Associate Content Manager | Updated On - Mar 30, 2024
CAT Latest Notifications
CAT 2024 is scheduled for November 24, 2024. As per reports, IIM Calcutta is going to conduct CAT 2024. CAT Registration 2024 is likely to begin by the first week of August 2024 and go on till the third week of September 2024. You can expect the official notification to be released by the last week of July 2024.
CAT is a national-level MBA entrance exam for admission to 21 IIMs, 8 IITs, and 1000+ other B-schools in India. CAT exam full form is Common Admission Test which is conducted once every year by the IIMs in online CBT mode at 400+ test centers in 155 cities in India.
This year, a new IIM (21st) has been added to the list- IIM Mumbai (earlier NITIE Mumbai). Also, starting this year, admission to IIFT will be through CAT scores.
Last year's CAT exam was successfully conducted on Nov 26, 2023, at 375 test centers located in 167 cities in India. As per our analysis, nearly 2.88 lakh candidates appeared out of the 3.28 lakh registered. This year’s CAT exam followed a similar format as the last 2 years with 66 questions to be attempted in 2 hours. CAT 2023 question paper comprised 24 questions in VARC, 20 questions in DILR, and 22 questions in Quantitative Aptitude. You can expect the same for CAT 2024.
Download Slot-wise CAT Previous Year Question Paper PDF
CAT 2024: Highlights
| CAT 2024 Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Full Name | Common Admission Test |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management |
| Exam Date | 24 November 2024 |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduation with an overall 50% score (45% for SC/ ST candidates. |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Exam Format | CBT |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect answer |
| Application Form Fees | INR 2,400 for General category INR 1,200 for SC/ ST/ PWD |
| CAT official website | iimcat.ac.in |
| No. of test cities | 155 |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) |
CAT 2024: Exam Date and Events
These dates have been given after a proper analysis of the CAT's previous year's trends from our side. This will help you get a brief idea about CAT-related events in 2024.
| CAT 2024 Exam Events | Dates [tentative] |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 notification release | 30-July-2024 |
| CAT exam 2024 registration dates | 03-Aug-2024 (10:00 AM) to 15-Sep-2024 (5:00 PM) |
| CAT form correction | Last week of September 2024 |
| CAT Admit Card 2024 | 25-Oct-2024 |
| CAT exam 2024 date | 24-Nov-2024 |
| CAT answer key release | First week of December 2024 |
| Answer key challenge process | First week of December 2024 |
| Declaration of CAT 2024 result | Last week of December 2024 or First week of January 2025 |
CAT Registration Trend Over the 5 years
CAT is one of the most sought-after exams in India and our experts have curated a graph for you to understand the numbers in terms of CAT registrations.
| CAT Year | Candidate Registrations (in lakhs) | % Increase/ Decrease over last year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3.30 | 30% |
| 2022 | 2.55 | 11% |
| 2021 | 2.3 | 0.9% |
| 2020 | 2.28 | -6.6% |
| 2019 | 2.44 | 1.2% |
Who is eligible for CAT 2024 Exam?
If you wish to seek admission to one of the top B-schools in India, you must fill out the CAT 2024 application form. However, you must satisfy the CAT 2024 eligibility criteria before applying.
CAT 2024 Eligibility criteria are given below:
- You must have a graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) from a recognized university.
- Final-year students can also apply, however, you’ll get the final admission only after you fulfill the required percentage criteria.
Check CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria
What is the age limit and number of attempts allowed for CAT 2024 exam?
There is neither any age limit nor a limit on the number of attempts permitted for the IIM exam. You can take CAT exam every year till you are satisfied with your result.
CAT 2024 Registration Process
We’ve compiled the CAT 2024 Registration Process into 5 major steps:
- Generation of CAT User ID and Password.
- Filling CAT application form for academic details and test center preferences.
- Uploading scanned images of photo & signature along with the other relevant category and disability certificate PDFs.
- Pay the CAT 2024 registration fees.
- Email confirmation from IIM.
What are the benefits of CAT 2024 exam?
CAT is one of the most popular exams for an MBA in India. The CAT 2024 examination is the key exam you should take if you’re seeking a career in management or business.
Here are the benefits of CAT exam in 2024:
- Key Gateway to the top B-schools in India, including the IIMs.
- Excellent career opportunities after graduating from top business schools in India.
- Growth is not only professional but also personal in terms of leadership skills, time management, strong work ethics, and discipline.
- Helps you connect with successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and alumni, beneficial for your career in the long run.
CAT 2024 Syllabus and Exam Pattern
CAT 2024 Syllabus and pattern are provided here for your reference. The test structure of CAT 2024 is as per the revisions introduced in 2021. CAT question paper now comprises 66 questions only. CAT total marks are 198 and the exam duration is 120 minutes- 40 minutes each for VARC, DILR, and Quant.
Syllabus for CAT Exam 2024
| CAT Syllabus for VARC | CAT Syllabus for DILR | CAT Syllabus for QA |
|---|---|---|
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CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
| Exam Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test |
| Medium of Examination | English |
| Total Number of Questions | 66 |
| Number of Questions in VARC | Reading Comprehension: 16 Verbal Ability: 8 |
| Number of Questions in DILR | DI: 10 LR: 10 |
| Number of Questions in Quantitative Aptitude | 22 |
| Type of Questions | MCQs and Non-MCQs (TITA) |
| Order of Sections | VARC DILR Quantitative Aptitude |
| Mark for a correct answer | 3 |
| Negative Marking | -1 |
| Maximum Marks | 198 |
CAT 2024 Topic Wise Weightage
| Topics | Number of Questions in CAT 2023 | Number of Questions in CAT 2022 | Number of Questions in CAT 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Para Jumbles | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Para Summary | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Odd Sentence Out/ Para Completion | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Arithmetic | 8-10 | 8-9 | 7-10 |
| Algebra | 4-9 | 4-9 | 6-8 |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3-4 | 3-4 | 3-5 |
| Number System | 1-3 | 1-3 | 1-2 |
| Modern Math | 0-3 | 0-3 | 1 |
| DI (2 Sets) | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| LR (2 Sets) | 10 | 10 | 10 |
How to score 99 percentile in CAT 2024?
Scoring 99+ percentile in CAT requires a well-developed strategy for attempting the paper. To score 99+ percentile in CAT 2024, you need to choose the right questions and solve them quickly and accurately. We have provided some points for you to follow while attempting CAT 2024 to score 99+ percentile:
- Your goal is not to attempt 100% of the paper: Attempting 80% questions with 100% accuracy is enough to score above 99 percentile.
- Start with easy questions and then move to the more difficult ones: Do not spare more than 2 minutes for any question. If unable to solve it, mark it for later and move to the next question.
- Time management is the key to scoring 99+ percentile in CAT: To develop efficient time management skills for the exam day, practice sectional and overall mock tests with a timer set as per the actual exam duration.
- The sectional cut-off is an important qualification criterion: You should aim to get above the 95 percentile in each section. Attempt a reasonable number of questions (70%) in each section to be able to clear the overall and sectional CAT cut-off.
CAT 2024 Preparation
CAT 2024 is indeed a difficult exam and that is why you need an efficient strategy to ace the examination.
- Start as early as possible: CAT exam preparation takes time. Therefore, it is beneficial to start as early as you can. Get registered for a coaching class like T.I.M.E or use online lectures like Adda 247, Career Launcher, etc.
- Monthly Plan: Make a monthly plan including covering subjects and concepts, learning tricks and formulas, and solving questions and mock tests.
- Time Table: Create a realistic timetable giving time to all the subjects. CAT 2024 Preparation for QA, starts with arithmetic. For CAT 2024 Preparation for VARC, practice parajumbles daily. For DILR, go through the basics of how to derive data from different charts and graphs and refer to recommended books and YouTube channels.
- Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers: For the last 10-15 days of CAT exam preparation, the focus should be only on taking CAT mock tests. Solve free mock tests available on various websites including Collegedunia (find link below).
CAT 2024 Mock Test Series
CAT Official Mock Test has been released at iimcat.ac.in. With the available free mock test, candidates can get an idea about how to navigate through the question paper while attempting the exam to score better. Taking mock tests before CAT 2024 is essential to get acquainted with the paper pattern and test structure. Mock tests provide you with the real-time experience of taking the exam on a computer screen for 2 hours. Instead of separately revising each topic in the last few days, take full-length and sectional mock tests to practice questions of varying difficulty levels.
| Mock Test | Link | Features |
|---|---|---|
| CAT Mock Test by IIM | Check Here | Official CAT 2024, CAT 2022, and CAT 2021 mock tests by IIM |
| Free CAT Mock Tests by Collegedunia | Check Here | 1 full-length test, 3 sectional tests, 46 topic-wise tests, and 17 previous year papers |
CAT Exam Previous Year Question Paper
Previous year CAT question papers are one of the best sources of practice for the exam. You can download CAT question paper with solution PDF using the links given below:
| Paper | CAT Previous Year Question Paper with Solution |
|---|---|
| CAT 2023 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2022 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2019 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2018 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2017 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2016 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2015 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2014 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2013 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2012 Question Paper | Check Here |
| CAT 2011 Question Paper | Check Here |
CAT 2024 Exam Analysis
CAT 2024 exam analysis slot-wise will be updated here for VARC, DILR, and Quant. As per last year’s stat CAT slot 1, slot 2, and slot 3 were rated moderate to difficult with both Quant and DILR being tough.
Generally, CAT difficulty level lies between moderate to difficult. Quantitative Aptitude is considered the toughest section followed by DILR and VARC. You can score up to 60-70 percentile with just two months of preparation.
Compared to 2022, the VARC section was easy with maximum candidates able to attempt 14-16 questions. As per expert analysis, DILR section in slot 3 was the toughest while Quant section in slot 2 was the toughest in comparison to other 2 slots.
You can check the slot-wise CAT 2024 exam analysis using the links below:
| CAT 2024 Slot | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 | Check Here |
| Slot 2 | Check Here |
| Slot 3 | Check Here |
Read What is a Good Score in CAT for IIM?
CAT 2024 Result
CAT 2024 results will be declared in second week of December. You need to login with your CAT user ID and password on iimcat.ac.in to download the scorecard.
CAT score validity is only 1 year, therefore CAT 2024 result will be valid for admission in the current academic session only.
CAT 2024 Score vs Percentile
The expected CAT marks vs percentile 2023 are provided here based on the slot-wise analysis to help you get an idea of the score required in CAT to get the required percentile.
- For 99+ percentile, 80-85 score is good in CAT
- For 98+ percentile, 75+ marks are good
- For 80+ percentile in CAT, 38-40 marks are good enough
| CAT Percentile | VARC Scores | DILR Scores | Quant Scores | Overall CAT Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 40-45 | 33-35 | 29-33 | 98-102 |
| 99+ | 39-40 | 23-27 | 25-28 | 80-83 |
| 95+ | 28-32 | 18-20 | 20-22 | 55-57 |
| 90+ | 24-26 | 14-16 | 15-17 | 45-48 |
| 85+ | 20-22 | 12-13 | 13-14 | 40-43 |
| 80+ | 18-20 | 11-13 | 11-13 | 36-39 |
CAT 2024 Cut-off and Admission Process
CAT cut-off for IIM is the minimum percentile required for admission eligibility at the respective institute. The qualifying CAT cut-off for IIM ranges between 80 to 95 percentile. The final IIM CAT cut-off is above 98 percentile for most institutions.
| IIM (in order of NIRF 2023 Ranking) | CAT Cut off for IIM | Total MBA Seats |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad Cut off | 80 | 385 |
| IIM Bangalore Cut off | 85 | 565 |
| IIM Kozhikode Cut off | 85 | 525 |
| IIM Calcutta Cut off | 85 | 462 |
| IIM Lucknow Cut off | 90 | 490 |
| IIM Mumbai Cut off (formerly NITIE Mumbai) | 85 | 660 |
| IIM Indore Cut off | 90 | 600 |
| IIM Raipur Cut off | 92 | 210 |
| IIM Rohtak Cut off | 95 | 360 |
| IIM Udaipur Cut off | 92 | 150 |
IIM MBA Admission Process through CAT 2024
Each IIM releases its own MBA admission criteria before the declaration of CAT exam results. IIM MBA admission process through CAT scores includes:
- Preparation of PI shortlists based on CAT score, past academic performance, work experience, gender diversity, and academic diversity.
- GD/ PI/ WAT rounds
- Preparation of final selection list based on the weightage assigned to CAT score and PI/ WAT scores.
CAT 2024 FAQs
Ques. How many attempts are there in CAT 2024 for IIMs?
Ans. There is no age limit to take the CAT 2024 examination. However, you should satisfy the CAT 2024 eligibility criteria i.e. a graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) from a recognized university.
Ques. I score 82 percentile in CAT 2023. Can I get admission into any IIMs?
Ans. IIMs have a cutoff generally above the 90 percentile in CAT. With 82 percentile, you can go for other top B-schools in India such as XIME Bangalore, Prin. L N Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Delhi School of Management, etc.
Ques. What is the 80 percentile in CAT?
Ans. 80 percentile in CAT means your overall CAT score is between 36 to 39. To score between 36-39 in CAT, you have to score between 18-20 in the VARC section, 11-13 in the DILR section, and 11-13 in the Quants section.
Ques. Is CAT tough?
Ans. CAT is one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams in India. However, with proper consistency and dedication, you can qualify CAT 2024 exam and get admission to the top B-schools in India.
Ques. Which IIM will conduct CAT 2024?
Ans. IIM Calcutta is expected to conduct CAT 2024 examination. The official notification regarding CAT 2024 will be released by the last week of July 2024.
Ques. When should I start preparing for CAT 2024?
Ans. The ideal time to start preparing for CAT 2024 is from January. This way you’ll have ample amount of time to practice and take CAT 2024 Mock Tests. Students also start their preparation in May or June.
Ques. Which IIM sets the toughest CAT paper?
Ans. As per the analysis, CAT 2023, conducted by IIM Lucknow, was the toughest of all the CAT examinations. Also, the largest number of registrations that took place were during the CAT 2023 exam only.
Ques. Is CAT tougher than GMAT?
Ans. Both CAT and GMAT examinations are moderate to difficult in difficulty level. Yet, GMAT is easier to crack as it has a definite syllabus. You can attempt both CAT and GMAT multiple times.
Ques. What is the cut-off percentile for IIM Ahmedabad?
Ans. The cut-off for IIM Ahmedabad ranges between 99.5 to 99.8. If you have a good background, like 80+ percentage in class 10th, class 12th, and graduation, then 99.5+ is a decent percentile to get an interview call from IIM Ahmedabad.
Ques. I belong to the NC- OBC category. How much reservation will I get in CAT 2024?
Ans. CAT provides category-wise reservations to its candidates. For an NC-OBC candidate, CAT provides 27% reservation, while for SC and ST candidates, the reservation percent is 15 and 7.5 respectively.
CAT 2024 Registration Process
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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The CAT 2024 exam is scheduled to take place on November 24, 2024, in three sessions at more than 400 exam centres across 137 Indian cities. The first week of August 2024 is anticipated to be the start of registration, which will conclude in the third or fourth week of September 2024.
In order to get ready for the CAT exam, you can:
Yes. You are eligible to apply for MBA. You can apply to top B-School by appearing for the CAT exam. Eligibility for CAT is Graduates with 50% marks can apply and there is no age limit.
Please check the link for CAT question paper 2023 https://collegedunia.com/exams/cat/question-paper-2023
To prepare effectively for the Common Admission Test (CAT), which is one of India’s most challenging entrance exams for management programs, follow these essential steps:
Understand the Exam Structure and Syllabus:
Assess Your Current Knowledge Level:
Build a Theoretical Foundation:
Practice and Mock Tests:
Review Past Years’ Papers:
The CAT 2023 question paper is available for download on Collegedunia. CAT 2023 was conducted on November 26, 2023, in three shifts. You can find the question paper for slot 1, slot 2, and slot 3 along with the answer key and solutions.
You can access the CAT 2023 question paper and solutions using the following links:
With a 59% overall score in CAT, you still have options for admission to management colleges. While some top-tier institutes may have stringent cutoffs, many other reputable B-schools consider candidates with slightly lower scores. Research colleges and their cutoffs, apply to a mix of institutions, and highlight your strengths in your application. Prepare for group discussions and personal interviews. Consider work experience if you have any. Dropping a year is a significant decision; weigh the pros and cons carefully. Consult a career counselor for personalized advice. Remember that CAT scores are just one aspect of your profile; your overall application, including academic background, extracurriculars, and interview performance, plays a crucial role. Evaluate your options, stay positive, and make an informed decision.
The time required to crack the Common Admission Test (CAT) varies based on individual circumstances and dedication. Here are some general guidelines:
Average Student:
Starting from Scratch:
Consistent Effort:
Expert Strategies:
In summary, allocate at least 6 months for focused CAT preparation. Customize your study plan based on your strengths, weaknesses, and available time.
Based on the information you’ve provided, here’s the eligibility assessment for CAT:
Educational Qualification:
CAT Percentile:
You meet the educational qualification requirements.
Conclusion: Yes, you are eligible to apply for CAT.
With your 77 percentile in CAT and an NMAT score of 217, you have several options for MBA colleges. Let’s explore some of the top colleges you can consider based on your scores:
Colleges Accepting CAT 70-80 Percentile:
Colleges Accepting NMAT Scores:
Other Considerations:
With a CAT percentile of 86.68 and the specified sectional cutoffs, you have several options for MBA colleges, including some IITs. Let’s explore both the IITs and other reputable B-schools where you can consider applying:
IITs offer MBA courses based on CAT scores. Here are some IITs you can consider:
Additionally, IISc Bangalore provides a Master of Management program.
Apart from IITs, consider applying to other top B-schools that accept CAT scores. Some recommendations include:
With a CAT percentile of 85.4, you have several options for MBA colleges, including some IIMs and other reputable B-schools. Let’s explore both:
IIMs:
Other Reputable B-Schools:
Apart from IIMs, consider applying to other top B-schools that accept CAT scores:
With your CAT percentile of 85.4, you are eligible to apply for admission to several IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management). Let’s explore the eligibility criteria and some IIMs where you can consider applying:
IIM Eligibility Criteria:
IIMs Accepting CAT Scores:
Application Process:
You can find previous year CAT question papers on Collegedunia. Here are the available question papers:
These question papers will help you practice and prepare effectively for the CAT exam.
CAT does not have any specific eligibility criteria regarding work experience. You are free to fill out the form and write the exam, even if you have a 1-year gap in work experience. Whether or not your work experience will be counted depends on the specific admission criteria of the B-schools you apply to. Some B-schools give weightage to candidates with quality work experience in their respective fields. It’s essential to check the admission policies of the individual colleges you are interested in.
We do not have information about coaching classes for CAT preparation but you can check here to get some preparation tips for CAT exam. CAT Preparation
You may check here to see the previous years’ question papers for CAT. CAT 2023 Question Paper
You can check the official website of the college to know about fee detail as fee often vary from college to college. IIM Fee Structure in top IIMs for MBA ranges from INR 15,00,000 to INR 28,00,000.
The CAT result 2023 will be available only at the official website of IIMCAT for download. Test takers will be able to check their result and download the scorecard by using their CAT login IDs.
The class schedule and the mode of education completely depends on the college you get. You can check the official website of the college to know about fee details as well as the class schedule.