Announcement
Welcome to Common Admission Test 2024 (CAT 2024) 
Important Notice
Important Dates 2024
| CAT Exam Events | CAT Exam Date 2024 |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 Notification | 28 July, 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Registration Starts | 01 August 2024 (10:00 AM) |
| Registration Ends | 13 September 2024 (5:00 PM) |
| CAT Form Correction | Last week of September 2024 |
| CAT Admit Card 2024 | 05 November 2024 |
| CAT Exam 2024 Date | 24 November 2024 |
| CAT Answer Key Release | 1st week of December 2024 |
| Answer Key Challenge Process | 1st week of December 2024 |
| Declaration of CAT 2024 Result | Last week of December 2024 or 1st week of January 2025 |
Table of Contents
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are India’s premier institutions for quality management education and research. They mainly offer postgraduate, doctoral, and executive education programs. The flagship offering is the two-year residential postgraduate program. The Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) is a full-time doctoral-level course leading to a Ph.D. Executive Post Graduate programs are tailored for working professionals.
Admission to the two-year postgraduate programs at IIMs is highly competitive and based on merit. The selection process includes a Personal Interview, Writing Ability Test/Group Discussion, and scores from the Common Admission Test (CAT). CAT is a computer-based management aptitude test conducted annually by the IIMs to evaluate and shortlist candidates.
Following the Government of India norms, IIMs reserve 15% of seats for SC candidates, 7.5% for ST candidates, 27% for NC-OBC candidates, and up to 10% for EWS candidates. Additionally, 5% of seats are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. IIMs also offer scholarships to deserving students in need of financial assistance.
The IIMs, with the oldest established over 50 years ago, are recognized as leading institutions in management education in India. Currently, there are 21 IIMs spread across different parts of the country.
Important Notice
CAT Exam 2024 Overview
| CAT Exam | 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 |
| Session 1 | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
| Session 2 | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM |
| Session 3 | 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| 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 |
| Number of Test Cities | 155 |
| CAT Exam Website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam Helpdesk Number | 1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) |
Important Notice
Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2024
- Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate or an equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwD/DA categories) from a recognized university.
- Candidates in the final year of their bachelor’s degree or those awaiting results are also eligible to apply for CAT 2024.
- The exam is anticipated to take place on the last Sunday of November 2024, with the official notification expected to be released in July 2024.
- Aspirants with professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA are also eligible for CAT 2024, provided they meet the minimum required 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 mandatory for CAT application.
CAT 2024 Registration Process
CAT 2024 registration forms will be available on the IIMCAT website starting from the designated date. To register for the exam, candidates need to follow a straightforward process. Here’s a brief overview:
| Step | Description |
|---|
| 1 | Visit the official website: iimcat.ac.in |
| 2 | Click on ‘New Registration’ |
| 3 | Provide your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number, and email ID |
| 4 | Complete the CAPTCHA code and verify registration with the OTP received |
| 5 | Log in using the CAT ID sent via email to fill out the form |
| 6 | Enter personal and academic details |
| 7 | Upload a recent passport-size photo and a scanned signature |
| 8 | Choose preferred IIMs, courses, and test cities |
| 9 | Pay the CAT application fee using a credit/debit card or net banking |
Important Notice
CAT 2024 Application Form
The CAT 2024 application form, which allows admission to 20 IIMs and other MBA colleges in India, will be available on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, starting from 1st August 2024. The registration process for CAT 2024 will be conducted online, and candidates can complete the form on the official website.
Once the CAT 2024 registration process is complete, candidates will receive their admit cards online. The CAT 2024 exam is expected to take place on the last Sunday of November 2024. The official notification for CAT was released on 28th July 2024.
CAT 2024 Syllabus
| Section | Description | Key Topics |
|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Evaluates proficiency in English, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. |
|
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Assesses ability to interpret data and solve logical problems. |
|
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Tests mathematical skills, covering topics from high school mathematics. |
|
Important Notice
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
The CAT exam follows a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format and spans 120 minutes. Candidates need to solve 66 questions from the VARC, DILR, and QA sections within this duration. The key highlights of the CAT exam pattern are outlined below:
- The CAT exam is held in three sessions.
- Each session lasts for 120 minutes.
- The exam paper is divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA.
- There are a total of 66 questions in the exam.
- Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes.
- Candidates earn three marks for each correct answer. For each incorrect answer, one mark is deducted.
- There is no negative marking for non-MCQs, and skipping questions incurs no penalty.
- The maximum achievable score in the CAT exam is 198.
- Attempting all questions is not mandatory.
CAT 2024 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 IIM CAT website – [iimcat.ac.in](https://iimcat.ac.in) using their ID and password.
The admit card includes crucial information such as the test center, exam date, and other important details related to the examination. Candidates must verify that all the information on the admit card is accurate. In case of any discrepancies, candidates should promptly contact the authorities.
Important Notice
CAT 2024 Answer key
The IIM releases the CAT 2024 answer key approximately a week after the examination in the form of a candidate response sheet. Here are the steps to download the CAT answer key and response sheet:
- Visit the official website of CAT.
- Click on the ‘login’ tab.
- Enter your 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 the release of the CAT answer key, IIM provides an objection window 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 then re-examine the CAT answer key and make revisions if necessary.
CAT Result 2024
The highly anticipated CAT 2024 results are expected to be declared by the IIMs in late December. Once the official answer key is processed and challenges resolved, the results will be made available on the official CAT website.
To access your CAT 2024 scorecard, you’ll need your login credentials. The scorecard will contain crucial details such as your overall score, sectional scores, and percentile. This document is valid for one year, during which you can apply to various MBA programs.
Important Note: The exact date for the CAT 2024 result announcement will be officially communicated by the IIMs closer to the time. Stay tuned to the official CAT website for updates.
CAT 2024 Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the detailed syllabus and exam pattern. Focus on strengthening your weak areas while maintaining your strengths.
- Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to success in the CAT exam. Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Time Management: Develop effective time management strategies to ensure you can complete all sections within the given time frame.
- Stay Updated: Keep yourself updated with current affairs and general knowledge, as these can be useful in the VARC section.
- Join Coaching Classes: Consider enrolling in coaching classes or online courses to get expert guidance and structured study plans.
Important Notice
CAT 2024 Cut off Score
Expected Cut Off Percentiles for IIMs
Here are the expected cut-off percentiles for some of the top IIMs for CAT 2024:| IIM | General | NC-OBC | EWS | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 | 75 | 80 | 70 | 60 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 65 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 65 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 82 | 82 | 65 | 60 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 | 75 | 75 | 65 | 55 |