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Common Admission Test (CAT)

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Common Admission Test (CAT)

Updated: Feb 22, 2024

The countdown has begun for all MBA candidates or anyone who will graduate in 2024 and is considering pursuing an MBA. The best thing you can do is start preparing for the CAT right now! 


What is CAT?

The Common Admission Test, or CAT, is an entrance exam for the IIMS MBA program. It means that everyone who wishes to pursue an MBA at the IIMs must take the CAT exam.

There is no need to fear; the exam will not occur before June 2024. It will take place considerably later, which gives students plenty of time to prepare.

However, before you begin your preparation journey, you must be thoroughly aware of the examination dates, patterns, and syllabus so that your preparation is focused and effective.

Furthermore, students who will graduate in 2024 (the same year) can begin their preparations. The examination is difficult, but it is not impossible to pass while continuing your studies.

CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria

Now, let’s talk about who can take this exam, what the criteria are that one must follow, and whether there is any special relaxation for special category students or not. Refer to the table mentioned below to know the details: 


Age

No age limit. Students of any age can take this exam.

Educational Qualification

General category students must score 50% in their graduation and for others, the percentage is 45%. CA, CWS students are required to score 45%.

Educational Background

Students of any stream can take this exam

Attempts

CAT is not restricted to attempts. One can take as many attempts as they want.

CAT 2024 Application Process

Let’s have a look at the steps of the application process so that you can easily register yourself and finish your application without facing any inconvenience. 


Registration

To create an account, students must click on the link provided on the official website.

They have to verify their phone number and email ID using 2 OTPs.

Application Submission

Now, Candidates can start filling up the form by providing the necessary details like address proof, IDs, 10th and 12th mark sheets, photographs, signs, etc. 

Fee Payment

After that, students need to pay their fees. The application will be successfully submitted only after paying the fees. 

Admit Card Download

Students can log in and admit their respective admit cards to CAT 2024 by using the same credentials they used to register an account. 

Dates of CAT 2024 Important Events

To avoid missing out on significant CAT 2024 events, one must be aware of the dates. This examination occurs following a lengthy process of registration, fee payment, and other requirements. Students must complete all the required tasks by the due dates. 

First Announcement:

If you are aware of the official website of CAT that is https://iimcat.ac.in/. You will notice that every piece of information about CAT 2023 is there. Similarly, on 30th July 2024, the site will release its first bulletin consisting of exam details. Until then we need to wait.

CAT 2024: Key Highlights:

Particulars

CAT 2024 Exam Details (Tentative)

CAT 2024 Conducting Body

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta (Expected)

CAT 2024 Registration Date

August 2nd to September 15th (till 5 p.m.)

CAT 2024 Admit Card

7th November 2024

CAT 2024 Exam Date

24th November 2024

Correction:

Students can make the required corrections on their form till the last date week of September.

Answer Key:

The answer key of CAT 2024 will be released in the last of December. Students can make their comments after that. 

CAT 2024 Result:

The exact date is not out yet. However, it will be possibly out either in the last of December 2024 or the first week of January 2025.


Fee Structure (CAT 2024)

General category students have to pay 2,400 while others will be paying 1,200. 

CAT Exam Pattern 2024

Analyzing the exam pattern can save a lot of time. Moreover, students will be able to give proper focus to each subject. Things that you must know about the exam pattern are: 

Number of Questions: 66

Total Marks: 198

Types of Questions: MCQs

Sessions: 3

Session Names: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.

Time: 120 minutes each session

Marking Scheme: +3 marks for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer

CAT 2024 Syllabus

The session names themselves clarify the syllabus. Things that you can focus on are: 

  1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Para jumbles, Para summary, Odd sentence out, and Inferences, Odd one out, One-word substitution, Syllogism and Analogies, Verbal logic

  2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: Blood Relations, Syllogism, Directions, Clocks and calendars, Tables, Graphs, Charts, Connectives, Logical Sequence, Matching/ Puzzles, Number and Letter Series, Seating Arrangement, Venn Diagrams, Coding-Decoding, Binary Logic, Caselets and Table

  3. Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Trigonometry, Averages, Percentages, Number Systems, Arithmetic, Algebra, Mensuration, Modern Maths, Profit and loss, Simple & Compound Interest

CAT 2024 Exam Centers

Over 400 exam centres cover all states. Students can select their centres at the time of registration. To learn more about the centres in your city you can access the exam centre by going to the official website and clicking on the button in the upper right corner.

You will be directed to a new page where you must enter your state name before the centres are displayed. 

Study Guide to CAT 2024

To prepare for the CAT, you should be aware of things like which books you should read, how you can prepare each paper, and whether solving sample papers is beneficial or not. 

Books to Read:

Subjects

Books

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT - Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay

Word Power Made Easy - Norman Lewis

Wren and Martin

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT - Arun Sharma

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT - Nishit Sinha

Quantitative Aptitude

How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude - Arun Sharma

Quantitative Aptitude for CAT - Nishit K Sinha

Sample Papers:

You can easily find the previous years’ question papers on the website and start solving them. This way, you will make yourself familiar with the question types. 

Mock Test:

Mock tests are one of the most important steps in preparing for the CAT. You may know all of the answers, but you may be unable to complete them owing to a lack of speed. That is why taking mock tests is so vital.

If you are taking coaching from an institute, they will arrange it for you.

Cut-off (CAT 2023)

The cut-offs do not really change each year. Here is the 2023 data for you.


General Category: 99-100%

Reserved Category: 95-100%

How Many Students Appeared for CAT 2023?

A total of 2.88 Lakh people appeared for CAT in 2023. As this exam opens the door to IIMs, the number of candidates may increase in 2024.

CAT 2024 Response Sheet

Applicants can easily download the response sheet from the official website and check how many answers they have got right.

CAT 2024 Answer Key Challenge

Visit the official website and look for the Answer Key Challenge link. Following that, a new page will appear containing the questions and answer alternatives, as well as the CAT-determined correct answers. Choose the correct answer and upload the supplementary papers. You must pay 1500 rupees per objection.

CAT 2023 Toppers List

  • Akash Priyadarshi

  • Nayak Shraavani

  • Viraj Modi

  • Alamuri Kumar

  • Souradep B.

  • Jatin Saxena

  • Anirudh Suresh

  • Rishi Badjatya

  • Pallav Goyal

  • Rounak Tikmani

  • Pulkit Daga

  • Nishakar Kumar

  • Shreemant Singi

  • Hritik Sharma

  • Suvam Debnath

  • Kumar Sai Vishnu

  • Soham Katkar

  • Pulkit Daga

  • Khushi Jha

  • Shiladitya Bhadra

  • Kavuru Dinesh Venkat

How to get Admission to the IIMs for an MBA

Taking the CAT exam is the only way to get into IIMs. However, IIMs have their rank and superiority. Therefore, according to your rank, you will be selected. 

Why is it Important to Take CAT for an MBA?

An MBA is not worth anything unless you get the right job with the maximum package. CAT allows students to gain admission to IIMs, which are elite institutions for business management studies. Securing a spot in the IIMs can provide students with more chances than other colleges.

Institutes for CAT Coaching

Aside from the most well-known colleges such as Allen, Akash, and Unacademy, you may always choose the best in your state. Be it Laxmi Nagar or Pune, visit StudyDekho to learn about these Institutes in detail.

Aside from the most well-known colleges such as Allen, Akash, and Unacademy, you may always choose the best in your state. Visit StudyDekho for more information on these Institutes, whether in Laxmi Nagar or Pune.

Always remember that you don't have to make it look like a mountain. The preparation is simple if you know how to prepare, which comes with a thorough understanding of the exam. Keep reading the subjects daily, taking mock tests, and revising, and you'll be fine.

We hope you were able to find answers to all your questions. However, to receive the most latest updates, keep checking the page.

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