What is the CAT Exam?
The **Common Admission Test (CAT)** is a national-level, computer-based entrance examination conducted annually by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. It is the most prominent and highly competitive test for admission to postgraduate management programs (like MBA, PGDM) offered by the 21 IIMs and numerous other leading business schools across India.
CAT assesses candidates on their abilities in **Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)**, **Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)**, and **Quantitative Ability (QA)**.
A strong performance in CAT is crucial for aspiring management professionals aiming for a career in top-tier organizations and leadership roles.
Why is CAT Important?
Gateway to Top B-Schools
- Primary entrance exam for all 21 IIMs.
- Accepted by over 1200 other top B-schools (e.g., FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IMT).
- Opens doors to prestigious MBA/PGDM programs.
Comprehensive Aptitude Assessment
- Evaluates critical skills essential for management.
- Tests verbal, analytical, logical, and quantitative abilities.
- Provides a standardized platform for comparison.
Enhanced Career Prospects
- Leads to higher salary packages and strategic roles.
- Facilitates entry into top companies and leadership positions.
- Offers extensive networking opportunities with alumni and industry leaders.
Diversity and Inclusivity
- Attracts candidates from various academic backgrounds.
- Ensures a rich mix of perspectives in the classroom.
- Promotes fair evaluation regardless of educational board.
Eligibility Criteria
General Requirements
- **Educational Qualification:** Bachelor's Degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
- **Reserved Categories:** 45% marks or equivalent CGPA for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories.
- **Recognized University:** Degree must be awarded by any University or educational institution as incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State legislature, or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
Key Considerations
- **Final Year Students:** Candidates appearing for the final year of Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification examination, and those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results, are also eligible to apply provisionally.
- **Professional Degrees:** Candidates with professional degrees (like CA/CS/ICWA) are also eligible with the stipulated percentage.
- **No Age Limit:** There is no upper age limit to appear for the CAT exam.
*Note: IIMs may have their own specific criteria or calculation methods for percentages/CGPA. Always refer to the official CAT notification and individual IIM admission policies.*
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
CAT Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions (Approx.) | Time Limit | Marking (+/-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes | +3 / -1 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes | +3 / -1 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes | +3 / -1 |
*Total questions: 66-68. Total Duration: 120 minutes. No negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.*
CAT Syllabus Breakdown
- **Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC):**
- Reading Comprehension (Passages, Inference, Tone, Main Idea)
- Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out
- Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies)
- Grammar & Sentence Correction
- **Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR):**
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Caselets)
- Logical Reasoning (Arrangements, Puzzles, Syllogisms, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding)
- **Quantitative Ability (QA):**
- Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Averages, Mixtures)
- Algebra (Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logarithms, Progressions)
- Geometry & Mensuration (Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Polygons, Solid Shapes)
- Number System (Properties, Factors, Multiples, Remainders)
- Modern Math (Set Theory, Permutation & Combination, Probability)
CAT Application Process
Step-by-Step Guide
- **Online Registration:** Visit the official IIM CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) and register to generate a User ID and Password.
- **Fill Application Form:** Log in using the credentials and fill out all sections: Personal Details, Academics (Class 10, 12, Graduation), Work Experience (if any), Programs (IIMs & non-IIMs), and Test City preferences (up to 6 choices).
- **Upload Documents:** Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph and signature as per specified dimensions and format. Category certificates (if applicable) also need to be uploaded.
- **Pay Application Fee:** Pay the non-refundable application fee online (Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI). Fees vary by category (e.g., ₹2,500 for General/EWS/NC-OBC, ₹1,250 for SC/ST/PwD).
- **Review & Submit:** Carefully review all entered information. Once satisfied, submit the application form.
- **Print Confirmation Page:** Download and print the confirmation page for your records.
Documents & Tips
- **Required Documents:** Scanned photograph, signature, Class 10 & 12 mark sheets, Graduation mark sheets/certificate, category certificate (if applicable), valid ID proof.
- **Image Specifications:** Photo size typically within 1200x1200 pixels; signature 80mmx35mm. Both usually under 80KB in JPG/JPEG format.
- **Work Experience:** Only full-time, post-graduation work experience is counted (calculated up to July 31st of the exam year).
- **Accuracy is Key:** Ensure all details are accurate as corrections might be limited or not allowed.
- **Stay Updated:** Regularly check the official website for updates on application status, correction windows, and admit card releases.
Important Dates (Tentative for CAT 2025)
| Event | Tentative Date (CAT 2025) |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | Last week of July |
| Online Registration Start | First week of August |
| Online Registration End | Mid-September |
| Application Correction Window | Late September |
| Admit Card Release | Late October / Early November |
| CAT Exam Date | Last Sunday of November |
| Result Declaration | First week of January (next year) |
| IIM Shortlisting & Interviews | January - March (next year) |
*These dates are indicative based on previous CAT cycles. Please refer to the official IIM CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) for confirmed dates and latest updates.*
Top B-Schools Accepting CAT Scores
A good CAT score can open doors to India's most prestigious management institutions. Here are some of them:
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Bangalore
- IIM Calcutta
- IIM Lucknow
- IIM Kozhikode
- IIM Indore
- And all other IIMs (total 21)
Other Premier B-Schools
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi
- SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi
- Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
- Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB)
- Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai/Gurgaon
- K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
- Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Chennai
- T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal
- International Management Institute (IMI), Delhi
- And many more leading institutions.
Important Note on Cutoffs
While IIMs set minimum qualifying CAT percentiles (e.g., 80-90 percentile overall and sectional), the actual call getters for interviews from top IIMs often have much higher percentiles (e.g., 98-99+ percentile for older IIMs). Final selection depends on a composite score including CAT score, academic record, work experience, and performance in the Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT).