The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive and nationally renowned management entrance examination in India. Conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), CAT serves as a gateway for admission into prestigious management programs at IIMs and other top-tier business schools across the country. CAT assesses candidates' abilities in three main areas: Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). The test format includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs, which require candidates to type answers using the keyboard.
Exam Date | Day | Time |
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November 26, 2024 | Sunday | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
November 26, 2024 | Sunday | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM |
November 26, 2024 | Sunday | 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
Highlight | Details |
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Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
Exam Date | November 26, 2024 |
Exam Time | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
Exam Duration | 120 minutes per session |
Exam Mode | Computer-based test (CBT) |
Exam Cities | 155 cities across India |
Admit Card Release Date | October 25, 2024 |
Exam Result Date | January 2024 |
Exam Weightage | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 35%, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 35%, Quantitative Ability (QA): 30% |
Negative Marking | There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer |
Minimum Qualifying Score | 50 percentile |
Application Fee | INR 2,200 for General/OBC candidates and INR 1,200 for SC/ST/PwD candidates |
Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) |
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Exam Date | November 26, 2024 |
Exam Time | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
Exam Duration | 120 minutes per session |
Exam Mode | Computer-based test (CBT) |
Exam Cities | 155 cities across India |
Admit Card Release Date | October 25, 2024 |
Exam Result Date | January 2025 |
Exam Weightage | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 35%, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 35%, Quantitative Ability (QA): 30% |
Negative Marking | There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer |
Minimum Qualifying Score | 50 percentile |
Application Fee | INR 2,200 for General/OBC candidates and INR 1,200 for SC/ST/PwD candidates |
Eligibility Criteria | Details |
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Age | There is no upper age limit for CAT 2024. However, the candidate must have been born on or before December 31, 1993, to be eligible to appear for the exam. |
Educational Qualification | The candidate must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates). |
Professional Degree | Candidates who have a professional degree such as CA/CS/ICWA are also eligible for CAT 2023. |
Final Year Students | Final year students of graduation are also eligible to appear for CAT 2023, provided they complete their graduation by December 31, 2023. |
Backlogs | Candidates who have backlogs in their graduation are also eligible to appear for CAT 2023, provided they clear all backlogs by December 31, 2023. |
Nationality | The candidate must be a citizen of India or a foreign national with a valid work permit in India. |
Official Website: Visit the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) to start the registration process.
New User Registration: Click on the "New Candidate Registration" or "Register" button to create a new account.
Personal Details: Fill in your personal information such as name, date of birth, email address, and mobile number.
Generate Login Credentials: Upon successful registration, the system will generate login credentials (User ID and Password) and send them to your registered email and mobile number.
Login: Use the provided credentials to log in to the CAT website.
Application Form: Fill in the CAT application form with all the required details, including academic qualifications, work experience (if any), and choice of IIMs or other business schools you wish to apply for.
Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and any other required documents as per the specified format and size.
Application Fee: Pay the application fee through the available online payment options (credit/debit card, net banking, etc.).
Preview and Submit: Review all the information entered and uploaded, and then submit the application.
Confirmation: After successful submission, you will receive a confirmation email with your CAT application number and other relevant details.
Element | Description |
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Document Title | The title of the document should be clear and concise, and it should accurately reflect the content of the document. |
Document Purpose | The purpose of the document should be clearly stated, and it should explain why the document is being created. |
Document Audience | The target audience for the document should be identified, and the document should be written in a way that is understandable to the target audience. |
Document Structure | The document should be well-organized and easy to follow. The structure of the document should be logical and consistent. |
Document Content | The content of the document should be accurate, relevant, and complete. The content should be presented in a clear and concise manner. |
Document Style | The style of the document should be consistent with the purpose of the document and the target audience. The document should be written in a professional and error-free manner. |
Document Format | The format of the document should be appropriate for the purpose of the document and the target audience. The document should be easy to read and print. |
Category | Fee |
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General/OBC | INR 2,400 |
SC/ST/PwD | INR 1,200 |
Section | Number of Questions | Time | Weightage |
---|---|---|---|
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 34 | 60 minutes | 35% |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 32 | 60 minutes | 35% |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | 30 | 60 minutes | 30% |
Year | Section | Number of Questions | Time | Weightage |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 34 | 60 minutes | 35% |
2021 | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 32 | 60 minutes | 35% |
2021 | Quantitative Ability (QA) | 30 | 60 minutes | 30% |
2020 | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 34 | 60 minutes | 35% |
2020 | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 32 | 60 minutes | 35% |
2020 | Quantitative Ability (QA) | 30 | 60 minutes | 30% |
2019 | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 34 | 60 minutes | 35% |
2019 | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 32 | 60 minutes | 35% |
2019 | Quantitative Ability (QA) | 30 | 60 minutes | 30% |
Section | Marks for Correct Answer | Marks for Wrong Answer |
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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 3 | -0.25 |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 3 | -0.25 |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | 3 | -0.25 |
Passport-size Photograph: A recent passport-sized photograph in a specified format and size.
Signature: A scanned copy of your signature in the prescribed format.
Category Certificate (if applicable): If you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/PwD), you may need to upload a valid category certificate.
Academic Certificates and Mark Sheets: Scanned copies of your academic certificates and mark sheets, including 10th, 12th, and bachelor's degree (if applicable).
Work Experience Certificate (if applicable): If you have work experience, you might need to provide a certificate or letter from your employer.
Reservation Documents (if applicable): If you are applying under a reserved category, you may need to provide relevant documents for verification.
PwD Certificate (if applicable): If you are a Person with Disability (PwD), you may need to upload a valid disability certificate.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): Some exams may require you to sign an NDA during the registration process.
Section | Topics |
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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability, Grammar |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | Number Systems, Algebra, Geometry, Probability, and Statistics |
Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the CAT exam pattern, including the number of sections, types of questions, and marking scheme.
Create a Study Plan: Develop a comprehensive study plan that covers all sections and topics. Allocate sufficient time for each subject and prioritize weak areas.
Gather Study Material: Collect the right study material, including CAT preparation books, mock test series, and online resources.
Take Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to assess your performance, identify weak areas, and improve time management.
Focus on Basics: Strengthen your fundamentals in Mathematics, English, and Logical Reasoning to tackle advanced problems.
Time Management: Practice solving questions with time constraints to improve speed and accuracy during the actual exam.
Analyze Performance: Analyze your mock test results to understand your progress and work on weak areas.
Solve Previous Year Papers: Solve previous years' CAT papers to understand the exam pattern and types of questions asked.
Join a Coaching Institute (Optional): Consider joining a reputable coaching institute for expert guidance and study material.
Stay Consistent: Stay consistent with your preparation, avoid procrastination, and follow your study plan diligently.
Improve Reading Skills: Enhance your reading speed and comprehension skills to perform well in the Verbal Ability section.
Revise Regularly: Revise topics regularly to reinforce your understanding and retain concepts.
Stay Healthy: Take care of your physical and mental health by getting enough sleep, exercising, and managing stress.
Stay Updated: Keep yourself updated with current affairs and general knowledge for the Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation sections.
Believe in Yourself: Maintain a positive attitude and believe in your abilities. Confidence plays a crucial role in succeeding in the CAT exam.
Section | Book | Author | Publisher |
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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Verbal Ability for CAT | Arun Sharma | McGraw-Hill Education |
The Hindu's CAT: How to Prepare for the Common Admission Test | The Hindu | The Hindu | Hindu's CAT: How to Prepare for the Common Admission Test book by The Hindu |
CAT Verbal Ability: The Complete Guide | Nishit Sinha | Pearson | CAT Verbal Ability: The Complete Guide book by Nishit Sinha |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT | Arun Sharma | McGraw-Hill Education |
CAT DILR: A New Approach | Nishit Sinha | Pearson | CAT DILR: A New Approach book by Nishit Sinha |
CAT LR DI: Problem Solving through Data Interpretation | R.S. Aggarwal | Arihant | CAT LR DI: Problem Solving through Data Interpretation book by R.S. Aggarwal |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma | McGraw-Hill Education |
CAT Quant: A Problem-Solving Approach | Nishit Sinha | Pearson | CAT Quant: A Problem-Solving Approach book by Nishit Sinha |
R.S. Aggarwal's Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | R.S. Aggarwal | Arihant | R.S. Aggarwal's Quantitative Aptitude for CAT book by R.S. Aggarwal |
City | State |
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Ahmedabad | Gujarat |
Bangalore | Karnataka |
Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
Delhi | National Capital Territory of Delhi |
Guwahati | Assam |
Hyderabad | Telangana |
Kolkata | West Bengal |
Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh |
Mumbai | Maharashtra |
Pune | Maharashtra |
CAT 2024 result is expected to be announced in January 2024. The results will be available on the official website of CAT 2023.
The CAT 2023 result will consist of the following details:
The CAT 2023 result will be used for admission to the MBA programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools in India.
Institute | Cutoff (General) | Cutoff (OBC) | Cutoff (SC/ST) |
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IIM Ahmedabad | 99.95 | 99.75 | 99.50 |
IIM Bangalore | 99.90 | 99.65 | 99.40 |
IIM Calcutta | 99.85 | 99.60 | 99.35 |
IIM Lucknow | 99.75 | 99.50 | 99.25 |
IIM Indore | 99.65 | 99.40 | 99.15 |
Institute | Cutoff (General) | Cutoff (OBC) | Cutoff (SC/ST) |
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SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) | 97.50 | 95.50 | 93.50 |
Indian School of Business (ISB) | 96.50 | 94.50 | 92.50 |
FORE School of Management | 95.00 | 93.00 | 91.00 |
XLRI Jamshedpur | 94.50 | 92.50 | 90.50 |
IIM Rohtak | 93.50 | 91.50 | 89.50 |