The purpose of Common Admission Test (CAT) exam is to evaluate the aspirants' business acumen based on topics like Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability (VA) and Reading Comprehension (RC), Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR). The exam is conducted by the IIMs for admission into their business management programs. A computer-based test, CAT is held once every year in November.

Depending on the key features and duration of the course provided, the fees vary. Right from INR 8,000 for courses like the ones which provide recorded classes, it can go up to around INR 70,000 for comprehensive long term classroom courses. However, there are always discounts available on the payment of fees. Both long term and short term classes are provided in all the best coaching centers.

Generally, the duration of CAT coaching should be anywhere between 10-12 months. The preparation can be done through different types of courses such as the classroom program, live online classes, or recorded classes also students prefer to do self-study by taking up the Books & Materials.

You should start preparing for CAT around 10-12 months before the exam. However, you can still crack the CAT if you prepare fiercely in an even shorter amount of time. CAT draws the highest number of test takers in Indian management entrance exams, hence, the competition is very stiff. Since every aspirant will be preparing their best, therefore it is important to start early to stay ahead.

Here are the five ways how you can kickstart your CAT preparation without coaching:

• Familiarize yourself with the paper pattern, syllabus, etc
• Get your basics right - work on solidifying the fundamental concepts
• Write consistent online mock tests in the proctored format, from day 1 itself
• Iron out any areas of weakness with revision and practice
• Maintain your perseverance, confidence, and motivation

The CAT score required varies as per the category of the student. If you are a General Category candidate, you will require a 96%ile to secure a call from at least one IIM. If you are an OBC candidate, then you would require around 92%ile to get at least one IIM call. For a SC/ST candidate, this goes down to as low as 77%ile to get an IIM call.

Apart from that, each IIM has a certain shortlisting criterion which takes into consideration your past academic scores (10th/12th/Graduation), CAT Score, Work Experience, and Diversity. These scores are combined to calculate a composite score for shortlisting the students for WAT-PI round.

In the simplest of words, the CAT syllabus comprises nothing beyond the 10th Std. To get a thorough understanding of the syllabus, the best way is to go through previous year papers. The official CAT 2019 syllabus comprises of three sections-

To be eligible for CAT, candidates should hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA. There is a 5% marks relaxation for reserved categories belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST), Scheduled Caste (SC), and Persons with Disability (PWD) or Differently Abled (DA).

Students appearing for their final year of graduation/waiting for the results are also eligible to sit for the exam. However, on getting selected, he/she must submit a certificate from the Principal or Registrar acknowledging the same.

CAT 2019 registration fee is likely to be INR 2000 per applicant. The registration for CAT exam is expected to begin by the first week of August, 2019. The IIM that conducts the exam is chosen on a rotational basis every year, and this year, IIM Kozhikode will be conducting the exam. CAT 2019 is expected to be held in the last week of November and the exam pattern and duration are also expected to remain the same as last year.

CAT doesn’t have a ‘syllabus’, per se. It’s a very generalized pattern which test you on Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Yet, despite the absence of an official syllabus, the pattern has remained the same over the years.
Most CAT questions are based on Mathematics and English topics from middle school level. While knowing the detailed structure of the syllabus is important, a general overview of the syllabus is equally important as well. CAT 2019 syllabus is expected to have the following section division:

6-8 months of preparation is enough for your CAT preparation if you devote a few hours for your preparation every day. If your fundamentals are weak, then you should spend the first 4 weeks to solidify your basics. Here are few steps in attempt to help fuel your 6 months CAT preparation plan:

• Get a strong grip on the Quantitative topics; solve all of your CL Funda books within 30-50 days.
• As a beginner, make it a habit of solving a minimum of 2 RC questions a day. You can gradually increase the number of questions over time.
• Solve LR and DI on a regular basis. If it’s your first time preparing for CAT, prepare question-type wise.
• Start taking mock tests from the first day of your preparation itself. This will help you benchmark your preparation right from the start.
• Make sure to analyse your mocks in detail.
• Keep a positive mindset, be your own inspiration, and never give up.

While CAT is necessary if you wish to get into the IIMs and other premier B-Schools, CAT is not the only entrance exam to get into a B-school. Apart from CAT, the other MBA entrance exams are:

• Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
• Symbiosis National Aptitude Paper (SNAP)
• Indian Institute of Forgein Trade (IIFT)
• Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test (NMAT)
• TISS National Entrance Test (TISSNET)

CAT exam is held once a year, usually in the last week of November.

The fee of all the 20 IIMs is as given below in the table

No, there are no age limitations or restrictions for writing CAT. The basic eligibility standards for CAT exam by the IIMs are:

• Candidates should hold a graduation degree certificate with 50% marks.
• Candidates in the final year of graduation/awaiting results are eligible to apply.
• Candidates outside India but fulfilling CAT Eligibility Criteria are eligible to apply.

Physical calculators are not allowed in the exam hall while writing the exam. However, an onscreen calculator will be provided.