Common Admission Test (CAT)

In India, the Common Admission Test (CAT) is widely accepted as an entrance exam for postgraduate management programmes, especially Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) administer the CAT exam every year, which is regarded as one of the most difficult and prominent tests for prospective business professionals.

Candidates are evaluated by CAT in areas like Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). Its objectives are to assess candidates’ analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and English language competency. The exam is an important part of the admissions process for prestigious management colleges and business institutions in India.

Candidates who want to be considered for admission to MBA programmes must fulfil certain eligibility requirements and pass the CAT exam. A number of business schools and management institutes frequently use the CAT scores as their main criterion when selecting applicants for further admissions rounds, which may include written ability tests, in-person interviews, and group discussions.

The CAT is known for its high difficulty level, thus getting a competitive score necessitates extensive study and a solid understanding of foundational topics. A candidate’s performance on the CAT exam may be impacted by human error, which emphasises the significance of thorough and precise preparation. Successful applicants who score highly on the CAT have the opportunity to enrol in management programmes at some of India’s top universities, which improves their chances of landing a job in business or leadership.

Conducting Authority
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) administer CAT on a rotating basis.

Frequency
There is one CAT per year.

Eligibility
A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% of the possible points or an equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PWD categories).
Students in their last year or those who are awaiting their results may also apply.

Exam Structure
The CAT evaluates applicants in three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC).
Computer-based testing is used to administer the exam (CBT).
The exam usually lasts two hours and forty minutes in total.

Scoring
Every right response carries three points.
For every wrong response, one mark is subtracted (negative marking).
Unanswered questions do not result in a mark deduction.

Ranking
There isn’t a set ranking system used by CAT.
Scaled scores and percentiles are produced from the applicants’ raw scores.

Admissions Process
IIMs and other B-schools in India use CAT results to admit students to a variety of management programmes, such as MBA, PGDM, and other management degrees.
The next steps of the selection process, which could include a written ability test (WAT), group discussion (GD), and personal interview (PI), are forwarded to the shortlisted individuals.

Exam Mode
The Computerised Exam is administered online.

Examination Language
Only English is offered for the CAT question paper.

Admit Card and Outcome
The official CAT website makes the admit cards available for download.
Individual scorecards are issued, and the results are announced.

Important Dates
The CAT has a set calendar that includes dates for enrollment, exams, and result announcements. The official CAT website announces them well in advance.

Validity of CAT Score
In general, CAT results are good for a year.