Free All India CAT (Common Admission Test) Form !!!
How to Get All India Top University for CAT (Common Admission Test) Course
Common Admission Test (CAT)
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance examination for admission to MBA/PGDM programs at top business schools in India, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other prestigious management institutes. Conducted by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis, CAT is one of the most competitive exams in India, attracting lakhs of applicants every year.
Key Details about CAT:
1. Exam Overview
- Purpose: The CAT exam is conducted to assess the skills of candidates seeking admission to management programs (MBA/PGDM) in India’s top business schools.
- Conducting Body: The exam is conducted by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. In 2024, the exam will be organized by IIM Lucknow.
- Frequency: Annually (usually in November).
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes).
- Mode: Computer-based test (CBT).
2. Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) from a recognized university with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
- Final-Year Students: Candidates who are in their final year of undergraduate studies are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the educational qualification requirement by the time of admission.
- Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for CAT exam.
3. Exam Structure
CAT is divided into three main sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section tests the candidates’ ability to understand and interpret written material.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section assesses analytical skills and the ability to interpret and solve problems.
- Quantitative Ability (QA): This section evaluates mathematical and numerical abilities, covering topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number theory.
Sectional Time Limit: Each section is allotted 40 minutes, and candidates are not allowed to switch between sections during the exam.
4. Scoring System
- Total Questions: 76 questions (approx.), divided across the three sections.
- Marking Scheme:
- Correct Answer: +3 marks
- Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (for most questions)
- No Answer: 0 marks
- Total Marks: 228 marks (approx.).
5. Registration Process
- Application Form: The CAT application process is completely online. Candidates must register on the official CAT website, fill out personal details, select preferred exam centers, and upload documents such as photographs and signatures.
- Application Fee: The registration fee is usually ₹2,400 for general candidates and ₹1,200 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
- Important Dates:
- Registration Start Date: Usually in August
- Registration End Date: Typically in September
- Admit Card Release Date: October
- Exam Date: November (Varies by year)
- Result Declaration: Usually in January
6. Syllabus
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):
- English Grammar
- Reading Comprehension (RC)
- Vocabulary
- Sentence Completion
- Para Jumbles
- Critical Reasoning
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):
- Data Tables
- Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs
- Logical Puzzles
- Arrangement and Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Quantitative Ability (QA):
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Probability
- Number Systems
- Permutation and Combination
7. Admit Card and Exam Day
- Candidates can download their CAT Admit Card from the official website around 10 days before the exam.
- On exam day, candidates must carry a printed copy of their admit card, a valid photo ID (like Aadhar card or passport), and a passport-size photograph.
8. Results and Shortlisting Process
- Results: CAT results are typically declared in January. The result includes the overall percentile and section-wise percentile.
- IIM Shortlisting: Based on the CAT score, candidates are shortlisted for the next round (i.e., the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI)) by individual IIMs and other participating institutions.
- Final Selection: IIMs and other top B-schools select candidates based on their CAT score, academic performance, work experience, and performance in the WAT-PI rounds.
9. Participating Institutes
While IIMs are the most prominent institutions, many other prestigious management schools across India accept CAT scores. Some of the notable institutes include:
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) – Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, etc.
- SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi
- Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad
- Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
10. Preparation Tips
- Know the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the entire syllabus and exam pattern.
- Practice Mock Tests: Regularly taking mock tests will help build stamina and improve time management skills.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify and improve your weak areas in each section.
- Refer to Standard Books: Use recommended books for each section of the exam, such as “Quantitative Aptitude for CAT” by R.S. Aggarwal, and “How to Prepare for Verbal Ability for CAT” by Arun Sharma.
CAT is a highly competitive exam that demands rigorous preparation and time management. A well-planned strategy, focused study, and consistent practice are essential to cracking CAT and securing admission to the top MBA colleges in India.
Office Address for Face to Face Meeting
Discover more from COLLEGE ADMISSION
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
