CAT 2024 exam was held on November 24, 2024 in three shifts. CAT 2024 response sheet was released on November 29 and provisional answer key was released on December 3, 2024. Objection window is open from December 3 to December 5, 2024. Here’s all that you need to know for CAT 2024.
CAT 2024 exam dates and process
CAT 2024 exam was held on November 24, 2024 in three sessions. The exam wad held in over 170 cities across India at designated test centres. This year, 2.93 lakh candidates appeared for the CAT. IIM Calcutta has released the CAT 2024 respose sheet on November 29, 2024.. The IIM CAT response sheet is available through login. Shiksha has hared below the direct link of CAT 2024 answer key download here. The provisional CAT 2024 answer key released on December 3, 2024. Candidates will be able to challenge CAT 2024 answer key till December 5, 2024.
Also Read:
CAT 2024 answer key challenge live updates; process and fees
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CAT 2024 question paper PDF download slot 1,2,3
CAT score is valid for admission to 21 IIMs and other top MBA colleges in India. The exam is conducted by one of the top six IIMs on rotation basis. CAT 2024 will be conducted by IIM Calcutta. CAT 2024 admit card has been released at iimcat.ac.in and can be downloaded through login. The CAT admit card 2024 is available for download till exam day. Read this article for key details of CAT exam 2024.
CAT Answer Key 2024
CAT answer key 2024 was released in the form of candidate response sheet. Check below the steps to download CAT 2024 answer key and response sheet:
- Visit the official website of CAT 2024
- Click on the 'login' tab
- Enter CAT login ID and password
- Click on 'CAT 2024 answer key' will appear on the screen
- Click on 'download' icon to save it as PDF
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The CAT answer key objection window will be opened for three to four days. If a candidate feels that the official answer key has errors then they can challenge it by filling an online form. The CAT answer key will be re-examined by the exam authorities and revised if required.
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Q: What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?
Q: How many RC questions does CAT have?
The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc.
CAT has about 12-16 RC question. In CAT 2022, there were four RC passages each having four questions. The ideal attempt was estimated at 13. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.
CAT 2024 Exam Highlights
CAT is the top MBA entrance exam in India. It is accepted by over 1300 B-schools in India for admission to MBA/PGDM courses. Check here key highlights of CAT 2024.
| CAT Exam Particulars |
CAT 2024 Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Full Form |
Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Institute for 2024 |
IIM Calcutta |
| Exam Level |
National |
| Exam Frequency |
Once a year |
| CAT 2024 Exam Date |
November 24, 2024 |
| CAT Exam Timings |
|
| CAT Exam Fees |
INR 2,500 (General category) and INR 1,250 (Reserved category) |
| Number of Test Takers |
3.29 lakh (in 2024) |
| CAT exam mode |
Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs |
| No. of test cities |
170 |
| CAT exam website |
https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam helpdesk no. |
1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) |
CAT 2024 annswer key release and objection window
Candidates can download their CAT 2024 answer key/response sheet and raise objection at the IIMCAT website. To download and raise objection on provisional CAT 2024 answer key, candidates need to:
- Open the CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
- Click on 'login' tab
- Enter CAT ID and password
- Go to answer key/response sheet tab and download PDF
- To raise objection, go to objection tab
- Click on question IDs
- Upload a supporting document
- Pay INR 1200 per objection
CAT Admit Card 2024
CAT admit card is the mandatory document for appearing in the entrance exam. It is issued to registered candidates only. Those who registered for CAT 2024 have been issued the admit card. Check below the process to download CAT 2024 admit card:
- Open the CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
- Click on 'login' tab
- Enter CAT 2024 application number and password
- Go to 'admit card' section
- Click on 'download'
Also Read: CAT 2024 admit card
CAT 2024 Exam Dates
The CAT 2024 convening IIM announced the dates on July 28, 2024. Check here CAT 2024 exam dates and events.
| CAT Exam Events |
CAT Exam Date 2024 |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 notification release |
28-July-2024 |
| CAT exam 2024 registration dates |
01-Aug-2024 (10:00 AM) to 20-Sep-2024 (5:00 PM) |
| CAT form correction |
27-Sep2024 (10:00 am) to 30-Sep-2024 (5:00 pm) |
| CAT admit card 2024 |
05-Nov-2024 |
| CAT exam 2024 date |
24-Nov-2024 |
| CAT answer key release |
03-Dec-2024 |
| Answer key challenge process |
03-Dec-2024 to 05-Dec-2025 |
| Declaration of CAT 2024 result |
Last week of December 2024 or First week of January 2025 |
CAT Syllabus 2024
CAT syllabus comprises Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude. Check the table below for important topics that you need to prepare for CAT 2024.
| CAT sections |
CAT 2024 Syllabus topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary and Odd Sentence Out |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
Set Theory (Variables), Set Theory + Puzzles, Puzzles with Additional Data, Coding-Decoding and Series |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
Number System, Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry and Mensuration |
Download CAT 2024 Syllabus PDF
CAT Exam Pattern 2024
There is no change in CAT 2024 pattern. CAT exam is an MCQ-based test of 120 minutes. In the exam, candidates have to solve 66 questions from VARC, DILR and QA. Given below are the key highlights of CAT 2024 exam pattern.
- The CAT exam 2024 will be held in three sessions
- Each session will be of 120 minutes
- There will be sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section
- The CAT exam will have three sections – VARC, DILR and QA
- 3 marks will be awarded for every correct answer
- 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer
- There will be no negative marking for non-MCQs and skipping questions
- Total number of questions will be 66
- Total marks will be 198
- It is not mandatory to attempt all the questions
Also Read: Are you ready for CAT 2024? Start your preparation now.
CAT Question Papers
The CAT question paper is unique for every session but the sectional weightage is the same. Due to uniqueness of every question in every session, one paper can be a bit tougher than another. However, overall, the difficulty level of CAT question paper is moderate to high, every year.
| CAT Sections |
Questions |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| 24 |
Moderate to High |
|
| 20 |
Easy to Moderate |
|
| 22 |
Moderate to High |
|
| Total |
66 |
Moderate |
Also Read: CAT mock test and practice questions
Download CAT Question Paper PDFs:
CAT Preparation 2024
To prepare for CAT exam, aspirants need to first decide how to go about it. Whether they want to join a coaching institute or whether they can prepare by themselves. Preparing through self-study will require more effort and early planning. If planning to do CAT 2024 preparation by self-study, the first thing you must do once you have decided to appear for the CAT is check its syllabus and analyse how much time would you need to cover it. The plan should be as per your hold on the subjects included in the CAT syllabus 2024. Check below some top CAT preparation article for assistance.
| Tips and Tricks for CAT |
|
|---|---|
CAT Result 2024
CAT 2024 result will be announced at IIMCAT website within 20-30 days of the exam. The CAT scorecard will have sectional and overall marks as well as percentiles. Here’s the process to download CAT 2024 result:
- Log on to CAT website iimcat.ac.in
- Click on 'CAT 2024 result/scorecard' tab
- Enter CAT application number and password
- Click on the scorecard section
- Click on download option and save the PDF of CAT 2024 scorecard
Also Read:
CAT Cut Offs 2024
Check the table below for qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of IIMs. The final CAT cut offs for PI shortlist will be higher.
| IIM |
Qualifying CAT cut offs |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad |
85 |
| IIM Bangalore |
85 |
| IIM Calcutta |
85 |
| IIM Lucknow |
90 |
| IIM Indore |
90 |
| IIM Kozhikode |
85 |
| IIM Amritsar |
90 |
| IIM Nagpur |
94 |
| IIM Sambalpur |
94 |
| IIM Trichy |
94 |
| IIM Raipur |
94 |
| IIM Ranchi |
94 |
| IIM Kashipur |
94 |
| IIM Vizag |
80 |
| IIM Udaipur |
94 |
| IIM Bodhgaya |
94 |
| IIM Shillong |
75 |
| IIM Sirmaur |
94 |
| IIM Rohtak |
95 |
| IIM Nagpur |
85 |
| IIM Jammu |
94 |
| IIM Mumbai |
94 |
Also Read: CAT cut offs- Previous years’ and expected
CAT Selection Process
The IIMs shortlist candidates on the basis of CAT score of MBA admission. The CAT score is valid for admission to several other IIM courses such as Executive MBA, PhD and FPM. For full-time MBA admission, candidates have to appear for WAT-PI round of the IIMs. Check below three stages of IIM CAT selection process for Regular MBA.
- Stage 1: Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of CAT score
- Stage 2: Conduct of WAT-PI round
- Stage 3: Final selection and offer of admission
Read More:
CAT Eligibility 2024
To be able to appear for CAT 2024 exam, candidates need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
- Candidate must have completed bachelor's degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) from a recognised university.
- Candidates in the final year of bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification or awaiting result can also appear for CAT 2024 exam.
- Candidates having a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI) with the required percentage are also eligible.
Also Read: CAT eligibility criteria 2024
CAT 2024 Registration
CAT 2024 registration form is available at the IIMCAT website. Candidates are required to register for the exam by paying the requisite fee. Check below in brief, the process to fill the CAT application form 2024.
- Go to the official website: iimcat.ac.in
- Click on 'new candidate registration'
- Enter name, date of birth, nationality, phone number and email ID
- Fill CAPTCHA code and verify registration with OTP received
- Log in with CAT 2024 ID shared via email to fill the form
- Enter personal and academic details
- Upload a recent passport size photo and scanned signature
- Select preferred IIMs, courses and test cities
- Pay CAT application fee via credit/debit card or net banking
Also Read: CAT Test Cities and Centres 2024
CAT 2024 Registration Guide and Important Certificates for Students
CAT 2024 registration is a six-step process in which candidates haven to fill in various fields with correct and valid information. For assistance, IIMCAT has shared CAT registration guide that applicants can refer for filling the CAT form 2024. Along with that, certain candidates will be required to upload relevant certificates for eligibility. Given below are the PDF pro forma of the same:
FAQs on CAT 2024
Q: When will CAT exam be conducted in 2024?
A: CAT exam in 2024 will be conducted on November 24, which is the last Sunday of that month. The CAT exam is always conducted on the last Sunday of November. Official announcement of the CAT 2024 exam date was made by the convening IIM on July 28, 2024. The CAT exam will be held in three sessions and every session will be of 2 hours. It will be conducted in about 170 cities.
Q: Who is eligible for CAT 2024?
A: Candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree or equivalent from recognized university are eligible for CAT. The minimum score required for appearing in the CAT is 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 percent for SC/ST/PwD categories). Candidates in final year or awaiting result are also eligible to apply for CAT 2024.
Q: Which IIM will conduct CAT 2024?
A:IIM Calcutta will conduct CAT 2024. The official announcement was made on July 28, 2024 when the exam notification was released. The top six IIMs conduct CAT on rotation basis. IIM Lucknow was the convening institute for CAT 2023, it conducted the exam after a gap of 5 years. IIM Calcutta conducted the exam in 2018 thus, it has been given the responsibility of CAT 2024.
Q: What is the CAT exam 2024 syllabus?
A: CAT 2024 syllabus includes Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. The topics included in these include, reading comprehension, parajumble, sentence completion, one-word substitution, bar graphs, charts, tables, coding-decoding, blood relation, family tree, numbers, number system, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, etc.
Q: When was CAT 2024 registration conducted?
A: CAT 2024 registration began on August 1, 2024. The CAT exam 2024 registration dates were announced along with the exam date announcement. The CAT exam registration was to end on September 13, 2024 but the deadline was extended until September 20, 2024. In the online process, candidates had to create a login ID, fill the CAT application form, upload documents and pay the requisite fees. All these activities will have to be done at iimcat.ac.in website.
When should I start preparing for CAT 2024?
A: Ideal time to start CAT preparation is 9 months before the exam date. So, if CAT 2024 will be held on November 24, 2024, aspirants must start preparing for it from January 2024 onwards. Most of the candidates however, start preparing by March or May, so that they still have ample time to cover the syllabus and practice a good number of mock tests before the exam. You must choose and plan your CAT 2024 preparation, as per your knowledge of topics included in the CAT syllabus and availability of time as you would have to accommodate your academics or office work.
What is the CAT exam pattern?
A: CAT is a computer based test, conducted in three sessions. The exam is conducted at designated test centres where candidates have to take the test on a computer system. The questions are asked in MCQ format. A few questions appear in TITA format also. The total time duration of CAT is 120 minutes. It is divided into three sections of 40 minutes each. The questions are asked from VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. For every correct attempt 3 marks are awarded and for every incorrect attempt 1 mark is deducted. There is no negative marking for TITA and unanswered questions.
Why is CAT exam tough to crack?
A: CAT is considered a tough exam because the questions are of high difficulty level. What makes CAT more difficult is the sectional time limit, i.e. the pressure to complete every section within 40 minutes. Since the exam is conducted by and for admission to IIMs, the top B-schools in India, the questions are naturally tough The VARC section of CAT is dominated by reading comprehension which poses a challenge to the majority of CAT aspirants as they belong to engineering or technical background. Another major reason for CAT’s high difficulty level is the high number of applicants. Every year over 2 lakh candidates apply for it.
Can I crack CAT in three months?
A: Cracking CAT in three months with a high score is not really possible, so it is advisable to not aim for it. It is somewhat possible to crack CAT in three months, only if you have appeared for it before and have a good practice of all the topics included in the syllabus, so that you can directly start solving practice questions and mock test to prepare in 3 months. However, you will need to put extra time and effort in preparation of CAT in such a short time.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 41 mins ago
No, CAT is not mandatory for entry to the PGP-TBM programme of Masters' Union. Scores can be submitted by any one of the examinations conducted by GMAT, GRE, or Masters' Union Business Aptitude and Admissions Test (MU-BAAT). Interviews and a holistic review of the profile comprise part of the select
a
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 hours ago
Yes, I Business Institute offers scholarship to PGDM students based on CAT score. A maximum of INR 70,000 is offered to CAT qualified students. Below is the detailed criteria:
| Marks in Qualifying Exam | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| CAT > 85 | INR 70,000 |
| CAT percentile between 70-85 | INR 50,000 |
| CAT percentile between 60-70 | INR 30,000 |
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, you can get admission to the MBA/PGDM programme at H.K. Institute of Management Studies and Research (HKIMSR) without CAT scores. The institute also accepts other entrance exam scores like MAT, CMAT, or MAH-CET for admission. As long as you have a valid score from any of these recognised exams,
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, getting admission at VVISM for a PG Diploma (General Management) without a CAT score is possible. This is because CAT is not the only accepted entrance exam for PG Diploma admission at the institute. In addition to CAT, VVISM accepts the exam scores of MAT/ATMA/XAT/CMAT/GMAT/ICET or any other e
H
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
With a 50-60 percentile in CAT, you may not be eligible for top IIMs or highly ranked B-schools, but there are several good options:
- Tier 2 B-Schools like IMT Nagpur, Welingkar Mumbai, ITM Navi Mumbai, and SIES Mumbai may consider you depending on the category and other criteria.
- State Universities li
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
It is not mandatory for Maharashtra students to appear in MAH CET if they have a valid CAT score. To apply for JBIMS through CAT, you must register for the DTE Maharashtra CAP process, submit your CAT details, verify documents, and select JBIMS as your preference. Admission is based on your merit ra
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Top MBA colleges offering average CTCs above 12 LPA, with ST out-of-state reservations and accepting CMAT or XAT scores, include XLRI Jamshedpur (32 LPA, XAT), XIM Bhubaneswar (20 LPA, XAT), Great Lakes Institute of Management (15–17 LPA, CMAT/XAT), Goa Institute of Management (14–15 LPA, CMAT/XAT),
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 introduced several notable changes compared to previous years. Here are the key changes:
1. Increased Number of Questions:
- The total number of questions was increased from 66 to 68.
- This increase was specifically in the DILR section, which now had 22 questions in
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
The CAT exam doesn't have a fixed score. Instead, your performance is measured in terms of percentile. This means your score is compared to all other test-takers, and you're given a percentile ranking. For example, a 99 percentile means you scored better than 99% of the other test-takers.
The actual
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Admission to the MBA/PGDM programs offered at SIES College of Management Studies, commonly abbreviated as SIESCOMS, is based on a candidate's performance in the CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, or MAHCET examinations. The CAT 2024 registration usually ends in September, and the exam takes place in Novembe
K
Contributor-Level 8
Is CAT compulsory for Masters' Union?