All about CAT 2024

The CAT 2024 Exam will be held on November 24, 2024. According to figures released by IIM Calcutta, 3.29 Lakh candidates have registered for CAT 2024. The CAT 2024 Admit Card can be downloaded from the official CAT website iimcat.ac.in.

Last-minute preparation tips for CAT 2024:

1. Focus on revision, avoid learning new topics

2. Make effective use of mock tests

3. Fine-tune your exam strategy

4. Manage stress through adequate rest and sleep

Check this article for an overview of the CAT pattern, syllabus, mock tests, exam day dos and don'ts, and more.

CAT Exam Particulars	Key Details
CAT Exam 2024 Full Form	Common Admission Test 2024
Who Conducts CAT Exam?	One of 6 old IIMs conducts CAT every year
CAT 2024 Conducting Institute	IIM Calcutta
CAT 2024 Exam Date	Sunday, November 24, 2024
Total Questions in the Exam	66
No. of sections & Questions	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24 Qs Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning: 20 Qs Quantitative Ability: 22 Qs
Number of Answer Options for MCQs	4
Number of Answer Options for Non-MCQs	No Answer Option; Type In the Answer on Computer screen
Scoring Pattern in CAT exam	+3 Marks for Each Correct Answer -1 Mark for Each Wrong Answer (Only for MCQs) 0 Mark for Each Wrong Answer or Unattempted Question for Non-MCQs
Exam Slots	To be Conducted in 3 sessions – Morning, Afternoon & Evening on same day
Exam duration	2 hours for each slot
CAT Sectional Time Limit	40 Minutes for Each of the 3 sections
Facility to Choose Order of Sections	No, Must answer the sections in pre defined order from section 1 to 3
Testing Mode	Computer based exam at test centres but not an online exam
CAT 2024 Notification Release	July 28, 2024
Details to Check in Notification	CAT Exam details, Application fee, Registration dates, MBA courses by IIMs through CAT 2024
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2024 for MBA admission 2025	21 IIMs, FMS, IIFT, MDI, SPJIMR, IITs, IMI, IMT & 1000 other MBA colleges in India
How to Apply for CAT 2024?	Application process is online only
CAT 2024 Registration Fee	Rs.2500
CAT Official Website for Form Filling	https://iimcat.ac.in
Number of CAT 2024 Applicants	3.30 lakhs (CAT Registration Data 2023)
Number of Test Takers in Previous CAT Exam	2.88 lakhs (CAT 2023 test takers)

Courses Offered Through CAT at IIMs

Apart from full-time MBA programmes, the CAT score is valid for admission to Executive MBA, PhD and FPM programmes of IIMs and other B-Schools. This exam is open for not only graduates but also post graduates and working professionals. Check below the list of courses offered by the IIMs through CAT.

IIM	Courses Offered Through CAT
IIM Ahmedabad	PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGP, PhD
IIM Amritsar	MBA, EMBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, PhD
IIM Bangalore	PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PhD
IIM Bodh Gaya	PGP, PhD (FPM)
IIM Calcutta	MBA, PhD
IIM Indore	PGP, PGP-HRM, FPM
IIM Jammu	PGP, PhD
IIM Kashipur	MBA, MBA (Analytics), MBA (WX), PhD, EFPM
IIM Kozhikode	PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, PhD, PhD (PT)
IIM Lucknow	PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-SM, FPM
IIM Nagpur	PGP, PhD
IIM Raipur	PGP, FPM/ PhD, EFPM
IIM Ranchi	PGP, PGP-HRM, PGP (Business Analytics), PhD, EPhD
IIM Rohtak	PGP, EPGPX, EPGDSM, PhD, Part-Time FPM
IIM Sambalpur	MBA, PhD, E PhD
IIM Shillong	PGP, PGPEX, PGPWE, PhD, PhDWP
IIM Sirmaur	MBA, MBA (T&HM), PhD
IIM Tiruchirappalli	PGPM, PGPM-HR, PGPBM, FPM, E-FPM
IIM Udaipur	MBA, PhD
IIM Visakhapatnam	PGP, PGPEx, PGPDGM, PhD
IIM Mumbai	MBA, MBA in Sustainability Management MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management

Q: How much percentile is a good score in CAT exam?

A: The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a competitive exam for admission to prestigious management programs in India. Your percentile reflects how you performed relative to other test-takers.

The required percentile for admission to top business schools varies yearly, influenced by factors like the number of candidates, exam difficulty, and seat availability. Generally, a percentile of 90 or above is considered commendable and can open doors to reputed institutes. However, for better chances at premier institutions, aiming for a percentile of 95 or higher is recommended.

Q: What is CAT exam pattern 2024?

A: The CAT is a computer-based exam conducted in three shifts, lasting two hours, where candidates must solve 66 questions.

These 66 questions are divided across three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The VARC section includes 24 questions, DILR has 20 questions, and QA consists of 22 questions. Each correct answer earns 3 marks, while an incorrect answer results in a deduction of 1 mark. There is no penalty for unanswered questions.

A distinctive feature of CAT is the sectional time limit—each section must be completed in 40 minutes (53.20 minutes for PwD candidates). Once the timer for a section ends, the screen automatically transitions to the next section. Candidates cannot revisit previous sections or skip ahead; they must solve the sections in order: VARC first, followed by DILR, and finally QA.

Q: What is the CAT 2024 admit card download date?

A: The CAT 2024 admit card became available for download on November 5, 2024. Candidates can access the admit card link on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, by logging in with their credentials. While the admit card remains accessible until the exam day, it’s recommended to download it well in advance. Additionally, candidates should retain their CAT 2024 admit card until the admission process is complete.