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The CAT 2024 exam will be held on November 24, 2024. The exam will be conducted by IIM Calcutta. The full schedule, including the CAT 2024 exam dates and eligibility details, will be released by July 30, 2024. Here’s all that you need to know for CAT 2024.
The CAT 2024 exam will be held on November 24, 2024, in three sessions. The exam will be computer-based and conducted in over 135 cities across India. CAT scores are valid for admission to 21 IIMs and other top MBA colleges in India. The exam is conducted by one of the top six IIMs on a rotating basis, and CAT 2024 will be conducted by IIM Calcutta. The official CAT 2024 notification will be released on July 30, 2024. The CAT 2024 registration process will start in the first week of August 2024 and will continue until the third week of September 2024.
The CAT is a highly difficult exam, so thorough preparation is crucial. Aspirants should start preparing for CAT 2024 at least nine months in advance. Many may have already begun their CAT exam preparation. Read this article for key details about CAT exam 2024.
CAT 2024 Exam Highlights
CAT is the leading MBA entrance exam in India, accepted by over 1,300 B-schools for admission to MBA/PGDM courses. Check here for the key highlights of CAT 2024.
| CAT Exam Particulars | CAT 2024 Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Institute for 2024 | IIM Calcutta (to be confirmed) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| CAT 2024 Exam Date | November 24, 2024 |
| CAT Exam Timings |
|
| CAT Exam Fees | INR 2,400 (General category) and INR 1,200 (Reserved category) |
| Number of Test Takers | 3.30 lakh (in 2023) |
| CAT exam mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs |
| No. of test cities | 135+ |
| CAT exam website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) |
CAT 2024 Exam Dates
The CAT 2024 convening IIM will announce the dates on July 30, 2024. Check here tentative CAT 2024 exam dates and events.
| CAT Exam Events | CAT Exam Date 2024 (tentative) |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 notification release | 30-July-2024 |
| CAT exam 2024 registration dates | 01-Aug-2024 (10:00 AM) to 13-Sep-2024 (5:00 PM) |
| CAT form correction | Last week of September 2024 |
| CAT admit card 2024 | 05-Nov-2024 to 24-Nov-2024 |
| CAT exam 2024 date | 24-Nov-2024 |
| CAT answer key release | First week of December 2024 |
| Answer key challenge process | First week of December 2024 |
| Declaration of CAT 2024 result | Second week of January 2025 (Tentative) |
CAT Eligibility 2024
To be able to appear for CAT 2024 exam, candidates need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
- Candidate must have completed bachelor’s degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) from a recognised university.
- Candidates in the final year of bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification or awaiting result can also appear for CAT 2024 exam.
- Candidates having a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI) with the required percentage are also eligible.
CAT Syllabus 2024
The CAT syllabus includes Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Check the table below for the important topics you need to prepare for CAT 2024.
| CAT sections | CAT 2024 Syllabus topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary and Odd Sentence Out |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Set Theory (Variables), Set Theory + Puzzles, Puzzles with Additional Data, Coding-Decoding and Series |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Number System, Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry and Mensuration |
CAT Exam Pattern 2024
The CAT exam is an MCQ-based test lasting 120 minutes. Candidates need to solve 66 questions from VARC, DILR, and QA sections. Here are the key highlights of the CAT 2024 exam pattern.
- The CAT exam is held in three sessions
- Each session is of 120 minutes
- There is sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section
- The CAT exam has three sections – VARC, DILR and QA
- 3 marks are awarded for every correct answer
- 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer
- There is no negative marking for non-MCQs and skipping questions
- Total number of questions are 66
- Total marks is 198
- It is not mandatory to attempt all the questions
CAT Question Papers
The CAT question paper is unique for each session, but the sectional weightage remains the same. Because each session features different questions, one paper may be slightly tougher than another. Overall, the difficulty level of the CAT question paper is moderate to high each year.
| CAT Sections | Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | Moderate to High |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 20 | Easy to Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | Moderate to High |
| Total | 66 | Moderate |
CAT Preparation 2024
To prepare for the CAT exam, aspirants should first decide on their approach: joining a coaching institute or preparing on their own. Self-study requires more effort and early planning. If you plan to prepare for CAT 2024 through self-study, start by reviewing the syllabus and estimating how much time you’ll need to cover it. Your study plan should be based on your current understanding of the subjects included in the CAT 2024 syllabus.
CAT 2024 Registration
The CAT 2024 registration form will be available on the IIMCAT website from the scheduled date. Candidates must register for the exam by paying the required fee. Below is a brief overview of the process to fill out the CAT application form for 2024.
- Go to the official website: iimcat.ac.in
- Click on ‘new registration’
- Enter name, date of birth, nationality, phone number and email ID
- Fill CAPTCHA code and verify registration with OTP received
- Log in with CAT 2024 ID shared via email to fill the form
- Enter personal and academic details
- Upload a recent passport size photo and scanned signature
- Select preferred IIMs, courses and test cities
- Pay CAT application fee via credit/debit card or net banking
CAT Admit Card 2024
The CAT admit card is a mandatory document for appearing in the entrance exam and is issued only to registered candidates. Those who register for CAT 2024 will receive their admit card online. Check below for the process to download the CAT 2024 admit card:
- Open the CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
- Click on ‘login’ tab
- Enter CAT 2024 application number and password
- Go to ‘admit card’ section
- Click on ‘download’
CAT Answer Key 2024
The CAT answer key 2024 will be released three to four days after the exam and will be provided as a candidate response sheet. Check below for the steps to download the CAT 2024 answer key and response sheet:
- Visit the official website of CAT 2024
- Click on the ‘login’ tab
- Enter CAT login ID and password
- Click on ‘CAT 2024 answer key’ will appear on the screen
- Click on ‘download’ icon to save it as PDF
The CAT answer key objection window will be open for three to four days. If a candidate believes there are errors in the official answer key, they can challenge it by filling out an online form. The exam authorities will review the objections and revise the answer key if necessary.
CAT Result 2024
The CAT 2024 result will be announced on the IIMCAT website within 20-30 days of the exam. The CAT scorecard will include sectional and overall marks as well as percentiles. Here’s how to download the CAT 2024 result:
- Log on to CAT website iimcat.ac.in
- Click on ‘CAT 2024 result/scorecard’ tab
- Enter CAT application number and password
- Click on the scorecard section
- Click on download option and save the PDF of CAT 2024 scorecard
CAT Cut Offs 2024
Check the tabl below for qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of IIMs. The final CAT cut offs for PI shortlist will be higher.
| IIM | Qualifying CAT cut offs |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 85 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 |
| IIM Amritsar | 90 |
| IIM Nagpur | 94 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 94 |
| IIM Trichy | 94 |
| IIM Raipur | 94 |
| IIM Ranchi | 94 |
| IIM Kashipur | 94 |
| IIM Vizag | 80 |
| IIM Udaipur | 94 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 94 |
| IIM Shillong | 75 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 94 |
| IIM Rohtak | 95 |
| IIM Nagpur | 85 |
| IIM Jammu | 94 |
| IIM Mumbai | 94 |
CAT Selection Process
The IIMs shortlist candidates for MBA admission based on their CAT score. The CAT score is also valid for admission to other IIM courses such as Executive MBA, PhD, and FPM. For full-time MBA admission, candidates must appear for the WAT-PI (Written Ability Test and Personal Interview) round conducted by the IIMs. Check below for the three stages of the IIM CAT selection process for a regular MBA:
- Stage 1: Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of CAT score
- Stage 2: Conduct of WAT-PI round
- Stage 3: Final selection and offer of admission
FAQs CAT 2024: Frequently Asked Question
The CAT 2024 exam is scheduled for November 24, 2024, which is the last Sunday of the month. The CAT exam is always held on the last Sunday of November. The official announcement of the CAT 2024 exam date will be made by the convening IIM on July 30-31, 2024. The test will be conducted in three sessions, each lasting 2 hours, across approximately 155 cities.
Candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university are eligible to take the CAT. To appear for the exam, you need a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories). Those in their final year or awaiting results are also eligible to apply for CAT 2024.
IIM Calcutta is expected to conduct CAT 2024. The official announcement will be made in July 2024 when the exam notification is released. The top six IIMs take turns hosting the CAT exam. IIM Lucknow was the convening institute for CAT 2023, after a gap of 5 years. Since IIM Calcutta last conducted the exam in 2018, it is anticipated that they will take on the responsibility for CAT 2024.
The CAT 2024 syllabus covers Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Key topics include reading comprehension, parajumbles, sentence completion, one-word substitution, bar graphs, charts, tables, coding-decoding, blood relations, family trees, numbers, number systems, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and mensuration, among others.
CAT 2024 registration will start in the first week of August 2024. The specific registration dates will be announced alongside the exam date in July 2024. Registration will continue until the third week of September 2024. To register online, candidates will need to create a login ID, fill out the CAT application form, upload the required documents, and pay the necessary fees. All these steps will be completed on the iimcat.ac.in website.
The ideal time to start preparing for CAT is 9 months before the exam date. Since CAT 2024 is scheduled for November 24, 2024, aspirants should begin their preparation by January 2024. However, many candidates start their preparation around March or May, giving them enough time to cover the syllabus and practice with mock tests before the exam. You should plan your CAT 2024 preparation based on your familiarity with the syllabus and your available time, taking into account your academic or work commitments.
CAT is a computer based test, conducted in three sessions. The exam is conducted at designated test centres where candidates have to take the test on a computer system. The questions are asked in MCQ format. A few questions appear in TITA format also. The total time duration of CAT is 120 minutes. It is divided into three sections of 40 minutes each. The questions are asked from VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. For every correct attempt 3 marks are awarded and for every incorrect attempt 1 mark is deducted. There is no negative marking for TITA and unanswered questions.
CAT is considered a tough exam due to its high difficulty level. One of the challenges is the sectional time limit, with each section needing to be completed in just 40 minutes. Since CAT is conducted by and for admission to the IIMs, which are top B-schools in India, the questions are naturally challenging. The VARC section, which focuses heavily on reading comprehension, can be particularly difficult for many candidates, especially those from engineering or technical backgrounds. Another factor contributing to CAT's difficulty is the large number of applicants—over 2 lakh candidates apply each year.
Cracking CAT with a high score in just three months is generally not feasible, so it's best not to set that as your goal. It might be possible if you’ve taken the exam before and are already well-practiced in all the topics, allowing you to focus on solving practice questions and taking mock tests. However, even in this case, you’ll need to invest extra time and effort to prepare effectively within such a short timeframe.