The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to Master of Business Administration (MBA) and other postgraduate management programs in top business schools across India. CAT is one of the most competitive and sought-after exams for aspiring business professionals.
Here are the full details of the CAT entrance exam:
1. Conducting Body:
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) conduct the CAT exam every year. The conducting IIM changes every year, so the organizing IIM is responsible for releasing official notifications, conducting the exam, and declaring results.
2. Purpose of the Exam:
- Admission to MBA/PGDM Programs: CAT is primarily used for admission to the postgraduate management programs (MBA/PGDM) offered by the IIMs and over 1,000 other prestigious management institutes across India.
3. Eligibility Criteria:
The eligibility criteria for CAT are as follows:
Basic Eligibility:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed their Bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) from a recognized university.
- Minimum Marks:
- General Category: At least 50% marks in the Bachelor’s degree.
- SC/ST/PWD Category: At least 45% marks in the Bachelor’s degree.
- Final-Year Students: Candidates who are in the final year of their graduation can also apply, provided they meet the above eligibility criteria by the time of admission.
Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for the CAT exam.
4. Exam Mode:
- Mode: The CAT exam is conducted in online mode (Computer-Based Test).
- Language: The exam is conducted in English.
5. Exam Pattern:
The CAT exam is divided into three sections, and the overall pattern includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs (Type-in-the-answer or TITA questions). The exam duration is 2 hours.
CAT Exam Structure:
- Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Number of Questions: 24
- Time Allotted: 40 minutes
- Types of Questions:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Correction
- Parajumbles
- Vocabulary-based questions
- Total Marks: 72
- Section 2: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Number of Questions: 20
- Time Allotted: 40 minutes
- Types of Questions:
- Data Interpretation (tables, graphs, and charts)
- Logical Reasoning (puzzles, arrangements, and other reasoning-based problems)
- Total Marks: 60
- Section 3: Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Number of Questions: 22
- Time Allotted: 40 minutes
- Types of Questions:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Modern Math
- Number System
- Total Marks: 66
Overall Details:
- Total Questions: 66 questions (divided across 3 sections)
- Total Marks: 198 marks (66 marks per section)
- Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes for each section)
- Negative Marking: -1 for each wrong answer in MCQs, no negative marking for non-MCQs.
- Marking Scheme:
- For each correct answer: +3 marks
- For each wrong answer (MCQ): -1 mark
- No marks are deducted for unanswered or non-MCQ questions.
6. Application Process:
The application process for CAT is entirely online and involves the following steps:
- Registration:
- Visit the official CAT exam website and register using your email and mobile number to create an account.
- Fill Application Form:
- Enter your personal details, educational qualifications, and work experience (if applicable).
- Upload Documents:
- Upload a recent passport-sized photograph and your signature as per the specified dimensions.
- Pay Application Fee:
- General Category: ₹2,400
- SC/ST/PWD Category: ₹1,200
- Payment can be made via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Submit Application:
- After completing the form and making the payment, submit the application.
7. Important Dates:
The CAT exam usually follows a set schedule, and the important dates are as follows:
- Notification Release: Usually in July.
- Registration Starts: Usually in August.
- Registration Ends: Usually in September.
- Admit Card Release: Usually in October.
- Exam Date: Usually in November.
- Result Declaration: Usually in January.
8. Syllabus:
The CAT exam does not have a fixed syllabus, but it broadly covers the following topics:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Sentence Correction
- Para jumbles
- Critical Reasoning
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):
- Data Tables
- Graphs and Charts
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Blood Relations
- Logical Sequences and Relations
- Quantitative Ability (QA):
- Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, etc.)
- Algebra (Linear and Quadratic Equations)
- Geometry (Lines, Circles, Triangles)
- Number System (Divisibility, Remainders, etc.)
- Modern Mathematics (Permutations, Combinations, Probability)
- Mensuration
9. Result and Cutoff:
- Result: The results are usually declared in January. Candidates can check their scores on the official CAT website by entering their login credentials.
- Cutoff: The CAT cutoff varies depending on the institute and category (General, OBC, SC/ST, etc.). For IIMs and top management institutes, the cutoff usually lies between 85 to 99 percentile.
- IIMs Cutoff: The IIMs have high cutoffs, often in the range of 90–99+ percentile.
- Other Institutes: Institutes like FMS, SPJIMR, XLRI, MDI also accept CAT scores with varying cutoffs.
10. Counseling and Admission Process:
- Shortlisting: After the CAT results are declared, top business schools like IIMs shortlist candidates based on their CAT percentile, academic record, and work experience (if applicable).
- Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI): Shortlisted candidates are then called for GD and PI rounds, which are an essential part of the selection process.
- Final Selection: The final selection is based on a composite score that includes the CAT score, academic performance, GD-PI performance, and work experience.
The CAT exam is a critical step for those aiming to pursue an MBA from top institutes like the IIMs and other prestigious management schools in India. Success in CAT requires focused preparation, practice, and time management. Understanding the exam pattern, staying updated with current affairs, and regularly practicing mock tests will significantly improve your chances of securing a good percentile and gaining admission to your desired institution.
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