CAT Exam, Admit Card, Eligibility, Syllabus, Result, Answer Key, Cut Off: CAT Exam (Common Admission Test) is surely one of the most prominent examinations and quite competitive as well. It is of great importance for MBA aspirants, as it will help them get admission to the top business schools. Discover all the required details, from the exam pattern to the registration process, and everything about CAT Exam.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta is scheduled to hold the CAT 2024 (Common Admission Test) on November 26, 2024. The exam will be conducted by IIM Calcutta. CAT 2024 registration started from August 1, 2024 and the last date to apply is September 13, 2024. Here’s all that you need to know for CAT 2024.

Once the exact date for the CAT exam is announced, if you’re interested and meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply on the official website of IIM CAT, which is iimcat.ac.in. The CAT exam is planned to be conducted in three different sessions. It will take place across around 300 test centers spread out in approximately 154 cities all over India.

CAT Exam Overview: The CAT exam is set to happen on November 26. Starting from the first week of August, candidates can register for CAT through the official website iimcat.ac.in. The registration process involves creating a login ID, completing the application form, and paying the exam fee, all online.

The official announcement of the CAT 2024 exam date will come from the organizing IIM on July 31, 2024. This information will be accessible online and also published in national newspapers. While it’s anticipated that IIM Lucknow will conduct CAT 2024, the formal announcement about the organizing institute is yet to be made.

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Here’s a summary of the key points about the CAT Exam:

CAT Exam Trend

The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a nationwide management aptitude test organized by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) on 26 Nov 2024. It acts as an entrance exam for MBA programs across 20 IIM campuses and more than 1,200 other B-schools in India. Annually, the CAT exam witnesses over two lakh candidates applying.

In CAT 2022, approximately 2.55 lakh candidates registered for the exam, out of which around 2.22 lakh candidates actually took the test. The graph below illustrates the trend in the number of candidates participating in the CAT Exam from 2012 to 2022.

The CAT exam is conducted on a single day, featuring three sessions, held at around 400 test centers spread across 150 cities in India. If you’re aiming to pursue an MBA for the 2024 academic session, taking the CAT exam is crucial, as it’s widely accepted by both government and private .

CAT Exam Date and Timeline: The CAT exam is planned for November 2024. To give you an idea of the schedule, here are some important dates for the exam:

CAT Eligibility Criteria:

The CAT application form for 2024 is expected to be accessible starting from August 2024, exclusively for eligible students. It’s essential for all aspirants to familiarize themselves with the CAT eligibility criteria beforehand and prepare accordingly.

To qualify for CAT, candidates need to hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, achieving a minimum of 50% for the General and NC-OBC categories. For SC, ST, and PWD candidates, a score of 45% is required.

Final-year undergraduate students are allowed to take the exam, provided they complete their graduation with the necessary marks. However, if they fail to produce the required documentation during the admission process, their admission will be revoked.

Age is not a constraint for CAT 2023 applicants; anyone who meets the above criteria is encouraged to apply.

Moreover, candidates holding professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA are also eligible to participate in the CAT exam.

CAT Registration:

The CAT Registration process will prominently commence from 2 Aug–13 September, 2024. And registering for the CAT exam is done through an online process on the official website iimcat.ac.in. Here’s a simple breakdown of the steps to follow when filling out the CAT application form, including the fees and documents you’ll need:

1.New Candidate Registration: Begin by visiting the official website and clicking on “New Candidate Registration.” Fill in your basic details as prompted and submit the form.

2.Verification and Unique ID: Upon verification, you’ll receive a unique user ID and password through your registered email and mobile number.

3.Completing the Application Form: Proceed to fill in the details requested in the CAT application form for 2023.

4.Program Selection: Choose the MBA programs you’re interested in and select your preferred Interview City for these programs.

5.Test City Selection: You can pick up to 6 preferred test cities where you’d like to take the CAT 2023 exam.

Documents Required:

Throughout the process of completing the CAT application form 2023, you’ll need to upload specific documents in the prescribed format. These documents are vital components of the application process.

CAT Application Fee:

After filling in all the required details in the CAT application form, the next step for the candidate is to proceed with the payment to finalize the registration process.

-The application fee for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates amounts to INR 2,200/-. Meanwhile, SC, ST, and PwD candidates need to pay INR 1,100/-. It’s important to note that the payment can only be made online.

-Before submitting the CAT application form 2023 and proceeding with the payment, candidates will have the option to review the complete form for accuracy and completeness.

-Once the payment is successfully processed, candidates will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes, marking the successful completion of the registration process.

Following these steps and making the required payment enables candidates to effectively finalize their CAT registration.

CAT Exam Pattern:

The CAT exam pattern will remain unchanged from the previous year. It will comprise three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section will have a time limit of 40 minutes.

The question paper will include both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Short Answer Questions (SAQs), also known as TITA (Type in the Answer). While most of the questions will be in the MCQ format, there will also be a few TITA questions that require a direct answer.

CAT Syllabus:

Although there isn’t an official syllabus released for CAT 2023, candidates can rely on the CAT syllabus compiled from past CAT questions. Here, we outline key topics and the question count for each section (VARC, DILR, and QA) in CAT.

CAT Exam Analysis:

The CAT exam of the previous year was generally perceived as moderately difficult. Among its sections, Quantitative Ability (QA) posed the greatest challenge, while Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) showed a surprisingly easier trend compared to the prior two years.

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section remained time-intensive for many participants. For an in-depth understanding of the CAT exams spanning from 2014 to 2023, including insights on various time slots, you can explore the comprehensive Slot-wise CAT Exam Analysis.

CAT Preparation:

Preparing for the CAT exam demands commitment, consistency, and a structured approach. Here are some steps to ensure effective preparation:

1.Understand the CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Get acquainted with the CAT exam pattern and syllabus. Study the various sections (VARC, DILR, QA) and the question counts to plan your study strategy.

2.Create a Study Plan: Tailor a schedule that fits your routine. Set aside dedicated time for each section and maintain a regular study rhythm. Break down the broader CAT Syllabus topics into smaller chunks and set achievable goals.

3.Gather Reliable Study Materials: Utilize trustworthy study materials like CAT preparation books, online resources, and previous years’ question papers. Rely on reputable sources that cover the entire CAT syllabus.

4.Focus on Conceptual Understanding: Build a strong foundation by grasping the core concepts in each section. Clarify doubts promptly and seek assistance if required. Enhance your problem-solving skills through practice across different question types.

5.Practice Mock Tests and Sample Papers: Engage in consistent mock tests to gauge your progress and pinpoint areas for improvement. Analyze your performance, review incorrect responses, and fine-tune your time management techniques.

6.Master Time Management: Given CAT’s time constraints, practice solving questions within stipulated time frames. Develop strategies to optimize time during the actual exam, like allocating specific durations for each section and recognizing quicker-solving question types.

CAT  Sample Papers & Mock Test:

To achieve a strong score in the CAT Exam, it’s recommended for students to engage with the CAT Syllabus, CAT Mock Tests, and CAT Sample Papers. By practicing with CAT mock tests, sample papers, and past year’s questions, candidates can grasp the essence of the CAT syllabus. To access previous year’s CAT question papers and sample papers, they can find resources here.

CAT Admit Card:

The CAT admit card holds immense significance as it’s a mandatory document for candidates on the MBA CAT exam date and it will be available from  7 Nov –26 Nov 2024. Candidates who have applied can conveniently download the admit card online by logging in on the official website. Here are key points candidates should be aware of regarding the admit card:

1.Only registered candidates are permitted to download the CAT admit card.

2.Candidates can access and download their CAT admit card by logging in using their ID and password on the official IIM CAT website, iimcat.ac.in.

3.The admit card comprises crucial information including the exam center, date, and other pertinent details concerning the CAT exam.

4.Carrying the CAT admit card is essential on the examination day as it serves as a vital entry document.

CAT Answer Key:

The CAT answer key for will be accessible for download within 5-8 days after the exam. This response sheet serves as a helpful tool for test-takers to estimate their raw scores. To access the CAT answer key, follow these steps on the official website:

1.Visit the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.

2.Click on the ‘login’ tab.

3.Input your CAT login ID and password.

4.The ‘CAT answer key’ option will appear on the screen.

5.Click the ‘download’ icon to save it as a PDF.

In case you have objections to the official CAT answer key, there will be a window open for 3-4 days where you can raise concerns. To do this, complete an online form, upload a supporting document to validate your objection, and pay the required fee.

CAT Result:

The CAT Result will be disclosed as a scorecard, typically in the final week of December or the initial week of January 2025. For reference, in the preceding year, the result was declared on December 21, 2023.

It’s vital to remember that the CAT Result will exclusively be accessible on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. Furthermore, the IIM will furnish the CAT result statistics and unveil the roster of CAT Toppers for the year.

CAT Selection Process:

Candidates who successfully pass the CAT exam and meet the cutoff requirements will receive invitations to engage in the CAT selection process. It’s important to remember that the selection process can differ among IIMs and other MBA colleges, each having its distinct admission methods.

The value of CAT scores is substantial, as they are accepted by all participating institutions, including the prestigious IIMs as well as other respected non-IIMs. Prominent non-IIM institutions like 6 IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs, JNU, IMT Ghaziabad, IPU, MDI Gurgaon, and SPJIMR Mumbai also consider CAT scores for admissions.

This process generally comprises several stages, such as:

1.Written Ability Test (WAT)

2.Group Discussion (GD)

3.Personal Interviews (PI)

CAT Score vs Percentile:

Examining the connection between CAT scores and percentiles can assist candidates in comprehending the score needed to reach their target percentile. The CAT score signifies the total marks acquired in the exam, accounting for the marking system. It’s crucial to recognize that scaled CAT scores are distinct from raw scores. To offer an approximate understanding, the table below outlines the projected CAT score vs percentile for CAT, relying on past year’s cutoffs and analysis of all slots of the preceding year’s exam.

CAT Cut Off For MBA Admission in IIMs:

Below given is the list of CAT Cut Off for MBA Admissions at IIMs:

CAT Cut Off For MBA Admission in Non-IIMs: Achieving admission to IIMs can prove challenging due to the high cut-offs typically exceeding the 99 percentile. However, a pool of over 500 colleges acknowledges CAT scores for their MBA/PGDM programs. Notable non-IIM MBA institutes encompass FMS Delhi, Delhi School of Economics, various IITs, KJ Somaiya, and more.

For a comprehensive understanding of the admission process, the table below enumerates the top 20 non-IIMs that consider CAT scores, coupled with the projected cut-off percentiles derived from the scrutiny of past years’ data.

CAT Reservations: When registering for the CAT exam, candidates from reserved categories receive an advantageous provision in the form of a 5% relaxation in their graduation marks. This implies that these candidates require a minimum of 45% marks in their graduation to meet the eligibility criteria for CAT exam registration. The IIMs implement CAT Reservation adhering to the reservation guidelines established by the Government of India. To offer transparency, the table below illustrates the portion of seats reserved according to the category-wise reservation norms for your reference.

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