CAT is a common entrance test for those aspirants who wish to be in business schools to kick off their managerial career journey. It creates its niche in software programming technology, the industry of sought-after professionals at IIM and other IIM schools in India. Slated for November 24, 2024, administered by IIM Calcutta, is bound to be a crucial milestone for aspirants ready for the academic roadmap.
More than two lakhs of aspirants take the CAT every year as a preliminary step to enrol their names in MBA programs in the IIMs and other top B-Schools of the country. Salient features of the Exam are:
- An online test based at computer stations found at more than 155 Test cities and 400+ test venues.
- For the last two years, from 2020, in the CAT exam, only two hours were allotted; in the previous time, the duration was three hours.
- The test is composed of three segments: the first part consists of Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, the second part is Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and the third part is Quantitative Ability.
- Each section in the test has to be completed within a definite time frame to which each section is allowed.
Only Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) admission will be offered in 2025 based on CAT 2024 score, and the admission will also not accept any other tests.
So, This article will highlight some important dates, exam structure, syllabus, strategies for preparation, and a roundup of institutions that consider CAT scores for admissions.
1. CAT Overview 2024
Important CAT 2024 dates and timelines, including CAT Registration Date 2024, CAT 2024 Last Date to apply, CAT exam fees, CAT Exam date, and CAT result date, are as below:
| Event | Date |
| Official Notification Release | July 28, 2024 |
| Registration Opens | First week of August 2024 |
| Registration Closes | Third week of September 2024 |
| Admit Card Download | October (exact date to be confirmed) |
| CAT 2024 Exam | November 24, 2024 |
2. CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024
There are two important criteria for eligibility to appear for the CAT 2024. Candidates can look at the points given below, based on which they can check whether they are eligible for CAT 2024 or not.
- For CAT 2024, a candidate qualifying with the minimum 50% marks in graduation will be eligible to sit for the exam.
- A final-year student graduate can also appear in CAT 2024, conducted by IIM Calcutta.
There is no age limit defined for appearing in the CAT 2024 Exam.
3. CAT 2024 Registration & Application: Step By Step
The CAT registration system is mainly carried out online, and one should log in to the main website of IIM CAT (usually iimcat. ac. in). While the official notification for CAT 2024 is yet to be released. So here’s a breakdown of the general registration and application process based on past trends:
- Go to the CAT’s website iimcat. ac. in and Create a Profile
- Please fill out the Registration and Application Form.
- Apply Online for CAT Registration Fee payment.
So, CAT 2024 registration fee is to go up to Rs. 2500 /- for General candidates and Rs. 1250/ for SC/ST/PWD candidates. The CAT exam fee should be paid online only.
So, The application process for CAT 2024 will open in August 2024. The first week after the release of CAT Notification 2024.
4. CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Key Changes & Revised Structure
120 Minutes Exam:
Other than CAT 2024, several similar competitive exams are computer-based, but none are taken online.
66 Questions:
In the common pattern with the CAT 2023 exam, questions will be 66 in number in three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. Before 2000, the CAT test works with 100 questions, and there are sections three.
No Penalty Questions:
As 66 out of 135 questions are free from negative marking, 18 or more questions will not be penalised. The CAT 2024 exam consists of MCQ and Non-MCQ, with MCQ scores subtracted by 1 mark for the incorrect answer. However, non-MCQ questions do not carry negative markings.
CAT Questions with Negative Marking:
Over 48 MCQs count in that CAT version, and each is worth a 3rd of a negative mark.
CAT cut-off Requirement by IIMs:
A minimum qualifying score of passing percentile is between 70 and 90 in the three sections of CAT 2024. Which is mandatory by IIMs for shortlisting candidates for the final elimination round.
5. CAT Exam Pattern 2024
The CAT Exam Pattern is quite similar to the previous pattern, but few changes have been made by the authorities. You can check the table below for the exam pattern of CAT 2024:
| Section | MCQs | Non-MCQs (TITA Qs) | Total Questions |
| VARC | 19 | 5 | 24 |
| DILR | 15 | 5 | 20 |
| QA | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total | 48 | 18 | 66 |
6. CAT Exam Syllabus 2024
CAT tests the candidate’s Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, & Logical Reasoning with NC. The CAT syllabus has undergone a significant transformation over the last few years.
Major changes in CAT Syllabus 2024 are:
- Now, there are changes in the syllabus, and it has mixed details with a mix of MCQs & Non-MCQs type questions.
- The 20-25% of questions now are ISE-free, so you have no penalty.
- The modifications in the syllabus that have occurred are almost in the Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability Sections. As the rate of Reading Comprehension-based questions has gone up compared to Verbal Ability questions.
- A few alterations were made in the syllabus from the Quantitative Ability dimension, where more emphasis was placed on Arithmetic questions.
So, If you are preparing for the CAT exam, then wait and check out all the necessary details that will further help you in the CAT preparation. For further information, please check the official website.