CAT Exam: Full form, Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Syllabus, Past Trends

The Common Admission Test, commonly referred to as CAT, is a computer-based entrance exam conducted annually in India. It is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams for admission to postgraduate management programs, primarily Master of Business Administration (MBA) and other related courses.

CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis, and the participating institutions may also include other leading management institutes across the country. The CAT 2024 exam is likely to be held on the last Sunday of November 2024. IIM Calcutta is most likely responsible for conducting CAT 2024.

CAT usually consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam pattern may include both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs, and the duration is typically around 2 hours.

The CAT exam pattern has undergone significant changes over the past 10-12 years, particularly in terms of the Number of sections, Number of questions, and Exam Duration. Here's a table summarizing the key changes:

Here's what you need to know to be eligible for the CAT 2024 exam:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree: You must possess a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.

Minimum Marks

• General and NC-OBC category: Minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• SC, ST, PWD/DA category: Minimum 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Final Year Students: Candidates in the final year of their bachelor's degree or awaiting results can also apply. However, they are expected to complete their graduation with the required percentage by the time of admission.
• Professional Degrees: Candidates with professional degrees like CA, CS, ICWA, or FIAI with the required percentage are also eligible.

Other Criteria

• No Age Limit: There is no upper or lower age limit for appearing in the CAT exam.
• Work Experience: Not mandatory for applying, but advantageous for IIM admissions.

Important Dates (Tentative)

• CAT 2024 Notification: Expected in July 2024
• CAT 2024 Registration: Likely to begin in August 2024
• CAT 2024 Exam: Expected to be held on the last Sunday of November 2024

The CAT exam pattern consists of three sections. Each section is allotted 40 minutes, and the total exam duration is 2 hours.

There are many different types of MBA programs in India, each with its own focus and specialization. Here are some of the most popular types

The marking scheme for the CAT exam is as follows:

• For each correct answer, candidates will receive 3 marks.
• Candidates will receive a negative marking of 1 mark for every incorrect answer to the objective questions.
• There is no negative marking for non-MCQ questions

Following the trends of the past few years, we can expect the CAT exam 2024 to be divided into 3 sections. Due to the lack of a defined syllabus for the CAT exam, CAT aspirants largely focus on studying school-level mathematics and English.

Based on the same conclusion, given below is the tentative CAT exam syllabus for the three sections of the exam-

The CAT will be held at centers in 155+ test cities across the country. The list of cities is mentioned on the official website and the exam center will be mentioned on the admit card for CAT 2024.

When filling out the application form, candidates must specify their preferred exam centers. Each candidate can choose six preferred locations in order of preference for their exam center. The conducting body attempts to offer the candidates their preferred exam centers wherever possible.

Candidates must declare if they are part of a reserved category while submitting the application form. It is stated that changes to this section will not be entertained later on. Candidates will also be required to submit the certificate during the registration process.

Given below are the reservation criteria-

Along with 21 IIMs, other top B-schools also accept CAT scores for admission to their MBA programs. This year, IIFT Delhi is also accepting CAT scores and will not be conducting its own entrance exam. Given below are some of the top institutes accepting CAT exam scores: 

• IIMs
• SPJIMR Mumbai
• MDI Gurgaon
• IIFT Delhi
• FMS, Delhi
• JBIMS, Mumbai
• SJMSOM (IIT Bombay)
• DMS- IIT Delhi
• ...other top B-schools

The CAT exam is a highly sought-after entrance test for MBA programs, but it's not the only option. Several other exams offer access to prestigious institutions and diverse programs. Here are some of the top alternatives:

1. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test):

• Conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, XAT is a computer-based test accepted by XLRI, SPJIMR, XIMB, and 150+ B-schools.
• Similar difficulty level to CAT, but with a focus on decision-making and general awareness.

2. SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test):

• Conducted by Symbiosis International University, SNAP is a computer-based test for admission to MBA programs at Symbiosis institutes.
• Focuses on quantitative & verbal ability, logical reasoning, and analytical writing.

3. NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test):

• Conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), NMAT is a computer-based test accepted by NMIMS Mumbai & Bangalore, and other B-schools.
• Flexible testing window with multiple test dates.
• Focuses on quantitative & verbal ability, logical reasoning, and data sufficiency.

4. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test):

• Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), CMAT is a computer-based test for admission to AICTE-approved management programs across India.
• More affordable and wider acceptance than other options, but potentially lower weightage in top B-schools.

5. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test):

• A global standardized test accepted by many top B-schools worldwide, including some in India.
• More comprehensive than other options, covering analytical writing, integrated reasoning, and quantitative & verbal skills.

Additional Options:

• IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Entrance Exam): Focuses on international business.
• MAH MBA CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test): State-level exam for MBA programs in Maharashtra.
• MAT (Management Aptitude Test): Widely accepted, conducted multiple times a year.