The Common Admission Test (CAT) will be conducted on the last Sunday in November (November 24, 2024) in 170 test cities. The official notification was provided on July 28, 2024. IIM Calcutta will conduct the CAT in 2024. The registration period is from August 1 (10:00 AM) to September 13 (5:00 PM). The two-hour test consists of approximately 66 multiple-choice (MCQ) and type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions. This article covers all aspects of CAT 2024.

WHAT is CAT?         

The CAT is a national-level examination administered by Indian Institutes of Management for admission to postgraduate management programs. Many other top business schools, including MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, IITs and IMI, accept CAT scores as part of their admissions process. CAT is a top exam in India. Every year, over 2-3 lakh students sit for this exam. MBAs have emerged as an important tool for those looking to advance their careers. This is demonstrated by the fact that the CAT 2023 registration has received the most applicants (nearly 3 lakh) since its inception.

CAT 2024 NEW EXAM PATTERN:

The paper pattern for the CAT exam has changed many times in the past. For the last 2 years, the pattern had remained the same with respect to the total marks and no. of sections.Last year due to COVID-19, IIM Indore announced a major change. Instead of 2, 3 slots were there to make sure social distancing at all centres. The total time duration has also had been reduced to 2 hours instead of 3 hours. Detail about the pattern is given.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• AUGUST 1, 2024, THURSDAY

CAT 2024 REGISTRATION STARTS AT 10:00 AM (IST)

• SEPTEMBER 13, 2024, FRIDAY

CAT 2024 REGISTRATION ENDS AT 5:00 PM (IST)

• NOVEMBER 05, 2024, TUESDAY

CAT 2024 ADMIT CARD DOWNLOAD BEGINS

• NOVEMBER 24, 2024, SUNDAY

CAT 2024 TEST DAY

Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024

APPLICATION FEE:

The CAT application fee 2024 is INR 2,500 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates. For the SC/SCT/PWD candidates, the fee is INR 1,250. Applicants have to pay the fee at the time of form filling. The application form is not accepted without the payment of fees.

ELIGIBLITY :

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 Education, 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 2024 should fulfill any one of the following conditions: a) Completed Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage of marks*. b) Completed professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)) with required percentage*. c) 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.

RESERVATION:

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.

 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 2024 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS AND PWD:

•  If a candidate belongs to the SC or ST categories, the respective caste/tribe must be listed in the Government of India schedule. The caste certificate that the candidate submits to IIM should be in the Government of India approved format and should clearly state: (a) Name of the caste/tribe; (b) Whether the candidate belongs to Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe; (c) District and State or Union Territory of the candidate’s ordinary residence; and (d) the appropriate Government of India schedule under which the candidate’s caste/tribe is approved by it as Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.

•  A copy of the SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD certificate(s) must be uploaded at the time of the CAT application registration. Failure to upload a copy of the caste/class certificate will result in the rejection of a candidate’s CAT registration.

•  The SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD certificate(s) must be shown and a photocopy should be submitted at the time of interviews. Moreover, the certificate(s) must be submitted at the time of joining the programmes of any of the IIMs. Failure to do so during the post CAT selection process will result in the candidate not being considered under the reserved category.

•  Candidates are encouraged to apply for a UDID card (PwD Category) and upload the same for the application

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection process for CAT 2024 will typically include a Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. Candidates will be shortlisted based on their CAT exam 2024 score and performance in selection rounds, such as GD and PI.

Private Universities Accepting CAT Scores 2024:

Here’s a list of the best MBA colleges that accept CAT scores, along with their minimum required scores (cut-off).

Top Government Colleges Accepting CAT scores 2024:

Look for MBA programs at government colleges after taking the CAT exam. Also, explore the best colleges that accept CAT scores.