CAT 2024: Exam Date, Registration, Pattern, Syllabus, Admit Card, Result

The CAT 2024 exam notification was released on July 28, 2024, while the registration process was conducted from August 1 to September 20, 2024. The exam will be conducted on November 24, 2024. This year, IIM Calcutta will be the conducting body of the CAT 2024 exam So far, no change is expected in the CAT syllabus and exam pattern.

CAT is a highly competitive MBA entrance exam conducted by IIMs every year for admission to their flagship PGP programs. Its score is also accepted by 1000+ MBA colleges in the country. MBA aspirants can find out the complete details about the CAT 2024 exam on this page.

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CAT Exam Date 2024

If you plan to appear for the CAT exam this year, you must stay updated with all the crucial dates so that you don’t miss out on any event. Check out the CAT important dates provided in the table below.

CAT Notification 2024

The official notification for the CAT 2024 exam is a highly anticipated event for thousands of students across the country. The notification will contain comprehensive information about the exam, including the exam date, application forms, registration fees, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, number of test centres, reservation criteria, and syllabus. The direct link to download the official CAT notification will be updated below once it is released on the official website at iimcat.ac.in.

CAT Registration 2024

CAT registration marks the beginning of the exam event, and it goes on for a period of around two months. Over 2 lakh students apply for the CAT exam every year, but only a handful make the cut to the coveted IIMs and top MBA colleges in India. If you plan to take the exam this year, check out the steps you’ll need to follow to complete the CAT application form.

Step 1: Register to Generate the User ID and Password

Before registering for CAT, first check the CAT eligibility criteria. If you are eligible, visit the official website and click 'Register' under ‘New Candidate Registration’. Fill in your details such as name, date of birth, email, mobile number, and country. Verify your application form via an OTP and receive your CAT registration ID and Password through email and SMS. For those who have already registered, click 'Login' under 'Registered Candidate Login' to complete the exam form.

Step 2: Fill Out the CAT Application Form

Log in to the official website again using the recently created User ID and password and proceed to fill out the application form. You will have to fill out your personal details (name, gender, nationality, category, address, DOB, email ID, mobile phone number, etc.), academic details (Classes 10+2 scores, UG/ PG details, etc.), work experience details (if any), name of the IIMs and programs you wish to study, and test city preferences (up to 4).

Step 3: Verify the Details and Pay the Application Fee

Verify all the details you filled in the CAT application form and proceed to pay the fee. The application fee for the general and reserved category candidates is INR 2400 and INR 1200, respectively. The fees can be paid via credit card, debit card, net banking, and UPI. After successfully paying the CAT application fee, candidates will receive a confirmation mail on their registered email ID.

Also Read: List of Documents Required for CAT Registration

CAT 2024 Total No. of Questions

The total number of questions in CAT 2024 is expected to be the same as last year, which is 66. No change is expected in the CAT 2024 exam pattern. Here’s the distribution of questions in each section.

CAT Expected Difficulty Level 2024 with Previous Years’ Trends

As per the previous years' CAT exam analysis, the difficulty level of the CAT exam is expected to be moderate to tough. As the exam will be conducted in three slots, the difficulty level of each section will vary. CAT is one of the most challenging exams in India, as it's conducted for admission to MBA programs offered by the prestigious IIMs and other top MBA colleges in India. It requires candidates to have a thorough understanding of the basics and the ability to solve complex problems quickly and accurately. Check out the CAT 2024 expected difficulty level and past years' difficulty level.

CAT Syllabus PDF Download 2024

The CAT syllabus 2024 will have questions from three sections- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. There is no official CAT syllabus PDF as IIMs don’t have any fixed syllabus. To help MBA aspirants prepare well for the exam, we have prepared the CAT syllabus PDF 2024 based on the previous years’ questions, which can be downloaded from the link provided below.

Also Read: Important Topics for CAT 2024

CAT Admit Card Download 2024

The CAT admit card is a crucial document that every candidate must carry on the day of the exam. It serves as proof of successful registration for the CAT exam and contains important details about the candidate, such as their name, photograph, signature, registration number, exam date and time, exam centre address, and important instructions to be followed on the day of the exam. 

The CAT hall ticket is released on the official website and only registered candidates can download it. Here are the steps that should be followed to download the CAT admit card 2024:

• Visit the official IIM CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.

• On the homepage, click on the 'Registered Candidate Login' link.

• Enter your CAT User ID and Password and click the 'Login' button.

• After successful login, click on the CAT Admit Card 2024 link.

• Click on 'Download Admit Card'.

• The admit card will successfully be downloaded to your phone/ computer.

Details Mentioned on the CAT Admit Card

• Candidate’s Name
• Candidate’s Category
• Date of Birth
• Application Number
• PwD Status
• Exam Date and Slot Timing
• Complete the Address of the CAT Exam Centre
• CAT Reporting and Entry Time
• Google Map Link

Candidates should check all the details mentioned on the admit card and ensure that they match their personal information. Any discrepancies should be immediately reported to the concerned authorities and rectified before the exam day to avoid any last-minute hassles.

CAT Exam Day 2024: Do’s and Don’ts

On the day of the CAT 2024 exam, candidates must follow certain guidelines and instructions to avoid any hassle and have a smooth experience. Here are some CAT exam day instructions (do’s and don’ts) to remember.

Do’s for the CAT Exam Day 2024

• Carry a hard copy of your CAT admit card on the exam day. It contains crucial information about the CAT exam centres, reporting time, exam time, and other important details. Digital copies are not permitted.

• Along with the hall ticket, carry a government-approved ID proof like the Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, etc.

• Make sure to reach the exam centre well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles. Latecomers will not be permitted to take the exam.

• Once you arrive at the exam centre, you will need to sign the attendance sheet available at the registration desk.

• Pay close attention to the instructions given by the exam invigilator. If you face any issues while logging in or finding your allotted seat, inform the invigilator immediately.

• The CAT exam is for a duration of 120 minutes only, and no extra time will be given to any candidate. Therefore, it is important to manage your time effectively to ensure you have enough time for each section.

• While answering non-MCQ questions, use the on-screen keyboard provided. For selecting answers for MCQs, use the mouse.

• You will be provided with sheets for rough work. Make sure to complete your rough work on these sheets and return them to the invigilator once the exam is over.

Don’ts for the CAT Exam Day 2024

• Don’t arrive late to the exam hall. Entry to the exam centre will not be permitted after the following times: 8:15 AM for the morning session, 12:15 PM for the afternoon session, and 4:15 PM for the evening session.

• To maintain the integrity of the CAT exam, it is strongly advised that you do not attempt to cheat during the test. If you are caught cheating, the invigilator will take strict action.

• Taking the CAT exam more than once is not allowed, and if it is discovered that you have done so, your application will be denied.

• If you need to take a bio-break during the test, please only do so in the case of an urgent medical situation.

• Do not bring electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, beepers, wristwatches, calculators, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth devices, etc.

• Candidates should not wear headpins, clips, and jewellery that contain metal.

• Pencil boxes, purses, bags, or any kind of luggage are prohibited inside the examination hall. Also, the authority will not be responsible for candidates’ belongings.

• Closed footwear, jackets, and clothes with pockets are not allowed beyond the frisking point to the CAT examination hall.

• Do not waste rough sheets as no extra sheet will be provided to the candidates.

• Do not apply henna or mehndi on the palm side as it can cause trouble in capturing the biometric fingerprint which is mandatory for entering the examination lab.

CAT Result Link 2024

The CAT result 2024 will be available on the official IIM CAT website, and candidates can check it using their User ID and password. The direct link to download the CAT 2024 result will be available below once it is activated on the official website.

How to Download CAT Scorecard from the Official Website?

Check out the steps mentioned below to check and download the CAT scorecard 2024.

• Visit the official website iimcat.ac.in.

• Look for the ‘CAT Result 2024’ tab and click on it.

• You will be redirected to a login page where you have to enter your User ID and Password.

• Once you have entered your login credentials, click on the 'Login' tab.

• You will now see the 'IIM CAT Score Card' tab. Click on it.

• Your CAT result will appear on the screen.

• Finally, download the CAT result PDF and save it for future reference.

Steps to Check CAT Result 2024 on Mobile

If you wish to view your sectional and overall percentiles and scores on your mobile phone, you can follow the steps provided below:

• Open the web browser on your mobile phone.

• Type the URL of the IIM CAT website- iimcat.ac.in.

• Click on the 'CAT Score Card 2024' tab.

• Enter your CAT User ID and password.

• Click on the 'Result' tab.

• You can check your result and download it for future reference.

How to Check CAT 2024 Result via SMS?

IIMs also inform the candidates about their overall CAT results via SMS on their registered mobile phones. To check your results, you just need to go through the SMS in your inbox. It is important to note that the CAT results sent through SMS are not as comprehensive as the CAT scorecard PDF that is available on the CAT official website. To access this detailed report, aspirants must visit the website through a computer or laptop. The CAT scorecard sent through SMS will not include the CAT scores of the candidates.

Expected Good Percentile to Get Admission Through CAT 2024

If you're hoping to gain admission to one of the top IIMs, a CAT percentile of 98-99 is generally considered to be good. However, for other leading B-schools, a percentile in the range of 90-95 may be sufficient. When it comes to determining what is a good percentile in CAT, it's important to keep in mind the specific college or university you're aiming for. After all, what constitutes a good CAT percentile will vary depending on your target institution. As such, it's essential to set a target for your CAT preparation and to base your strategy around achieving that goal. Students can also use our CAT percentile predictor to calculate their estimated percentile in the exam.

Good CAT Percentile for Tier-I, II & III B-Schools

Also Read: How Many Questions to Attempt in CAT for 99 Percentile?

CAT Expected Cutoff 2024 Based on Previous Years’ Trends

Check out the table below to know the expected CAT cutoff 2024 for IIMs and non-IIMs based on previous years’ trends.

Expected IIM CAT Cutoff Percentile

Expected Non-IIM CAT Cutoff Percentile

Admission Through CAT 2024

Admission through CAT 2024 is conducted in various rounds for the qualified candidates. This year, IIM Kashipur conducted the Common Admission Process (CAP) for 10 new IIMs. The rest 11 IIMs will conduct their own selection process. All the other CAT participating colleges conduct their counselling to select candidates for MBA admission. Check the various stages involves in the CAT selection process 2024.

Step 1: Shortlisting Based on CAT Percentile

The minimum cut-off marks for the older IIMs are higher than the 90 percentile for general candidates, while it is comparatively lower for reserved categories. On the other hand, the newer IIMs have cut-off marks ranging between 80-60 percentiles. If selected for the first round of the CAT screening process, the invitation letters will be sent to the candidates via their registered email addresses.

Step 2: Getting Qualified for GD & WAT

After clearing the individual CAT-IIM cutoff, candidates will be called for GD/ WAT. During the WAT round, candidates are given 15-45 minutes to write a brief essay on one or more topics. On the other hand, the GD round involves a discussion on a particular topic among 8-10 candidates. In both rounds, candidates are evaluated on their writing and communication skills, including grammar, language proficiency, vocabulary, writing ability, expression, and clarity of thought.

Step 3: Appearing for the Personal Interview

In the final round of selection for IIMs, candidates face a panel of 4-8 interviewers who evaluate their personality, attitude, and interest in management as a career. Academic performance, communication skills, presence of mind, and GK are some of the key parameters that are considered for selection.

Step 4: Release of the Final Merit List

The admission criteria for IIMs and other CAT participating colleges vary. Their final merit list is based on various factors like the CAT exam score, overall performance in WAT, GD, and PI rounds, class 10th and 12th marks, gender diversity factor, work experience, and reservations.

Step 5: Final Selection and Eligibility Verification

If you have been shortlisted for a personal interview at an IIM, you must meet the eligibility criteria for the CAT final selection process. Your academic performance will be evaluated during this stage, and marks will be awarded accordingly.

So, this was all about CAT 2024. Every year, lakhs of applicants appear for the CAT exam, but only a few can achieve more than 90 percentile on the exam and get into their desired colleges. Despite the high level of competition and difficulty, CAT remains one of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India, as it offers a gateway to a promising career in management. Preparing for the CAT requires diligence, determination, and a systematic approach to study, including solving mock tests, revising basic concepts, and staying up-to-date with current affairs!

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