This is a study-plan with references to lessons and exercises as present in Takshzila’s DILR course. You can also download an excel file of this plan here.
The study plan has 2 rounds …
- Round 1: Getting familiar with major topics and the standard variety of sets asked in the topic, one topic after the other. Let’s call this completion of syllabus. This will take a minimum of 55 hours for LR and 30 hours for DI. And one will solve 200+ sets in this round. Target completion of this round by mid-July.
- Round 2: Extensive practice of sets. These include sets from above topics but more tougher, sets from topics like Routes & Networks or Scheduling which do not have any theory and no two sets are similar, sets that do not belong to any specific topic or are not easily categorisable, and sets from PYQs. This will take a minimum of 80 hours. And one will solve 325+ sets in this round, over mid-July to mid-Nov, around 120 days.
The plan and the suggested timing are keeping in mind “averages” i.e. your learning speed is average, you are starting from an average level of preparedness, the time available for daily studies is same as that an average aspirant profile has.
During the initial days of preparation, you will need to spend more time on QA and also some time on VARC as well. The plan is made keeping this mind as well and hence the daily time load for DILR is kept between 45 mins to 1 hour.
No plan can be a perfect fit for everyone. So use the plan as an overall guidance and make adjustments, e.g. instead of following the plan on a day-wise target, you may want to meet weekly target and distribute the work of the week across just 2 or 3 days in the week; or someone may want to take 1 day off, so plan to finish 7 days of work within 6 days and take the 7th day off. Such adjustments are necessary and can be done at your end easily.
The given time guidance is the minimum needed, assuming that you will be able to solve 70-80% of sets yourself, and in reasonable time; and will need to watch explanation videos for just 20-30% sets. But if you need to watch explanations of most sets, or if you take more time to solve sets than an above average student, the time needed for the daily task will be higher, can be as high as 1.5 times that suggested. So in the initial days, measure the time taken by you and compare it to that given and then accordingly plan the time requirement for future days.
LR – Round 1 / 70 days / 55 hours / Till mid-July
Click any row below for detailed day-wise tasks.
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lesson 1 – Intro to Linear Arrangements Lesson 2 – Intro to Circular Arrangements | 60 | Watch all 4 videos, 2 in each lesson. |
| 2 | Exercise 1, 25 Qs (LOD 1) | 45 | Target 1.2 mins per question |
| 3 | Exercise 2, 6 sets (LOD 1) Exercise 3, 5 sets (LOD 1) | 30 | Ex. 2 – target 2.5 mins per set, 15 mins for ex. Ex. 3 – target 3 mins per set, 15 mins for ex. |
| 4 | Exercise 4, 3 sets (LOD 1) Exercise 5, 3 sets (LOD 1) Exercise 6, 2 sets (LOD 1) | 45 | Ex. 4 – target 5 mins per set, 15 mins for ex. Ex. 5 – target 5 mins per set, 15 mins for ex. Ex. 6 – target 7.5 mins per set, 15 mins for ex. |
| 5 | Lesson 3 – Arragements – A little more difficult ones Lesson 4 – Arrangements – Yet more difficult ones | 35 | Watch all the 3 videos in the 2 lessons |
| 6 | Exercise 7, 3 sets (LOD 2) | 30 | Target 10 mins er set, 30 mins for ex. |
| 7 | Exercise 8, 3 sets (LOD 3) | 45 | Target 15 mins per set, 45 mins for ex. |
| 8 | Exercise 9, 10 & 11 – 3 sets (LOD 3) | 45 | Target 15 mins per set, 45 mins for each ex. |
| 9 | Exercise 12, 13 & 14 – 3 sets (LOD 2) | 30 | Target 10 mins per set, 30 mins for each ex. |
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intro To Logic Grids Or Tabular Arrangements | 30 | Try solving the set first for atleast 10 mins, and then chcek the video solution |
| 2 | Exercise 1, 3 sets (LOD 1) Exercise 2, 3 sets (LOD 1) | 35 | Ex 1, target 5 mins per set, 15 mins for the exercise. Ex 2, target 6 mins per set, 20 mins for the exercise. |
| 3 | Exercises 3 & 4, 2 sets (LOD 2) | 25 | Target 12 mins per set, 25 minutes for both the sets |
| 4 | Exercises 5 & 6, 2 sets (LOD 2) | 25 | Target 12 mins per set, 25 minutes for both the sets |
| 5 | Exercises 7 & 8, 2 sets (LOD 2) | 25 | Target 12 mins per set, 25 minutes for both the sets |
| 6 | Exercises 9 & 10, 2 sets (LOD 2) | 25 | Target 12 mins per set, 25 minutes for both the sets |
| 7 | Exercises 11 & 12, 2 sets (LOD 2) | 25 | Target 12 mins per set, 25 minutes for both the sets |
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1. Intro to Groupings | 30 | Watch both the videos in the lesson. |
| 2 | Sets 1, 2 & 3 (LOD 1) | 20 | Target 5-6 mins per set, 20 mins for all three sets. |
| 3 | If-Then Condition Sets 4 & 5, 2 sets (LOD 2) | 45 | 20 mins of thoery videos in the lesson; 12-13 mins for each of the two sets |
| 4 | Only If-Then Condition Sets 6 & 7, 2 sets (LOD 2) | 45 | 20 mins of thoery videos in the lesson; 12-13 mins for each of the two sets |
| 5 | Compound Sentences Set 8 (LOD 3) | 35 | 15 mins of theory video; 20 mins for the set |
| 6 | Timed Practice Sets 9, 10 & 11 – 3 sets (LOD 2) | 30 | Target finishing each set within 10 mins. The actual given test time is on higher side. |
| 7 | Timed Practice Sets 12, 13 & 14 – 3 sets (LOD 2) | 30 | Target finishing each set within 10 mins. The actual given test time is on higher side. |
| 8 | Sets 15, 16 & 17 – 3 sets (LOD 2) Set 18 is unpublished because it is much tougher than CAT level. Skip it. | 45 | Target 15 mins per set, 45 mins for all the three sets. |
| 9 | Sets 19 & 20 – 2 sets (LOD 3) Skip Set 21, it is much tougher than CAT level. | 45 | Target 20-25 mins per set, 45 mins for both the sets. |
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lesson 1: Coin In Boxes With Labels Exercise 1, 10 Qs (LOD 1) | 35 | 25 mins of theory videos. Target 2 mins per question, 10 mins for the exercise. |
| 2 | Lesson 2: Truth-Tellers Liars, Type 1 Exercise 2, 12 Qs (LOD 2) | 60 | 15 mins of theory videos: Target 3-4 mins per question, 45 mins for the exercise. The 12 Qs of the exercise can be very confusing. |
| 3 | Lesson 3: Truth-Tellers Liars, Type 2 | 45 | Watch all 3 videos in the lesson. |
| 4 | Lesson 4: Analysing Statements Like “I Am …” Exercise 3, 3 sets (LOD 2 & 3) | 60 | 15 mins of theory videos: Target 15 mins per set, 45 mins for entire exercise. |
| 5 | Exercise 4, 4 sets (LOD 2 & 3) | 60 | Target 15 mins per set, 60 mins for entire exercise. |
| 6 | Practice Test, 4 sets (LOD 2 & 3) | 60 | Target 15 mins per set, 60 mins for entire exercise. |
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lesson 1: Colouring & Cutting Cubes – Part 1 | 45 | Watch all the 4 theory videos in the lesson. |
| 2 | Exercise 1, 3 sets (LOD 1 & 2) | 30 | Target 10 minutes per set, 30 mins for the exercise. |
| 3 | Lesson 2: Colouring & Cutting Cubes – Part 2 | 40 | Watch all the 4 theory videos in the lesson. |
| 4 | Exercise 2, 3 sets (LOD 2 & 3) | 40 | Target 12 minutes per set, 36 mins for the exercise. |
| 5 | Lesson 3: Number Of Cuts Resulting In Number Of Cuboids | 40 | Watch all the 3 theory videos in the lesson. |
| 6 | Lesson 4: Cuboid Into Cube | 30 | Watch both the theory videos in the lesson. |
| 7 | Exercise 3, 12 questions (LOD 2 & 3) | 30 | Target 2-3 mins per question, 30 mins for the exercise. |
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Logic Or Strategy Games – Introduction Another Common Game In Exams | 35 | Watch all 3 theory videos, in the 2 lessons. |
| 2 | Exercise 1, 3 sets (LOD 1, 2 & 3) | 40 | Target 12-13 mins per set, 40 mins for the exercise. |
| 3 | Exercise 2, 3 sets (LOD 1, 2 & 3) | 45 | Target 15 mins per set, 45 mins for the exercise. |
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lesson 1: Finding The Counterfeit Coin With Min Weighings | 30 | Watch all 3 theory videos in the lesson. |
| 2 | Lesson 2: Min Weights To Measure From 1 To N | 35 | Watch all 4 theory videos in the lesson. |
| 3 | Exercise 1, 3 sets (LOD 2 & 3) | 45 | Target 15 mins per set, 45 mins for the exercise. |
| 3 days | Weighing related sets | 2 hours | 3 sets |
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 – Knockout Tournaments – How They Work Exercise 1, 12 questions (LOD 1 & 2) | 45 | Watch all 3 theory videos, 22 mins. Target 2 mins per question, 24 mins for the exercise. |
| 2 | 2 – Knockout Tournaments – Seeding & Fixtures Upto 16 Seeds Exercise 2, 3 sets (LOD 2) | 60 | Watch both theory videos, 23 mins. Target 12 mins per set, 36 mins for the exercise. |
| 3 | 3 – Knockout Tournaments – Approaches For 64, 128 Players | 60 | Watch all 5 theory videos in the lesson. |
| 4 | 4 – Upsets In Knockout Tourneys | 45 | Watch all 4 theory videos in the lesson. |
| 5 | Exercise 3, 2 sets (LOD 3) | 50 | Target 25 mins per set, 50 mins for the exercise. |
| 6 | 5 – Introduction To Round Robin 6 – Round Robin: Possible Number Of Wins | 35 | Watch the 1 video from lesson 5. Watch only the 1st video (out of the 3 videos) of lesson 6 |
| 7 | 6 – Round Robin: Possible Number Of Wins Exercise 4, 4 questions (LOD 2) | 40 | Watch the remaining 2 videos of lesson 6, 26 mins. Target 3 mins per question, 12 mins for the exercise. |
| 8 | 7 – Round Robin: Min-Max Wins For Advancing-Elimination Exercise 5, 5 questions | 45 | Watch the video in lesson 7, 25 mins. Target 4 mins per question, 20 mins for the exercise. |
| 9 | 8 – Round Robin: The Points Table 9 – Match Scores From Goals For & Against | 40 | Watch all 3 theory videos in the 2 lessons. |
| 10 | Exercise 6, 1 set (LOD 3) | 20 | Target 20 mins for the exercise. |
| 11 | Recording of Live Classes Video 1 of 3 | 120 | Watch the video recording of a live class. It revises some ideas & also gives a new way for Q types |
| 12 | Recording of Live Classes Video 2 of 3 | 120 | Same as above |
| 13 | Recording of Live Classes Video 3 of 3 | 120 | Same as above |
This section is not relevant for CAT or XAT. It is only relevant for SNAP & NMAT.
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 – Introduction and Solved Examples 1 | 30 | Watch all 3 theory videos in the lesson. |
| 2 | L2 – Solved Examples 2 | 35 | Watch all 4 theory videos in the lesson. |
| 3 | Exercise, 30 Qs | 45 | Target 1-2 mins per question, 45 mins for the exercise. |
This section is not relevant for CAT or XAT. It is only relevant for SNAP & NMAT.
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Finish all 6 theory lessons in 2 days | 120 | Watch all 13 theory videos in the 6 lessons, averaging 60 mins each day |
| 3 | Exercise 1, 30 Qs | 45 | Target 1-2 mins per question, 45 mins for the exercise. |
| 4 | Exercise 2, 30 Qs | 45 | Target 1-2 mins per question, 45 mins for the exercise. |
This section is not relevant for CAT or XAT or SNAP. It is only relevant for NMAT.
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Input Output Solved Examples – Part 1 & 2 | 40 | Watch all 4 theory videos in the 2 lessons |
| 2 | Input Output Solved Examples – Part 3 & 4 | 55 | Watch all 4 theory videos in the 2 lessons |
| 3 | Practice Set 1, 2 & 3 | 45 | Target 15 mins for each practice set |
| 4 | Practice Set 4, 5 & 6 | 45 | Target 15 mins for each practice set |
| 5 | Practice Set 7, 8 & 9 | 45 | Target 15 mins for each practice set |
| 6 | Practice Set 10, 11 & 12 | 45 | Target 15 mins for each practice set |
What about topics like Routes & Networks, Scheduling?
These topics have no theory that one can learn that will help in sets of these topics. No two sets on these topics are similar in nature. Every set on these topics has a different set-up and one that has to be understood and managed only on reading the instructions specific to that set, no prior knowledge is going to help. Hence there are no sections with theory videos & exercises on these topics. However, in the Round 2, when one practises sets, there are plenty of sets on these topics to practice sets on these topics.
DI – Round 1 / 40 days / 30 hours / Till mid-July
| Day # | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to DI Squaring | 35 | Watch all the 5 theory videos in the two lessons |
| 2 | Multiplication (Nishant) OR Multiplication (Chandra) | 35 | If you prefer Nishant, watch Nishant’s all 3 videos & Chandra’s video #2 of 3. If you prefer Chandra, just watch Chandra’s lesson |
| 3 | Division | 55 | Watch all 5 theory videos in this lesson |
| 4 | Finding x percent of y | 45 | Watch all 3 theory videos in this lesson |
| 5 | x is what percent of y | Watch all 3 theory videos in this lesson | |
| 6 | Comparing fractions | Watch all 5 theory videos in this lesson |
| Days | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solved Examples | 45 | If above average in Maths or short of time, skip this entire section. Else, watch all 3 videos in this lesson. |
| 2 | Exercise 1, 4 sets (LOD 1) | 40 | Target 2-2.5 mins per question, 10 mins per set, 40 mons for the exercise. |
| Days | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 1. Growth Rates Theory 2. Finding Growth Rates – Solved Set 1 3. Finding Growth Rates – Solved Set 2 | 90 | Finish all 7 videos across the 3 lessons, over 2 days, averaging 45 mins per day. |
| 2 | Practice Set 1 Practice Set 2 Practice Set 3 | 50 | Target 15 mins for Practice Set 1, Target 20 mins for Practice Set 2, Target 12 minutes for Practice Set 3 |
| 3 | 4. Growth Rates Given – Theory 5. Growth Rates Given – Solved Set 1 | 45 | Watch all 4 theory videos of Lessons 4 & 5. |
| 4 | 6. Growth Rates Given – Solved Set 2 | 50 | Watch all 3 theory videos in this lesson |
| 5 | Practice Set 4 Practice Set 5 Practice Set 6 | 55 | Target 25 mins for Practice Set 4, Target 20 mins for Practice Set 5, Target 10 minutes for Practice Set 6. |
| Days | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Pie Charts – Nishant | 35 | Watch all 3 theory videos in this lesson | |
| 1a. Introduction to Pie Charts – Chandra | 35 | Watch all 3 theory videos in this lesson | |
| Solved Sets 1, 2 & 3 | 50 | Watch all 4 videos in the 3 Solved Sets | |
| Solved Sets 4, 5 & 6 | 45 | Watch all 3 videos in the 3 Solved Sets | |
| Solved Set 7 | 30 | Watch both the videos in the lesson | |
| 9. Pies of Share in Successive years | 40 | Watch all 3 theory videos in this lesson | |
| 9a. Market Shares in 2 diff years and growth rates | 45 | Watch all 5 theory videos in this lesson. The ideas in videos 4 & 5 are same as done yesterday, so if you are well versed, these can be skipped. | |
| Solved Set 8 & 9 | 50 | Watch all the 3 theory videos in the two lessons | |
| Practice Set 1 & 2 | 50 | Target solving each set in 25 mins. | |
| Practice Set 3 & 4 | 40 | Target solving each set in 20 mins. | |
| Practice Set 5, 6 & 7 | 45 | Target solving each set in 15 mins. | |
| Practice Set 8 & 9 | 30 | Target solving each set in 15 mins. | |
| Practice Set 10 & 11 | 30 | Target solving each set in 15 mins. |
| Days | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Measures of Ratio – Introduction 2 to 5. Solved Sets 1, 2, 3 & 4 | 90 | Over 2 days, finish watching all the 7 theory and solved example videos across these 5 lessons |
| 3 | Practice Sets 1, 2 & 3 | 45 | Target 15 mins for each set. |
| 4 | Practice Sets 4, 5 & 6 | 45 | Target 15 mins for each set. |
| 5 | Practice Sets 7, 8 & 9 | 45 | Target 15 mins for each set. |
| 6 | Practice Sets 10, 11 & 12 | 45 | Target 15 mins for each set. |
| Days | Lesson/Exercise | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1 Basics & 2 Sets 2 Theory and Examples of 3 sets | — | All 9 videos in these 2 lessons are same as those in QA course. So if you have studied the topic of Set Theory from QA, you do not have to do these lessons. |
| 1 | Exercise 1, 3 sets | 30 | Target 10 mins for each set, 30 mins for the exercise. |
| 2 | Exercise 2, 3 sets | 35 | Target 12 mins for each set, 35 mins for the exercise. |
| 3 | 3 Maximising-Minimising Easy Ones | 50 | Watch all 4 theory videos in this lesson |
| 4 | Exercise 3, 2 sets & individual Qs | 25 | Target 10 mins for each set, 25 mins for the exercise. |
| 5 | Exercise 4, 3 sets | 40 | Target 12-15 mins for each set, 40 mins for the exercise. |
| 6 | 4 Maximising Minimising in 4 Sets | 40 | Watch all 4 theory videos in this lesson |
| — | Lessons 5 to 8 – MinimisingMaximising Tougher Ones | — | Such questions have not been asked in CAT so far. But they have been asked in mocks of various classes & float around in online groups. The type of questions are pretty tough and doing them is optional. It will take 5 days, one day for each lesson/exercise, taking 40-60 mins daily. |
What about Line / Bar / Column Graphs?
The lessons are categorised as per the theory and not as per pictorial representation. Growth Rates is the theory and this can be asked with a data that can be in a table or a line graph or a bar/column graph. Measures using Ratios are common terms and have specific data and question-types. So there is a lesson on this. Within this framework, the data can again be given as a table or pictorially as a line or bar/column graph. So, both lessons – Growth Rates and Measures using Ratio – have sets with line and bar/column graphs.
The order between LR and DI?
Covering LR and DI in any order is fine. You can finish LR first and then finish DI. Or you can finish DI first and then LR, this too is fine. Or else you can cover 2 lessons from LR followed by 1 lesson from DI (DI has fewer lessons) and repeat. If you are going to cover LR and DI alternately, get an idea of time & days needed from the respective plans and fix up your schedule for the next few days/week. E.g. 5-April to 10-April: Truth & Lies from LR, 11-April to 16-April: Growth Rates from DI. Just plan 1 week ahead at a time.
IMPORTANT: Start DI course only after having done Ratios and Percentages from Arithmetic.
Round 2 / 120 days / 80 hours / mid-July to mid-Nov
| Day # | CAT Yr/Slot | Min Time (mins) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | CAT 2017 Slot 1 | 30 | 8 sets to be done over 3 days |
| 4-6 | CAT 2017 Slot 2 | 30 | 8 sets to be done over 3 days |
| 7-9 | CAT 2018 Slot 1 | 30 | 8 sets to be done over 3 days |
| 10-12 | CAT 2018 Slot 2 | 30 | 8 sets to be done over 3 days |
| 13-15 | CAT 2019 Slot 1 | 30 | 8 sets to be done over 3 days |
| 16-18 | CAT 2019 Slot 2 | 30 | 8 sets to be done over 3 days |
| 19-20 | CAT 2020 Slot 1 | 30 | 5 sets to be done over 2 days |
| 21-22 | CAT 2020 Slot 2 | 30 | 5 sets to be done over 2 days |
| 23-24 | CAT 2020 Slot 3 | 30 | 5 sets to be done over 2 days |
| 25-26 | CAT 2021 Slot 1 | 30 | 4 sets to be done over 2 days |
| 27-28 | CAT 2021 Slot 2 | 30 | 4 sets to be done over 2 day |
| 29-30 | CAT 2021 Slot 3 | 30 | 4 sets to be done over 2 day |
| 31-32 | CAT 2022 Slot 1 | 30 | 4 sets to be done over 2 day |
| 33-34 | CAT 2022 Slot 2 | 30 | 4 sets to be done over 2 day |
| 35-36 | CAT 2022 Slot 3 | 30 | 4 sets to be done over 2 day |
| 37-38 | CAT 2023 Slot 1 | 30 | 4 sets to be done over 2 day |
| 39-40 | CAT 2023 Slot 2 | 30 | 4 sets to be done over 2 day |
| 41-42 | CAT 2023 Slot 3 | 30 | 4 sets to be done over 2 day |
Leave out CAT 2024 and CAT 2025 papers to be taken as tests under timed conditions. For this very reason, do not go through sets of these years if you come across them on any social media.
Solve one Accelerate Exercise (3 sets) daily, 5 days a week (rest 2 days are for Mocks) for 15 week i.e. 75 exercises, 225 sets over 90 days. It will take minimum 45 mins each day.
Some student may start late, to such an extent that if they follow the plan as it is, they may not complete the entire course in time for the exam. In such cases, you will have to devote extra time daily … you may have to finish the tasks given for 4 days within 3 days; or the tasks of 3 days within 2 days. Such adjustments should be done by you e.g. the plan suggests completion of syllabus in ~120 days. If you start at a time such that you need to finish syllabus in next 90 days, then finish 4 days work within 3 days; you need to finish syllabus in 80 days, then finish 3 days work within 2 days; and so on.
Next, there will also be cases where one cannot devote more time per day. In such cases .. where days left are not as many as required and one also cannot do extra work, something will have to give way. There are 2 fallouts of this … 1. you may not do ALL the topics and choose to skip some topics altogether; or 2. some practice exercises of round 2 will be left undone i.e. instead of being able to finish all 75 Accelerate Exercises (225 sets), you may be able to finish only 20 Exercises or none at all. There are no easy way out of this situation. Dont search for any magical plan to be able to do everything in the limited time, you will be wasting some more of the limited time you have. Instead just do your best in such cases and get started with any plan, ignore the day-wise split and just get done as much as you can, lesson after lesson after lesson, as much as you can cram.
Doubts/Suggestions are most welcome, please put them as comments and I will get back.
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