What is IIM CAT Entrence Exam? - Full Form, Exam Pattern & Toppers list
What is CAT Entrence Exam?
The full form of the CAT exam is Common Admission Test, which is one of the most prestigious management entrance exams in India. CAT is a postgraduate level entrance exam organized by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). IIMs are India's prestigious management institutes that offer MBA and other management related programs. Through the CAT exam candidates are granted admission to IIMs and other top leading management colleges in India. It is highly essential for candidates to take the CAT exam to gain admission to IIMs. The purpose of this exam is to test candidates analytical, reasoning, and verbal skills, which are required for MBA and PGDM programs.
CAT Exam Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CAT Exam |
| Full Form | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) |
| Purpose | Admission to MBA/PGDM programs |
| Target Candidates | Graduate students in any discipline |
| Exam Level | National |
| Official Website | Website |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Application Mode | Online |
CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must have a bachelor degree from a recognized university. |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Minimum Percentage |
|
| Number of attempts | No-limit |
CAT Exam Pattern
CAT (Common Admission Test) exam is conducted once every year. There are a total of three sections in this exam, and all three sections are conducted on the same day.
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Section |
|
| Duration of Exam | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) & Non-MCQ |
| Total Questions | 66 |
| Total Marks | 198 marks |
| Section wise Questions |
|
| Section wise marks |
|
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
VARC is the first section of the CAT exam. In this section the english language proficiency of the candidate is tested. This section is of 40 minutes, in which a total of 24 questions of MCQ and non-MCQ type are asked.
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Duration of Exam | 40 minutes |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) & Non-MCQ |
| Total Questions | 24 |
| Total Marks | 72 marks |
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
DILR is the second section of the CAT exam, this section tests the analytical, problem solving, and logical reasoning skills of the candidate. This section is of 40 minutes duration in which a total of 20 questions of MCQ and Non-MCQ type are asked.
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Duration of Exam | 40 minutes |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) & Non-MCQ |
| Total Questions | 20 |
| Total Marks | 60 marks |
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
Quantitative Ability (QA) is the third and last section of the CAT exam, this section tests the mathematical ability and problem solving skills of the candidate. This section is also of 40 minutes in which a total of 22 questions of MCQ and Non-MCQ type are asked.
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Duration of Exam | 40 minutes |
| Type of Question | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) & Non-MCQ |
| Total Questions | 22 |
| Total Marks | 66 marks |
How to Apply for CAT?
Required Document
- Recent passport sized photograph.
- Class 10th Mark sheet and certificate.
- Class 12th Mark sheet and certificate.
- Graduation Mark sheet and certificate (Degree).
- Cast Certificate (if applicable).
- PwD Certificate (if applicable.)
- Birth/Age Proof (Adhar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID Card, etc.)
- Addrress Proof.
1. Register as a New User
- To apply for CAT exam the candidate has to first visit the official website of CAT.
- Next the candidate has to click on the "New Registration" button.
- Now candidate has to submit the registration form by filling the required details and verify the registration by SMS.
2. Login
- User ID and password will come on the registered email and mobile number of the candidate, using this user ID password, the candidate has to login to the CAT portal to fill the application form.
- Registration details will be displayed in front of the candidate, the candidate has to click on the application form button to fill the application form.
3. Application Form Filling
- After the application form opens the candidate has to fill the personal details, uploads required documents, educational details, work experience, test city, etc.
- Once all the details and documents are filled, verify the form and then click next button.
4. Application Fee Payment
The candidate has to pay the application form fee using any one of the payment methods.
Selection Process of CAT
1. Shortlist
After the CAT exam result is declared IIM shortlists qualified candidates based on overall CAT score and their own cut-off criteria.
2. Written Ability Test (WAT)
Selected candidates have to appear for a Written Ability Test (WAT) conducted by the institute in which candidates have to write an essay on a specific topic.
3. Group Discussion (GD)
In GD candidates have to discuss a topic.
4. Personal Interview (PI)
After WAT and GD shortlisted candidates are called for a Personal Interview (PI). PI consists of questions about the personal background (academic, work experience, career goals) of the candidates.
5. Final Selection
The final selection is based on CAT score, WAT, GD, PI performance.
6. Admission Offer
After final selection successful candidates are granted admission by the institute.
List of IIM and Non-IIM accepting CAT Score
Below are the IIM and non-IIM colleges that offer admission to candidates based on the CAT exam.
1. IIM
| Sr.no | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) |
|---|---|
| 1 | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2 | IIM Bangalore |
| 3 | IIM Calcutta |
| 4 | IIM Lucknow |
| 5 | IIM Indore |
| 6 | IIM Kozhikode |
| 7 | IIM Shillong |
| 8 | IIM Rohtak |
| 9 | IIM Ranchi |
| 10 | IIM Raipur |
| 11 | IIM Trichy (Tiruchirappalli) |
| 12 | IIM Udaipur |
| 13 | IIM Kashipur |
| 14 | IIM Mumbai |
| 15 | IIM Amritsar |
| 16 | IIM Sambalpur |
| 17 | IIM Sirmaur |
| 18 | IIM Nagpur |
| 19 | IIM Visakhapatnam |
| 20 | IIM Bodh Gaya |
| 21 | IIM Jammu |
2. Non-IIM
CAT Exam Toppers
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Rajesh Balasubramanian |
| 2013 | Abhiram Iyer |
| 2014 | Neha Manglik |
| 2015 | Prateek Bajpai |
| 2016 | Avidipto Chakraborty |
| 2017 | Sai Praneeth Reddy |
| 2018 | Rounak Majumdar |
| 2019 | Lakshya Kumar |
| 2020 | Ekansh Agarwal |
| 2021 | Yash Mandhana |
| 2022 | Sunil Singh Rathod |
| 2023 | Kartik Bhageria |
CAT Exam Facts
- Every year CAT exam is conducted by a different IIM.
- CAT is one of the most popular competitive exams in india in which more than 2 lakh candidates apply for a few thousand seats in top management institutes.
- CAT was started in 1984, then this exam was pen paper based.
- In 2009 CAT was converted into a Computer Based Test (CBT).
CAT Exam Advantages
- Top Management Institutes: CAT is one of the top entrance exams in india, through this exam candidates can get admission in indias top prestigious institutes like IIMs.
- Skill Development: Analytical, problem solving and time management skills of candidates preparing for CAT improve.
CAT Exam Disadvantages
- High Competition: CAT is a national level entrance exam which is applied by lakhs of candidates every year.
- Intensive Preparation: To get admission in top IIMs the candidates score has to be good for which the candidate has to study well.
- Work Balance: It is difficult for working professionals to balance job and CAT preparation.
