Di & Lr Analysis Across Cat, Xat, Cmat, Iift, Snap

Aug. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- Data interpretation (DI) and logical reasoning (LR) are two of the most integral areas of major MBA entrance exams. Like quantitative ability and verbal ability, DI and LR sections too are common in all the exams. The nomenclature may vary, the type of reasoning might range from logical to analytical to critical, but the bottom line of the preparation will remain the same.

In our past articles, we shared with you the detailed analysis of Quant and verbal ability. In this article, we will give you the analysis of the DI and LR sections across the top five MBA entrance exams.

The five most popularly-taken MBA entrance exams are CAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP and CMAT.

CAT

Since last year, CAT saw a change in pattern wherein DI was joined with Quant and the LR section was clubbed with verbal ability. DI and LR areas have 10 questions each.

The difficulty level of the section ranges from moderate to difficult. The topics of DI include data sufficiency, mixed graph & bar graph, line graph, charts, etc. The data sufficiency case-lets are mostly verbose and tricky. LR questions generally have a case-let followed by questions pertaining to ‘If’, ‘Why’, ‘Then’. Some common forms of questions are family tree, letter encoding, etc. These questions are a sophisticated version of riddles that you used to solve in your childhood.

XAT

These areas are spread across three sections of the exam – DI & quantitative ability, analytical reasoning & decision making and verbal & logical ability. While the first section is tough, DI questions in XAT are more calculation intensive. DI questions are from table, line graphs and bar graphs. LR questions in the second section involve inferences, strengthening/weakening arguments, etc, which are of moderate difficulty level. Questions from the analytical reasoning & decision making section are relatively easier. The questions are on puzzles, decision making and other miscellaneous topics.

CMAT

In the AICTE CMAT exam, DI is merged with quantitative ability section. Logical reasoning is a separate section. In the first-ever CMAT exam, which was held in February 2012, DI questions were of easy to moderate difficulty level. The questions were on tables and pie-chart and required basic calculation skills.

The major topics covered in the LR section are arrangements (i.e. linear, seating, sequencing, and arranging with conditions) and coding, with other questions being based on statement-conclusion, logical puzzle, numerical puzzle, Venn Diagram, true/false statements, visual reasoning, etc.

IIFT

IIFT has separate sections for DI and LR areas. While the DI section is generally tough, LR section is relatively easier. Logical reasoning questions are on puzzles, symbols notation, deductions, decision making and input-output. The DI had questions on usual areas such as graphs, tables, charts, data arrangement, etc.

SNAP

The areas are named as analytical and logical reasoning, quantitative ability and data interpretation & data sufficiency. The analytical & logical reasoning section is tricky and tough. Questions were on coding-decoding, input-output, visual reasoning, puzzles, logical reasoning, deductions, logical connections, etc. The data interpretation & data sufficiency questions were easy to moderate. The data interpretation area has questions on tables, pie-chart, etc. The analytical & logical reasoning section had questions like critical reasoning, deductive logic & logical consistency, logical reasoning, visual reasoning, crossword, number puzzles, P&C, etc.
To read the analysis of the quantitative ability and verbal ability sections across the top five exams, click on the following links:

Quant analysis of CAT, XAT, CMAT, IIFT & SNAP

Verbal ability analysis of CAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP & CMAT