CAT

Clear CAT and Take the Leap Towards your Dream MBA Program

Overview

Are you an aspiring MBA candidate looking to pursue your management dreams in India? Look no further than the Common Admission Test (CAT). As one of the most renowned entrance exams for MBA programs, CAT opens the doors to coveted institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). 

It assesses a candidate's aptitude in various sections, including Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). It is a computer-based exam that rigorously tests a candidate's analytical and problem-solving skills.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the overview of CAT, its exam highlights, the application process, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to download the official notification and admit card. Get ready to embark on your MBA journey with CAT!

Exam Highlights

Particulars

Details

CAT Full Form

Common Admission Test

CAT 2023 Conducting Body

IIM Lucknow [Otherwise, CAT is organized by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on rotational basis]

CAT Official Website

https://iimcat.ac.in 

Level of CAT Exam

National level

Mode of exam

Computer-based (Online)

Duration of the exam

120 minutes

Total Sections

3 (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability)

Total Questions

66

Question Type

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Non-MCQs (subjective type)

Language of CAT  exam

English

Negative Marking

Yes (for MCQs)

Total Exam Centers

155

Notification Release Date

August 02, 2023

Validity of CAT Score

1 Year

Eligibility

Each IIM may have its own specific eligibility requirements and criteria, so it is important to be familiar with the guidelines to apply for CAT examination and secure a seat in any reputed IIM. Here's a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria for the Common Admission Test (CAT) for your reference.

  1. Educational Requirement
    1. You must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in any discipline from a recognized university or educational institution.
    2. The degree should have a minimum duration of three years.
    3. If you are appearing for the final year of your bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification, you still can apply for CAT. However, you must ensure that you complete all the requirements of the degree program and obtain the necessary results before the specified deadline set by the respective IIMs.

 

  1. Minimum Percentage in Qualifying Examination 
    1. General Category: A minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in bachelor's degree.
    2. Reserved Category (SC, ST, PwD): A minimum of 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.

 

  1. Age Limit

There is no specific age limit to appear for CAT as of now.

  1. Reservation Policy

The IIMs follow the reservation policy as per the regulations of the Government of India.

Candidates belonging to reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD) are eligible for specific relaxations in the minimum percentage requirement. 

It's important to note that the eligibility criteria may vary slightly between different IIMs and their respective programs.You can refer to the general CAT eligibility criteria 2023 here .

Exam Pattern

Get a detailed understanding of the Common Admission Test (CAT)’s indicative exam pattern. It covers the structure, duration, marking scheme, and question types of the exam. By knowing the exam pattern, you can strategize your preparation, focus on key areas, and manage time effectively during the test. 

This section aims to familiarize you with the CAT exam's nuances, enabling them to approach it with confidence. Whether it's the number of sections, the distribution of questions, or the weightage of different topics, the exam pattern equips you with valuable insights to optimize your performance on test day.

 

Particulars

Details

CAT exam duration

2 Hours (120 Minutes)

Name of the Section

  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Section-wise Duration

  • 40 Minutes for Each Section (VARC, DILR, QA).
  • 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates for each section.

CAT exam time slots

  • Slot 1: 8:30 am - 10:30 am (Morning Session)
  • Slot 2: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm (Afternoon Session)
  • Slot 3: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Evening Session)

Number of Questions

66 Questions

CAT total marks

198 marks

Mode of the CAT 2023 exam

Computer-Based Mode (CBT)

CAT Marking Scheme

  • For each right answer, +3 will be awarded
  • For every wrong answer in MCQs, -1 will be deducted
  • No negative marks for Non-MCQs

Important Dates

The CAT 2023 examination notification will soon be released by IIM Lucknow at https://iimcat.ac.in.From the release of the notification to registration, admit card download, exam date, result declaration, and counseling, keep track of these crucial dates to ensure a smooth and successful CAT journey. 

Timely action is vital for a successful CAT journey, and this section ensures you never miss a deadline. Stay tuned to this section to stay ahead and make the most of the opportunities offered by CAT.
 

Event

Dates (Tentative)

Notification

August 2, 2023

Registration start date

August 2, 2023 (10:00 AM)

CAT registration Last Date

September 13, 2023 (05:00 PM)

Admit Card release date

October 25-November 26, 2023

CAT exam date 2023

November 26, 2023

CAT Result Declaration

2nd Week of January, 2024 (Tentative)

Official Notification

In the world of MBA admissions, staying updated with the latest information is crucial. The official notification of the Common Admission Test (CAT) serves as a beacon for you, providing the essential details and guidelines for the exam. 

This comprehensive document encompasses crucial information such as exam dates, eligibility criteria, application process, and much more. By keeping a close eye on the official notification, you can ensure that you are well-informed and prepared to embark on your CAT journey.

 

CAT 2023 Official Notification https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g01/pub/756/EForms/CAT23/CAT_2023_Information_Bulletin.pdf

Application Procedure

The admission procedure for the Common Admission Test (CAT) is a crucial step for aspiring management students seeking admission in esteemed institutions. It involves a comprehensive evaluation process that assesses your abilities and aptitude in various domains. 

The CAT exam serves as the primary criterion for shortlisting candidates, followed by the determination of cut-off scores and merit lists. Subsequently, you are required to participate in the counseling or document verification process to secure your admission. 

Get a detailed insight into the step-by-step process of the CAT admission procedure, ensuring that you are well-informed and prepared for your journey ahead.

Here are the steps involved:

Step 1. Registration: Visit the official CAT website i.e. https://iimcat.ac.in and create an account by providing the required details.

Step 2. Fill the Application Form: Log in to your account and fill in the application form with accurate personal and contact information. After entering all the details, you should upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other necessary documents as per the specified format and size.

Step 3. Academic Details:

Enter your educational qualification details. 

Step 4. Work Experience:If you have any prior full-time work experience, you can enter the details in the provided box. 

Step 5. Programme & Interview City Selection:Now, you need to choose the programme of your interest and after that, select the interview city.

Step 6. Test City Selection:It's time to choose 6 different test cities  in order of your preference. Among these, only 1 available test city will be allotted after the registrations close. 

Step 7. Pay the Application Fee:Pay 2400/- (in case of A General/EWS/NC-OBC) and 1200/- (in case of A SC/ST/PwD) as the application fee online through available payment modes. Keep the transaction details handy for future reference.

Step 8. Submit the Application: Review all the entered information using the ‘Preview’ button, and if everything is accurate, tick mark the declaration & enter the captcha and finally, submit the application form.

It is important to note that the specific steps and requirements may vary each year, so it's advisable to refer to the official CAT Registration Guide  for the most up-to-date information and instructions.

Documents Required

While applying for the CAT exam for MBA, you will need to upload the following documents online:

1. Photograph: Upload a recent passport-size color photograph. The prescribed dimensions are 1200 X 1200 pixels and the file format should be JPEG or JPG. The maximum file size allowed is 80 KB.

2. Signature: Upload your signature done on white paper with a black ink pen. The prescribed size is 80mm x 35mm, and the file format should be JPEG or JPG. The maximum file size allowed is 80 KB.

3. Category Certificate (if applicable): Upload a scanned copy of the category certificate in PDF format. The maximum file size allowed is 1 MB.

4. PwD Certificate (if applicable): Upload a scanned copy of the Person with Disability (PwD) certificate in PDF format. The maximum file size allowed is 1 MB.

5. Other Supporting Documents (if applicable): If any additional documents are required as per the CAT notification, upload them in the prescribed format and size mentioned in the notification.

Syllabus

The topics for the CAT 2023 discussed below will help you succeed in the examination in the first go. The mentioned syllabus is just to give you an idea of the topics that may appear in the final examination until the authorities share the official syllabus for the 2023 session of the common admission test. 

You can stay tuned to this website for more authentic data as and when the exam curriculum will be shared by the IIMs. Until then, check out the subject-wise topics, expected to come in the CAT examination in the year 2023 and ace your exam preparation:
 

Subject

Topics

CAT 2023 Syllabus for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Verbal Ability

  • Para Jumbles
  • Summary
  • Sentence Completion
  • Odd Sentence Out
  • Antonyms
  • Synonyms
  • Error Detection
  • Phrase Modifiers
  • Idioms
  • Analogies
  • Cloze Test
  • Word Usage
 

Reading Comprehension

  • Facts-Inference-Judgement
  • Critical Analysis of Passage
  • Themes of the RC passage

CAT 2023 Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Arithmetic

 
  • Profit & Loss
  • Time & Work
  • Time Speed & Distance
  • Mixtures
  • Ratio & Proportion
  • Percentage
  • Averages
  • Simple & Compound Interest
 

Chain Rule Geometry & Mensuration

 
  • Lines & Angles
  • Circles
  • Triangles
  • Polygons
  • Area & Volume of 2D and 3D figures
 

Coordinate Geometry Algebra

 
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Series
  • Inequalities
  • Functions
  • Surds & Indices
 

Logarithm Numbers

  • Real Numbers
  • Irrational Numbers
  • Complex Numbers
  • HCF
  • LCM
  • Unit’s Digit
  • Remainders 
  • Zeroes 
 

Modern Math

 
  • Permutation and Combination
  • Probability
  • Set Theory

CAT 2023 Syllabus for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

  • Caselets
  • Tabular Data
  • Pie Charts
  • Line Graphs
  • Bar Graphs
  • Column Graphs
  • Combination Graphs/Charts
  • Syllogisms
  • Puzzles
  • Blood Relations
  • Coding-Decoding
  • Seating Arrangement
  • Ranking
  • Direction sense test
  • Logical Sequence

Admit Card

The time has come to bridge the gap between preparation and performance, and the CAT Admit Card is your ticket to that transformative experience. It is a tangible manifestation of your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excel. 

As you hold this precious document in your hands, it symbolizes the culmination of countless hours of study, sleepless nights, and relentless perseverance. The CAT Admit Card not only grants you access to the examination hall but also represents the immense potential and limitless possibilities that lie ahead. To download the CAT admit card, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official CAT website https://iimcat.ac.in.

2. Navigate to the 'Download Admit Card' or 'CAT Admit Card' section.

3. Log in to your candidate profile using your registration credentials.

4. Locate and click on the link to download the admit card.

5. Save the admit card in PDF format and take a printout. Ensure all the details are correct and legible.