CAT Exam

CAT Exam Highlights

The highlights of the CLAT Exam are given below:

CAT Exam Important Dates

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

Aspirants wanting to take the MBA entrance exam should meet the following eligibility criteria:

• There is no minimum or maximum age eligibility to appear for the CAT exam. However, candidates must possess a degree with the stated marks from a recognised university.
• Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited university.
• Candidates should secure 50% in the undergraduate course in the general category. SC/ST/PwD candidates need to secure 45%.
• Students in the final year of graduation are also eligible to apply. However, they will have to furnish their completion certificates provided by the university within the given date.
• Candidates are not required to have work experience, but if they do, they will be given added weightage. However, work experience is not mandatory.
• CAT aspirants with backlogs in certain subjects are also permitted to apply.
• There is no CAT eligibility criteria 12th marks required for the CAT exam. A bachelor's degree is required with a minimum of 50% after completing the intermediate educatio

For Reserved candidates, the eligibility criteria is as follows:

• NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Other Backward Classes: 27%
• SC: 15%
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): up to 10%
• ST: 7.5%
• PwD: 5%

CAT Exam Registration Process

To register for the CAT exam, candidates should follow these steps:

Step 1:

Visit the CAT official website iimcat and click the Registration tab.

Step 2:

Click Register under “New Candidate Registration” on the right side of the screen.

Step 3:

The applicant will be taken to the "CAT Registration" page. Here, enter:

• Name of the Candidate
• Date of Birth
• Email Address
• Country
• Mobile Number and
• Captcha

Step 4:

Click “Generate OTP” button. On successful registration, an OTP will be sent to the candidate’s mail ID and registered mobile number.

Step 5:

Enter the OTP in the given field to verify the CAT registration.

CAT Exam Application Form

After successful registration, candidates can now move on to complete the online application form, as described below

Step 1:

After verification, the candidate will receive a unique user name and password on his/her registered phone number and email ID. Log in to fill the form.

Step 2:

The form has six sections as shown below. Fill up all sections accurately.

• Personal Details
• Academic Details
• Work Experience
• Programmes
• Test Cities
• Payments

Step 3:

Next, press “Save and Continue” and proceed to the payment page.

The fee structure is as follows:

• General Category candidates: Rs 2300
• SC/ ST/ PwD: Rs 1150

How to Correct Application Form

Most fields of the CAT application form can be edited after the form is submitted. However, only a few fields canbe edited.

Here are some ways to correct the application form:

• Use a valid email and mobile number for registration and communication.
• Once the exam centre assigns a test city, it's unchangeable.
• Prefer your hometown as the exam center, considering convenience.
• Carefully select IIMs for eligibility in their WAT-PI process and choose interview cities wisely.
• Ensure accurate Class X and XII scores and verify all academic information.
• Provide precise work experience details as they impact WAT-PI selection.
• Upload caste/PwD/Scribe certificates with your application.
• Ensure successful fee payment and receipt of acknowledgment email. Incomplete payment may lead to denial of CAT admit card.

CAT Exam Pattern

CAT Exam Preparation Tips

To excel in the CAT exam, consider expert advice:

• Check time spent on each question and aim to reduce it through practice.
• Use shortcuts for problem-solving.
• Practice with past mock tests and question papers.
• Analyse questions before attempting, solve only when confident.
• While numerous CAT preparation books exist, here's one recommendation for each category.

While numerous CAT preparation books exist, here's one recommendation for each category.

• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Gautam Puri

• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay/Arihant

• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma

CAT Exam Admit Card

The CAT Admit Card is crucial for exam attendance. Also, they must affix a photo matching the one from their CAT registration and sign it in front of the invigilator on the exam day.

CAT Exam Answer Key and Response Sheet

The CAT Answer Key contains recorded responses from test takers and official answers provided by experts. It's valuable for candidates to assess their performance and scores before the results are declared.

The CAT Answer Key contains recorded responses from test takers and official answers provided by experts. It's valuable for candidates to assess their performance and scores before the results are declared.

The CAT exam authority accepts objections from test takers regarding the year’s answer key. After reviewing objections, the answer key may be revised. Candidates from slots 1, 2, or 3 can calculate their percentiles using the CAT year’s answer key and their response sheets.

CAT Exam Result

CAT results are usually announced in December, a month after the exam is held. The result link is available on the official website, iimcat.ac.in after the results are declared. Candidates can download the scorecard using their CAT ID and password.

CAT Exam Selection Process

As soon as the results are declared, the CAT Exam selection process begins. It includes a Group Discussion and a Personal Interview. Candidates are selected based on their performance in these rounds and in the exam.

Understanding CAT Exam Cut-Off

Admission into IIMs and other management institutes via CAT involves a selection process comprising WAT/GD/PI rounds. After the CAT results, candidates need to fill out the PI shortlist form for IIM admissions.

In this process, institutes evaluate candidates' CAT scores against cutoffs and academic profiles to shortlist for WAT-PI participation. The entire admission process for IIMs takes around three to four months, with classes starting from June-July. Non-IIM admission procedures usually conclude around the same time.

For IIM admissions in 2024, selection is based on CAT scores, WAT/GD-PI, and academic record. The procedure consists of three phases: shortlisting, WAT/GD-PI rounds, and final selection.

• Shortlisting:Students are shortlisted on the basis of their CAT scores, generally 90 percentile.
• WAT/GD-PI Round:Candidates go into the WAT/GD-PI rounds. Successful candidates are finalised now.
• Final Selection:Successful candidates are selected on the basis of their academic performance and work experience.