The Common Admission Test (CAT Exam) is India’s most important exam for getting into top management schools, such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It happens every year and is run by a different IIM each time. This year, IIM Lucknow is in charge of the CAT Exam.
It helps students get into not only the IIMs but also other top business schools in the country.
Read more: 100 GK Questions English Hindi
CAT Sections
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
CAT 2024 Eligibility
To be eligible for the CAT Exam 2024 you need to meet the following criteria:
Educational Qualification:
- You must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks if you belong to the general category.
- For reserved categories, a minimum of 45% marks is required.
- Your degree must be from a recognized university.
CAT Exam 2023 Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Exam | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | IIM Lucknow |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours |
| Exam Date | 26th November 2023 |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Question Types | MCQ and Non-MCQ |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Exam Fees | INR 1200 (Reserved categories), INR 2400 (Other categories) |
Final Year Students:
If you are in the final year of your bachelor’s degree, you can also apply for the CAT exam.
Professional Degrees:
If you have a professional qualification like CA, CS, or ICWA, you are eligible to take the CAT exam.
These requirements ensure that a diverse range of candidates can apply for the exam, opening the door to top management programs in India.
Important Dates For CAT 2024
| CAT Exam Events | CAT Exam Date 2024 |
| Notification Release | 30-July-2024 |
| Registration Dates | 03-Aug-2024 to 15-Sep-2024 |
| Form Correction | Last week of September 2024 |
| Admit Card Release | 25-Oct-2024 |
| Exam Date | 24-Nov-2024 |
| Answer Key Release | First week of December 2024 |
| Result Declaration | Last week of December 2024 or First week of January 2025 |
CAT Cut Offs 2024
| IIM | Qualifying CAT Cut Off Percentile |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 85 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 |
| IIM Amritsar | 90 |
| IIM Nagpur | 94 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 94 |
| IIM Trichy | 94 |
| IIM Raipur | 94 |
| IIM Ranchi | 94 |
| IIM Kashipur | 94 |
| IIM Vizag | 80 |
| IIM Udaipur | 94 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 94 |
| IIM Shillong | 75 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 94 |
| IIM Rohtak | 95 |
| IIM Jammu | 94 |
| IIM Mumbai | 94 |
CAT Exam Pattern and Scoring
- Total Questions: 66
- Scoring System:
- You earn 3 points for every correct answer.
- For multiple-choice questions (MCQs), 1 point is taken away for each wrong answer.
- There is no penalty for incorrect answers to non-MCQ questions.
CAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
- Total Questions: 66
- Marking Scheme: 3 marks for each correct answer, 1 mark deducted for each wrong answer in MCQs. No negative marking for Non-MCQs.
| Section | MCQ Questions | Non-MCQ Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 21 | 3 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 14 | 6 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 14 | 8 |
| Total | 49 | 17 |
Preparation CAT Exam
- Start Early: Begin your preparation 9-12 months before the exam.
- Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is crucial, especially for Quantitative Ability and DILR sections.
- Know the Pattern: Understand the exam format and the importance of each topic.
- Work on Weak Areas: Identify and strengthen your weaker sections.
Conclusion
The CAT exam is tough but important for MBA hopefuls in India. To do well, you need to prepare properly and understand the exam format and requirements. Stay informed about official updates and start studying early to increase your chances of getting a high score.