Overview
About CAT
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the national entrance examination for postgraduate management education in India. The Indian Institutes of Management conduct it, rotating the responsibility so that one IIM administers the test each year.
The CAT score is the primary shortlisting criterion for the two-year MBA and PGDM programmes at the IIMs. A large number of other business schools accept it as well, as do management programmes at some of the IITs and the Indian Institute of Science.
CAT runs as a computer-based test at centres in cities across India. It has three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
Candidates need a bachelor's degree with at least 50 per cent marks, relaxed to 45 per cent for those from the SC, ST and PwD categories. Final-year undergraduates and those awaiting their results may also apply.
Sources: CAT - Official website, Indian Institutes of Management · CAT exam - Careers360
At a glance
CAT highlights
Every figure traces to an official source.
| Full name | Common Admission Test |
| Conducting body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs); conducting IIM rotates each year |
| Level | PG |
| Mode of exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Frequency | 1 per year |
| Scope | National |
| Sections | VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), QA (Quantitative Ability) |
| Marking scheme | +3 correct, -1 incorrect MCQ; no negative marking for TITA |
Deep dives
Everything you need to know
Eligibility
- ·Bachelor's degree with at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD); final-year UG and those awaiting results also eligible.
Exam pattern
- ·Sections: VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), QA (Quantitative Ability)
- ·68 questions
- ·204 total marks
- ·120 minutes
- ·Marking: +3 correct, -1 incorrect MCQ; no negative marking for TITA
Syllabus
- ·Verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems).
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