Exam Detail

CATCommon Admission Test

  • Test Level-: National Level
  •     Eligibility-: Graduation
  • Duration-:3 Hours
  • Stream-: Management
  • Medium-: English
  • Examination Mode-: Offline
  • Total Questions-: 100

About Test

Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national level management aptitude test for admission to the MBA courses offered by 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools in India. Over two lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam every year. In CAT 2022, 2.55 lakh candidates had registered for the exam and about 2.22 lakh candidates appeared in it. The CAT exam is a business aptitude test and its syllabus comprises four subjects -Verbal ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Imterpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantative ability. Difficulty level of the exam is moderate to high. Apart from MBA programmes, the CAT score is valid for admission to Executive MBA, PhD and FPM programmes of IIMs and other B-Schools. 

Highlights

CAT Exam Particulars

CAT 2023 Details

CAT Full Form

Common Admission Test (CAT) 

Conducting Institute

IIM Bangalore

Exam Level

National

Exam Frequency

Once a year

CAT Exam Date

November 26, 2023

CAT Exam Timings

  • Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
  • Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Session 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

CAT Exam Fees

INR 2,300 (General category) and INR 1,150 (Reserved category)

Eligibility Criteria

Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students)

Number of Applications

2.55 lakh (in 2022)

Number of Test Takers

2.22 lakh (in 2022)

Exam Purpose

Admission to IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT and over 1200 + B school

Courses Offered

 MBA & PDGM

CAT syllabus

  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) 
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Quantitative Ability (QA)

CAT pattern

Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs

No. of test cities

150

CAT exam website

https://iimcat.ac.in

Exam helpdesk no.

1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free)

 

Eligibility

 The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA [45% in the case of candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories], awarded by any University or educational institution as incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State legislature in India or declared to be deemed as an University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.

● Candidates appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification examination and those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results can also apply. However, it may be noted that such candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme provisionally, only if they submit a certificate from the Principal/Registrar of their University/Institution (issued on or before the date as stipulated by the respective IIM) stating that they have completed all the requirements for obtaining the Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification on the date of issue of the certificate.

● Candidates applying for CAT 2023 should fulfill any one of the following conditions:

● Completed Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage of marks*.

● Completed professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)) with required percentage*. ● Should be in the final year of Bachelor’s degree with required percentage*. *SC/ST/PwD candidates should have a minimum 45%. For General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates, the minimum is 50%

. ● The percentage of marks obtained by the candidate would be calculated based on the practice as followed by the respective University/Institution. In case of grades/CGPA, the conversion to percentage of marks would be based on the procedure as certified by the respective University/Institution. If any University/Institution confirms that there is no scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the candidate’s CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA, and multiplying the result with 100.

● IIMs may verify eligibility at various stages of the selection process, the details of which are provided at the website www.iimcat.ac.in. Applicants should note that the mere fulfilment of the minimum eligibility criteria will not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMs. Candidates must declare and maintain a valid and unique email account and a mobile phone number throughout the selection process.

 

CAT Registrations 2023

CAT 2023 registration will commence in the first week of August and conclude in the third week of September 2023. Candidates will have to register at https://iimcat.ac.in website to fill the online application form. Check below CAT registration and application process 2023:

  • Go to the official website
  • Click on 'new registration’
  • Enter name, date of birth, nationality, phone number and email ID to register
  • Log in with the ID received in email to fill the application form
  • Enter personal and academic details
  • Upload a passport sized photo and scanned signature
  • Select preferred courses and IIMs
  • Select preferred test cities
  • Pay application fee via credit/debit card or net banking

PAYMENT OF CAT REGISTRATION FEE ₹1150 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. ₹2300 for all other candidates. Please note that a candidate needs to pay the registration fee only once, irrespective of the number of institutes he/she is applying for. SC, ST and PwD candidates must upload a copy of their SC/ST/PwD certificates at the time of registration. Fees once paid cannot be refunded under any circumstances.

 

CAT Syllabus

Important Topics for CAT 2023

Weightage

Verbal Ability

Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences 

10%

Reading Comprehension

Questions based on passages, para meaning, order of sentences

24%

Data Interpretation

Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram

16%

Logical Reasoning

Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism

16%

Quantitative Aptitude

Geometry, Algebra, Number System, Arithmetic, Mensuration

34%

Best Books For Quantitative Ability

  1. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
    This Pearson textbook focuses on understanding fundamental concepts for both basic and complex applications. The unique selling point of this textbook is that it was authored by a CAT Coaching and Training expert who graduated from IIM Lucknow.
  2. How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
    The Tata McGraw Hill publication of this textbook by Arun Sharma is particularly well-liked among CAT hopefuls since it is so straightforward to read. This book’s unique selling point is that it provides three levels of difficulty for each subject, assisting students in their preparation not just for the CAT but also for other tests. 
  3. Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma
    For individuals hoping to enrol in the IIMs, it is a comprehensive book. Due to its clear and specially crafted information centred on CAT, it serves as a one-stop resource both for those with and without prior knowledge of mathematics.
  4. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
    Both MBA students and job seekers who must study for aptitude tests will find this book to be quite thorough for numerous competitive examinations.

Verbal Ability Best Books for CAT Preparation

  1. High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
    For those wishing to enhance their grammar, it is a sacred text. It aids in understanding and conceptualising many grammatical concepts, making it a necessary book for anybody with weak verbal skills.
  2. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
    It is a textbook to use every day to increase your vocabulary rather than a book to read. This textbook will make sure that you are well prepped for WATs, GDs, and PIs even if it doesn’t directly affect your verbal ability score.
  3. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension For The CAT by Nishit Sinha
    This book from Pearson offers more than just a complete language skills resource. Numerous assessments are also included, along with essential methods and procedures for problem resolution. It is among the greatest books on the subject you can find.
  4. How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
    Individuals who desire to improve their verbal & reading comprehension should study this book. Comprehension, verbal skills, and verbal reasoning are three central topics covered. It offers enough practice and simulated exams for self-evaluation.
  5. Read books from different genres
    The best way to increase your language skills is to read a lot and in a variety of genres. This makes sure that when reading comprehension is required, you are well-versed in a variety of writing genres and subject matter. 

Book Name

Author’s Name

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy

A Brief History Of Time

Stephen Hawking

The Hard Thing about Hard Thing

Ben Horowitz

War & Peace

Leo Tolstoy

Ulysses

James Joyce

First Among Equals

Jeffrey Archer


Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Books For CAT

  1. Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha
    This book offers sufficient exercise and helps readers improve their data interpretation abilities. Other competitive test preparations might also benefit from it.
     
  2. Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
    Under the mentioned area, this book includes both basic and advanced concepts, which are discussed with the use of worked-out examples, hypothetical cases, and activities to complete. 
     
  3. How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT book by Arun Sharma
    All facets of interpretation of data and data sufficiency are covered in this book. It offers and emphasises refining our computations to get a competitive advantage using DI. You may get exam papers from prior years, model questions, and more in this book.
     
  4. How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT book by Arun Sharma
    The subjects for the CAT and other entrance tests’ logical reasoning section are completely covered in this Tata McGraw Hill book. After each concept is introduced with solved examples, which are then followed by a set of questions to answer with varying degrees of difficulty.
     
  5. A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal
    R.S. Agarwal’s cat book begins by addressing the most fundamental reasoning problem since it is easy to comprehend. Logic, assertions, assumptions and arguments, inferences, conclusions, courses of action, logical puzzles, etc. are some of the numerous areas that it is divided into.

 

Tips on How to Prepare for CAT Exam

There are a lot of things to consider as you prepare for the examination, and you may be unsure as to where and how to begin. Check out these expert tips as you get started with your CAT preparation.

  • Time management is an important factor to be considered right from the start of your CAT preparation. You have a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. During your preparation, keep track of the time taken to solve each question. As you progress, work on improving your speed and accuracy.
  • Using shortcut techniques to solve questions saves a great deal of time. Keep in mind the shortcut tips and tricks that your mentors teach you, and make sure you note them down and review them on a regular basis.
  • Practising previous years’ question papers and mock tests help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.
  • One of the most important factors in cracking CAT is the choice of questions. Make sure you analyse a question carefully before you attempt it, and go forward only if you are confident enough to solve it.
  • To improve your vocabulary and reading skills, read books, editorials, newspapers, and journals.

 

Reservations 

As per the legal requirements, 15% of the seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. 27% of the seats are reserved for Other Backward Classes candidates belonging to the “non-creamy” layer (NC-OBC). Up to 10% of the seats are reserved for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) candidates.

 For the purpose of being considered for reservations, the applicable Central Government list as on the last date of CAT registration shall be binding. No subsequent changes will be effective for CAT 2022 and any subsequent selection process of the IIMs. For an updated central list of state-wise OBCs eligible for availing of the benefit of reservation and information in respect of the creamy layer, visit the website http://www.ncbc.nic.in 

 As per the provisions of The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act 2016), 5% seats are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD). “Person with Benchmark Disability” means a person with not less than forty percent (40%) of a specified disability where a specified disability has not been defined in measurable terms and includes a person with disability where the specified disability has been defined in measurable terms, as certified by the certifying authority. “Specified disability” means the disabilities as specified in the Schedule of the RPwD Act 2016. The categories of disability are: a) Blindness and low vision b) Deaf and hard of hearing c) Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy. d) Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness e) Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d) f) Other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in ‘The Schedule’ of the RPwD Act 2016

 The candidates belonging to the reserved categories need to note the eligibility requirements carefully before applying. It should be noted that while it is the endeavor of IIMs that the candidates belonging to SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD categories join the Programme in proportions mandated by the law, they have to meet the minimum eligibility criteria and a certain minimum level of performance to be considered for the admission process.

The candidates should read the updated description of the selection process followed by each IIM on their respective websites. No change in the category will be entertained after CAT registration. The applicants are advised to pay attention while registering.

How to download Admit Card

The CAT admit card is a mandatory document to be carried to the exam centre, thus candidates must download it before the exam day. It is advised to download two copies, as one copy is to be submitted at the exam centre. The CAT 2023 admit card will be released in the last week of October. It will have test centre location, exam slot, reporting time and other related information printed on it. Here’s the process to download the CAT admit card 2023:

  • Log on to CAT website: https://iimcat.ac.in
  • Click on 'login' tab
  • Enter CAT 2023 application number and password
  • Go to 'admit card' section
  • Click on 'download'