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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Nov 27, 2024 12:51 IST

CAT Normalization Process involves scaling of the raw CAT score to arrive at the CAT percentile. It is an important step in preparation of CAT result. The process is explained by the examination agency every year for transparency. Read here to know all about CAT Normalization Process 2024.

CAT Normalization Process or the scaling and equating process for CAT exam score is an important step in result preparation. This is the process through which every candidate's performance is evaluated for CAT percentile calculation. The CAT normalization process is announced the at the time of declaration of the CAT exam schedule. According to the information bulletin, the CAT normalization process 2024 "shall adjust for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms. After normalisation across different forms, the scores shall be further normalised across different sections.”

Latest: CAT 2024 Official Answer Key OUT Live Updates; How to download response sheet

Q:   What is the CAT 2024 exam date?

A:

The CAT exam is always conducted on the last Sunday of November every year so the CAT 2024 exam is expected to be conducted on Nov 24, 2024. Official announcement of the CAT 2024 exam date will be made by the convening IIM on Jul 30, 2024. The announcement will be made at the iimcat.ac.in website as well as in all the national dailies across India. We at Shiksha also notify the aspirants through our communication channels. Registrations cum application process for CAT 2024 will begin from the first week of August and end in the third week of September 2024.

Check below CAT exam dates for last five years:

  • CAT 2023: November 26
  • CAT 2022: November 27
  • CAT 2021: November 28
  • CAT 2020: November 29 
  • CAT 2019: November 24

Q:   Will CAT exam 2025 also be conducted in three shifts?

A:

Yes, the CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Until 2019, CAT was conducted in two shifts and the exam duration used to be 180 minutes. However, in 2020, the number of shifts were increased to three and exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes in order to follow the social distancing guidelines for COVID-19. Since the COVID-9 pandemic appropriate behaviour had to be followed at public places and gatherings, the examination authorities increased the number of exam slots to ensure a limited number of candidates can be accommodated at any exam centre in a given exam slot by following social distancing and seating arrangement with gap. Since then, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2025 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order. The CAT exam slot timings will be - 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Q:   What are the CAT exam slot timings?

A:
CAT exam is held in three slots for the past three years. Earlier it used to be held in two slots of three hours each, but since 2020 it is held in three slots of two hours each. The three slots are conducted between 8 am to 4 pm. The first slot is held from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, the second slot is held from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and the third slot is held from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. In these three slots, about 2.22 Lacs candidates are accommodated at over 400 test centres in about 150 plus cities across India. The exam slots are allotted to candidates by the examination authorities as per the receipt of applications and candidates cannot request for change of examination slot. They have to give the test in the slot mentioned on the admit card.

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CAT 2024 exam was conducted on November 24, 2024. The exam was conducted in three slot and three different test forms (question papers) will be administered in every slot (slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3). As there could be differences in the difficulty level of the three the test forms, score normalization in CAT 2024 will be adopted for assessment of each candidates performance on a common scale. By doing this, the examination authority will ensure that every candidates is assessed for the CAT exam evenly. 

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What is Normalization in CAT 2024?

CAT Score Normalisation can be understood as a process to ensure fairness and equity in the performances of candidates across all sessions. The CAT normalization process 2024 will be done by adjusting location and scale differences of score distributions across different question papers. The scaled scores obtained by this process will then be converted into CAT percentiles. Candidates will be shortlisted for Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds on the basis of CAT percentile.

CAT_Scaled_Score_Calculation

CAT 2024 result cum scorecard will contain, not the raw CAT exam score but scaled scores for each of the following sections along with the percentiles:

What is Composite Score in CAT and How is it Calculated? 

The CAT composite score of each candidate will be arrived at by calculating their points on the basis of some parameters. These include:

  • CAT 2024 score (scaled)
  • Class 12 marks
  • Class 10 marks
  • Graduation score
  • Work Experience
  • Diversity (Gender)
  • Diversity (Academic)

Take a look at CAT Composite Score calculator for shortlisting for WAT-PI, issued by IIM Lucknow:

Q:   What are the facilities for PwD candidates in CAT exam?

A:
For PwD candidates, facilities in CAT exam include, relaxation of marks in graduation. The minimum score required by PwD candidate in graduation for appearing in CAT exam is 45 per cent aggregate. Apart from that, such candidates are provided scribe service at the exam centre. To avail the service such candidates have to fill the relevant form during registration process. The CAT exam authorities follow government rule viz. PwD candidate which is, 'Person with Benchmark Disability' means a person with not less than forty percent of a specified disability where the specified disability has not been defined in measurable terms and includes a person with disability where the specified disability has been defined in measurable terms, as certified by the certifying authority, as defined in The Rights of Persons with Disabilities ACT 2016 (RPwD ACT 2016). The categories of disability are, blindness and low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy, autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness, multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d), f) other 'specified disabilities' mentioned in 'The Schedule' of the RPwD ACT 2016.

Q:   What are the items to carry on the CAT exam day?

A:
Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak, CAT candidates are required to carry drinking water, hand sanitizer, face mask and gloves along with them. Candidates have to carry drinking water in a transparent bottle and a 100 ml bottle of hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer bottle should also be transparent. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.

Q:   What are the dos and don'ts for CAT exam day?

A:
On the CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines which include cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, following instructions given be the invigilator and following the test navigation for solving the questions. There are some key dos and don'ts that candidates should follow on the CAT exam day, which have been listed below: CAT exam day dos: 1. Reach the examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2. Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos and duly filled COVID-19 declaration form 3. PwD candidates should carry the relevant certificates and documents as prescribed by the examination authorities. 4. Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing the attendance sheet 5. Carry personal drinking water, hand sanitizer, face masks and gloves 6. Cooperate with the test centre staff and follow the instructions 7. While entering the answers, use only the computer mouse. Do not touch the keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking. CAT exam day don'ts: 1. Do not carry prohibited items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices. 2. Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it. 3. Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets 4. Don't be late for the exam. The entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam. No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that. 5. Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT. 6. Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab 7. Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.

Q:   When is the correct time to appear for CAT exam?

A:
The pre-final/final year is a good time to appear for CAT. Pre-final year because by the time you will graduate, you will get the confirmation on your admission. If you are unable to clear the exam in the pre-final then you can attempt again in the final year and as you already have taken it once, you have a good chance to score good marks. If you are not able to make in these two attempts then attempt CAT after gaining the work experience of 1-2 years.
CAT Composite Score Formula

CAT Normalization Process is based on GATE scoring, where the normalisation is based on the assumption that distribution of abilities of candidates is the same across all the sessions. The calculations are based on statistic equations.

GATE formula

In GATE, normalisation takes into account all the variations in the difficulty levels of the question papers across different session.

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GATE Normalization Process

"The normalization is done based on the fundamental assumption that "in all multi-session GATE papers, the distribution of abilities of candidates is the same across all the sessions". This assumption is justified since the number of candidates appearing in multi-session papers in GATE is large and the procedure for allocation of session to candidates is random. Further, it is also ensured that for the same multi-session paper, the number of candidates allotted in each session is of the same order of magnitude," informs the official GATE website.

Here's GATE normalization formula:

GATE formula for calculation

Normalized marks based on the above formula will be calculated corresponding to the raw marks obtained by the candidate in CAT 2022.

Also Read:

CAT Percentile predictor prepared by Shiksha.com helps students to get their predicted CAT percentile on the basis of their expected exam score. So, predict your CAT exam score by clicking the link below:

CAT Percentile Predictor

CAT cut offs 2024

IIM CAT cut offs are usually high in the range of 98 to 100 percentile. For PI shortlisting, there is a great emphasis on Class 10 and Class 12 marks. Here’s the list of estimated CAT cut off percentiles for last year for reference. CAT 2024 cut offs are expected to be in the same range. 

IIMs

Expected CAT cut offs (percentile)

IIM Ahmedabad

99-100

IIM Bangalore 

99-100

IIM Calcutta

99 

IIM Lucknow

97-98

IIM Indore

97-98

IIM Kozhikode

97-98

IIM Amritsar

95-96

IIM Nagpur

95-96

IIM Sambalpur

95-96

IIM Trichy

94-95

IIM Raipur

94-95 

IIM Ranchi

94-95 

IIM Kashipur

94-95 

IIM Vizag

92-94 

IIM Udaipur

92-94

IIM Bodhgaya

92-94 

IIM Shillong

90

IIM Sirmaur

90

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Check CAT cut offs and predict calls from IIMs and Non-IIMs accepting CAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all CAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio

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