CAT stands for Common Admission Test. It is a highly competitive computer-based exam for admissions into IIMs and other B-Schools in India. There are 21 IIMs and over 1200 B-Schools in the country. Each year, more than 2 lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam, with the highest number of registrations recorded in 2023 at 3.28 lakh. The 21 IIMs have a total of around 5500 seats, which are distributed among different student categories.
The MBA admission process through CAT consists of three stages. First, you need to appear for the 2-hour long CAT exam. Then, the IIMs and other participating colleges declare the CAT result and cut-offs. Finally, there are WAT-PI rounds and a final shortlist of eligible candidates. Clearing CAT is not easy, as the exam consists of 66 challenging questions.
The competition level is also very high, with only 0.02% of students getting into IIMs. To achieve a percentile range of 90+ requires a well-planned and meticulously designed preparation strategy of at least 3-4 months. It’s important to note that the cut-offs for IIMs usually range from 95-99+ percentile.
CAT Exam 2024: Overview
The CAT exam is divided into three sections:
- VARC: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- DILR: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- QA: Quantitative Ability
For detailed overview of CAT exam 2024, you can see below:
| Exam Particulars | CAT 2024 Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | IIMs (IIM Calcutta for 2024, IIM Lucknow for 2023) |
| CAT Exam Date 2024 | November 24, 2024 (tentative) |
| CAT Exam Timings | Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Session 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| CAT Entrance Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| CAT Exam Fees | INR 2,400 (General) / INR 1,200 (Reserved category) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students) |
| Number of Applications | 3.30 lakh (in 2023) |
| CAT syllabus | Quantitative Ability (QA) Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
| CAT exam mode | Online Computer Based Test |
| CAT exam website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) |
CAT 2024 Registration Process
CAT 2024 exam registration process has started from August 3, 2024 and will continue till September 23, 2024. Below are the steps, you should follow for registering for CAT 2024 exam:
- Registration for the CAT exam is done online through the official website iimcat.ac.in.
- After you visit the link, a application form portal will open.
- Fill in the personal, work experience, and academic details in the application form.
- Upload scanned images of photograph and signature in the required size.
- Then, select 6 preferred cities for examination in order of preference. CAT 2024 will be held in 155 cities across India.
- IIM will try to allocate the first preference city based on availability of centers.
- Pay the registration fee. Applications without payment of fees will be rejected.
- SC/ST/PwD applicants are required to pay half the fees compared to other categories.
| Particulars | Tentative Dates |
|---|---|
| CAT Registration | August 3 – September 20, 2024 |
| CAT Admit Card release | November 6, 2024 |
| CAT Exam | November 24, 2024 |
| CAT Result | December last week / January first week |
CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria
Below is the eligibility criteria for candidates applying for CAT 2024. For detailed view, can can visit CAT 2024 eligibility criteria section.
| CAT Eligibility Criteria | Requirement |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) or Candidates who are in their final semester exams this year or are waiting for the final results are also eligible to apply |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Attempts Limit | No limit |
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
CAT exam 2024 consists of 3 sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation with total 66 questions and 198 marks. For detailed CAT 2024 exam pattern, see below:
| CAT 2024 | Details |
| Total Questions in CAT Exam | 66 |
| Total Marks | 198 |
| Total CAT Exam Sections | 3 |
| CAT Exam Duration | 2 Hours(120 minutes) |
| Mode of Paper | Online |
| Question Types | MCQs and Non-MCQs (TITA) |
| CAT Exam Making Scheme | +3 For Correct Answers -1 For Incorrect Answers Note: Negative marking only applies to MCQs, there is no negative marking in non-MCQs 0 For Unattempt Questions |
| CAT Exam Sections | 1. Quantitative Aptitude – (22 Questions, 66 Marks) 2. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension – (24 Questions, 72 Marks) 3. Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation – (20 Questions, 60 Marks) |
Not every questions in CAT is in the form of multiple-choice questions. The proportion of MCQs to non-MCQs in the CAT examination is roughly 3:1. Non-MCQs, known as TITA questions in CAT, are those for which answer choices are not given, requiring candidates to type in their responses. Such questions do not carry negative marking, hence examinees are encouraged to attempt as many non-MCQs as they can.
CAT 2024 Syllabus
CAT syllabus is divided into three section: Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation. This three section are further divided into many sub-section. For detailed, you can see CAT 2024 Syllabus.
| Section/ Subject | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability | Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Maths, Number System, Geometry & Mensuration |
| Quant- Arithmetic | Time. Speed, and Distance Time & Work, Profit, Loss, and Discount, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Simple Interest & Compound Interest, Mixtures & Allegations |
| Quant- Algebra | Quadratic and Linear Equations, Maxima-Minima, Basic Algebraic Identities, Inequalities, Functions and Graph Modifications, Polynomials |
| Quant- Geometry | Circles, Triangles, Parallelograms, Polygons, Lines and Angles, Coordinate Geometry, Mensuration |
| Quant. Number System | Cyclicity, Remainder Theorems, Units Digit, HCF-LCM, Surds and Indices, Divisibility and Factorization |
| Quant- Modern Math | Permutation & Combination Probability, Set Theory (Venn Diagrams) |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out, Para Completion |
| Verbal Ability | Para Jumbles- Odd Sentence Out, Para Jumbles- Correct Arrangement, Para Completion Para Summary, Error Detection in Sentences |
| Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension passages of 500-600 words- Arguments, Inferences, Critical Evaluation, Contrary Viewpoints, Phrases & Meanings, Justification, Tone and Objective |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation | Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, Syllogism, Tables, Graphs, Data Caselets, etc |
| Logical Reasoning | Games and Tournaments, Team Formations, Seating Arrangements, Order & Ranking, Direct Sense Test, Puzzles, Syllogisms |
| Data Interpretation | Tables, Pie Chart, Bar Graphs, Data Caselets, Route & Network Diagrams, Trend Charts, Scatter Plot |
CAT Exam Cutoff
Cutoff scores for the MBA vary between IIMs and other universities. After the CAT Exam, IIMs release the qualifying CAT Cut off to determine eligibility for applying. Following this, IIMs release a shortlist based on applications and selection parameters. The percentile of shortlisted candidates establishes the final CAT Cut off for IIMs, which is notably higher than the qualifying percentile. Below, is the cutoff for CAT exam based on the latest data:
| IIM | Qualifying Cut off | Final Cut off |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 | 99+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 99+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 | 98+ |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 99+ |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 98+ |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 | 97+ |
| IIM Indore | 90 | 97+ |
| IIM Raipur | 92 | 94+ |
| IIM Rohtak | 95 | 95+ |
| IIM Udaipur | 92 | 92+ |
CAT Exam Preparation tips
Here’s a list of preparation tips for CAT 2024 Exam:
- Understand the CAT exam pattern and syllabus, including the number of sections, time allotted, and total duration of the exam.
- Familiarize yourself with the syllabus for each section to prioritize your preparation.
- Build a strong foundation in fundamental concepts for each section, focusing on key topics and problem-solving.
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses in different sections and allocate more time to weaker areas.
- Develop a well-structured study plan that covers all sections, including learning concepts, practicing problems, and taking mock tests.
- Consistency is crucial, so stick to your study plan and avoid last-minute cramming.
- Regularly take full-length mock tests to simulate the actual exam environment and analyze your performance.
- Review past years’ CAT papers to understand question patterns and difficulty levels, preparing you for surprises on the actual test day.
FAQs
How many times can I attempt the CAT exam?
There is no limit on the number of attempts for the CAT exam.
Is CAT exam held twice a year?
CAT exam is held once a year, usually on the last Sunday of November.
What is the CAT exam pattern?
The CAT exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) with total 66 questions and 198 Marks.
How should I prepare for CAT exam 2024?
Preparation tips for CAT exam 2024 include understanding the syllabus, mastering concepts, creating a study plan, and seeking support if needed. For detailed see CAT 2024 preparation tips section.
How can I manage time effectively during CAT exam preparation?
Effective time management during CAT exam preparation involves setting up a detailed study plan, focusing on accuracy and confidence, and prioritizing topics based on weightage.
What are the common mistakes to avoid while preparing for CAT exam?
Common mistakes to avoid during CAT exam include last-minute cramming, neglecting any section, and skipping mock tests.
When should I start taking mock tests for CAT 2024?
For CAT 2024, start taking mock tests around June 2024 to assess performance and identify areas for improvement.
What’s the best way to enhance verbal skills for CAT exam 2024?
Enhance verbal skills for CAT exam 2024 by making reading a habit to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Should I consider coaching programs for CAT exam preparation?
Coaching programs can be considered for CAT exam preparation, but self-study with free resources or study groups can also be effective.