The last date of application for CAT 2023 is 24 November 2023. Interested candidates must register themselves by visiting the official CAT website i.e. iimcat.ac.in and filling out the application form available online.
The Common Admission Test, usually referred to as CAT, is one of the most popular and most popular MBA entrance examinations conducted across the world. The examination is normally carried out by one of the 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as a pre-requisite for admission to the postgraduate and fellow management programs offered by the leading institutes. There are more than 100 institutes offering admission on the basis of the marks earned by the candidates for the CAT Exam. The test is of interest due to the number of candidates taking part. Almost 2 Lakh candidates take the exam every year and more than 5000 seats are offered by the 20 IIMs currently operating in India.
The CAT Exam 2024 is scheduled to be conducted by IIM Indore on 24 November 2024.
Facts about Common Admission Test (CAT):
| Name of the examination | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Authority | IIMs, CAT 2024 will be conducted by IIM Indore |
| Examination Type | National Level Examination |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Number of candidates appearing for exam | Nearly 2 Lakhs candidates every year |
| Exam Pattern | Multiple-Choice Questions and Non-Multiple-Choice Questions |
| Number of questions | 100 questions |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer of MCQs.No mark would be deducted for Non-MCQs |
| Mode of examination | Online |
CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria
- The basic requirement is to have a Bachelor’s degree in any area with at least 50 % overall from a recognized university.
- Candidates are also qualified to apply for the test during the final year.
- No minimum age and number of students have been specified for each student to obtain admission. However, entry into the IIMs is not assured merely by meeting the eligibility criteria of the Common Admission Exam.
- Applicants taking the examination must ensure that they comply with the specified minimum eligibility criteria. It is the first step towards being part of the most relevant entrance test for management.
CAT 2024 Syllabus
The question paper consists primarily of three parts, namely Quantitative Aptitude, Data Analysis & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). Each portion consists of a number of topics to be discussed in order to qualify for the test.
An Overview of CAT Syllabus
Following are the three sections of the CAT Exam:
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
| Topics | No. of Questions |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 34 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 34 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 32 |
| Total | 100 |
1. QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
There are 34 questions in this segment. The Syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude is broad and requires continuous practice. It is really important to be aware of all the tricks and techniques used to solve the problems. Students had to go through and solve all manner of problems. This in turn strengthens their ability to solve the problem.
| Topics | Topics |
| Number Systems | Ratio and Proportions |
| LCM & HCF | Averages |
| Profit, Loss & Discount | Quadratic and Linear Equations |
| Percentages | Complex Numbers |
| Speed, Time, and Distance | Logarithm |
| Time & Work | Binomial Theorem |
| Simple and Compound Interest | Sequences & Series |
| Surds & Indices | Inequalities |
| Probability | Permutation and Combination |
| Set Theory | Functions & Geometry |
| Coordinate Geometry | Time and Distance |
| Mixtures & Allegations | Trigonometry |
Since there are a large number of topics under each subcategory, the CAT 2024 syllabus has been limited to the following sub-topics:
| Quants Topics | Sub Topics |
| Arithmetic | Time, Work and Distance, Age Questions, Average, Percentage, Simplification, Ratio & Proportion, HCF & LCM, and Number System |
| Algebra | Sequence & Series, Permutation & Combination, Quadratic Equation, Theory of Equations |
| Geometry | Angles, Lines, Circles, Triangles |
| Mensuration | Pipes & Cistern, Sphere, Cones, Cubes, Circles, Triangle, Squares, and Cylinder (Area and Volume) |
| Calculus | Maxima, Minima, and Functions |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric Ratios, Heights, and Distance |
2. VERBAL ABILITY AND READING COMPREHENSION
This section contains 34 questions, of which 24 are from Reading Comprehension and the other 10 are from Verbal Ability.
| Topics | Topics |
| Synonyms and Antonyms (Based on Vocabulary) | Grammar or English Usage |
| Sentence Correction | Fill in the Blanks |
| Jumbled Paragraph | Cloze Passage |
| Analogies | Reverse Analogies |
| Meaning/Usage Match | Verbal Reasoning |
| Summary Questions | Reading Comprehension |
| Facts inferences Judgement | Idioms and Phrases |
3. DATA INTERPRETATION AND LOGICAL REASONING
It can be concluded as the most difficult segment for candidates to appear in the test. There are two aspects of this section, namely Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
This section has 32 questions to be completed in allotted time of 1 hour. Following are the topics to prepare:
| DATA INTERPRETATION | |
| Caselets | Tables |
| Bar Graphs | Column Graphs |
| Venn Diagrams | Line Charts |
| Pie Charts | Combination of Graphs |
| Data Sufficiency | Games and Tournaments |
| LOGICAL REASONING | |
| Arrangements | Prepositions |
| Data Arrangement | Puzzles |
| Logical Connectives | Matching |
| Clocks and Calendars | Venn Diagram |
| Assumptions | Seating Arrangement |
| Blood Relations | Binary Logic |
| Numbers and Letters Series | Logical Sequence |
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
The Indore Indian Institute of Management (IIM Indore) has published the CAT 2022 Exam Pattern Information. The review pattern for the current year has been marginally updated and since 2014 the same has been continued. The Common Admission Test is a computer-based entrance examination that analyzes the abilities of candidates in different segments needed to qualify for the entrance exam. While the CAT Exam Pattern has seen various changes over the past 4 years, the basic form remains the same.
The exam is scheduled to be conducted on 29 November 2022 via CBT mode this year. The question paper consists of three parts that comprise a total of 100 questions. These 100 questions are of form MCQ and Non-MCQ, which are to be completed for each segment in 3 hours, i.e. 1 hour.
A brief description of the CAT Exam Pattern is given below:
| Total Number of Questions | 100 |
| Total number of Sections | 3 |
| Number of Questions with Negative Marking | 75 |
| Number of Questions without Negative Marking | 25 |
| Marks awarded for each correct answer | 3 |
| Mark deducted for each incorrect answer | 1 |
Section-wise Exam Pattern
In each class, a section-wise bifurcation of the number of questions will help students prepare in a competent manner. There are three sections: Verbal Ability and Detailed Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Data Analysis, and Quantitative Ability. MCQ and Non MCQ forms of questions are included in each chapter. Each correct answer shall be awarded 3 points, while 1 point shall be deducted as a penalty for each incorrect answer.
The bifurcation of the number of questions asked in each section, the number of questions asked by the MCQ and the NON-MCQ in each section, and the maximum marks for each section are given below:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
| Total Number of Questions | 34 |
| Total Number of MCQs | 24 to 27 |
| Total Number of Non-MCQ | 7 to 10 |
| Maximum Marks | 102 |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
| Total Number of Questions | 32 |
| Total Number of MCQs | 24 |
| Total Number of Non-MCQ | 8 |
| Maximum Marks | 96 |
Quantitative Ability
| Total Number of Questions | 34 |
| Total Number of MCQs | 23 to 27 |
| Total Number of Non-MCQ | 7 to 11 |
| Maximum Marks | 102 |
How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024
The biggest question that remains unanswered is how to plan for the test. In order to crack the test with good marks, it is very important to be aware of the minute specifics of each subject.
- Aspirants can visit the official website to obtain a thorough overview of the syllabus that must be prepared in order to qualify for the entrance examination.
- The keys to ensuring that everything is up to the mark are continuity and practice. To ensure perfection, solve problems pertaining to different parts. Don’t just concentrate on one segment. Preparation has to be well-rounded.
- During the initial phase of your analysis, try to make your accuracy more perfect than your speed. To ensure perfection, solve problems pertaining to the different sections.
CAT 2024 Result
CAT Result is scheduled to be published in the second week of January 2024. Candidates will be able to review their percentiles and scaled scores after the results have been announced. Candidates will download their scorecard and save it for future reference before the admission process is completed.
CAT Exam Cut Off
After the test, the conducting body shall issue a cut-off mark on the basis of which the students are selected and admitted to the courses in which they are willing to pursue their careers.
The Cut Off is the minimum mark the applicant must score in order to qualify for the next round of the selection process. If the difficulty level of the CAT exam is high, the cut-off will below. The cut-off will depend on the difficulty level of the test, the number of institutes, and the number of seats available.
CAT Selection Procedure
The selection process for the CAT Exam is performed in two sessions. The first is to participate in and qualify the entrance test administered by one of the IIMs and the second is to appear in the group discussion and personal interview rounds conducting by the conducting body.
- Applicants who qualify for the CAT entrance test are required to appear in both PI and GD rounds. This intimation typically depends on the success of the candidates at the CAT.
- This selection process takes place under the guidance of each individual college, except the new IIMs. There is no such common counseling procedure for admission.