Data
Five centres, P to T, held an entrance test. The overall qualification rate across all five was 59%.
| Centre | Appeared | Qualified | Qualification rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | 40,000 | – | 60% |
| Q | – | 24,000 | 48% |
| R | 30,000 | 21,000 | – |
| S | 60,000 | – | – |
| T | – | 16,000 | 80% |
Question: How many candidates qualified from centre S?
- Scan: Every figure is in individual candidates, so the units match.
- Fill: P qualified 60% of 40,000, which is 24,000. Q appeared 24,000 ÷ 0.48 = 50,000. T appeared 16,000 ÷ 0.80 = 20,000.
- Use the total: All five centres had 40,000 + 50,000 + 30,000 + 60,000 + 20,000 = 200,000 candidates. At 59%, 118,000 qualified.
- Solve: S qualified 118,000 − (24,000 + 24,000 + 21,000 + 16,000) = 33,000.
Notice how one given total unlocked the whole set. Always look for the single piece of information that lets you fill the blanks.
The 10 Sets in the PDF
| Set | Theme | Level | Skills tested | Target time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Store sales | Moderate | Growth, shares, averages | 7 min |
| 2 | Exam centres | Challenging | Filling blanks from a total | 9 min |
| 3 | Segment profits | Moderate | Margins and profit change | 7 min |
| 4 | Batting records | Moderate | Averages, strike rates, not-out logic | 7 min |
| 5 | Literacy by state | Challenging | Weighted rates and population splits | 9 min |
| 6 | Trade balance | Moderate | Year-on-year change and ratios | 7 min |
| 7 | Round-robin tournament | Challenging | Deduction from points and constraints | 9 min |
| 8 | Phone shipments | Moderate | Market share and unit growth | 7 min |
| 9 | Workforce movement | Challenging | Attrition, headcount and payroll | 9 min |
| 10 | Investment portfolio | Challenging | Compound returns and missing data | 9 min |
Each set has four questions. The PDF mixes MCQs and TITA questions, as the real paper does, and it explains every answer.
Free CAT 2026 Table DI Practice PDF
The PDF gives you:
- 10 original table-based sets with 40 questions
- A target time and difficulty level for each set
- A full answer key with a short explanation for every question
How to Use the Sets in Your Last 15 Days
You have about two weeks, so keep the routine light and consistent.
| Dates | What to do |
|---|---|
| 14 to 20 November | Solve two sets a day with a timer, then read every explanation |
| 21 to 26 November | Solve one set a day, and redo the sets you got wrong |
| 27 to 28 November | Revise your error log and rest your mind |
| 29 November | Follow the 4-step method and trust your set selection |
Reading this later? Use the same pattern across your final 15 days. To test set selection under real timing, take a full-length mock on CATMOCK.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting with the longest set. Pick the set you understand fastest.
- Skipping the blank cells. Fill them first, because later questions depend on them.
- Rounding too early. Keep full numbers until the final step.
- Guessing MCQs. Each wrong MCQ costs 1 mark, so skip when you cannot narrow the options.
- Never reviewing. Reading the explanation teaches more than solving a new set.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is table-based DI in CAT?
Table-based DI gives you data in rows and columns, and you answer four to six questions on growth, shares, ratios, averages or missing values.
How many DI sets come in CAT DILR?
DILR has 22 questions, and recent papers have used around five sets. The mix of DI and LR sets changes every year, so prepare for both.
Is table DI easier than logical reasoning?
Not always. Straight table sets can be quick, but sets with missing data or extra conditions can take longer than an average LR set.
How many marks does each DILR question carry?
Each correct answer earns 3 marks. A wrong MCQ costs 1 mark, and TITA questions carry no negative marking, as per the latest pattern.
How much time should I give one DI set?
Aim for 7 to 9 minutes per set, including the scan. If a set eats more than 10 minutes, move on.
Can I use a calculator in CAT?
CAT provides an on-screen calculator in the test window. Check the official bulletin for the latest instructions.
How do I improve my DI speed?
Practise percentage and ratio comparisons, estimate when options are far apart, and solve timed sets every day. Reading real statistical tables also helps.
Should I attempt every set in DILR?
No. Aim to finish three or four sets with high accuracy instead of rushing through all of them.
How many table DI sets should I practise before CAT?
Ten timed sets with full review are enough for your last two weeks. Review matters more than volume.
Where can I download the table DI practice PDF?
You can download our free PDF from this page. It has 10 sets, 40 questions and a full answer key.
Conclusion
Table DI rewards patience more than genius. Read the table carefully, fill the blanks first, protect your accuracy and pick sets wisely.
Download the PDF, solve two sets today under a timer and note which trap catches you most often. Then fix that habit before 29 November. You will find more CAT preparation guides on the CATMOCK blog.
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