CAT Exam 2024: Everything You Need to Know for MBA Aspirants
Posted on: 18 October 2024, By : Anushka Yadav

The CAT Exam 2024 is an important stage for individuals who want to study an MBA at renowned universities such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools in India. CAT 2024, which will be held on November 24, 2024 at IIM Calcutta, is accepting applicants to 21 IIMs and over 1,300 MBA institutions throughout the country. In this article, we'll go over all you need to know about the CAT 2024, including significant dates, registration procedures, eligibility requirements, examination format, syllabus, preparation recommendations, and cut off expectations.

Overview of CAT Exam 2024
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of India’s most prestigious entrance exams for MBA programs. This year, it will be conducted on November 24, 2024, under the supervision of IIM Calcutta. If you’re aiming for the IIMs or other top tier MBA colleges, CAT 2024 is your pathway to success.

• Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
• Exam Format: ComputerBased Test (CBT)
• Marking Scheme: +3 for each correct answer, -1 for every incorrect answer.
• Application Fee: ₹2,500 for general applicants, ₹1,250 for SC/ST/PwD.
• Key Website: For further information, please visit iimcat.ac.in.

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to iimcat.ac.in.
2. Create a New Account: Please enter your name, date of birth, email address, phone number, and nationality.
3. Fill in the Application Form: Provide Personal information, academic qualifications, and your professional experience.
4. Upload Required Documents: Attach your photograph, signature, and any applicable certifications.
5. Select Exam Centers: Choose up to six cities where you want to take the exam.
6. Pay the Application Fee: Make a payment with a debit or credit card or online banking.

• Academic Qualification: A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories).
• Final Year Students: Candidates currently in their final year of a bachelor’s program are eligible to apply.
• Professional Degrees: Those holding degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA are also eligible.
• No Age Limit: There is no upper age limit to appear for the CAT exam.

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 34 questions.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 32 questions.
3. Quantitative Ability (QA): 34 questions.

• Marking Scheme: Each correct answer is awarded +3 points, and each incorrect answer results in a -1 deduction. Non-MCQ questions do not have negative marking.

• Reading comprehension passages
• Para jumbles
• Sentence completion

• Caselets
• Data tables and charts
• Logical puzzles
• Seating arrangements

• Number systems
• Geometry and algebra
• Probability and statistics

1. Start Early: Begin your preparation at least 9 months ahead to cover all topics thoroughly.
2. Focus on Fundamentals: Strengthen your basics during the initial stages.
3. Take Regular Mock Tests: Familiarize yourself with the exam format and improve time management by practicing regularly.
4. Solve Previous Year Papers: Understand the types of questions and difficulty level by going through past CAT papers.
5. Join Coaching if Necessary: If you're starting late, consider enrolling in coaching programs like IMS CATapult Live Online, which begins in August 2024.
6. Identify Weak Areas: Work on improving the sections where you face difficulty.
7. Revise Consistently: Regular revision is crucial to retaining concepts and improving accuracy.

• IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta: 99 percentile and above.
• IIM Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode: 97-98 percentile.
• Other IIMs: 90-95 percentile.