CAT 2024 - Common Admission Test : Application Form, Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The CAT test 2024 will most likely be held on the final Sunday of November 2024. (i.e., 24 November 2024). It will be administered through computers at 400+ examination locations across India. It will be held in three sessions, as is conventional. One of the old IIMs will be responsible for administering CAT 2024.

CAT 2024 registration opens in the first week of August and closes in mid-September 2024. The CAT is a two-hour test consisting of MCQs and Non-MCQs. According to the most recent trend, the total number of questions is projected to be 66. The CAT exam pattern has changed frequently in recent years, but it will most likely remain the same this time. The CAT 2024 results will be available in January 2025.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one such MBA admission exam that allows students to pursue higher study in management. CAT scores are used by the top Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to admit candidates to MBA / PGDM programs. There are 20 IIMs in India that provides undergraduate, postgraduate, doctorate, and executive management programs.

What exactly is CAT?

The Indian Institute of Management's CAT Exam is a national-level management entrance exam for admission to 20 IIMs and 100+ B-schools in India. Every year, the test is administered by one of the older IIMs. Every year, over 2 lakh hopefuls take the CAT test, yet only a few thousand get admitted to their selected top B-schools. Other notable B-schools that take CAT scores besides IIMs are MDI (Gurgaon), IITs, SP Jain (Mumbai), IMT (Ghaziabad), FMS (Delhi), KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies (Mumbai), Great Lakes Institute of Management (Chennai), and Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, to mention a few.

CAT 2024: Important Dates

Here is an overview of the tentative dates for CAT 2024:

Criteria for CAT Eligibility in 2024:

To be eligible for the CAT exam, candidates must meet specific requirements. Check that you have the following educational requirements:

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree from a recognized university/board. Students in their final year of college can also take the CAT exam.

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.

NOTE: It should be noted that the precise qualifying criteria for MBA admission differ from one B-school to the next, as well as from course to course at certain universities. Furthermore, practically all business schools provide reservations for specific types of candidates.

CAT Syllabus 2024

There is no fixed CAT syllabus, although the kind and difficulty level of exam questions have stayed virtually constant throughout time. The following subjects are deemed relevant for various sections of CAT:

• The Quantitative section focuses on fundamental mathematical concepts and topics such as arithmetic, number system, algebra, geometry, and current math. Arithmetic accounts for the majority of problems in this subject, followed by algebra.
• Reading comprehension passages have historically dominated the VA-RC portion (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), accounting for over 70% of total questions. Other significant questions rely on Para jumbles and Para-Summary. A few questions may also include verbal thinking, sentence completion, fill-in-the-blanks, and other similar activities.
• DI-LR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) sets focuses on tables, charts, graphs, and common reasoning subjects such as arrangements, syllogism, blood analogies, and so on.

QUANTITATIVE ABILITY

• Averages
• Complex Numbers
• Coordinate Geometry and Mensuration
• Inequalities
• Logarithm
• LCM & HCF
• Mixtures & Allegations
• Number Systems
• Percentages
• Profit, Loss, and Discount
• Permutation & Combination
• Quadratic & Linear Equations
• Ratio & Proportion
• Set Theory
• Surds & Indices
• Sequences & Series
• Speed Time & Distance
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Trigonometry
• Time & Work

DATA INTERPRETATION & LOGICAL REASONING

• Binary Logic
• Blood Relations
• Bar Graphs and Column Graphs
• Calendars
• Cubes and Clocks
• Caselets and Tables
• Connectives & Sequence
• Combination of two or more types linked to each other
• Logical Matching
• Line Charts & Pie Chart
• Number and Letter Series
• Syllogism
• Seating Arrangement
• Venn Diagrams

VERBAL ABILITY & READING COMPREHENSION

• Analogies and Reverse Analogies
• Correction in Sentence
• Fill in the Blanks
• Facts Inferences Judgements
• Grammar & English Usage
• Jumbled paragraph and Close Passage
• Reading Comprehension
• Summary Questions
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Verbal Reasoning

CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Highlights

Given the restricted number of admission seats and the vast number of test-takers, the CAT is deservedly regarded as one of the most challenging entrance exams. It is intended to assess the candidate's decision-making abilities, time management skills, and dexterity in dealing with complexity. All of these characteristics affect a candidate's fitness for management education as well as an aptitude for managerial positions. Examine the following CAT exam format features:

• The CAT exam is divided into three sections:
  
  • Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
  • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
  • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• The CAT 2023 test is 120 minutes long.
• The exam's test design has changed slightly after the addition of TITA (Type in The Answer) questions in 2015. TITA questions vary in quantity, however, there is no negative grading for erroneous responses.
• In recent years, non-MCQ (TITA) questions have accounted for around 25-33% of all questions.
• There is a one-point penalty for each wrongly answered MCQ, and three points are granted for each successful response.
• The portions of the CAT exam are predetermined in order, and candidates get 40 minutes for each section. Students are unable to swap sections due to sectional time constraints.

CAT Notification & Registration 2024

Every year in November, the CAT is held. The entire announcement will be available on the official website around July/August when you will be asked to register online. The message will tell you of the crucial dates, application costs, MBA/PGP programs, and other critical information.

CAT 2024: Registration Process

When applying for CAT 2024 online, follow the procedures below:

• Click 'Register Now' on the official website to create your login credentials. Enter the necessary information (Name, Date of Birth, Email Address, etc.).

You will also receive an email and SMS with your login information.

• The next step is to log in using your user ID and password. After that, fill up your CAT application form and upload scanned copies of the required papers.

Remember to click 'Save & Continue' before proceeding to the next stage. The CAT application form can be completed in many sessions by logging in again.

• In addition to your personal and academic information, you must include information on your employment experience, if appropriate. You must also name your chosen programs/institutions (IIMs) and interview cities from the list provided.
• Finally, you must pay the CAT application cost by Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or other similar methods. You will not be able to make any changes to the form once you have paid the price. So, before submitting and paying, double-check the form.

CAT 2024 Exam Fees

The Application Fee for CAT is Rs. 2500/- for the General Category and (Rs. 1250/- for SC/ST/PWD candidates).

Payment Methods:

Online through credit/debit card, net banking, UPI, or Paytm.

CAT Admit Card 2024

The CAT 2024 admit card must be retrieved from the official website. The CAT admission card includes information about your exam center's address, reporting time, exam timing, a Google map link to help you find the facility, and other important exam day instructions. To appear at the exam center, you must have a printout of your admission card. The following methods will assist you in downloading your CAT 2024 admission card:

• Log in to the official website using your CAT user ID and password.
• Click the 'Download CAT Admit Card' button. Your hall will be displayed, and you may download and print it. You may also make a soft copy for future reference.

CAT Result 2024

The CAT results are revealed in January. Its scoresheet may be obtained in PDF format from the official website. Here's how to verify and get your CAT 2024 results:

• There is a CAT scorecard/results tab on the official website.
• Enter your CAT application number and password.
• Select the 'scorecard' area to view and download your CAT score report.

CAT Exam Centers 2024

CAT is held in several cities around India. As a result, applicants may easily select a selection of favorite cities from the provided list. We are bringing below the CAT exam centers as of last year:

CAT 2024: Things to Know

• The CAT application form must be completed online.
• The CAT 2024 test will be held in over 150 places around the country.
• CAT registration is open for roughly 45 days after it begins.
• Most significantly, CAT candidates must keep a valid and unique email address as well as a cell phone number in order for the selection process to go effectively.
• CAT results are available one month following the exam.

CAT 2024 Contact Details

CAT Website: www.iimcat.ac.in/ 

Help Desk Number: 1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free).