Post Name : CAT Exam 2024, Dates, Registration, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Cut Off
Post Date : 13 December , 2023
Post Description : CAT 2024: The CAT (Common Admission Test) serves as a nationwide entrance examination for securing admission into the prestigious IIMs for MBA or PGDM programs. Every year, different IIMs conduct the CAT exam on a rotational basis. For 2024, IIM Calcutta is anticipated to administer the CAT 2024 on Sunday, 24 November 2024. The notification for the CAT 2024 exam is likely to be released in the last week of July 2024. CAT 2024 is going to take place in a CBT format at various centres across the country. Additionally, candidates will get 2 hours of time to complete the CAT 2024 paper. Here, we have provided a detailed overview of CAT 2024, comprising details like eligibility criteria, important dates, exam patterns, syllabi, and more.
CAT 2024 Highlights
CAT is the most competitive MBA entrance exam in India. Over 1300 MBA colleges across the country recognise the CAT exam and offer admission considering CAT scores. The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted in three sessions at nearly 375 examination centres located in more than 167 cities nationwide. Prospective MBA students aiming to enrol in premier institutes should commence early preparation for the CAT 2024 exam. Here are the highlights of the CAT 2024 exam:
| CAT full name | Common Admission Test |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Indian Institute of Management |
| Exam date | 24 November 2024 |
| Eligibility criteria | Graduation with overall 50% score (45% for SC/ST candidates) |
| Mode of application | Online |
| Exam format | CBT |
| Marking scheme | +3 for each correct answer -1 mark for each inaccurate answer |
| Application form fees | INR 2,400 for General category |
| INR 1,200 for SC/ST/PwD | |
| CAT syllabus 2024 | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | |
| CAT official website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2024 Important Dates
IIM Calcutta is expected to oversee the CAT exam 2024. The essential dates and timelines for CAT 2024, including the CAT registration date 2024, the final date for CAT 2024 applications, the scheduled CAT exam date, and the expected CAT result date, are detailed as follows:
| Dates | |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 notification date | 28-29 July 2024 |
| Beginning of CAT 2024 registration | 4 August 2024 |
| CAT 2024 registration last date | 15 September 2024 |
| CAT 2024 exam date | 24 November 2024 |
| CAT 2024 result date | 4-5 January 2025 |
CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates intending to participate in CAT 2024 must meet specific CAT 2024 eligibility criteria outlined as follows:
- Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from a university recognised by the UGC (BSc/ Humanities/ BE/B.Tech/ B.Arch, etc.).
- Securing a minimum of 50% in the Bachelor’s degree for General and OBC categories and 45% for ST, SC, PWD/DA categories.
- Aspiring candidates in their final year of Bachelor’s degree studies are eligible to apply for CAT. However, their final admission is contingent upon the successful completion of their Bachelor’s degree.
- Aspirants with professional degrees like CA/ CS/ ICWA are also eligible for CAT 2024, provided they meet the minimum acceptable percentage.
- No upper age limit is specified, allowing working professionals to apply for CAT 2024.
- While work experience is advantageous for IIM admission, it is not compulsory for CAT application.
CAT 2024 Registration Process
The CAT 2024 registration consists of a three-step process. Candidates can complete their registration for the CAT 2024 exam by following these sequential steps:
- Generate login credentials
- Provide academic details in the CAT exam application
- Submit the CAT exam fee
CAT 2024 Application Form
It is expected that the CAT exam form will be released in the first week of August 2024. The CAT registration 2024 will be an exclusively online process, and iniduals aspiring to take the CAT 2024 can fill out the form on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. To finalise the registration, candidates must submit the CAT registration fee, which is approximately Rs 2500 for the general category and Rs 1150 for reserved categories.
CAT Syllabus 2024
The CAT 2024 syllabus includes three main sections: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Aptitude. The table below provides a breakdown of important topics crucial for candidates’ CAT 2024 preparation.
| Section | Topics | Weightage in Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability (QA) |
| 34-36% |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
| 30-32% |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
| 32-34% |
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
The CAT exam 2024 follows a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format and spans a duration of 120 minutes. Candidates need to solve 66 questions from the VARC, DILR, and QA sections during the CAT exam duration. The crucial highlights of the CAT exam pattern are outlined below:
- The CAT exam is held in three sessions.
- Each session lasts for a duration of 120 minutes.
- The CAT exam paper is ided into three sections – VARC, DILR, and QA.
- The total number of questions in the exam is 66.
- A sectional time limit of 40 minutes is allocated for each section.
- Candidates secure three marks for every correct answer. Additionally, for each incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted.
- There is no negative marking for non-MCQs, and skipping questions incurs no penalty.
- The maximum achievable score in the CAT 2024 exam is 198.
- Attempting all questions is not mandatory.
The table below shows the CAT 2024 exam pattern:
| CAT Exam Sections | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | Moderate to High |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | High |
CAT Admit Card 2024
The CAT 2024 admit card is a significant document required to appear in the CAT examination. All the candidates are required to carry the CAT admit card to the exam centre on the examination day. Candidates should take note of the following crucial details concerning their CAT admit card:
- Only candidates who have successfully registered and paid the CAT processing fee can download the CAT 2024 admit card.
- To access and download the admit card, candidates must log in to the official website of IIM CAT – iimcat.ac.in using their ID and password.
- The admit card includes essential information such as the test centre, exam date, and other essential details related to the examination.
- Candidates must verify that all the information on the admit card is accurate. In case of any discrepancies on the admit card, candidates should promptly contact the authorities.
CAT Answer Key 2024
IIM releases the CAT 2024 answer key approximately a week after the examination in the form of a candidate response sheet. The following steps explain how to download the CAT 2024 answer key and response sheet:
- Visit the official website of CAT 2024.
- Click on the ‘login’ tab.
- Enter the CAT login ID and password.
- Click on the ‘CAT 2024 answer key,’ which will be displayed on the screen.
- Click on the ‘download’ link to save it as a PDF.
After releasing the CAT answer key, IIM provides the objection window for three to four days. If a candidate believes that there are errors in the official answer key, they can challenge it by filling out an online form. The exam authorities will then re-examine the CAT answer key and make revisions if necessary.
CAT Result 2024
After releasing the official answer key, IIM announces CAT 2024 results, containing the score of every candidate. For 2024, the anticipated CAT result date is in the final week of December. To access the results, candidates must visit the official website, locate the provided link for CAT 2024 results, and enter their login credentials, including ID and password. The CAT scorecard remains valid for one year. Candidates must take admission to MBA colleges within this time using their CAt 2024 results.
How to Prepare for CAT 2024?
CAT is recognised as one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams. Therefore, candidates must follow a strategic preparation plan to excel in the CAT exam with a high score. Candidates can adopt the following tips for effective preparation:
- Break down the syllabus into small sections and allocate time accordingly.
- Focus on enhancing weaker areas while maintaining proficiency in sections.
- Seek expert guidance from classes. An effective preparation plan, thorough guidance, and reliable resources available at PW are imperative to achieve success in the CAT exam 2024.
- Set realistic study goals and adhere to a well-structured schedule.
- Regularly take mock tests to evaluate progress and enhance time management skills.
- Solve CAT previous year papers to grasp the exam pattern and boost confidence.
- Learn about the current events, particularly for the general awareness section.
- Maintain a positive mindset and believe in one’s abilities.
- Review concepts, engage in question practice, and remain committed to the study plan.
CAT 2024 Cut-off Scores
Each Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) releases its separate CAT 2024 cut-off scores for the academic year 2024-26. The cut-off score is the minimum mark candidates must achieve to secure admission to IIMs. Each IIM adheres to its admission policy, which involves multiple steps. Nevertheless, the newer IIMs follow a Centralised Admission Process (CAP). Prospective candidates should thoroughly examine the selection processes of the IIMs and other B-schools they intend to apply to comprehend the specific requirements and procedures.
CAT Exam Analysis
CAT exam analysis helps candidates determine the competitiveness of the exam and the difficulty level of the questions. The CAT exam 2023 included questions that were moderate to tough. Additionally, the paper consisted of nearly 48 MCQs and 18 TITA-based questions.
| CAT Section | No. of Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 19 MCQs 5 TITA questions | Moderate |
| DILR | 15 MCQs 5 TITA questions | Moderate to Difficult |
| QA | 14 MCQs 8 TITA questions | Moderate to Difficult |
CAT Exam Centres 2024
The CAT exam is held in an online CBT format. Candidates need to visit the allotted CAT 2024 exam centre to participate in the exam. There are over 155 cities where the CAT exam takes place. To get the most preferred CAT exam centre, candidates need to carefully fill out their options while submitting the CAT application.
