CAT Exam 2024: Date, Registration, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips, Cut Off
Summary: The notification for the CAT 2024 exam was released on July 28, 2024, and the registration process will begin on August 1, 2024. The CAT registration last date will be September 13, 2024.
The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted on November 24, 2024. This exam is an important step in facilitating admission to 21 IIMs and other MBA colleges in India. One of the top IIMs, IIM Calcutta, will administer and conduct the exam. According to the CAT official notification released on July 28, 2024, the registration process for the exam will begin on August 1, 2024, and conclude by September 13, 2024.
Remember, it is crucial to start preparing early for the CAT exam since it is quite a challenging test. If you are aiming to take the CAT exam in 2024, it is best to kick off your preparation at least nine months in advance. But for those yet to begin their prep, all hope is not lost. The last batch of the IMS CATapult Live Online program for CAT 2024 will start in August. Students can register for that and still complete their CAT syllabus in time.
CAT 2024 Exam Overview
The CAT exam is highly competitive and is widely recognised by over 1300 MBA colleges in India. The exam will be conducted in three sessions at approximately 375 examination centres in almost 170 cities in India. If you are aiming to enrol in a top MBA institute, it is important to start preparing early for the CAT exam.
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Highlights: CAT 2024 exam:
| CAT Full Name | Common Admission Test |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management |
| Exam Date | 24th November 2024 |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduation with an overall 50% score (45% for SC/ST candidates) |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Exam Format | CBT |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for each correct answer
-1 mark for each inaccurate answer |
| Application Form Fees | INR 2,500 for General category |
| INR 1,250 for SC/ST/PwD | |
| CAT Syllabus 2024 | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | |
| CAT Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
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CAT Exam 2024 Important Dates
IIM Calcutta will oversee the CAT exam 2024. The important dates for CAT 2024, including the CAT exam registration date, application deadline, exam date, and result date, can be found below in the table:
| CAT 2024 Important Dates | |
| CAT Exam Events | CAT Exam Date 2024 |
| CAT Exam 2024 notification date | 28 July 2024 |
| Beginning of CAT 2024 Registration | 1 August 2024 |
| CAT Exam 2024 registration last date | 13 September 2024 |
| CAT Exam 2024 date | 24 November 2024 |
| CAT Exam 2024 result date | January 2025 |
CAT Exam 2024 Registration Date
The CAT exam 2024 registration begins on August 1, 2024, and ends on September 13, 2024.
| Event | Expected Date |
| CAT 2024 Registration Date | 1 August 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Registration Last Date | 13 September 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Exam Date | November 24, 2024 |
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CAT Exam 2024 Eligibility Criteria
The following are the 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 category) from a recognised university.
- Candidates in the final year of their bachelor’s degree or those awaiting results are also eligible to apply for the CAT exam 2024.
Note:
- Candidates with professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA are eligible to apply for CAT 2024 as long as they meet the minimum acceptable percentage.
- There is no upper age limit, allowing working professionals to apply for CAT 2024.
- Although work experience is advantageous for admission to IIM, it is not compulsory for CAT application.
CAT Exam 2024 Registration Process
The registration forms for CAT 2024 will be accessible on the IIMCAT website from the designated date. To sign up for the exam, follow these steps:
- Go to the official website: iimcat.ac.in
- Click on ‘new registration.’
- Enter your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number, and email ID.
- Complete the CAPTCHA code and verify registration with the OTP received.
- Login using the CAT 2024 ID received via email to complete the form.
- Provide personal and academic details.
- Upload a recent passport-size photo and a scanned signature.
- Select preferred IIMs, courses, and test cities.
- Pay the CAT application fee using a credit/debit card or net banking.
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CAT Exam 2024: Application Form
The official notification for CAT 2024 has been released. The application form for CAT Exam 2024 will be accessible from August 1, 2024, on iimcat.ac.in. Registration for CAT 2024 will be done online, and candidates can fill out the form on the official website.
Candidates will receive their admit cards online after completing the registration process for CAT 2024.
CAT Exam 2024 – Important documents
Photo
- Max 6 months old, white/off-white background
- Dimensions: 30mm x 45mm
- Max size: 1 MB
- Format: JPEG, JPG
Signature
- Size: Max 80KB
- Dimensions: 80mm x 35mm
- Format: JPEG, JPG
Category Certificate (if applicable)
Disability Certificate (if applicable)
Academic Details
- 10th
- 12th
- Graduation
- Masters/Professional Degree details
P.S. Convert CGPA/Grades to percentage.
Work Experience
- Full-time experience after graduation until 31 July 2024.
Important Note
Use a scanner for documents; do not use mobile devices for scanning photos/signatures/certificates.
CAT exam 2024 – Key pointers to remember while filling out the form
Step 1: Create an Account (Register for User ID & Password)
- Register through New Candidate Registration using your details and create an account.
- After validation, you will be able to submit the registration form and receive the User ID and Password at the registered email address or mobile number.
- Verify all the details, select the check box & move to the next step.
Step 2: Personal Details:
- Click on “Registered Candidate Login” > Enter “User Name” and “Password”> Click on “Go to Application Form”.
- The category details to be mentioned are: Category (General/SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS) >>State/Union Territory of Category >>Serial/Entry/Certificate Number of Category >>Caste/Tribe Name.
Read More – CAT Form Filling Guidelines
CAT Exam 2024 Syllabus
The CAT 2024 syllabus is divided into three main sections: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Aptitude. The table below summarises important topics for candidates’ CAT 2024 preparation.
| CAT 2024 Syllabus | |
| Section | Topics |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) |
|
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
|
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CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
The exam follows an MCQ and non-MCQs format and a duration of 120 minutes. Candidates need to answer 66 questions (May vary) from the VARC, DILR, and QA sections during the CAT exam. The important details of the CAT exam pattern are as follows:
– The CAT exam is conducted in three sessions, the duration of the sessions is 120 minutes.
– The exam paper is divided into three sections – VARC, DILR, and QA.
– The total number of questions in the exam is 66, with a sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section.
– Candidates receive three marks for every correct answer and lose 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
– There is no negative marking for non-MCQs or penalty for skipping questions.
– The maximum achievable score in the exam is 198, and attempting all questions is not mandatory.
Read More: CAT Exam Pattern 2024
CAT Exam: Admit Card 2024
It is important to remember the following about the CAT 2024 admit card for the CAT examination:
– The admit card is a crucial document for appearing in the CAT exam.
– All candidates must bring the CAT admit card to the exam centre on the examination day.
Additionally:
– Only candidates who have completed registration and paid the CAT processing fee can download the CAT 2024 admit card.
-To download the admit card, candidates must log in to the official website of IIM CAT – iimcat.ac.in —using their ID and password.
– The admit card contains necessary information such as the test centre, exam date, and other important details related to the examination.
– Candidates should ensure that all the information on the admit card is accurate. If there are any discrepancies, candidates should contact the authorities promptly.
Crack CAT Exam 2024 in 6 Months:
CAT 2024 Answer Key
After the CAT exam, IIM releases the answer key as a candidate response sheet about a week after the exam. To download the answer key, follow these steps:
- Visit the official CAT website.
- Click on ‘login’ and enter your CAT login ID and password.
- Click on the displayed ‘CAT answer key’.
- Download the key as a PDF using the ‘download’ link.
Once the answer key is released, you have three to four days to address any errors by filling out an online form. IIM will then review the objections and make necessary revisions to the answer key.
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CAT Exam Result 2024
After releasing the official answer key, IIM will announce the CAT 2024 results, which will contain the scores of every candidate. The anticipated CAT result date for 2024 is in the last week of December.
To access the result, candidates must visit the official website, find the provided link for the CAT 2024 result, and enter their login credentials, including ID and password. The CAT scorecard will remain valid for one year. Candidates must apply to MBA colleges using their CAT 2024 results within this time frame.
CAT Exam Preparation Tips 2024
CAT is recognised as one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams. Therefore, candidates must follow a strategic preparation plan to excel in the CAT exam with a high score. Candidates can adopt the following tips for adequate preparation:
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- Remember to break down the syllabus into small sections and allocate time accordingly. Focus on improving weaker areas while maintaining proficiency in sections where your strength lies.
- Take expert guidance from IMS Mentors. Succeeding in the CAT exam 2024 requires an effective preparation plan, thorough guidance, and reliable resources.
- Set realistic study goals and stick to a well-structured schedule.
- Take regular mock tests to track progress and improve time management skills.
- Solve CAT papers from the previous year to understand the exam pattern and boost confidence.
- Keep yourself informed about current events, especially for the general awareness section.
- Maintain a positive mindset and believe in your abilities.
- Review concepts, engage in question practice, and stay committed to the study plan.
CAT 2024 Cutoff Scores
Each Indian Institute of Management (IIM) will release its individual cutoff scores for the academic year 2024-26. The cut-off score is the minimum mark candidates must achieve to secure admission to IIMs.
Each IIM follows its own admission policy, which involves multiple steps. However, the newer IIMs follow a Centralized Admission Process (CAP). Prospective candidates should carefully review the selection processes of the IIMs and other B-schools they plan to apply to in order to understand the specific requirements and procedures.
CAT Exam Analysis
The CAT exam in 2023 included a mix of moderate and difficult questions. It was divided into three main sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Get detailed CAT 2023 Exam Analysis. This analysis will help you with your preparation for the upcoming exam.
Once the exam is conducted, a candidate can check the comprehensive CAT Exam 2024 analysis on our website.
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CAT Exam Centres 2024
The CAT exam centres for 2024 are located in almost 170 cities across India, providing candidates with multiple test centre options in nearly every city for added flexibility. The exam will likely be conducted in three slots.
CAT 2024 FAQs
- When is the exam scheduled for CAT 2024?
The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted on 24th November 2024.
2. When is the expected release date for notification of CAT 2024?
The notification for CAT 2024 was released on July 28, 2024.
3. What is the application process for the CAT 2024 exam?
You must complete the application process online to apply for the CAT exam. This includes registering, filling out the form, paying the processing fee, and uploading the required documents. You can complete your CAT application by visiting the official IIM CAT website.
4. Which IIM is responsible for conducting CAT 2024?
The IIMs conduct the CAT exam on a rotational basis. In 2024, IIM Calcutta is conducting it.
Note: The details mentioned above for the CAT examination are subject to change as per the official notification.