IIM CAT

About the Examination Process

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to MBA/PGDM programs in IIMs and other top business schools in India. 

Plan of Examination

• The CAT examination is conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) with a total duration of 2 hours. It is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). 
• The number of questions in VARC consists of 24 questions, DILR has 20 questions, and QA contains 22 questions. 
• The total marks for the exam is 198, though this may vary slightly each year. The questions are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Non-MCQs (Type-in-the-answer questions).
•  In terms of marking, each correct answer earns 3 marks, while incorrect answers for MCQs incur a penalty of -1 mark, but there is no negative marking for Non-MCQs.
• The CAT exam assesses various skills across three sections. VARC tests verbal abilities, reading comprehension, and language proficiency; DILR focuses on analytical and reasoning abilities, with an emphasis on data interpretation and logic; and QA challenges candidates’ quantitative aptitude, covering topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.

Eligibility Criteria

• The candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized institution with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates).
• Candidates in the final year of graduation can also apply.
• Regarding the age limit, there is no restriction on the age of candidates applying for GATE. 

Number of Attempts

There is no limit on the number of attempts for the IIM CAT exam. Candidates can appear for the exam as many times as they wish, provided they meet the eligibility criteria in terms of educational qualification and age. However, the CAT score is valid for one year from the date of the exam.

Application Process

• Visit the official CAT website and create a new account by providing basic details such as name, email ID, and mobile number.
• After registration, a user ID and password will be sent to your email. These credentials are needed to log in to the application portal.
• Fill in personal information like your name, date of birth, contact details, and address.
• Provide details of your educational qualifications (10th, 12th, and graduation). Enter details of any work experience (if applicable).
• Indicate your category (General, SC, ST, OBC, PwD) to claim any applicable reservation benefits.
• You can select up to 6 exam cities, choosing your preferred centers. The IIMs will allot the exam center based on availability.
• Upload a passport-size photograph and a scanned signature as per the specified format.
• The application fee is ₹2,400 for General/OBC candidates and ₹1,200 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. Payment can be made online using debit/credit cards, net banking, or other available modes.