CAT 2024: Exam Date (Nov 24), Registrations (Extended), Syllabus, Pattern, Old Question Papers

21 September,2024  |  By Brainwonders

CAT 2024 Registration Deadline

Today, September 20, 2024, is the final day to register for CAT 2024. Candidates must submit their application forms and complete payment by 5:00 PM. After the registration period closes, a correction window will be available for 2-3 days, allowing applicants to modify their photo, signature, and test city preferences.

The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted by IIM Calcutta on November 24, 2024, across three shifts in over 170 cities in India. The exam pattern remains unchanged, but the application fee has been increased by INR 100 for non-reserved categories and by INR 50 for reserved categories. Find all relevant details about CAT 2024 here.

What is the CAT Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management entrance exam administered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to MBA and other postgraduate programs across 21 campuses, including NITIE Mumbai, which is now part of IIM Mumbai. Over 2 lakh candidates take the CAT annually, with a record 3.30 lakh applications in CAT 2023. Successful candidates gain eligibility for admission not only to the IIMs but also to more than 1,200 MBA colleges across India. However, CAT is recognized only for admissions within India.

The CAT exam assesses speed and measures skills in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The difficulty level ranges from moderate to high.

Courses Offered Through CAT at IIMs

The CAT score is applicable not only for full-time MBA programs but also for Executive MBA, PhD, and FPM programs at IIMs and other B-Schools. This exam is open to graduates, postgraduates, and working professionals alike. Below is a list of courses available at IIMs through the CAT exam.

IIM	Courses Offered Through CAT	IIM	Courses Offered Through CAT
IIM Ahmedabad	PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGP, PhD	IIM Nagpur	PGP, PhD
IIM Amritsar	MBA, EMBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, PhD	IIM Raipur	PGP, FPM/ PhD, EFPM
IIM Bangalore	PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PhD	IIM Ranchi	PGP, PGP-HRM, PGP (Business Analytics), PhD, EPhD
IIM Bodh Gaya	PGP, PhD (FPM)	IIM Rohtak	PGP, EPGPX, EPGDSM, PhD, Part-Time FPM
IIM Calcutta	MBA, PhD	IIM Sambalpur	MBA, PhD, E PhD
IIM Indore	PGP, PGP-HRM, FPM	IIM Shillong	PGP, PGPEX, PGPWE, PhD, PhDWP
IIM Jammu	PGP, PhD	IIM Sirmaur	MBA, MBA (T&HM), PhD
IIM Kashipur	MBA, MBA (Analytics), MBA (WX), PhD, EFPM	IIM Tiruchirappalli	PGPM, PGPM-HR, PGPBM, FPM, E-FPM
IIM Kozhikode	PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, PhD, PhD (PT)	IIM Udaipur	MBA, PhD
IIM Lucknow	PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-SM, FPM	IIM Visakhapatnam	PGP, PGPEx, PGPDGM, PhD
IIM Mumbai	MBA, MBA in Sustainability Management MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024

To be eligible for CAT 2024, candidates must meet the following academic requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PWD/DA categories) is required.
• Candidates who have completed professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI with the necessary percentage can also apply.
• Final-year undergraduate students or those awaiting results are also eligible, provided their first and second-year aggregate meets the minimum score requirement.
• The degree must be from a UGC-recognized institution, and it can be pursued via regular or distance learning modes, as long as it's a three-year program.

CAT Registrations 2024

The registration window for CAT 2024 will remain open until 5:00 PM on September 20, 2024. The entire process is conducted online. Below is a step-by-step guide for registering and applying for CAT 2024:

1. Visit the official website: iimcat.ac.in
2. Click on 'New Registration'
3. Enter your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number, and email ID to register
4. Log in with the ID received via email and complete the CAT application form
5. Provide personal and academic details
6. Upload a recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature
7. Select preferred courses and IIMs
8. Choose your test city preferences
9. Pay the CAT application fee through debit/credit card or net banking

CAT Exam Pattern & Test Structure 2024

The CAT 2024 question paper will consist of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. The exam duration is 120 minutes, with a sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. Key highlights of the CAT 2024 exam pattern are listed below:

CAT Paper Pattern 2024
Mode of CAT exam	Computer Based Test
Duration of exam	120 minutes  40 minutes per section
CAT exam slots	Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Evening: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Number of questions	66
CAT total marks	198
Language of question paper	English
Number of answer choices	4
Question Type	MCQ and non-MCQ

CAT 2024 Syllabus

The CAT syllabus covers topics designed to develop essential skills for future business leaders. It is divided into three sections—VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. The main topics for CAT preparation are highlighted below, and candidates are encouraged to focus on these areas:

CAT Syllabus sections	CAT 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 Preparation 2024

Preparing for CAT 2024 should be approached in phases, starting with completing the syllabus, followed by mock test practice and revision. With only four months left before the exam, candidates should accelerate their study pace, aiming to finish the syllabus by September. This will allow them to dedicate at least a month to mock tests. Key preparation tips include:

1. Thoroughly cover the CAT syllabus; avoid skipping topics as questions can come from anywhere.
2. Take numerous CAT mock tests to build speed and accuracy.
3. Regularly revise the syllabus to stay up-to-date.
4. Master mental math for quicker calculations.
5. Practice RC passages from past CAT question papers.
6. Attend online problem-solving sessions to learn new techniques.

CAT 2024 Admit Card

The CAT admit card is a mandatory document for entry into the exam center. Candidates should download it well before exam day, as it will be released a month in advance. The CAT 2024 admit card will provide details such as the test center location, exam slot, and reporting time. Here’s how to download the CAT 2024 admit card:

1. Go to the CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
2. Click the 'Login' tab
3. Enter your CAT 2024 application number and password
4. Navigate to the 'Admit Card' section
5. Click 'Download'

CAT Exam Day Guidelines

CAT 2024 will take place at designated exam centers across India. Specific guidelines must be followed on the exam day, which will be outlined on the admit card. Review and adhere to these rules to avoid any issues at the center. Key guidelines include:

Documents to carry on CAT exam day 2024

• CAT Admit Card 2024: Candidates must bring two printouts of their CAT 2024 admit card with a photo attached (preferably the same one used during application). Entry will not be allowed without the admit card and a valid photo ID.

• Photo Identity Proof: In addition to the admit card, candidates must carry a valid photo ID, such as a College ID (along with a debit/credit card), employer ID, driving license, passport, PAN card, Voter ID, or Aadhaar card.

• Name Change Document: If a candidate has changed their name, they must bring the official name change certificate/document.

• PwD/Scribe Certificate: Candidates with disabilities (PwD) must bring the necessary certificate and, if applicable, the scribe certificate attested by a competent authority if they plan to use scribe services.

Items Prohibited in the Exam Hall:

• Electronic devices (calculator, watch, phone, etc.)
• Bags and purses
• Food and beverages
• Jewellery or accessories containing metal
• Jackets with pockets
• Closed footwear
• Notebooks or loose paper

Candidates with metal implants, pacemakers, etc., must carry medical certificates.

CAT Answer Key 2024

The CAT 2024 answer key will be available approximately one week after the exam. The preliminary answer key will be accessible through the login portal for a limited time. To download the CAT 2024 answer key and response sheet, follow these steps:

1. Visit the CAT 2024 website: iimcat.ac.in
2. Click the 'Login' tab
3. Enter your login ID and password
4. Click on 'CAT 2024 Answer Key'
5. Download the PDF file

Objections can be raised during a 3-4 day window. Candidates must submit an online form, upload supporting documents, and pay a fee. Valid objections will be incorporated into the revised CAT 2024 answer key, which will be used to calculate the final result.

CAT 2024 Exam Timings

The first slot of the CAT exam starts at 8:30 AM, and candidates are required to arrive at the test center by 7:00 AM. Refer to the table below for the detailed exam timings for CAT 2024. It is important for candidates to arrive at the exam center according to the reporting time to ensure they can appear for the test.

CAT exam slot 2024	Exam timing	Reporting time	Last entry allowed
Slot 1	8:30 AM to 10:30 AM	7:00 AM	8:15 AM
Slot 2	12:30 PM to 2:30 PM	11:00 AM	12:15 PM
Slot 3	4:30 PM to 6:30 PM	3:00 PM	4:15 PM

CAT 2024 Result and Scorecard PDF

CAT 2024 results will be available for download in the third week of December. Candidates can access their results by logging in with their ID and password. Follow these steps to download the CAT 2024 scorecard:

1. Visit the CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
2. Click the 'Login' tab
3. Enter your application number and password
4. Go to the 'Scorecard' section
5. Download the PDF file

The CAT 2024 scorecard will display both raw scores and percentiles (sectional and overall). The link will remain active for one year, and no hard copies will be issued. The results are final, and there is no option for challenging them.

MBA Admission Through CAT Score

The IIM admission process involves shortlisting candidates based on CAT scores and assessing them through Written Ability Tests (WAT), Group Discussions (GD), and Personal Interviews (PI). Each IIM sets its own cutoff percentile for shortlisting candidates. Here’s a general outline of the selection process:

IIM Admission Process

Each IIM releases its selection criteria and admission procedures prior to the CAT result declaration. The admission process includes:

1. Screening candidates based on CAT scores
2. Conducting WAT/GD/PI rounds
3. Calculating a composite score for final selection