CAT DILR
CAT data interpretation: table practice
Table based data interpretation is the most common DI format and the easiest to improve with practice. Most questions need only percentages, ratios and comparisons, so the main skill is reading quickly and not calculating more than the question needs. Below is a short set on a hospital table, followed by the routine to use on any table.
Key ideas
- Read the title, the units and the column headings before the numbers.
- Estimate before you calculate. Many options can be eliminated by rough percentages.
- Compare using cross multiplication instead of dividing when two ratios are close.
- Watch for percentage versus absolute questions: a larger percentage may not mean a larger number.
- Note any totals that you may need more than once and write them next to the table.
Common traps
- Mixing units, such as thousands and lakhs.
- Using the wrong base for a percentage.
- Calculating exact values when the options are far apart.
Practice set: Hospital wards
A hospital recorded the following for four wards in a month.
| Ward | Patients admitted | Patients discharged within a week | Patients who needed surgery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ward A | 120 | 30 | 6 |
| Ward B | 90 | 27 | 3 |
| Ward C | 150 | 45 | 9 |
| Ward D | 60 | 24 | 6 |
Answer the questions using the table.
Practice questions with solutions
Try each question first, then open the solution.
-
Which ward had the highest percentage of patients discharged within a week?
- A Ward A
- B Ward D
- C Ward B
- D Ward C
Show answer and solution
Answer: B. Ward D
Discharge rates: A 25%, B 30%, C 30%, D 40%. Ward D is highest.
-
How many patients were admitted across all four wards?
Type in the answer (no options).
Show answer and solution
Answer: 420
120 + 90 + 150 + 60 = 420.
-
In which ward did the highest percentage of patients need surgery?
- A Ward A
- B Ward B
- C Ward C
- D Ward D
Show answer and solution
Answer: D. Ward D
Surgery rates: A 5%, B 3.3%, C 6%, D 10%. Ward D is highest.
-
What percentage of the total patients admitted needed surgery? Round off to the nearest whole number.
Type in the answer (no options).
Show answer and solution
Answer: 6
Total surgeries = 6 + 3 + 9 + 6 = 24. 24 / 420 = 5.7%, which rounds to 6%.
Keep practising
- Timed CAT DILR practice tests with full solutions
- Free full length CAT mocks to test pacing across all three sections
- CAT formula sheet and flashcards for quick revision
- CAT logical reasoning: arrangements practice
- CAT DILR: scheduling puzzles practice