The Common Admission Test (CAT Exam) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to their post-graduate management programs. It is one of the most competitive entrance examinations in India, with over two lakh candidates appearing for it every year.
What Is The CAT Exam
The Common Admission Test is one of the national-level entrance tests conducted by the IIMs to select candidates for the post-graduate management program. It is among the most competitive entrance tests in India, with more than two lakh candidates appearing every year. The CAT exam is conducted on a single day every year in November or December. It is a computer-generated test that assesses a candidate’s verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC), data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), and quantitative ability (QA).
CAT Exam Eligibility
CAT Examination Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% in SC/ST / PwD category) from recognized universities or educational institutions. Age Limit: No upper age limit. Additional Eligibility Requirements: In addition to the eligibility criteria mentioned above, some Indian Institutes of Medical Education (IIMs) and other Board of Intermediate Schools (B-schools) may have additional Eligibility Requirements, including work experience. It is essential to check the Eligibility Requirements of B-Schools you are considering to apply to. Additional Points to Remember About CAT Exam Eligibility: If you are a final year student in your Bachelors degree program, you are eligible to sit for the CAT Exam.
CAT Exam Syllabus
The CAT exam syllabus covers three sections:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- This section tests the candidate’s ability to read and comprehend complex passages, as well as their vocabulary and grammar skills.
- The VARC section typically includes questions on the following topics:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence completion
- Paragraph jumbled
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- This section tests the candidate’s ability to interpret and analyze data, as well as their logical reasoning skills.
- The DILR section typically includes questions on the following topics:
- Data tables
- Bar charts
- Line graphs
- Pie charts
- Venn diagrams
- Syllogisms
Quantitative Ability (QA)
- This section tests the candidate’s mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities.
- The QA section typically includes questions on the following topics:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
- Statistics
The CAT exam is designed to test the candidate’s verbal, quantitative, and logical reasoning skills. It is a challenging exam, but it is possible to succeed with proper preparation.
How To Check CAT Exam Admit Card?
To get your CAT exam admit card, you will need to follow these steps:
- Go to the official CAT website: https://iimcat.ac.in/
- Click on the “Login” button in the top right corner of the page.
- Enter your CAT registration ID and password and click on the “Login” button.
- Click on the “Admit Card” link in the left-hand panel.
- Your CAT admit card will be displayed on the screen.
- Download and print your CAT admit card.
How To Check CAT Exam Result?
To check your CAT exam result, you will need to follow these steps:
- Go to the official CAT website: https://iimcat.ac.in/
- Click on the “Login” button in the top right corner of the page.
- Enter your CAT registration ID and password and click on the “Login” button.
- Click on the “Result” link in the left-hand panel.
- Your CAT scorecard will be displayed on the screen.
- Download and print your CAT scorecard.
CAT Full Form
The full form of CAT is Common Admission Test. It is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to their post-graduate management programs. It is one of the most competitive entrance examinations in India, with over two lakh candidates appearing for it every year.
The CAT exam is divided into three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Each section is timed for 40 minutes, making for a total exam duration of 2 hours.
The CAT score is used by IIMs and other top B-schools in India to select candidates for their post-graduate management programs. It is also used by some international B-schools for admission to their programs.
Best Books For CAT Exam Preparation
Here are some books that are popular for CAT exam prep:
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K. Verma
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension by Ajay Singh
- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by B.S. Sijwalii
- Face To Face CAT 30 Years (1993-2022) Sectionwise & Topicwise Solved Paper 2023 by Gautam Puri
These books cover all the topics that are included in the syllabus. They also provide practice questions and solutions to help candidates prepare for the exam.
CAT Exam Preparation Tips
- Start early. The CAT exam is a competitive exam, so it is important to start preparing early. This will give you enough time to cover the syllabus and practice for the exam.
- Create a study plan. Once you have started preparing, create a study plan. This will help you to stay on track and to cover the syllabus in a timely manner.
- Use quality study materials. There are many study materials available for the CAT exam. Choose quality study materials that are designed by experts.
- Practice regularly. The best way to prepare for the CAT exam is to practice regularly. This will help you to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Take mock tests. Mock tests are a great way to simulate the real exam experience. Take mock tests regularly to get used to the format of the exam and to identify your areas of weakness.
Top Colleges For CAT
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi
- Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai
- Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), Pune
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)
- Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai (IIT Bombay)
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
What Is The Scope After CAT?
The scope after the CAT exam is truly vast. CAT graduates have the opportunity to work in top companies in India and around the world. They can also start their own businesses and become successful entrepreneurs.
Here are some of the specific career paths that are available to CAT graduates:
- Consulting: Consulting firms hire CAT graduates to help their clients solve complex business problems. Consultants typically work on a variety of projects, such as developing new business strategies, improving operational efficiency, and launching new products.
- Finance: CAT graduates can also find jobs in the finance industry. Finance jobs include investment banking, commercial banking, corporate finance, and financial planning.
- Investment banking: Investment banks hire CAT graduates to help them raise capital for their clients and advise them on mergers and acquisitions. Investment bankers typically work long hours, but they are compensated handsomely.
- Marketing: CAT graduates can also find jobs in the marketing industry. Marketing jobs include brand management, product marketing, and digital marketing.
- Operations management: CAT graduates can also find jobs in operations management. Operations managers are responsible for planning and executing the production and delivery of goods and services.
CAT Exam Date 2023:
The CAT exam for 2023 has already been conducted on November 26, 2023. The results are expected to be declared in the second week of January 2024.
Cat Exam Cutt off:
Here’s a table showing the cut-off percentiles for the Common Admission Test (CAT) for the last five years:
| Year | General | SC | ST | OBC | PWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 98.11 | 85.29 | 79.95 | 91.61 | 82.31 |
| 2022 | 99.47 | 86.90 | 80.76 | 92.93 | 83.85 |
| 2021 | 99.63 | 87.60 | 81.57 | 93.66 | 84.92 |
| 2020 | 99.57 | 88.36 | 82.35 | 94.31 | 85.89 |
| 2019 | 99.34 | 89.32 | 83.20 | 94.99 | 86.89 |
Is There Any Scholarship For CAT?
There are a number of scholarships available to students who are planning to take the CAT exam. These scholarships are offered by a variety of organizations, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), government agencies, and private foundations.
Here are some of the most popular CAT scholarships:
- IIM Scholarships: The IIMs offer a variety of scholarships to students who are admitted to their MBA programs. These scholarships are based on merit, financial need, and other factors.
- Government Scholarships: The government of India offers a number of scholarships to students who are pursuing higher education. These scholarships are based on merit, financial need, and caste.
- Private Foundation Scholarships: There are a number of private foundations that offer scholarships to students who are pursuing higher education. These scholarships are based on a variety of factors, such as merit, financial need, and field of study.
How To Get Into IIM's
- Meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for IIMs vary slightly from institute to institute. However, all IIMs require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved category candidates). Some IIMs also require candidates to have work experience.
- Take the CAT exam and score a high percentile. The CAT exam is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the IIMs. The CAT exam is highly competitive, so you need to score a high percentile to get into an IIM.
- Shortlist for Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Based on your CAT score, you will be shortlisted for WAT and PI. WAT is a test of your writing skills and PI is a test of your communication skills, personality, and motivation.
- Perform well in WAT and PI. Your performance in WAT and PI will be considered along with your CAT score to determine your final admission decision.
How To Manage Your Time During CAT?
- Plan your time before the exam. Before you start the exam, take a few minutes to plan your time. Decide how much time you want to spend on each section. For example, you may want to spend 40 minutes on each section, or you may want to spend more time on your strongest section and less time on your weakest section.
- Stick to your time plan. Once you have a time plan, stick to it as much as possible. If you find yourself spending too much time on a question, mark it for review and move on. You can always come back to it later if you have time.
- Don’t get bogged down by difficult questions. If you find yourself getting stuck on a question, skip it and move on. You can always come back to it later if you have time. Remember, you only have 1.2 minutes per question.
- Review your answers at the end. If you have time at the end of the exam, review your answers. This is a good time to catch any careless mistakes.
FAQ's
The CAT (Common Admission Test) test is used to get admission to postgraduate management programs such as MBA (Master of Business Administration) given by India’s top business schools and management colleges.
In a nutshell, the answer is no! Although the CAT is not required for all MBA programs, it is one of the most generally recognized and accepted entrance exams for MBA admissions in India.
It is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (Quant). Historically, the CAT exam was three hours long, but the pandemic changed everything. It has been a two-hour exam for the past two years (CAT 2020 & CAT 2021).
national-level management aptitude test in India. Held annually, this esteemed examination is orchestrated by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), rotating the mantle each year. Its significance reverberates across the landscape, serving as the gateway to coveted postgraduate management programs proffered by the IIMs and a plethora of esteemed business schools across India.
