CAT 2026 · Slot 3 · Expected paper

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CAT 2026 Slot 3 DILR: Set 4: DILR – Smart Watches Monthly and Quarterly Sales with Solutions

5 questions: Q13, Q14, Q15, Q16, Q17. Solve each one here: tap the answer, press Check, then open the solution.

Data Interpretation

The set

The multi-layered chart shows the sales of Smart Watches at a retail electronics outlet during 2025 and 2026. The outer layer shows monthly sales, the middle layer shows quarter-wise aggregate sales, and the innermost layer identifies the year. Some monthly and quarterly figures have intentionally been left blank.

Read the month labels in calendar order within each year’s half. The sectors identify months and quarters; their angles do not represent sales proportions. Use the printed numbers and infer missing values from the quarter totals.

Use the chart for the following questions. All sales figures are in the same unit.

Question 13Charts and tables

MCQ · +3 / −1 · easy

What is the percentage change in sales in September 2026 as compared to sales in September 2025?

Answer and solution

Correct answer: B

Solution

Answer: B — 87.50% decrease

1. Read the numbers on the image, not the sector angles: the equal-sized sectors are schematic, not proportional sales shares. The 2025 months Jan–Dec are 120,140,160,50,70,90,80,90,80,150,280,170.

2. The 2026 months Jan–Dec are 250,180,200,100,80,90,120,150,10,150,200,150. Missing values follow from quarter totals: May 2025=210−50−90=70; November 2025=600−150−170=280; December 2026=500−150−200=150.

3. Quarter totals: 2025=420,210,250,600 (annual 1480); 2026=630,270,280,500 (annual 1680). Q 3 2026=120+150+10=280.

Question-specific calculation:
The correct answer is B — 87.50% decrease.

September 2025 sales = 80.
September 2026 sales = 10.

Percentage change = ((10 − 80) / 80) × 100
= (−70 / 80) × 100
= −87.5%.

The negative sign indicates a decrease. Therefore, sales decreased by 87.50%.

G Strategy shortcut

Method: 10 is 1/8 of 80; remaining sales=12.5%, so decrease=87.5%.
Verification: The negative sign indicates a decrease. Therefore, sales decreased by 87.50%.

G Strategy: Method: 10 is 1/8 of 80; remaining sales=12.5%, so decrease=87.5%. Verification: The negative sign indicates a decrease. Therefore, sales decreased by 87.50%.

Question 14Charts and tables

MCQ · +3 / −1 · easy

In which quarter of 2026 was the percentage increase in sales from the same quarter of 2025 the highest?

Answer and solution

Correct answer: A

Solution

Answer: A — Q1

1. Read the numbers on the image, not the sector angles: the equal-sized sectors are schematic, not proportional sales shares. The 2025 months Jan–Dec are 120,140,160,50,70,90,80,90,80,150,280,170.

2. The 2026 months Jan–Dec are 250,180,200,100,80,90,120,150,10,150,200,150. Missing values follow from quarter totals: May 2025=210−50−90=70; November 2025=600−150−170=280; December 2026=500−150−200=150.

3. Quarter totals: 2025=420,210,250,600 (annual 1480); 2026=630,270,280,500 (annual 1680). Q 3 2026=120+150+10=280.

Question-specific calculation:
The correct answer is A — Q 1.

Compare the same quarters in the two years:

Q 1: 2025 = 420; 2026 = 630.
Increase = (210 / 420) × 100 = 50%.

Q 2: 2025 = 210; 2026 = 270.
Increase = (60 / 210) × 100 = 28.57%.

Q 3: 2025 = 250; 2026 = 280.
Increase = (30 / 250) × 100 = 12%.

Q 4: 2025 = 600; 2026 = 500.
This is a decrease, not an increase.

The highest percentage increase is 50% in Q 1.

G Strategy shortcut

Method: Compare new/old ratios: 630/420=1.5; 270/210≈1.286; 280/250=1.12; 500/600<1. Highest is Q 1.
Verification: The highest percentage increase is 50% in Q 1.

G Strategy: Method: Compare new/old ratios: 630/420=1.5; 270/210≈1.286; 280/250=1.12; 500/600<1. Highest is Q 1. Verification: The highest percentage increase is 50% in Q 1.

Question 15Charts and tables

MCQ · +3 / −1 · easy

During which quarter was the percentage decrease in sales from the previous quarter's sales the highest?

Answer and solution

Correct answer: D

Solution

Answer: D — Q2 of 2026

1. Read the numbers on the image, not the sector angles: the equal-sized sectors are schematic, not proportional sales shares. The 2025 months Jan–Dec are 120,140,160,50,70,90,80,90,80,150,280,170.

2. The 2026 months Jan–Dec are 250,180,200,100,80,90,120,150,10,150,200,150. Missing values follow from quarter totals: May 2025=210−50−90=70; November 2025=600−150−170=280; December 2026=500−150−200=150.

3. Quarter totals: 2025=420,210,250,600 (annual 1480); 2026=630,270,280,500 (annual 1680). Q 3 2026=120+150+10=280.

Question-specific calculation:
The correct answer is D — Q 2 of 2026.

Compare each listed quarter with the immediately preceding quarter:

Q 2 of 2025: Q 1 = 420 and Q 2 = 210.
Decrease = (210 / 420) × 100 = 50%.

Q 3 of 2026: Q 2 = 270 and Q 3 = 280.
This is an increase, not a decrease.

Q 1 of 2026: previous quarter is Q 4 of 2025 = 600; Q 1 of 2026 = 630.
This is an increase, not a decrease.

Q 2 of 2026: Q 1 = 630 and Q 2 = 270.
Decrease = (360 / 630) × 100 = 57.14%.

Therefore, the highest percentage decrease is 57.14% in Q 2 of 2026.

G Strategy shortcut

Method: Only falling quarters can win: 2025 Q 2 falls by 1/2; 2026 Q 2 falls by 360/630=4/7>1/2. Choose Q 2 2026.
Verification: Therefore, the highest percentage decrease is 57.14% in Q 2 of 2026.

G Strategy: Method: Only falling quarters can win: 2025 Q 2 falls by 1/2; 2026 Q 2 falls by 360/630=4/7>1/2. Choose Q 2 2026. Verification: Therefore, the highest percentage decrease is 57.14% in Q 2 of 2026.

Question 16Charts and tables

MCQ · +3 / −1 · easy

During which month was the percentage increase in sales from the previous month the highest?

Answer and solution

Correct answer: C

Solution

Answer: C — October of 2026

1. Read the numbers on the image, not the sector angles: the equal-sized sectors are schematic, not proportional sales shares. The 2025 months Jan–Dec are 120,140,160,50,70,90,80,90,80,150,280,170.

2. The 2026 months Jan–Dec are 250,180,200,100,80,90,120,150,10,150,200,150. Missing values follow from quarter totals: May 2025=210−50−90=70; November 2025=600−150−170=280; December 2026=500−150−200=150.

3. Quarter totals: 2025=420,210,250,600 (annual 1480); 2026=630,270,280,500 (annual 1680). Q 3 2026=120+150+10=280.

Question-specific calculation:
The correct answer is C — October of 2026.

Compare each month with the previous month:

March 2025: February = 140 and March = 160.
Increase = (20 / 140) × 100 = 14.29%.

October 2025: September = 80 and October = 150.
Increase = (70 / 80) × 100 = 87.50%.

October 2026: September = 10 and October = 150.
Increase = (140 / 10) × 100 = 1400%.

March 2026: February = 180 and March = 200.
Increase = (20 / 180) × 100 = 11.11%.

The highest percentage increase is 1400% in October 2026.

G Strategy shortcut

Method: The jump 10→150 is 15-fold. Percentage INCREASE=(15−1)×100=1400%, not 1500%.
Verification: The highest percentage increase is 1400% in October 2026.

G Strategy: Method: The jump 10→150 is 15-fold. Percentage INCREASE=(15−1)×100=1400%, not 1500%. Verification: The highest percentage increase is 1400% in October 2026.

Question 17Charts and tables

MCQ · +3 / −1 · medium

In each year, consider the months in which sales were strictly greater than that year's average monthly sales. What is the ratio of the combined sales in these months across 2025 and 2026 to the combined sales in all the remaining months?

Answer and solution

Correct answer: A

Solution

Answer: A — 109:49

1. Read the numbers on the image, not the sector angles: the equal-sized sectors are schematic, not proportional sales shares. The 2025 months Jan–Dec are 120,140,160,50,70,90,80,90,80,150,280,170.

2. The 2026 months Jan–Dec are 250,180,200,100,80,90,120,150,10,150,200,150. Missing values follow from quarter totals: May 2025=210−50−90=70; November 2025=600−150−170=280; December 2026=500−150−200=150.

3. Quarter totals: 2025=420,210,250,600 (annual 1480); 2026=630,270,280,500 (annual 1680). Q 3 2026=120+150+10=280.

1. The yearly monthly averages are 1480/12=123⅓ for 2025 and 1680/12=140 for 2026. Use strict greater-than separately for each year.

2. 2025 qualifying months: February 140, March 160, October 150, November 280, December 170. Sum=900.

3. 2026 qualifying months: January 250, February 180, March 200, August 150, October 150, November 200, December 150. Sum=1280.

4. Above-average combined sales=900+1280=2180. All other months contribute 1480+1680−2180=980.

5. Required ratio=2180:980=109:49, option A. The numerator combines qualifying sales, while the denominator combines all remaining sales.

G Strategy shortcut

Method: Thresholds: 1480/12=123⅓ and 1680/12=140. Above-threshold sales sum to 2180; take the complement 3160−2180=980. Ratio=109:49.
Verification: 5. Required ratio=2180:980=109:49, option A. The numerator combines qualifying sales, while the denominator combines all remaining sales.

G Strategy: Method: Thresholds: 1480/12=123⅓ and 1680/12=140. Above-threshold sales sum to 2180; take the complement 3160−2180=980. Ratio=109:49. Verification: 5. Required ratio=2180:980=109:49, option A. The numerator combines qualifying sales, while the denominator combines all remaining sales.

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