Best MBA Colleges accepting CAT Score in India

IIM Ahmedabad emerged as the No. 1 MBA college accepting CAT score in India followed by IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode. Listed below are some of the other colleges along with their NIRF rankings from 2022 to 2024:

There are approximately 1,550+ MBA colleges in India accepting CAT scores. Of these,  1,077 colleges are privately owned, 177 colleges are owned by public/government organisations, and public-private entities own 7 MBA colleges. CAT is the most accepting entrance exam in top MBA colleges in India. IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, Indian Institute of Management Mumbai, etc. are some of the top MBA colleges that accept CAT score in India.

It is estimated that joining the top B Schools accepting CAT scores in India can be affordable as most colleges have tuition fees between INR 1-2 lakh. Listed below are some of the affordable colleges having tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh:

Joining the best MBA colleges accepting CAT scores in India can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some of the colleges along with their tuition fees and average placement package:

Yes, the difficulty level of CAT syllabus is very high as compared to other MBA entrance exams. However, if you prepare well and follow the CAT exam pattern well, you will be able to score well. Besides having an understanding of the CAT syllabus 2024, candidates also need to be well aware of the CAT exam pattern before they start preparing for the exam. The CAT exam pattern was revised in 2021 and the number of questions were reduced from 76 to 66. The structure of CAT 2022 and CAT 2023 was the same. The syllabus is still tougher than other exams.

The most important things to keep in mind are:

1. CAT exam mode is online
2. Each question carries three marks 
3. There is negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts

The section-wise distribution of questions and difficulty levels as per the latest CAT exam pattern are listed below:

• Quantitative Ability (QA) - 24 questions, difficulty level - moderate to high 
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 20 questions, difficulty level - moderate 
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 22 questions, difficulty level - moderate. to high

The general eligibility criteria to get MBA admission in India that accept CAT scores are listed below:

• Candidates should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in any discipline from a recognised university or institution with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
• MBA colleges in India consider scores from national-level entrance exams such as Candidates are required to meet the minimum cutoff scores set by the respective colleges.

Preparing for CAT 2024?

• Click to practice Q&A for Verbal Ability and Q&A for Quantitative Aptitude.
• Click here for Q&A4 Article

There has been no change in exam pattern and syllabus of the CAT exam from last year apart from the fee amount which has been increased from INR 2,400 to INR 2,500 for General category candidates and from INR 1,200 to INR 1250 for Reserved category candidates. 

Another key change in the latest CAT application form is reduction in the number of test city selection from six to five. The CAT 2024 applicants can only select 5 cities for test centre allotment. 

During COVID era, 

• Candidates had to mention their COVID-19 vaccination status in the CAT application form.
• Eligibility criteria for CAT was extended for FCAI degree holders. Now, they are also eligible to appear for the CAT.

Preparing for the Common Admission Test CAT can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and study plan, it is possible to succeed.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for CAT:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Start by understanding the exam pattern and syllabus of CAT thoroughly. The exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
2. Make a Study Plan: Once you understand the exam pattern and syllabus, make a study plan that works best for you. Allocate time for each section, and include time for revision, practice tests, and solving previous year's question papers.
3. Strengthen Your Basics: CAT is a test of your fundamental concepts in Mathematics, English and Logical Reasoning. Hence, focus on building a strong foundation by revising and practicing the basic concepts.
4. Read and Analyze: To improve your Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, start reading newspapers, magazines, and books regularly. Analyze the content, style, and tone of the passages to gain a better understanding of the language.
5. Practice Regularly: Practice is the key to success in CAT. Solve as many practice tests and previous year's question papers as possible to get familiar with the exam pattern and build your speed and accuracy.
6. Time Management: CAT is a time-bound exam, and time management is crucial. Practice solving questions within the stipulated time frame to build your speed and accuracy.
7. Join a Coaching Institute: If you find it challenging to prepare for CAT on your own, consider joining a coaching institute that offers specialised coaching for CAT. They will provide you with a structured study plan, guidance, and practice tests to help you prepare for the exam.

Remember, consistency, and dedication are key to success in CAT. Keep practicing and working hard, and you will achieve your goal.

IIM Ahmedabad considered two kinds of CAT scores for MBA admission - Qualifying and Final score. Qualifying CAT score is the minimum sectional and overall CAT score used to shortlist students for the Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. Candidates above minimum cutoffs in the sectional percentile ranks, the overall percentile rank and having a positive (greater than zero) raw score in all sections of CAT are considered for the next stage. Final CAT score is cutoffs are the basis of which the candidates are called for final selection after the AWT and PI rounds are over. The overall CAT qualifying cutoff for 2022 admission at IIM-A stood at 80 for General category candidates while the final cutoff is considered to stand between 99 and 100 percentile. For other category candidates, this requirement is comparatively low. Check out more details on IIM-Ahmedabad Cutoff here. 

The table below shows the best government colleges accepting CAT scores in India along with their total tuition fees:

IIM Bangalore considers two kinds of CAT scores for MBA admission - Qualifying and Final score. Qualifying CAT score is the minimum sectional and overall CAT score used to shortlist students for the Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. Candidates above minimum cutoffs in the sectional percentile ranks, the overall percentile rank and having a positive (greater than zero) raw score in all sections of CAT are considered for the next stage. The final CAT score is cutoffs are the basis of which the candidates are called for final selection after the AWT and PI rounds are over. 

Yes, an MBA course can be very helpful for a career in the stock market and finance in general. While an MBA doesn't focus solely on the stock market, it equips students with a range of skills and knowledge that are highly relevant in this field. Courses like MBA in Finance will help you gain insight about the stock market wherein you can learn about topics like financial analysis, portfolio analysis, corporate finance and strategic planning. 

While an MBA provides a solid foundation, it's important to note that practical experience, continuous learning, and staying updated with market trends are equally vital in the stock market.

After graduation, pursuing an MBA might be a wise decision for a variety of reasons. In the first place, it improves your leadership and business acumen while giving you a more profound grasp of strategy, marketing, finance and management. This thorough education increases your knowledge base and improves your career chances which increases your competitiveness as a job applicant.

Additionally, an MBA program frequently offers beneficial networking possibilities putting you in touch with colleagues and professionals in the field who can lead to new employment chances. 

Furthermore, an MBA program often provides valuable networking opportunities connecting you with industry leaders and peers who can open doors to new career paths.

The diverse experiences and perspectives shared in an MBA program can foster innovative thinking and problem-solving skills essential in today’s dynamic business environment.