Overview
Common Admission Test (CAT) is the mandatory entrance exam for MBA admission in all the 20 IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur; NITIE Mumbai and hundreds of other top B-schools in India. More than two lakh candidates appear in CAT every year to explore admission opportunity in MBA programmes offered by IIMs and other top MBA colleges in India. Salient Points about the Exam are:
- A computer based test conducted at more than 150 test cities and 300 test venues
- Since 2020, CAT exam duration is reduced to two hours from earlier three hours
- The exam is divided into three sections of Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension; Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning; Quantitative Ability
- Each Section in the exam has to be attempted in a fixed individual time limit.
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) will offer admission on the basis of CAT score only and will not accept any other test score
Eligibility criteria
Here are the eligibility criteria for the CAT exam:
1. Educational Qualification: Candidates should have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PWD categories). Candidates appearing for the final year of their bachelor’s degree or equivalent are also eligible to apply.
2. Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in the CAT exam.
3. Nationality: Candidates must be Indian nationals. Non-Indian nationals can also apply, subject to the rules and regulations of the participating institutions.
4. Work Experience: There is no work experience requirement to appear in the CAT exam.
It is important to note that these are the basic eligibility criteria for the CAT exam. However, the participating institutions may have their own specific eligibility criteria, which candidates must check before applying.
Exam pattern
Here’s the exam pattern for the CAT exam:
1. Mode of Examination: The CAT exam is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted in online mode.
2. Duration of Examination: The duration of the exam is 2 hours (120 minutes). However, candidates with disabilities are given an extra hour, i.e., 3 hours (180 minutes).
3. Number of Sections: The CAT exam consists of three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
4. Number of Questions: The number of questions in the CAT exam varies from year to year. Generally, there are 34 questions in VARC, 32 questions in DILR, and 34 questions in QA, making a total of 100 questions.
5. Type of Questions: The questions in the CAT exam are of multiple-choice type (MCQs) and non-MCQs (TITA – Type In The Answer).
6. Marking Scheme: Each correct answer is awarded three marks. For every incorrect answer in MCQs, one mark is deducted, while there is no negative marking for non-MCQs.
7. Sectional Time Limit: Each section has a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. Candidates cannot switch between sections during the sectional time limit. Once the time for a section is over, candidates cannot go back to that section.
It is important to note that the CAT exam pattern may be revised from time to time. Candidates should visit the official website of CAT to stay updated with the latest exam pattern.
Syllabus
Here’s the syllabus for the CAT exam:
The CAT exam tests candidates on three sections:
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
– Reading comprehension passages and questions
– English language usage and grammar
– Sentence correction
– Vocabulary and verbal reasoning
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
– Data interpretation based on tables, charts, and graphs
– Logical reasoning questions based on puzzles, arrangements, and sets
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
– Arithmetic: Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Time, Speed and Distance, etc.
– Algebra: Linear and Quadratic Equations, Functions, Progressions, etc.
– Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, etc.
– Mensuration: Areas, Volumes, etc.
– Number System: LCM and HCF, Divisibility, Remainders, etc.
– Modern Mathematics: Permutation and Combination, Probability, Set Theory, etc.
It is important to note that the CAT syllabus is vast and covers various topics under each section. Candidates should refer to the CAT information bulletin for a detailed syllabus.
Application fee
The CAT application fee will be given below:
- The application fee for General category candidates is Rs 2300
- The application fee for SC/ST/PWD category candidates is Rs 1150
- The mode of application fee payment is through Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking
How to apply
Here are the steps to apply for the CAT exam:
1. Visit the official website of CAT – iimcat.ac.in.
2. Click on the ‘Registration for CAT ‘ link.
3. Register by providing your basic details such as name, date of birth, email address, and mobile number. A system-generated registration ID and password will be sent to your registered email and mobile number.
4. Log in using your registration ID and password to access the CAT application form.
5. Fill in the application form with your personal, educational, and work experience details.
6. Upload your scanned photograph, signature, and other relevant documents as per the specifications provided in the CAT information bulletin.
7. Pay the application fee using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.
8. After successful payment, submit the application form.
9. Take a printout of the application form and fee payment receipt for future reference.
It is important to note that the CAT application process may have additional or revised steps that may be specified in the CAT information bulletin. Candidates should carefully read the information bulletin before starting the application process.