CAT for International Students

Published on
29 February 2024, 2:58 pm

CAT for International Students

The CAT (Common Admission
Test) is a national-level entrance examination in India for admission to MBA
(Master of Business Administration) and equivalent programs offered by top
management institutes and B-schools. Conducted annually, CAT assesses
candidates’ aptitude in areas like Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Data
Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. It is a computer-based test consisting
of multiple-choice questions and is renowned for its stringent evaluation
process and high competition levels.

CAT scores are
accepted by various Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other premier
management institutions across India. The exam’s syllabus covers a wide range
of topics, including mathematics, language skills, and logical reasoning,
making it crucial for aspirants to undergo thorough preparation to excel. CAT
scores play a significant role in determining admission to MBA programs, making
it a crucial milestone for MBA aspirants.

Many
international students also apply for the CAT (Common Admission Test)
examination in India, but there are specific eligibility criteria they must
meet. Here’s a breakdown:

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Eligibility: International students, including
foreign nationals, PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin), and NRIs (Non-Resident
Indians), must hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. However,
for SC/ST/PWD candidates, a minimum of 45% is required. This eligibility
criterion ensures that international students meet the academic standards
necessary for pursuing postgraduate management programs in India.

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Application Process: Foreign nationals can apply
for the CAT exam by following the same application process as Indian
candidates. They need to register on the official CAT website, fill out the
application form, and pay the required fees within the specified deadline.

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Acceptance by International MBA Colleges: While the
CAT is primarily used for admissions to Indian B-schools, some international
MBA colleges also accept CAT scores as a measure of business aptitude for
admission. This widens the scope for international students who wish to pursue
management education abroad using their CAT scores.

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Alternative Options: Overseas Indian category
candidates can also apply with a valid GMAT score instead of a CAT score. They
need to have a total scaled score of around 720 to be eligible for
consideration.

The students who
appear for CAT Examination also have an added benefit to get into some top
international B-Schools for different management programs such as MIM,
Executive MBA, etc. They can appear for management courses available in the
below mentioned institutes: