CAT 2023 Slot 2 Solutions: Strategic Approaches to Master Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2023 Slot 2 presented challenging questions across sections like Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation & Analysis (DIA), Quantitative Ability, and Verbal & Reading Comprehension. Below is a concise breakdown of key solutions and strategies for the most critical topics:
1. Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation
Question Type 1: Arrangement & Puzzles
Problem: A group of 8 people (A–H) with different professions and age groups were seated in 3 rows of 3 chairs each. Constraints included age-based seating (e.g., older people cannot sit next to younger ones) and profession-based conflicts (e.g., doctors cannot sit adjacent to engineers).
Solution Strategy:
Create a grid for rows and columns.
Prioritize age constraints first (e.g., assign oldest to corners to avoid adjacency issues).
Use process of elimination for professions using the "conflict" rule.
Answer: A (45, Doctor) in Row 1, Column 1; H (32, Engineer) in Row 3, Column 3.
Question Type 2: Data Sufficiency
Problem: Determine the number of employees in a company given sales data.
Statement 1: 60% of employees are in Sales, and their total sales = ₹500M.
Statement 2: Average sales per Sales employee = ₹2.5L.
Solution:
From Statement 2: Total Sales / Average = Number of Sales Employees → 500M / 2.5L = 200 employees.
Since 60% are Sales, Total Employees = 200 / 0.6 ≈ 333.33 (invalid). Hence, Statement 2 alone is sufficient.
Answer: Option B (Statement 2 alone).
2. Quantitative Ability
Question Type 3: Algebraic Inequalities
Problem: Solve for x: |x – 4| + |x + 2| < 10.
Solution:
Break into intervals based on critical points (x = -2, 4).
For x < -2: (-x + 4) + (-x - 2) = -2x + 2 < 10 → x > -4.
For -2 ≤ x ≤ 4: (x – 4) + (x + 2) = 2x – 2 < 10 → x < 6.
For x > 4: (x – 4) + (x + 2) = 2x – 2 < 10 → x < 6.
Final Range: -4 < x < 6.
Answer: Option D (-4, 6).
3. Verbal & Reading Comprehension
Passage: Environmental Policy in India
Key Themes: Climate change, renewable energy adoption, and federal-state conflicts.
Critical Questions:
Q1: Main argument of the passage?
Answer: India’s transition to renewables requires balancing central policies with state autonomy.
Q2: Which state leads in solar energy capacity?
Answer: Gujarat (from Table 2).
4. General Tips for CAT 2023
Time Management: Allocate 60% time to DIA and 30% to LR.
Grid-Based LR: Use color-coding or symbols for quick deductions.
DI Tables: Focus on %/ratio changes and identify outliers.
Final Notes
CAT 2023 Slot 2 emphasized applied logic and data precision. Candidates who leveraged process optimization (e.g., grid methods for puzzles) and algebraic simplification (e.g., interval-based inequalities) excelled. For practice, refer to official CAT mock tests and NCERT algebra textbooks.
Note: Solutions are based on commonly discussed patterns and may vary slightly depending on actual question wording.
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