All About CAT Exam 2023: Check Details & Procedure

All About CAT Exam 2023: The Common Admission Test or CAT, as it is popularly known, is one of the most sought-after MBA entrance exams in India. CAT is the entrance exam used by many of the top-tier business schools and management institutes in India, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). These institutes are known for their high academic standards and rigorous management programs. CAT serves as the gateway to gaining admission to these prestigious institutions. Over 2 lakh applicants apply for the exam every year and there is a significant rise in the number of candidates each year. Due to the wide acceptance of the CAT exam and also its difficulty level, MBA aspirants often consider CAT as a benchmark for other MBA entrance exams and gauge their MBA preparation keeping the CAT exam in mind.

The CAT exam scores are primarily used for seeking admission to the MBA/PGDM programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management, a chain of premier management schools. Besides the IIMs, there are several top-ranked MBA colleges accepting CAT scores in India. It is due to the acceptance of CAT at some of the most prestigious management institutes in India, that CAT is taken so seriously by management aspirants. The CAT exam for 2023 was conducted by IIM Lucknow on November 26, 2023, in three slots in 155 test cities across India. The CAT application form was closed on September 21, 2023.

One of the most important things that candidates must focus on if they are planning to appear for CAT 2023, is having complete information about the exam, including the important dates, admission process, eligibility, preparation tips, study material, results, score calculation, cutoff, top colleges, etc. Since the MBA admission process through the CAT exam is quite a prolonged and sophisticated process, aspirants must know every detail to avoid confusion at any stage of the process. In this article, we have elaborated all about the CAT exam 2023. Have a look!

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CAT Exam 2023 Important Dates

CAT 2023 official notification was released on July 30, 2023, by IIM Lucknow which mentions CAT 2023 exam date, registration schedule, admit card date, and other crucial information. Check the table below to know the important CAT 2023 exam dates.

Also Read: How to Start CAT Preparation 2023 from Scratch

CAT Exam 2023 Registration

The first step that needs to be taken by aspirants planning to appear for the CAT exam is to check whether they meet the eligibility criteria for the exam. Without meeting the eligibility criteria aspirants will not be able to proceed with the CAT registration process, which is a vital step. Apart from the eligibility criteria and the CAT application process, there are other aspects that candidates need to be aware of before applying for the exam, these include the exam pattern, syllabus, reservation policy, etc. Candidates must know all about these aspects so that they are fully aware of what they will encounter if they wish to seek MBA admission through CAT.

CAT Application Process 2023

The entire CAT 2023 registration process can be divided into three phases: registration, filling out and submitting the application form, and payment of the application fee. The steps listed below can be used by candidates to complete the CAT 2023 registration form.

• Visit the CAT 2023 official website - iimcat.ac.in

• Click on the “New Candidate” button

• Create the login credentials, including the Registration ID and Password

• Re-login again to access the CAT 2023 Application Form

• Fill out all the necessary information in the registration form

• Upload all the required documents following the correct specifications

• Select the test city preferences

• Pay the CAT 2023 Application Fee

• Once the application fee is paid, download the application form for future reference

CAT 2023 Registration: Required Documents

The documents required to complete the CAT 2023 application form must be arranged by the candidates beforehand. The list of documents required for CAT registration is provided below.

• Birth Certificate

• Address Proof

• Marksheets from Class 10 and Class 12

• Marksheets and relevant certificates from graduation

• Caste certificate (if applicable)

• PwD certificate (if applicable)

• Work Experience Proof (If applicable)

Also Read: CAT 2024 Application Form Correction

CAT 2023 Eligibility Criteria

Although the criteria for admission to an MBA course vary depending on the specialization, type of course, and management institute, there are certain basic requirements that aspirants need to fulfill, for being eligible for the CAT exam 2023. Here are the basic CAT eligibility criteria 2024.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the toughest MBA entrance exam in India, which requires candidates to put their sweat, blood, and tears into the preparation. MBA aspirants generally need 3-6 months to prepare for the CAT exam, and this timeline can be divided into three phases, from grasping the basics to learning advanced tricks and then finally building a strategy to crack the test. Students need to study from the best books and other sources to make their concepts clear. Taking CAT 2023 mock tests and solving CAT previous year question papers regularly is also crucial to understanding what will be asked in the CAT 2023 exam and preparing yourself to attempt it successfully. All the information about CAT preparation tips and the study materials required for CAT 2023 can be found below.

CAT 2023 Best Books

A CAT aspirant’s preparation is only halfway done if they do not have the proper study materials to reap the benefits. Here are some of the best books for CAT preparation.

CAT 2023 Preparation Tips

How to approach exam preparation is one of the hardest decisions an MBA aspirant must make when attempting the CAT exam. This is the most important choice a student will make about the CAT exam, so it is imperative that it be an informed choice. Following that, here are some CAT 2023 preparation suggestions.

• Pick your method of preparation carefully - Self-preparation and preparations with the assistance of a coaching institute are both beneficial options, although the quality of either relies on the student. Before deciding on either self-preparation or a coaching center, one should carefully consider their options, conduct adequate research, and recognize their strengths and shortcomings.

• Know your strengths and weaknesses - In order to perform flawlessly in sections where they are well-prepared and to avoid errors in sections where they are not as well-prepared, it is critical for students to concentrate on their strengths when preparing for the CAT and to identify areas where they are weak.

• Improve time management skills - Time management is a common, yet crucial, piece of advice. It's crucial not just for the CAT exam itself, but also for the CAT exam's preparation. The amount of time needed to cover the topics during the preparation period must be taken into consideration when scheduling a student's time.

• Consider all sources of preparation - Everything a student has learned about the subjects covered by CAT may be examined in the exam due to the extensive and poorly defined CAT syllabus. A student must use every form and type of preparation available to them in order to handle such a large and challenging syllabus.

CAT Preparation Guide

Check out the links provided below for more information on CAT 2023 preparation tips.

CAT 2023 Answer Key, Results, Merit List, Cut Off, Normalization

The CAT 2023 result will probably be announced in the second week of January 2024. The conducting authority will release a list of shortlisted candidates on the basis of the results. However, before the results are announced, the CAT answer key will be released. Here is everything you need to know about the CAT answer key, exam results, merit list, normalization process, and more.

CAT 2023 Answer Key

The CAT answer key 2023 and response sheet are used by aspirants to ascertain their performance in the CAT exam before the actual results are declared. These documents are released within a few days after the exam is concluded. Using the CAT response sheet 2023, candidates will be able to ascertain a rough estimate of their CAT percentile score. Once published on the official website, the CAT answer key and response sheet will be accessible for downloading. Candidates can obtain the CAT response sheet on the official website by logging in using their login information.

If candidates discover any errors in the answers provided in the CAT answer key, they have the option of objecting to the same. During the objection window, which is normally available for 3–4 days, candidates may object to the official CAT answer key through the official website. Candidates will have to submit an online form, pay the necessary cost, and attach proof of the object's legitimacy.

CAT 2023 Results

Candidates must download the CAT result 2023 after they are released and print their scorecards to utilize in the future. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other participating management institutes will create a list of shortlisted candidates based on the CAT results as part of their selection process.

Factors Affecting CAT Exam 2023 Cutoff

The CAT cutoff 2023 required for each institute depends on a number of factors. The list of factors that affect an institute's cutoff requirements is as follows:

• Availability of Seats

• Total number of applicants

• Number of shortlisted candidates in the selection round

Furthermore, there are other factors that might lead to an increase or decrease in the cutoff requirements for CAT exam 2023. These factors include:

• Total number of CAT 2023 applicants

• Number of qualifying CAT 2023 candidates

• College/Institute rankings

• CAT 2023 difficulty level

CAT Exam 2023 Normalization

CAT normalization process 2023 will be used to ensure fairness and equitability in comparing the scores of candidates who have taken the CAT exam in different slots or sessions. The CAT 2023 exam will be conducted in three slots and each slot may have a slightly different set of questions. Normalization is employed to account for variations in difficulty between these different slots and ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged due to the slot they are assigned.

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CAT Exam 2023 Selection Process, Admissions, Colleges

Once the CAT 2023 result is declared, all the IIMs and other B-schools accepting CAT 2023 scores will begin their admission process. The eligibility criteria to get admission into IIMs and other MBA colleges are different, so candidates need to check everything before applying for admission. Read further to find out the selection process of colleges accepting CAT 2023 scores.

CAT 2023 Selection Process

There are two rounds in the CAT 2023 selection process. The CAT 2023 score, academic background, and performance in the Personal Interview stages are all elements that affect a candidate's overall performance in the CAT selection process. The CAT 2023 entrance exam performance is a crucial factor in the selection process. IIMs use their own cut-off lists and selection criteria to narrow down potential candidates for the interview stage. Qualification for the CAT 2023 entrance exam, academic prowess, and appropriate professional experience all go into the initial selection process. Candidates who pass the first step of the selection process will be shortlisted for the WAT, GD, and PI stages of the second round.

CAT 2023 Participating Colleges

Although the CAT exam is primarily an entrance exam for admissions into the 20 Indian Institutes of Management across India, students can take admission into other colleges through CAT scores. There are more than 1,000 colleges and universities that accept CAT scores as admission criteria for MBA/PGDM courses. Here is a list of colleges accepting CAT 2023 scores.

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