CAT Registration 2024 (Started): Find direct link to register here

The CAT exam, India’s most popular management test, will begin the registration process in August 2024. According to the CAT notification, the CAT registration form 2024 will be released on 1 August 2024, a few days after the CAT notification is released. Aspirants can access the form at the official website mentioned below. 

CAT 2024 is being conducted by IIM Calcutta on the last Sunday of November, i.e., 24th November 2024. Lakhs of students are waiting with bated breath for the CAT registration 2024 to open. As the premier management entrance test of India and considered by most to be the gateway to the IIMs and other top MBA/PGDM institutions of the country, the CAT exam will form a crucial junction for students looking to accelerate their careers. 

As usual, the CAT notification was released on 28th July 2024, following which the CAT registration form will also be released. The CAT registration last date is 13th September 2024, giving students enough time to get their documents in order, fill out the form, and pay the CAT registration fees. For more information regarding the CAT registration timeline, the process, and other details, keep following this space. Students can also check out the official website – iimcat.ac.in.

CAT exam registration trends

Students looking to ace the CAT exam should maintain a laser focus on their syllabus and mock tests. But it also pays to keep track of the competition. Past trends suggest that the number of CAT registrations is increasing and will continue to do so this year, too. 

2024 saw the single biggest increase as well as the largest number of CAT registrations. Over 3,30,000 students registered for CAT, out of which 2,80,000 appeared for the test. This marked an 11% increase from the 2023 number of 2,55,000 registrations.

This rise can be attributed to a more aware, young crowd looking to further their careers with the right education. Additionally, one should remember that last year, IIM Lucknow, which conducted the exam, ran massive digital awareness campaigns to attract more students. The 2024 CAT registrations are the highest ever seen since the fateful year of 2008, when nearly 2.9 lakh students registered for the CAT.

Read More – CAT Exam 2024- Comprehensive Guide

CAT registration 2024 – Highlights

The exact details of how to proceed with your CAT exam registration will only be confirmed once the official CAT notification is out.

Read More – CAT Notification – Important dates, application form, pattern

Given that the CAT is one of the most crucial exams of any applicant’s career, ensuring nothing goes wrong with it is of the utmost priority. Waiting for the CAT registration last date and getting stuck due to roadblocks can wreak havoc with your plans. Not only should you fill out the CAT registration form as soon as it is released, but you should also familiarise yourself with the process and its requirements beforehand. Keep all your documents ready in the correct format and dimensions; make sure you have the right PC and network configurations.

For those who wish to understand the CAT exam registration process in detail, continue reading below.

CAT registration step-by-step process

OTP verification and registration

The first step will require you to verify your email address and phone number via OTP. All official communication, henceforth, will be forwarded to this email address only.

Once you have verified your contact details, you’ll be asked to complete a preliminary registration with basic details such as name and DoB. You’ll be given a unique ID and a password to access your account whenever needed.

Read More – CAT Cutoff – How much do you need to score to get into the IIMs and other top colleges?

Fill out the form with all the details

Log back into the portal with the credentials auto-generated for you.

The CAT registration form has 6 different sections:

1. Personal details
2. Academic details
3. Work experience
4. Programs
5. Test City
6. Payment

You’ll have to necessarily fill out each question accurately to avoid any mishaps. Do not rely on the form correction window. The window will only let you correct three kinds of errors – your photo, signature, and test city preferences.

Read More – CAT Syllabus – Find section-wise syllabus and important topics

Once you have filled out all the fields to the best of your knowledge, it’s time to upload your photo and signature.

Read More – CAT Exam Pattern – Marking scheme, types of questions, and other details

Upload your digital copies of your photo and signature

There are very strict regulations in place for the format and size of each image that you upload. The photo shouldn’t be larger than 1200 x 1200 pixels with a maximum size of 80 KB. It should be extremely clear and not less than 150 pixels/inch. 

Similar rules apply to your signature too. It should lie within a range of 80mm x 35mm with a max size of 80 KB. 

All images should only be uploaded in the JPG or JPEG format.

Moreover, make a note of these documents required for CAT registration. While you’ll need original copies of all the documents when you go for the PI round, for now just the information from these documents will suffice.

1. Class 10th or equivalent marksheet
2. Class 12th or equivalent marksheet
3. Diploma certificate, if applicable
4. Bachelor’s degree and marksheet
5. Master degree marksheet, if applicable
6. Any other certifications, if applicable.

All your grades will need to be converted to a common percentage-based scale to make them comparable across variations. The formula for such conversions is usually propagated by the colleges themselves. If not, check the official CAT 2024 website for more information.

Enter the right work experience

The only work experience considered relevant during your CAT registration is full-time work undertaken after your undergraduate is completed. You have to enter the total work experience you have in months until 31st July 2024, i.e., the time you fill out the form. 

If you have any breaks in between your career, there is a separate section where you can explain those breaks.

Just beyond this section, you’ll also be prompted to choose the programs you wish to apply to at the IIMs. Most aspirants simply choose ‘Select All’ to put in their name for every possible program in any IIM.

Next, you’ll have to choose your interview city and the test city preferences. You can choose as many as 6 cities in descending order of preference as your chosen test cities. Choose these cities very carefully.

Read More – Top MBA Colleges in India

Paying the CAT registration fees

Now, we’re almost done with the CAT registration process. You can complete the payment using UPI, credit/debit cards, or net banking. The CAT registration fees are as follows:

The final submission and confirmation 

Once you preview your CAT application form and hit the submit button after paying the registration fees, your job is pretty much done. However, wait till you get the confirmation email before you log off. Only upon receiving this email can you rest assured that your registration is complete. 

Conclusion

While there is no age limit for taking the CAT exam, aspirants do need to meet the minimum eligibility criteria. These criteria state that all candidates must have at least 50% aggregate in their Bachelor’s degree, with a 5% relaxation for reserved categories. The authorities also accept professional degrees such as CA and CS. Additionally, final-year students yet to complete their UG can also apply.

Last year, a record 3,30,000 students chose to take CAT. While the number stands as testimony to the rising popularity of the MBA, it also points towards disproportionately increasing competition. To beat them all out, you need access to not just the best program with the best mentors but also the most comprehensive mock tests and practice questions. The IMS CATapult program fits perfectly into this definition. Along with over 100 hours of interactive two-way classes with mentors, you’ll also have access to 90+ mock tests for 12+ management exams, ensuring you ace CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, and any other test. For more information, just click on the link above, fill out the form, and one of our Education Advisors will get in touch with you.