Can I prepare for CAT within 3 months?

Hi Swaleha, 3 months are not enough for CAT as there many students with brilliant mind applying for CAT, you have to compete with them. So, at least, you have to start preparing for CAT before 6 months of exam. Rest of the information is given below. Exam preparation tips for CAT: Rather than focusing on all the topics, students need to try and select those topics with which they are more comfortable. Even on the exam day, with the question sheet in hand, students shouldn't try to solve each and every question and waste their energy, they should rather spend 5 minutes in scanning a section and selecting questions from their area of expertise and skill. In order to ace CAT, students should look at questions from the previous year's CAT paper and understand its syllabus. They should assess whether they are proficient, average or need improvement in each of the areas. The areas that fall in the third category should be focused on first followed by the second and third. CAT aspirants should always start early in preparing for the exams as an early start would benefit them in gaining knowledge about the kind of questions to be asked. Another advantage to it can be spending time in developing extra reading habits and increasing vocabulary. The best way to go on with the CAT preparations is to evaluate oneself in every 10-15 days, which is done by mock tests. But one thing that students should be careful about is to not to repeat the mistakes made by them in either the mock CAT or while practising at home or the whole purpose of taking mock tests would be lost. While preparing for the CAT question paper, one must keep in mind that management schools seek to test understanding of basic concepts that the student possesses. So, students should stop looking for the toughest material to practice and realize that their understanding of concepts is not as good as they think it is. Some things which CAT aspirants must do on an everyday basis are- Minimum 10 hours study everyday, especially before the 6 months of CAT exams. Preparation of minimum 10,000 words to enhance Vocabulary, study of newspapers and editorials for 2 hour's everyday and reading at least two magazines and one novel each week. Time management is an essential ingredient to crack the CAT exam and make it to your favorite college. Managing one's time includes balancing speed with accuracy, handling the pressure and you.

Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?

There is no pattern to which CAT question paper can be the toughest. The CAT question paper of every slot has unique questions. The examination body strives to maintain the same difficulty level of the paper across all slots but it may happen that a question can be more difficult from another. It is seen that, to keep the uniqueness of the question paper intact, the examination authority also changes the topic wise weightage a little bit across the exam slots. In most of the previous years, it is seen that the morning slot of the CAT exam is tougher than the rest two. However, candidates must not worry about the difficulty level of the slots as, the scores of all the candidates are normalised on a common scale to root out the possibility of advantage or disadvantage to any student due to difference in difficulty level. To know how the CAT scores are normalised, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.

Is the CAT syllabus difficult?

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: CAT exam mode is online Each question carries three marks 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

Is the question type and pattern of CAT and GMAT similar?

The examination pattern of both CAT and GRE are more or less similar or not similar based on the point of view. Both the examinations are for the students pursuing buisness management studies . The major difference between CAT and GRE is the acceptance, CAT is an examination for admission in business schools across India while GRE is accepted worldwide. Subjects in GRE are Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. Subjects in CAT are Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR). To know more about the examination process, fee structure.candidates can refer to the official website.

What is the process to select CAT test city for exam centre allotment?

There are over 170 cities where CAT exam is held. These 170 cities are spread across India consist of metropolitan cities, capital cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Candidate can select up to five cities for allotment of test centre. The process of test city selection is a part of CAT application process. In the CAT application form, there is a field in which candidates have to select the cities. They need to select the city of preference in order of 1 to 5. The examination authorities will try to allot the test centre in the city of first preference. Thus, candidates must fill all the five cities carefully. They must choose their home city of city of current residence as the first preference. The test city option can only be changed during the form correction window. After that, the request for change of the city will not be accepted by the exam authorities.

What is the CAT application fee?

The CAT application fee is INR 2,500 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates. For the SC/SCT/PWD candidates, the fee is INR 1,250. Applicants have to pay the fee at the time of form filling. The application form is not accepted without the payment of fees. Candidates must also keep in mind that the CAT application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. Thus, candidates must fill their forms carefully as if they make a mistake they will have to fill the application form again and pay the fees again. There is a provision of form correction in CAT but only test centre, photo and signature can be edited in the already submitted form. In case, you, ve made a mistake in any other field, you will have to fill the form again.

Which documents are required for filling CAT application form?

Candidates need the following documents while filling the CAT application form: A recent passport size photo (color against white background) Scanned signature with black pen on white paper Any photo ID card like PAN card, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport Class 10 marksheet Class 12 marksheet Graduation marksheet Permanent address proof Work experience documents Reserved category students need to upload Category Certificate along with the CAT application form. The Certificate is available on the CAT website. Candidates can download, fill it, get it attested by competent authority and upload it as PDF with the CAT application form. The PwD category students also have to fill the PwD form and Scribe affidavit along with the exam application form. This is necessary for getting scribe facility and PwD facility at the test centre. The CAT application form is same for students from all categories. Those belonging to a particular category (SC/ST/PwD) will be required to mention it in the relevant field of the CAT form.

Can I fill the CAT application form offline?

No, the CAT application form can only be filled out online on the official website iimcat.ac.in. There is no option to submit the CAT form in offline mode. Candidates will have to create an account on the CAT website once the registrations begin and fill out the CAT form through that candidate account. Candidates must also note that no other website hosts the CAT form other than iimcat.ac.in There is no provision of paying CAT fees in cash, challan or Demand Draft either. The CAT registration fee can be paid online only through Internet banking, credit/debit cards or mobile wallets only. The payment window will be available in the candidate dashboard as part of the CAT application form. Candidates have to simply follow the instructions to pay the fee. Candidates must note that fee payment is mandatory for CAT form filling. Until the fee is paid successfully, the form will not be accepted. Thus, candidates must check the fee payment acknowledgement slip after making the payment.

What is the marking scheme of CAT?

CAT has a total of 66 question. Each section carries 3 marks for correct attempt and -1 marks for incorrect attempt. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Therefore, the total marks of CAT is 198. Till 2019, the CAT exam used to be of 300 marks as the total number of questions were 100. In CAT 2020, the number of questions was reduced to 76 and the total marks was 228. Since, 2021, the total marks of CAT is 198. Section-wise, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section has maximum weightage. Sectional marking scheme for CAT is given below: 1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: 72 (24x3) 2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: 60 (20x3) 3. Quantitative Aptitude 66 (22x3) Since CAT has sectional negative marking scheme, candidates must choose the questions to solve very carefully. If they are not sure of the correct answer, they should leave the question instead of taking a chance. Remember that 0 is greater than negative.

Where can I get official CAT mock test?

Generally, the official mock tests are available on the official website of CAT which is https./iimcat.ac.in. The examination is conducted by Indian Institutes of Management. Check out the below steps to know how get official CAT mock tests online: Aspirants are requested to visit the official website of CAT (https./iimcat.ac.in) Login in through the CAT credentials. Click on the "mock test" button on the left side of screen. Official CAT mock test is available for practise to candidates who have registered for exam. After that, the screen will display the instructions. After reading the instructions carefully, click on 'I am ready to begin' tab and start writing the exam. Please keep checking the official website of CAT to have up-to-date information.

What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?

Solving the CAT question paper is very important from preparation point of view. Since CAT is a speed based test where candidates have to read long passages, tables and charts, do multiple calculations and solve tricky puzzles, one needs to have prior practice of the same. The CAT mock tests serve this purpose. However, to know what type of passages and puzzles are there in the CAT exam, you need to solve previous years' question papers. Some of the benefits of solving previous years' CAT question paper are: 1. With the help of previous year's CAT question paper, you can understand the latest CAT exam pattern and marking scheme 2. Practicing CAT question papers improves speed and accuracy in solving the questions, which is critical to a speed based exam like CAT 3. Practicing CAT question papers improves time management skills as you would get to know which type of questions take how much time. 4. When you practice CAT question papers, you gain confidence that you can solve all types of CAT questions. This confidence helps in performing better in the exam.

From where can I download CAT question papers?

CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.

How many questions should I solve to score 99 percentile in CAT exam?

It is tough to give an accurate number as an answer to this questions are the number of questions have been changing in CAT in the last three years. Moreover, percentile also depends on the difficulty level of the exams and the number of test takers in a particular year. However, one can say that it is safe to solve at least 2/3rd of the total questions in each section of the CAT. So, if CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section has 24 questions, candidate must attempt 16-18 questions correctly. If the CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning has 20 questions, the candidate must solve about 12-14 questions correctly. If the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions then candidates must solve about 14-15 questions correctly. For further understanding you can check detailed analysis here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/how-many-questions-to-attempt-in-cat-to-score-99-percentile-blogId-19639.

Are six months enough to prepare for CAT?

Usually, it is recommended to start CAT preparation about a year or nine months in advance. However, one can prepare for this exam even in six months if they put 8-10 hours daily into it. Candidates who have attempted the CAT before may not face a lot of hurdles in six-month preparation as they have a foundation in CAT preparation from previous year, but candidates who are appearing in the exam for the first time may face obstacles, mostly related to accuracy. The syllabus of CAT is vast and includes a lot of reading. One also has to spend a lot of time in practice sessions and mock tests to be able to master all types of CAT questions - easy, moderate and tough. If you are a student of engineering/technical or commerce background you will need to pay extra attention on VARC . However, you'll be able to manage the syllabus of DILR and Quantitative Aptitude with adequate practice of topics. But if you are a student from Arts background, it is advised to start CAT preparation much earlier because you will have to brush up a lot of Mathematics. Reading Comprehension is one subject that cannot be mastered by student belonging to any academic stream, if their English comprehension is not strong. To develop reading habit all CAT aspirants will have to start much earlier.

Why is CAT considered a difficult MBA entrance exam?

The CAT is conducted as a difficult MBA entrance exam because it is the main national level test for MBA Admission in India. Over 2 Lacs candidates appear for it every year. Thus, the competition is high. The question paper is set by the IIM. Even though the score is accepted by over 1300 colleges the top colleges accept above 90 percentile. The Iims have cut offs above 95 percentile. It has been seen that out of the total number of test takers which is usually around 2 Lacs, only about 20 candidates are able to score 99-100 percentile. The difficulty level of CAT is the highest among all the MBA entrance exams in India. It is conducted for 2 hours and has 66 questions in total to solve. However, the difficulty level of all the questions from VARC DILR and Quantitative Aptitude is high. The VARC has tough and long Reading Comprehension passages. The Data Interpretation tables and charts are dense and calculation intensive. Logical Reasoning questions are also on the tougher side. Moreover, there is sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section. Candidates have to complete a section in the given time limit only.

How many CAT mock tests to practice to score 99 percentile?

Experts recommend that aspirants must practice at least 40 CAT mock tests to score above 99 percentile well in the exam. Most of the CAT test takers take up to 50 mock tests of various types and difficulty level. CAT toppers in previous years have practiced even up to 80 mock tests during their preparation. However, candidates must decide the number of CAT mock tests depending on their control and confidence on topics as the exam day comes closer. Mock tests are the best way to judge your performance viz. The important topics of CAT. The more one practices CAT mock tests, the more accurate they get in solving questions from all subjects. It is very important to know which formula to apply to which type question to solve the problem accurately. Mock tests help candidates in this aspect which is why practicing mock tests is most important in CAT preparation.

How can I improve my score in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT?

The key to improving score in Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is practice, practice and more practice. Listed below are some tips you can apply while preparing for CAT. Practice Mental Maths to be less dependent on calculators Make short notes of formulae and sample questions to revise them on the go Develop the ability to choose which questions to answer in the exam Avoid negative marking. Don’t attempt questions you are not sure of Practice Quants questions in a time bound manner to be able to utilize maximum time in the main exam Solving a sample question is not enough. Practice the same set of questions multiple time

Which MBA colleges are available with 80 percentile in CAT?

There are quite a few MBA colleges who accept CAT score of 80 percentile and above for admission. The admission process for these colleges include group discussion and Personal Interview . Fore School of Management Goa Institute of Management International Management Institute, Delhi Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal Indian Institute of Management, Visakhapatnam Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli Praxis Business School, Kolkata Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management development & Research, Bangalore Shiva Institute of Management Studies, Ghaziabad Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research TA Pai Management Institute Trinity College for Management and Technology, Ghaziabad Click on this link for more: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/colleges-accepting-cat-scores-range-80-to-90-percentile-blogId-11981.

Which MBA colleges are available with 70 percentile in CAT?

A good number of private MBA colleges accept CAT score of 70 percentile in CAT. We have listed some of the colleges in which admission is possible with 70 percentile. Amity University AIMS Institutes (AIMS), Bangalore Amrita School of Business - Bangalore Acharya Bangalore B-School Asian Business School (ABS), Noida Amrita School of Business, Kochi Bengal Institute of Business Studies (BIBS), Kolkata Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Christ Institute of Management, Pune Doon Business School (DBS), Dehradun Eastern Institute For Integrated Learning In Management, Kolkata FOSTIIMA Business School, Delhi International Institute of Business Studies, Noida International School of Business and Media (ISB&M) Bangalore JK Lakshmipat University-Institute of Management, Jaipur National University (JNU), Jaipur JRE Group of Institutions (JRE), Greater Noida Lotus Business School, Pune Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar MATS University, Raipur IIKM Business School, Calicut IILM Institute for Higher Education, Delhi For full list, click here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/colleges-accepting-cat-scores-range-70-to-80-percentile-blogId-11956.

What percentile is required for IIM Raipur?

The general category CAT percentile cutoff at IIM Raipur normally lies between 92 and 95%, though it could differ somewhat depending on the category (OBC, SC, ST) and applicant pool. At somewhat lower percentiles, candidates with a solid academic background and pertinent professional experience may be given consideration. A comprehensive review that takes into account the candidate's performance on the Written Ability Test (WAT), academic background, and personal interview (PI) is required for the ultimate selection. The likelihood of being shortlisted for the following round of the selection process increases with higher scores.

What is the CAT cut off for MBA Rural Management Xavier and also for MBA HRM Bhubaneswar Xavier?

Based on the previous year's cutoffs, here is the approximate CAT cut off for the MBA Rural Management and MBA HRM programs at XIMB: - MBA Rural Management: The CAT cut off for the MBA Rural Management programme at XIMB may be around 85 to 90 percentile. - MBA HRM: The CAT cut off for the MBA HRM programme at XIMB may be around 90 to 95 percentile. It is important to note that the cutoff may vary from year to year based on various factors such as the number of seats available, the number of applicants, and the overall performance of the applicants. Additionally, XIMB also considers various other factors such as academic background, work experience, and performance in the selection process including Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview PI before making admission decisions. It is always advisable to check with the college's admission office for the latest and most accurate information on the CAT cutoff for the MBA Rural Management and MBA HRM programs at XIMB.

Can I get admission in IIM for MBA? I scored 51.4% in 10th, 58% in 12th and 90 %ile in CAT.

Scoring well in the Common Admission Test CAT is definitely a positive step towards getting admission into the Indian Institutes of Management (Iims). However, it's important to note that the Iims consider multiple factors in their admission process, including academic performance, work experience, extracurricular activities, and performance in the CAT. While a CAT score of 90% is commendable and can enhance your chances, the academic performance in your 10th and 12th grades might be considered on the lower side compared to the typical standards for admission to the Iims. The Iims generally look for candidates with a strong academic track record. That said, the admission process for the Iims is holistic, and they take into account various aspects of an applicant's profile. Along with your CAT score, you can focus on showcasing your achievements, leadership skills, extracurricular activities, and any work experience you may have. A well-rounded profile can improve your chances of securing admission to an IIM.

What is the difference between CAT score and CAT percentile?

CAT score is the total marks a candidate receives out of the maximum marks, calculated by subtracting the marks of incorrect answers from the marks of correct answers. For every correct answer, +3 is given to the candidates, for every incorrect -1 is deducted from the overall score. Apart from this, a candidate's rank is calculated by normalizing the scores of all candidates and placing them on a common scale based on the difficulty and attempts of the candidates. It is important to understand the difference between CAT score and CAT percentile because IIMs and all MBA colleges in India select candidates on the basis of their CAT and other MBA related exam percentiles and not score. The CAT percentile is referred to as the rank of a candidate against the rest of the test takers. The percentile indicates the total percentage of candidates who scored less than or equal to a particular candidate in CAT. Suppose,1,000 people take an exam and you bag the top rank, which means 999 candidates scored less than you. Then your CAT percentile will be 999/1000*100 = 99.9.

What after CAT result declaration?

After the declaration of CAT results, Iims and other top MBA colleges start the candidate shortlisting process. The institutes fix CAT cut offs category wise and invite applicants to appear for Written Ability Test, Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview PI rounds for MBA Admission. In case of Iims, the institutes release PI shortlist form which the candidates have to fill before a certain deadline. In the PI form, candidates have to mention their personal, academic and professional details along with CAT score. Depending on the application received and the range of CAT scores the institutes the shortlist candidates for What-GD-PI. The What-GD-PI round is conducted by the institutes individually in March and April in online or offline mode. With the result of What-GD-PI and candidates' overall profile, the institutes finalise the list of students for admission. Offer of admission letters to selected candidates are sent via email in May.

I appeared for CAT exam in the second slot. Will my result be declared on the same day as that of the first slot?

Yes, the CAT results for all the exam slots are announced on the same day. In 2022, the exam was conducted in three slots. The results of all the three slots were announced on the same day, I. e. December 21, 2022. In CAT 2023 too, the results of all three slots were declared on the same day. The slot name will be mentioned on the CAT scorecard. The link to download the scorecard for all the slots will be same. Candidates will be required to log into their CAT accounts and download the scorecard from student dashboard. The CAT result is declared in the first week of January but for the last two years, it has been declared in December. If the CAT convening IIM for 2024 follows the same trend, then the CAT 2024 result can also be released in December instead of January.

What is the CAT cut off for IIM Indore?

The IIM Indore cut off is usually around 95-97 percentile. The overall qualifying CAT cut off percentile for What-PI shortlisting is 90 for General category students. For EWS category too, the minimum qualifying CAT cut off is 90 percentile. However, for NC-OBC candidates the minimum qualifying cut off it is 80 percentile whereas for SC/ST candidates, it is 60 and 45 percentile, respectively. Given below are the sectional and overall qualifying CAT cut offs for Indore PGP course. General category: 80 VARC 80 DILR 80 Quantitative Aptitude 90 (Overall) NC-OBC category: 70 VARC 70 DILR 70 Quantitative Aptitude 80 (Overall) SC category: 55 VARC 55 DILR 55 Quantitative Aptitude 60 (Overall) ST category: 40 VARC 40 DILR 40 Quantitative Aptitude 45 (Overall) PwD category: 40 VARC 40 DILR 40 Quantitative Aptitude 45 (Overall) Click here for detailed IIM Indore admission and selection criteria: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/iim-indore-shortlist-admission-criteria-blogId-19051.

What is the cut off for IIM Jammu?

Indian Institute of Management Jammu accepts CAT scores for admission to the MBA/ PGDM courses. Candidates seekking admisison must register online for the CAT 2023 exam, which is scheduled for Nov 26, 2023. IIM Jammu CAT 2024 cutoff will be release after the declaration of CAT result. Considering the past year trends, it is expected that IIM Jammu cutoff 2024 will be range between 89 to 90. Candidates can refer to the table given below to check out the estimated CAT qualifying and CAT cutoff percentile for admisison to the Management courses: CAT Qualifying cutoff 2023: 90 CAT cut offs 2023 (percentile): 93 Note: The above-mentioned CAT cutoff is the estimtaed cutoff based on IIM Jammu previous year cutoff trends. Actual figure might vary.

Are CAT cut offs announced along with the CAT result?

CAT cut offs are not announced along with the CAT result. The cut offs also not released publicaly. They are known after a few days of result announcement when the IIMs and other colleges start their shortlisting process. The IIMs will open shortlist window basis the CAT cut offs two to three days after the result announcement. The CAT percentile of candidates shortlisted for Written Ability Test (What), Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview, PI can be considered the cut off for that IIM. For example, if a candidate with CAT percentile of 99 belonging from General category is selected for the What/GD-PI of IIM Calcutta, then the CAT cut off for IIM Calcutta is 99 percentile. Only those candidates who will make it to the What/GD-PI round of IIMs will get to know the cut offs.

Can I get IIM Ranchi at 85 percentile?

As per the IIM CAP criteria, the qualifying CAT cut off for the batch of 2023-25 is 93 percentile for the General category students. So students belonging to the General category can not get into IIM Rnachi with 85 percentile. However, other categories student can easily get a call for the Personal Interview (PI) round for IIM Ranchi admission. Final selection, however, is entirely depends on candidates' performance in the PI round. Apart from PI, IIM final selection process also consider other criteria such as Verbal Comprehension, Verbal Comprehension and Verbal Comprehension, among others.

Will CAT exam 2024 also be conducted in three shifts?

Yes, the CAT 2024 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 2024 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.

How would I know my CAT exam centre?

Candidates will know their allotted CAT exam centre only from the admit card. There is no way to know the test centre before the release of the CAT admit card. The examination authority allots a test centre to aspirants in the city of their first preference as mentioned in the city. So, candidates can atleast be assured that they will get a test centre in the city they had chosen as first preference in the CAT application form. However, the venue will be mentioned only on the candidate’s admit card. So as soon as the CAT admit card is released, candidates must check the test city and test centre details. In order to avoid any confusion, they must visit the centre at least once before the exam day.

Can I show digital copy of the CAT admit card at the exam centre?

The digital copy of the CAT 2024 admit card will not be accepted at the test centres as a valid document, thus you cannot show it, to gain entry. As per the official guidelines, only the colour print out of the admit card on A4 size sheet will be accepted as valid. Candidates must also affix a passport size photo, preferably the same as uploaded in the CAT application form. The examination authority does not accept digital admit card as valid document as it is to be signed and stamped by the test centre staff for proof of candidate’s attendance. One copy of the CAT admit card of every candidate is also retained by the authorities, thus the need for the print out.

What are the details mentioned on CAT admit card?

The CAT admit card is a main document of identification of the candidate. It is the proof that the candidate has fill the examination form and is eligible to appear in the exam. To help in candidate identification, the following details are mentioned on every candidate's CAT admit card 2024. Candidate's name Candidate's roll number Candidate's gender Candidate's category Candidate's date of birth Candidate's signature Candidate's photo Candidate's address Examination year Examination date Examination slot Examination timings Reporting time Test centre address Google link to locate test centre Along with these details, other information such as exam day guidelines, examination process in the test lab, items to carry, items not to carry, activities prohibited, dress code and entry process are also mentioned on the CAT admit card.

How many candidates scored 100 percentile in CAT 2024?

14 candidates have scored 100 percentile in CAT 2024, out of a total of 2.93 Lacs candidates. Out of 14 toppers, 1 is a woman candidate. Check below CAT 2024 result data: Check the below table for data and statistics of CAT 2024 test takers and toppers. CAT Toppers Gender and Discipline State 100 percentiles 14 - Nos Female - 1 Male - 13 Engg – 13 Non-Engg – 1 Andhra Pradesh 1 Delhi 2 Haryana 1 Kerala 1 Maharashtra 5 Odisha 1 Rajasthan 1 Telangana 2 99.99 percentiles 29 -Nos. Female - 2 Male - 27 Engg – 25 Non-Engg - 4 Chandigarh 1 Delhi 4 Gujarat 2 Haryana 1 Karnataka 3 Kerala 1 Madhya Pradesh 1 Maharashtra 5 Odisha 1 Punjab 1 Rajasthan 3 Tamil Nadu 1 Telangana 1 Uttar Pradesh1 Uttarakhand 1 West Bengal 2 99.98 percentiles 30-Nos Female - 1 Male - 29 Engg – 20 Non-Engg -10 Bihar 1 Delhi 2 Gujarat 2 Haryana 4 Karnataka 4 Madhya Pradesh 3 Maharashtra 3 Tamil Nadu 2 Telangana 3 Uttar Pradesh 2 West Bengal 4

How much percentile is a good score in CAT exam?

The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a highly competitive entrance exam for admission to various management programs offered by top business schools in India. The percentile score in CAT exam is based on the relative performance of the test taker compared to all the other test takers. The cutoff percentile for admission to top business schools varies from year to year and also depends on factors such as the number of candidates, difficulty level of the exam, and the number of available seats. In general, a percentile score of 90 or above is considered a good score and can help you secure admission to some of the top business schools in India. However, to increase your chances of admission to the top-tier business schools, a percentile score of 95 or above is preferred.

What is CAT cut off for Great Lakes Gurgaon MBA course?

To get admission to the MBA course at Great Lakes Gurgaon, candidates need to appear for the CAT/XAT/CMAT exam and have a valid score. Further, candidates who meet the overall cutoff need to participate and perform well in the PI round for admission. Considering the past few years' cutoff percentile, Great Lakes Gurgaon has maintained an overall CAT/XAT percentile of 70 for its MBA course for the General All India category students. Therefore, Aspirants must look to score above the 70 percentile in the CAT/XAT exam to high their chances for admission to the Great Lakes Gurgaon MBA course. However, the cutoffs may change for different category students therefore candidates are advised to check the Great Lakes Gurgaon official website regularly for the latest updates on cutoff scores.

From where can I download CAT question papers?

CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.

What is IIM CAP process?

IIM CAP is a common selection process for newer Iims. Under the CAP candidates eligible for admission to the nine new Iims - IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Kashipur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Jammu, IIM Ranchi, IIM Trichy and IIM Udaipur are shortlisted for What-PI round by a single IIM, the one who is given the responsibility to conduct the CAP round in a particular academic year. CAT cut offs, admission parameters and their weightage are same for all CAP Iims. The participating Iims send the list of candidates shortlisted by them for the What-PI process to the institute conducting CAP. The CAP conducting IIM conducts the What-PI round for all the participating Iims. The IIM CAP conducting institute then share the What-PI scores and results of the candidates with the participating institutes. Those institutes then prepare the final shortlist for admission. Those who are selected for admission are informed by the Iims via email. The offer of admission is sent to selected candidates which they have to accept within the given time limit. For more details of IIM CAP, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/what-is-iim-cap-know-admission-process-selection-criteria-and-participating-institutes-blogId-51225.

What is the IIM selection criteria through CAT?

IIM selection criteria for all the 21 campuses is same and includes selection of candidates through three stages. CAT score Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview (PI) Academic record, work experience Academic and gender diversity CAT exam score is the first parameter on which candidates are shortlisted for admission. In the first state of IIM admission, the institutes shortlist candidates for WAT, GD and PI on the basis of their CAT score and class 10, 12 and graduation marks. The cut offs for shortlisting of candidates is between 95-100 percentile (for SC/ST/PwD candidates the cut offs are lower). These shortlisted candidates have to then appear for What, GD and PI round. Those who clear this round are considered for final admission. For the final selection, every IIMs takes into consideration the following aspects: CAT score What, GD and PI performance Class 10 and 12 marks Graduation marks Work experience Academic diversity Gender diversity.

What is the syllabus for CAT exam?

CAT syllabus includes all the important topics of subjects that are relevant for business aptitude. For CAT exam, candidates have to study, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension VARC Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Given below are the key topics included in the CAT syllabus. The VARC section of CAT exam syllabus includes various topics of English Grammar, Word Meaning, Vocabulary, Parajumbles, Paracompletion, Parasummary, Fill in the Blanks, Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT syllabus includes all the topics of Mathematics from Class 9 to 10 such as Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra Trigonometry Modern Math, Number System and Mensuration. The DILR syllabus of CAT exam includes topics that require analytical interpretation of data presented in the form of Puzzles, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Tables and Bar Graphs.

I am in 2nd year 4th semester of BBA. Can I write CAT Exam this year and get into MBA college next year?

No, you cannot write the CAT exam in your second year of BBA. CAT exam is a national-level entrance examination conducted once a year, usually in November or December, for admission to various MBA programs in India. The eligibility criteria for appearing in the CAT exam is a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university or institute. Additionally, the minimum percentage requirement for appearing in the CAT exam may vary from institute to institute. Therefore, to be eligible to write the CAT exam, you need to have completed your Bachelor's degree or be in the final year of your Bachelor's degree. So, you can prepare for the CAT exam in your final year of BBA and then apply for MBA programs the following year. In the meantime, you can focus on improving your academic performance and gaining practical experience through internships or other extracurricular activities that can enhance your profile and increase your chances of getting admission into a good MBA programme.

Does Delhi School of Management accept CAT scores for MBA admission?

Yes, DSM accepts CAT scores for MBA admission. However, for MBA from DSM/ USME , those with a valid score in MAT can also apply. Candidates seeking admission to MBA offered via DSM or USME are required to apply online on the official website of the Common Management Admission Committee (CMAC Delhi). Additionally, they must meet the below eligibility for admission: Must have completed a UG degree with a minimum aggregate ranging between 50% and 60% (10% relaxation for SC/ST/ PwD candidates) Final year students with a proof of eligibility can also apply

From where can I download CAT result?

CAT result is announced at the iimcat.ac.in website. Candidates who appear for the test can download their scorecards from the official website by using their login credentials. The CAT result download link is made live about 20 days after the exam. Candidates can download their scorecards by using their login credentials. Given below is the process to follow for downloading the CAT result. Visit the official website of CAT exam Click on CAT scorecard download Enter your CAT ID and password Click on the scorecard tab Download the CAT result PDF Process to check the CAT result on smart phone: Open a web browser on the mobile phone Type the url of CAT exam: iimcat.ac.in Click on CAT scorecard tab Enter your CAT application number and password Click on the scorecard tab to open the document

What is the CAT cut-off for DoMS, IIT Madras?

DMS (Department of Management Studies) IIT Madras does not have a specific CAT cut-off for admissions to their MBA programme. The selection process for DMS IIT Madras involves considering the candidate's performance in CAT, followed by a Written Ability Test (What), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). However, candidates with a percentile of 95 and above in CAT are generally considered highly competitive for admissions to DMS IIT Madras. However, it's important to note that CAT score is not the only factor considered for admissions, and the final selection also depends on the candidate's overall profile, including academic qualifications, work experience, extracurricular activities, and performance in the What, GD, and PI.

What is the CAT cut off for IIM Ahmedabad?

The qualifying CAT cut off for IIM Ahmedabad is 85 percentile for 2023-25 batch. However, the final CAT cut off for IIM Ahmedabad will go up to 99-100 percentile. The qualifying CAT cut off is the minimum score required to be eligible for shortlisting of IIM Ahmedabad PI round. The score on which a candidate is selected is called the final cut off and is much higher than the qualifying cut off. Given below is the qualifying CAT cut offs for IIM Ahmedabad: General/EWS: 70 VARC 70 DILR 70 (QA), 80 (Overall) NC-OBC/transgender: 65 VARC 65 DILR 65 (QA), 75 (Overall) SC: 60 VARC 60 DILR 60 (QA), 70 (Overall) ST: 50 VARC 50 DILR 50 (QA), 60 (Overall PwD (General/ EWS, NC-OBC/transgender, SC): 60 VARC 60 DILR 60 (QA), 70 (Overall) PwD (ST): 50 VARC 50 DILR 50 (QA), 60 (Overall). .

What minimum CAT percentile is required to get admitted in The ICFAI University, Dehradun?

The ICFAI University, Dehradun does not typically accept CAT (Common Admission Test) scores for admission to its programs. CAT scores are primarily used for admissions to various management programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and some other participating institutes. For admission to The ICFAI University, Dehradun, the university generally conducts its own entrance examinations or may consider other national-level entrance exams such as JEE Main for certain programs like B.Tech. The specific entrance exams and their respective cutoff scores or percentile may vary depending on the programme you are interested in.

What is CAT cut off for Great Lakes Gurgaon MBA course?

To get admission to the MBA course at Great Lakes Gurgaon, candidates need to appear for the CAT/XAT/CMAT exam and have a valid score. Further, candidates who meet the overall cutoff need to participate and perform well in the PI round for admission. Considering the past few years' cutoff percentile, Great Lakes Gurgaon has maintained an overall CAT/XAT percentile of 70 for its MBA course for the General All India category students. Therefore, Aspirants must look to score above the 70 percentile in the CAT/XAT exam to high their chances for admission to the Great Lakes Gurgaon MBA course. However, the cutoffs may change for different category students therefore candidates are advised to check the Great Lakes Gurgaon official website regularly for the latest updates on cutoff scores.

What is the CAT eligibility criteria?

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (Iims) for admission to their postgraduate management programs. The eligibility criteria for CAT are as follows: Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university or institute. The minimum percentage required varies from institute to institute. Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in the CAT exam. Citizenship: Candidates must be citizens of India. NRIs and foreign nationals can also apply for the exam. Reservation Criteria: The reservation criteria for CAT are as per the regulations of the Government of India. Work Experience: Work experience is not mandatory to apply for CAT. However, some institutes may consider work experience as a selection criterion. It is important to note that meeting the eligibility criteria alone does not guarantee admission to the Iims or other participating institutes. Candidates must also meet the selection criteria set by the institutes, which may include factors such as academic performance, work experience, and performance in the CAT exam.

What is the age limit to appear for CAT?

There is no age limit to appear for CAT. The CAT exam is open for fresh graduates as well as working professionals. Since CAT is accepted by over 1300 B-schools across India for their full-time as well as executive MBA or online professional courses, a lot of working professionals appear for the CAT to pursue such courses. CAT score is accepted by Iims for full time MBA, executive MBA and FPM programmes. Other top MBA colleges in India also shortlist candidates for executive MBA or part-time MBA on the basis of CAT score. The minimum age limit for has to be 20 years as the minimum qualification for CAT exam graduation. Any candidate who has completed Graduation with 50 per cent aggregate (45 per cent for SC/ST candidates). Any candidate in final year of Bachelor's degree course can appear in CAT exam. Any candidate having a professional degree like CA/CS/ICWAI with a minimum of 50 per cent in aggregate.

What is the estimated CAT cutoff 2024 for admission to IIM Vishakhapatnam?

IIM Vishakhapatnam CAT Cutoff 2024 will be released soon after the declaration of the CAT 2024 result. For the past 3 years, the CAT percentile cutoff has remained 92. Looking at the past years' trend, there is a high probability of the CAT percentile cutoff to fall between 92-95. IIM Vishakhapatnam admission 2025 to MBA course is based on CAT 2024 scores followed by Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Candidates must note that for admission to IIM Vishakhapatnam, they are required to meet both the overall CAT cut off percentile and also the sectional cut offs.

What are the facilities for PwD candidates in CAT exam?

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.

CAT Exam 2024: Result (Declared), Cutoff, Dates, Question Paper Analysis, Pattern, Syllabus

2.3M Views13K Comments

Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content

Updated on Dec 20, 2024 16:35 IST

CAT result 2024 has been announced. Candidate can download their CAT 2024 result now. IIM Calcutta released the CAT 2024 scorecards today at the iimcat.ac.in website. According to the media release shared by the institute, 14 candidates have scored 100 percentile in CAT 2024, among which, one is a woman candidate. 29 candidates have scored 99.99 percentile and 30 candidates have scored 99.98 percentile.

CAT exam 2024 was conducted by IIM Calcutta in three shifts at over 385 test centres in 170 cities across India. The CAT 2024 question paper this year was moderately difficult for all three slots. The total number of questions were 68. DILR had 22 questions instead of 20. There were no parajumbles in the paper. The number of sets in DILR section of CAT 2024 was 5. Provisional CAT 2024 answer key was released on December 3, 2024 and final CAT 2024 answer key was released on December 16, 2024. There is no change from the provisional CAT 2024 answer key.

Also Read:

CAT 2024 Topper Interview: 100 Percentiler Vagish Nangia, Shares his Preparation Journey

CAT 2024 Topper Interview: From 93 to 99.89 Percentile: Know Aniruddh K Singh's CAT Success Story

CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Know How Vedant Chandewar Scored 99.98 percentile

CAT 2024 Topper Interview: How Shaivi Goyal Bagged 99.54 percentile

CAT result 2024: One female candidate scores 100 percentile

CAT result 2024: Five candidates from Maharashtra score 100 percentile

CAT result 2024: Check media release, state wise toppers distribution

Table of Contents

What is CAT Exam?
CAT 2024 Exam Dates & Schedule
CAT 2024 Exam Highlights
CAT 2024 Result and Scorecard PDF
IIM CAT Cut Offs 2024
Top Colleges Accepting CAT Exam Score
CAT 2024 Exam Analysis
CAT Answer Key 2024
CAT Exam Pattern & Test Structure 2024
CAT 2024 Syllabus
CAT Admit Card 2024
CAT Exam Preparation 2024
CAT Registrations 2024
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024
CAT 2024 Contact Information
Important FAQs on CAT 2024

What is CAT Exam?

Common Admission Test or CAT is a national level management aptitude test conducted by the IIM for admission to MBA and other postgraduate courses offered by its 21 campuses (NITIE Mumbai has been added to the cluster as IIM Mumbai). Over two lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam every year. In CAT 2023, applications touched the record high of 3.30 lakh. The total number of CAT 2024 registration is 3.29 lakh. Candidates who clear the CAT exam are eligible for admission to over 1300 MBA colleges in India, apart from the IIMs.

CAT exam iis a speed based test that includes questions from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Difficulty level of the exam is moderate to high.

Latest Updates:

Dec 3: CAT 2024 answer key challenge begins, check details

Nov 29: CAT 2024 response sheet and answer key out, download here

Nov 27: About 2.93 lakh candidates appeared for CAT 2024

Nov 24: CAT 2024 exam held, check analysis and question paper

Nov 13: CAT 2024 registrations recorded at 3.29 lakhs

Nov 13: Official CAT mock test 2025 released, get link here

Nov 5: CAT admit card 2024 released, download here

Courses Offered Through CAT at IIMs

Apart from full-time MBA programmes, the CAT score is valid for admission to Executive MBA, PhD and FPM programmes of IIMs and other B-Schools. This exam is open for not only graduates but also post graduates and working professionals. Check below the list of courses offered by the IIMs through CAT.

IIM	Courses Offered Through CAT
IIM Ahmedabad	PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGP, PhD
IIM Amritsar	MBA, EMBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, PhD
IIM Bangalore	PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PhD
IIM Bodh Gaya	PGP, PhD (FPM)
IIM Calcutta	MBA, PhD
IIM Indore	PGP, PGP-HRM, FPM
IIM Jammu	PGP, PhD
IIM Kashipur	MBA, MBA (Analytics), MBA (WX), PhD, EFPM
IIM Kozhikode	PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, PhD, PhD (PT)
IIM Lucknow	PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-SM, FPM
IIM Nagpur	PGP, PhD
IIM Raipur	PGP, FPM/ PhD, EFPM
IIM Ranchi	PGP, PGP-HRM, PGP (Business Analytics), PhD, EPhD
IIM Rohtak	PGP, EPGPX, EPGDSM, PhD, Part-Time FPM
IIM Sambalpur	MBA, PhD, E PhD
IIM Shillong	PGP, PGPEX, PGPWE, PhD, PhDWP
IIM Sirmaur	MBA, MBA (T&HM), PhD
IIM Tiruchirappalli	PGPM, PGPM-HR, PGPBM, FPM, E-FPM
IIM Udaipur	MBA, PhD
IIM Visakhapatnam	PGP, PGPEx, PGPDGM, PhD
IIM Mumbai	MBA, MBA in Sustainability Management MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management

CAT 2024 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CAT 2024 exam

Dates	Past Exam Dates
19 Dec '24	CAT 2024 result announcement
03 Dec '24 - 05 Dec '24	CAT 2024 answer key challenge
24 Nov '24	CAT 2024 exam
View More Past Events (3)

CAT 2024 Exam Highlights

The number of test cities have been increased this year. Here are the highlights of CAT 2024, take a look at the table below:

CAT Exam Particulars	CAT 2024 Details
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Institute for 2024	IIM Calcutta
Exam Level	National
CAT Entrance Exam Frequency	Once a year
CAT Exam Date 2024	November 24, 2024
CAT Exam Timings	Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Session 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
CAT Exam Fees	INR 2,500 (General category) and INR 1,250 (Reserved category)
Eligibility Criteria	Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students)
Number of Applications	3.29 lakh (in 2024)
Number of Test Takers	2.93 lakh (in 2024)
Exam Purpose	Admission to IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT and over 1,200 B-Schools in India
Courses Offered	MBA/PGDM
CAT syllabus	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
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 Result and Scorecard PDF

CAT 2024 scorecard PDF is available through login only. Candidates can download their result by using their login ID and password. Here’s the process to download CAT 2024 result:

Log on to CAT website iimcat.ac.in
Click on 'login' tab
Enter CAT application number and password
Click on the scorecard section
Click on download option and save the PDF of CAT 2024 scorecard

The CAT 2024 result cum scorecard contains the candidate’s scores and percentiles (sectional and overall). The link to download the CAT scorecard will remain active for one year. Candidates must note that no hard copies of the CAT result 2024 will be issued so they must download the scorecard as soon as it is released.

There is no option to challenge the result. Scores printed on the CAT 2024 scorecard will be final. If a candidate wishes to improve their score, they will have to appear for CAT exam again in the next session.

Also Read:

MBA Admission Through CAT Exam Score

IIM selection process and admission includes shortlisting of candidates on the basis of CAT score and Written Ability Test (WAT) /Group Discussion (GD) /Personal Interview (PI). Each IIM fixes minimum CAT cut off percentile to shortlist candidates for participation in the next round of admission process. Given below is an overview of selection process of IIMs and non-IIMs:

IIM Admission Process

The IIMs release admission criteria and selection process for PGP/MBA prior to the CAT result declaration. The documents contain cutoffs, parameters, process, etc. for MBA admission. Selection procedure through CAT for all the IIMs includes the following:

Screening of candidates on the basis of their CAT score
Written Ability Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview (WAT/GD/PI)
Computation of Composite Score followed by final selection

Also Read:

Non-IIM Admission Process Through CAT

Institutes accepting CAT score other than IIMs also conduct GD/PI for admission to their MBA/PGDM programmes. However, there are a few colleges that do not conduct personality assessment round and admit students based on CAT score only.

Also Read:

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:

Predict CAT Admission Calls

IIM CAT Cut Offs 2024

CAT cut off for IIM admission is fixed by each institute category wise. While the qualifying cut offs range between 80 and 90 percentile (General category), the final cut offs are much higher. For the top IIMs, the final CAT cut offs are usually between 98-100 percentile, whereas for other IIMs, the cut offs range between 90-97 percentile. PI shortlisting is based on final CAT cut offs. Given below is the table indicating qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of 21 IIMs:

IIM	CAT cut offs (qualifying)
IIM Ahmedabad	85
IIM Bangalore	85
IIM Calcutta	85
IIM Lucknow	90
IIM Kozhikode	85
IIM Indore	90
IIM Rohtak	95
IIM Visakhapatnam	80
IIM Trichy	92
IIM Udaipur	92
IIM Ranchi	92
IIM Amritsar	85
IIM Shillong	75
IIM Kashipur	92
IIM Sambalpur	92
IIM Jammu	92
IIM Sirmaur	92
IIM Nagpur	85
IIM Raipur	92
IIM Bodhgaya	92
IIM Mumbai	94

*The CAT cut off percentiles mentioned in the above table are of General category. For the SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS categories, the cut CAT cut offs are lower.

Need Help with identifying the best college for you? Chat with Shiksha Counsellor and get a personalized list matching your preferences.

Get Free Counselling

List of IIMs for MBA/PGP Courses

CAT scores are accepted by 21 IIMs. These institutions accept CAT score mainly for MBA/PGDM, PhD, FMP and ePGP. You can visit the links in the below table to know admission cut offs, placements, fees, rankings and selection process of each IIM:

List of IIMs Accepting CAT Score
IIM Calcutta	IIM Ahmedabad
IIM Bangalore	IIM Lucknow
IIM Kozhikode	IIM Indore
IIM Shillong	IIM Rohtak
IIM Ranchi	IIM Raipur
IIM Udaipur	IIM Nagpur
IIM Tiruchirappalli	IIM Kashipur
IIM Visakhapatnam	IIM Bodh Gaya
IIM Amritsar	IIM Sambalpur
IIM Sirmaur	IIM Jammu
IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE Mumbai)

Also Read: MBA colleges accepting CAT score

IIM Fees for MBA – Campus Wise

Below is the list of MBA/PGP programme fees of each IIM. The amount mentioned here is course fee of PGP/MBA (two years) that is paid semester wise in instalments.

IIM campus	PGP/MBA seats (approx.)	*MBA/PGP fees
IIM Ahmedabad	385	INR 24.61 lakh
IIM Bangalore	430	INR 24.50 lakh
IIM Calcutta	210	INR 27.00 Lakh
IIM Lucknow	436	INR 20.70 lakh
IIM Kozhikode	375	INR 20.50 lakh
IIM Raipur	210	INR 16.10 lakh (excluding boarding fees)
IIM Udaipur	260	INR 19.00 lakh
IIM Rohtak	240	INR 17.60 lakh
IIM Visakhapatnam	60	INR 17.58 lakh
IIM Trichy	180	INR 21.00 lakh
IIM Sambalpur	120	INR 13.08 lakh
IIM Ranchi	240	INR 17.50 lakh
IIM Bodhgaya	120	INR 15.50 lakh
IIM Sirmaur	60	INR 15.75 lakh (including fees for international immersion programme)
IIM Jammu	120	INR 17.15 lakh
IIM Amritsar	60	INR 16.00 lakh
IIM Shillong	120	INR 17. 50 lakh
IIM Kashipur	210	INR 17.30 lakh
IIM Nagpur	130	INR 18.00 lakh
IIM Indore	451	INR 21.14 lakh
IIM Mumbai	660	INR 14.00 lakh

*The fee amount For every IIM mentioned in the table above has been rounded off to the nearest lakh. IIM fees may increase in the new academic session.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT Exam Score

As mentioned earlier, CAT is accepted by not only IIMs but also abotu 1,200 MBA colleges in India. Given below is the list of top MBA colleges in India accepting CAT score. The list also includes IITs offering MBA programme through their Department of Management Studies.

Top Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Score
IIFT Delhi	SPJIMR, Mumbai
FMS, Delhi University	IMT, Ghaziabad
MDI, Gurgaon	IMI, Delhi
IIT Kanpur-IME	IIT Bombay-SJMSOM
IIT Delhi - DoMs	IIT Roorkee-DoMs
IIT Madras-DoMs	IIT Dhanbad-ISM
IIT Kharagpur-VGoSM	IMT-Nagpur
Great Lakes Institute of Management	IPE-Hyderabad
IMI-Kolkata	Institute of Management, Nirma University
ITM-University	Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Goa
IIITM-Gwalior	New Delhi Institute of Management
Woxsen University, Hyderabad	KIIT KSOM
SOIL Institute of Management	JK Business School Gurgaon

Also Read:

Check Cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict IIM & Non IIM Calls

CAT 2024 Exam Analysis

CAT 2024 exam analysis- CAT 2024 slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3 were overall moderate. There were 68 questions in total this time. The DILR section saw 22 questions instead of 20. However, the questions were moderate and doable. The in-depth CAT exam analysis 2024 discusses slot wise difficulty level, topic wise weightage and expected cut offs.

CAT 2024 Exam Analysis: Difficulty Level

Check the table below for difficulty level of CAT 2024:

CAT Sections	Number of Questions	Number of good attempts	Difficulty Level
VARC	24	14-16	Moderate to Tough
DILR	22	10-11	Moderate
Quantitative Ability	22	10	Moderate to Tough

Also Read:

CAT 2024 analysis by CATKing

CAT 2024 analysis by Career Launcher and T.I.M.E

CAT 2024 analysis by IMS

CAT 2024 response sheet and answer key PDF

CAT 2024 question paper PDF download slot 1,2,3

CAT 2024 Slot 1 answer key PDF question paper analysis

CAT 2024 Slot 2 answer Key PDF question paper analysis

CAT 2024 Slot 3 answer key PDF question paper analysis

CAT 2024 student reactions and reviews

CAT Answer Key 2024

CAT answer key 2024 is available through login for a limited time period. Check the steps to download CAT 2024 answer key and response sheet from the official website:

Visit the official website of CAT 2024 (iimcat.ac.in)
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

The CAT answer key objection window will open for 3-4 days for raising objections. Candidates will have to fill an online form, upload a supporting document to prove the objection is valid and pay the requisite fee. The objections will then be analysed by a team of subject matter experts and if any objection is found to be valid, the preliminary CAT 2024 answer key will be revised. CAT result 2024 will be prepared on the basis of the revised answer key. No objection can be raised against the final CAT answer key 2024.

CAT Exam Pattern & Test Structure 2024

CAT question paper 2024 had three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. The duration of exam was 120 minutes with sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. The pattern has been slightly changed with increase in number of questions by 2. Check the highlights of CAT 2024 exam pattern below:

CAT Paper Pattern 2024
Mode of CAT exam	Computer Based Test
Duration of exam	120 minutes 40 minutes per section
CAT exam slots	Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Evening: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Number of questions	66 68
CAT total marks	198 204
Language of question paper	English
Number of answer choices	4
Question Type	MCQ and non-MCQ

Also read: CAT exam on screen calculator

CAT Previous Year Papers

CAT syllabus can be best understood by going through CAT question papers. CAT previous year papers, provide an insight into sectional weightage, difficulty level of questions and types of questions. Candidates can solve previous year CAT question papers to know the difficulty level of the exam. Given below are previous years' CAT papers PDFs (links) for free download.

CAT 2023 question paper: Download free PDF	CAT 2019 question paper: download free PDF
CAT 2022 question paper: Download free PDF	CAT 2018 question paper: download free PDF
CAT 2021 question paper: Download free PDF	CAT 2017 question paper: download free PDF
CAT 2020 question paper: download free PDF

Evolution of CAT Exam

CAT exam has evolved a lot in the decade. However, the difficulty level has remained the same. Over the years, the examination authority has taken steps to make it more student friendly and academic diversity promoting exam but still it remains the toughest MBA entrance exam in India. Earlier, CAT used to have 100 questions, now it has 66 questions. Check the table below for changes in the CAT exam pattern over the years.

CAT Exam Year	Sections	No. of Questions	CAT Exam Time Duration
2024	QA, DILR, VARC	66	120 minutes
2023	QA, DILR, VARC	66	120 minutes
2022	QA, DILR, VARC	66	120 minutes
2021	QA, DILR, VARC	66	120 minutes
2020	QA, DILR, VARC	76	120 minutes
2019	QA, DILR, VARC	100	180 minutes
2018	QA, DILR, VARC	100	180 minutes
2017	QA, DILR, VARC	100	180 minutes
2016	QA, DILR, VARC	100	180 minutes
2015	QA, DILR, VARC	100	180 minutes
2014	QA & DI, LR & VARC	100	170 minutes
2013	QA & DI, LR & VARC	60	140 minutes
2012	QA & DI, LR & VARC	60	140 minutes
2011	QA & DI, LR & VARC	60	140 minutes
2010	QA, DILR, VARC	60	150 minutes

Prepare for CAT exam with previous years' question papers & prep guides. Get topper tips & expert advice.

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CAT 2024 Syllabus

CAT exam syllabus encompasses topics that are useful in developing all the skills and abilities essential for a being a successful business leader. It is broadly divided into three sections - VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Check below the main topics of CAT syllabus 2024 for exam preparation. Maximum questions are asked from the following topics. Candidates are advised to pay special attention on these topics during exam preparation:

CAT Syllabus sections	CAT 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

Also Read:

CAT Admit Card 2024

CAT admit card is a mandatory document to be carried to the exam centre, thus candidates must download it before the exam day. The CAT 2024 admit card will have test centre location, exam slot, reporting time and other exam related information printed on it. Here’s the process to download the CAT admit card 2024:

Log on to CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
Click on 'login' tab
Enter CAT 2024 application number and password
Go to 'admit card' section
Click on 'download'

CAT Exam Day Guidelines

CAT 2024 exam will be conducted at designated exam centres across India and candidates will have to follow certain guidelines. The exam day guidelines will be mentioned on CAT admit card 2024. Candidates must read the guidelines thoroughly and follow them at the test centre to avoid facing problems. Read below important CAT exam day guidelines, documents to carry and prohibited items at the exam centre.

Documents to carry on CAT exam day 2024

Candidates appearing for the exam this year must carry the following documents to the CAT exam centre to get entry:

CAT admit card 2024: Candidates appearing for the CAT 2024 exam must carry two printouts of their admit card with their photo affixed on it (preferably the same as uploaded with the application form). Entry without the CAT admit card and photo ID will not be permitted.
Photo identity proof: Along with the admit card, candidates are required to carry a photo ID proof such as College ID (must be supported with a valid debit/credit card), employer ID, driving license, passport, PAN card, Voter ID or Aadhaar card.
Name change document: In case a candidate changed their name at a later point of time in life and their photo ID doesnot reflect the same name, they will be required to carry a name change certificate/document.
PwD/Scribe Certificate: PwD candidates will have to carry certificate indicating the same and the scribe certificate attested by the competent authority, if they wish to avail scribe services.

Items not to carry inside the CAT exam hall:

CAT 2024 will be conducted in a free and fair environment under CCTV surveillance. The following itesm will not be allowed inside the test centre:

Calculator, watch, phone, iPad or any other electronic item
Bags and purses
Eatables and beverages
Jewellery and accessories that contain metal
Jackets and clothes with pockets
Closed footwear
Book, note books, loose paper

Note: Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body will be required to carry medical certificate of the same to the test centre.

Also Read:

Take a look at CAT exam day work flow:

The first slot of CAT esam begins at 8: 30 AM for which candidates have to report to the test centre by 7:00 am. Check the table below for exam timings of CAT 2024. Candidates have to reach the exam centre as per the reporting time to be able to appear for the exam.

CAT exam slot 2024	Exam timing	Reporting time	Last entry allowed
Slot 1	8:30 AM to 10:30 AM	7:00 AM	8:15 AM
Slot 2	12:30 PM to 2:30 PM	11:00 AM	12:15 PM
Slot 3	4:30 PM to 6:30 PM	3:00 PM	4:15 PM

CAT Exam Preparation 2024

The preparation for CAT 2024 exam should include phase wise completion of the CAT syllabus, mock test practice and revision. With four months to go for the CAT 2024 now, candidates must speed up their preparation and cover the syllabus by September so that they can dedicate atleast a month to practicing CAT mock test. Some of the key aspects of CAT preparation 2024 can be:

Cover CAT syllabus thoroughly. Try not to leave any topic as questions can be asked from anywhere.
Attempt a good number of CAT mock tests to develop speed and accuracy.
Dedicate time on regular revision .so that you're always well versed.
Learn mental maths for quick calculation.
Practice a good number of RC passages from previous years' CAT question papers.
Opt for online problrem solving sessions to learn new tricks and techniques.

Check the table below for important articles on CAT 2024 preparation.

Tips and Tricks for CAT Preparation
How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 6 months	How to approach CAT question paper: Tips by toppers
How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 3 months	CAT 2024: How to prepare without quitting your job
CAT exam 2024: Last month preparation tips	CAT 2024: Simple tips to optimize exam preparation
What is the best time to start CAT 2024 preparation	Advantages of giving CAT for final year student
Important CAT Quant formulas you should know	Roadmap to CAT 2024: A comprehensive strategy

CAT Mock Test

Practice free CAT mock test by Shiksha to assess your preparation level. These mock tests are on par with official CAT mock test in terms of difficulty level. You can use below CAT mock tests by simply clicking on the link. The CAT mock tests are accompanied by solutions and answers.

CAT Mock Test 1	CAT Mock Test 1 Solutions
CAT Mock Test 2	CAT Mock Test 2 Solutions

Watch expert video on CAT preparation with Mock Tests:

CAT Topper Tips 2024

CAT 2024 exam is just over two months away so now is the time to start mock test practice and do revision. It is also time to learn tips and tricks for opimising performance in the exam. Check below CAT topper tips and know how the previous year toppers prepared for the exam.

CAT Toppers	CAT Topper Interviews
Kartik Bhageria CAT 2023, 99.99 percentile	"I began my CAT preparation around July 2023. Being an engineering student, I did not spend a lot of time learning new concepts in the Quant and DILR sections. I spent most of my time giving mocks to practice and try to increase my attempted questions with better accuracy in each attempt." Read Kartik's full interview
Riddhi Dugar CAT 2023, 99.91 percentile	"My overall strategy was to finish the entire syllabus a few months before the CAT. From July, I focused entirely on taking mock tests and sectional tests to maximise my score and have a strategy for D-Day. I completed around 70 mocks from July until the CAT exam day." Read Riddhi's full interview
Rounak Tikmani CAT 2023, 99.90 percentile	I started my preparation properly in May 2023. My preparation strategy was simple build your foundations by having conceptual clarity in the basics of each section. Then It was just mocks every day. I gave around 110 mocks and made sure I spent enough time analyzing them properly. Taking a mock is not as important as analyzing the mocks and improving on your mistakes. Read Rounak's full interview
Nisakar Kumar CAT 2023, 99.83 percentile	"Quant emerged as my strength, whereas DILR presented a challenge. To address my weakness in DILR, I invested considerable time in understanding the question types and engaged in extensive practice until they became more intuitive. Simultaneously, I dedicated time to revising and practising Quant to maintain a solid grasp. I considered myself decent in VARC." Read Nisakar's full interview
Risshi Agrawal CAT 2022, 99.99 percentile	Mocks play a crucial role while preparing for CAT. It helps you determine the strategy which suits you the best. Read Risshi’s full interview
Parul Arora CAT 2022, 99.93 percentile	I started preparing for CAT in April. My preparation strategy for CAT was to clear my basic concepts in all topics and then maximum practice. Read Parul’s full interview
Aditya Singh CAT 2022, 99.90 percentile	For my first attempt I attended offline coaching classes, post which I only took the online test series. This year I took the test series from two of the most renowned coaching institutes. Coaching really helps a lot. Read Aditya’s full interview
Atish Naskar CAT 2022, 99.81 percentile	I started my CAT preparation back in January 2022. I set a daily target for all 3 sections that included daily 3-4 RCs daily 3-4 LRDI sets 20-30 QA questions or some QA concept understanding. The last 2-3 Months gave mocks and analyzed them properly. Read Atish’s full interview

CAT Registrations 2024

CAT 2024 registration cum application form submission process was conducted online. Check below CAT registration and application process 2024:

Go to the official website: iimcat.ac.in
Click on 'new registration'
Enter name, date of birth, nationality, phone number and email ID to register
Log in with the ID received in email to fill the CAT application form
Enter personal and academic details
Upload a recent passport size photo and scanned signature
Select preferred courses and IIMs
Select test city preference from the drop down
Pay CAT application fee via credit/debit card or net banking

Note: Candidates could select up to five cities for allotment of CAT exam centre in the application form. Allotment of CAT test city and centre will be mentioned on the CAT admit card.

Check the list of CAT test cities here.

Also Read: CAT 2024 application process and link

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024

The minimum academic requirement is graduation in any stream from a recognised university. Read below detailed CAT eligibility criteria:

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) to appear in CAT 2024.
Candidates who have completed a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI) with the required percentage can also appear for CAT.
Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification or awaiting the result are also eligible to appear for CAT 2024 exam. However, the aggregate of their first and second year marks must meet the minimum score requirement.
The education mode of the bachelor's degree can be regular or distance learning, but should be a 3-year programme and from a UGC recognised institution.

Also Read: CAT eligibility criteria 2024

CAT 2024 Contact Information

Queries regarding CAT Registration, Application and Payment Processing, Document uploading:

-800-210-0175 (Toll Free)

Call on the Toll free number, Monday to Saturday 9:00AM to 6:00PM (excluding National holidays).

cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in

Academic queries like eligibility, category and PwD certificate contact CAT Centre office with the following details.

Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (excluding holidays)

Ph: 033-7121 1104
email: cat2024_helpdesk@iimcal.ac.in

Address:
CAT 2024 Centre
C/o Admissions Office
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
Diamond Harbour Road, Joka
Kolkata – 700104

Important FAQs on CAT 2024

Check below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to CAT exam 2024:

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IIM Kozhikode - Indian Institute of Management

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Exams: CAT, GRE, GMAT

Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi

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Admissions 2024

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

4.4
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4.2
Infrastructure
4.5
Faculty & Course Curriculum
4.4
Crowd & Campus Life
4.3
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Total Fees: ₹ 12.00 Lakh
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