What after CAT 2024 result, is a question every first time test taker asks. After the CAT 2024 result is announced, the participating institutes release their CAT 2024 cutoff and begin their counselling process for those candidates who meet the CAT cutoff criteria. This typically involves a series of selection rounds such as Group Discussions, Personal Interviews, and Written Ability Tests. Candidates who qualify for CAT and meet the cutoff of the desired college will be called to participate in selection rounds, where their communication skills, personality, and writing abilities are assessed. Only those who perform well in these rounds are shortlisted for admission into the institutes offering the program. However, if you are not happy with your CAT 2024 score, then we suggest that you immediately (and rigorously) continue preparing for other MBA entrance exams like XAT, CMAT, MAH  MBA CET, etc. to increase your chances of getting into a top MBA college in India.

Find out more about what happens after CAT 2024 result and how to tackle the CAT admission process right here! Also explore your options about what to do after CAT 2024 result.

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What to Do After CAT Result 2024?

Don't get anxious after the 2024 CAT results are declared. We understand that the next steps are quite tough. But following some of these simple, actionable steps may make the MBA college admission journey a little simpler for you.

• Evaluate your CAT 2024 score and look for institutions

• Check college application deadlines before applying for admission to a B-school

• Check when the IIMs and other top B-Schools will release their shortlists

• Prepare necessary documentation

• Check the admission process at the top MBA colleges in India

• Choose a specialisation

• Get ready for WAT-GD-PI (Prepare for an advanced level of evaluation)

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Fill Out Applications for Admission to Top B-Schools

Once the CAT exam is done, the next focus should be checking the CAT 2024 cutoff for top MBA colleges in India to secure admissions in a top B school. Also, take into consideration the fact that some colleges start their admission process even before the CAT 2024 results are out. Therefore, candidates must check the CAT important dates and the CAT cutoff percentile of the institutes they wish to take admissions. Then, based on the performance, candidates should prepare a list of colleges or institutes they want to take admissions to. It will help them focus on the target institutes.

CAT Cutoff Percentile at IIMs

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Also, just in case you do not get into IIMs, you must be prepared to consider other top MBA colleges in India. There are numerous colleges that offer MBA and PGDM courses. Therefore, while planning, consider these parameters: ranking of the institution, alumni network, faculty, environment, placement records, fee structure, admission process, and return on investment.

Admission to Private MBA Colleges in India

Many top private B-Schools accept CAT scores for MBA and PGDM programme. In the table below, we have mentioned the minimum cut-off required for you to consider securing a seat in one of these institutes:

Here is the list of some top private colleges in India that consider CAT scores for their MBA admission process:

Also Read:CAT 2024 Cutoff for Top Private MBA Colleges for General, SC/ST, OBC

Check Deadlines Before Applying to Top B-schools

As soon as the CAT result for 2024 is out, you will have a limited time to choose colleges, fill out college application forms, and submit them before the deadline. You would have used the CAT 2024 Percentile Predictor by CollegeDekho to evaluate your performance. In order to avoid last-minute delays, we advise you to keep tabs on the top B-Schools and understand their admission procedures beforehand. Although it would be wonderful to hear from IIMs, what if you don't? In order to avoid wasting the entire year, it is, therefore, preferable to have options and be ready with a Plan B. Review the admission procedures of top B-Schools outside IIMs as the next step.

Check When IIMs and Other Top B-Schools Will Release Shortlists

IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Shillong, and IIM Rohtak (which does not participate in the CAP round) will release their shortlists one week from the date of the CAT result announcement. On the other hand, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta will do so in one or two days. The shortlisted candidates will receive interview letters directly through email, registered mail, or speed post from each IIM. Do note that different IIMs have different shortlisting criteria, so be aware of the process. 

Here's a tentative timeline on the next course of steps at various IIMs based on CAT 2024 result:

• In February 2024, IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Tiruchirappalli, and IIM Udaipur will release their shortlists for the CAP round
• In March or April 2025, the seven baby IIMs will reveal their shortlists, namely IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Kashipur, IIM Trichy, IIM Nagpur, IIm Sambhalpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Vishakhapatnam.
• Some of the leading business schools, including SPJIMR Mumbai, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, FORE School of Management New Delhi, IMI New Delhi, and LBSIM Delhi, will reveal their shortlists for the final selection round in January or February 2024.

Check the Top B-schools Admission Requirements

Shortlisting of candidates is done based on their CAT exam scores, and those candidates are then required to qualify for the entrance requirements established by various IIMs. The requirements for admission vary in different IIMs. Candidates who make it to the list are required to be fully aware of the subsequent rounds they must pass. The two rounds that the IIMs typically hold are listed below:

• Writing Ability Test (WAT)
• Personal Interview (PI)

The older IIMs do not conduct a single common counselling process; only the six new IIMs conduct a Common Admission Process or CAP. IIM Sirmaur and IIM Jammu don't perform any WAT or PI rounds, even though they are a part of the procedure. Based on candidates' scores in the CAT exam, their academic history, and their employment history (if any), these two institutes will release a merit list.

Prepare the Necessary Documentation

In addition to the CAT result 2024, many other documents will be required by institutions during the CAT 2024 counselling round, including:

• A certificate of graduation
• Mark sheets for classes 10 and 12
• A letter proving the candidate's work experience (if any).

This makes it important for candidates to create a list of pre-requisite documents and make them accessible in advance. Certificates must also be attested.

Check the Admission Process at the Top MBA Colleges in India

Candidates may refer to the links below to know about the admission process at the topmost MBA institutes in India.

Select Your MBA Specialisation

You can approach the selection of  MBA specialization in two ways. You can choose the college first and then the specialization. You can also choose the specialization first and shortlist the college based on it. There is no right or wrong in this approach, just what suits you the most. However, the only thing that matters the most is that you are aware and have planned well in advance. Some of the top MBA specializations of 2024 include:

• MBA in Digital Marketing
• MBA in Business Analytics
• MBA in Data Analytics
• MBA in Entrepreneurship
• MBA in Finance
• MBA in Strategy
• MBA in International Business
• MBA in Human Resource Management
• MBA in Risk Management
• MBA in Operations Management

Also Read:Top B-schools that Accept CAT Percentile Below 90 other than IIMs

Prepare for the GD-PI/WAT Rounds

Clearing the CAT 2024 exams is just the beginning of the process for admission to MBA courses. After the CAT 2024 Results are declared, you should immediately start preparing for Group Discussions and PI/ WAT rounds as part of CAT selection process 2024. All top MBA colleges in India conduct these rounds for their selection process. They are conducted to determine the candidate's aptitude, skills, and dedication. Usually, these rounds are conducted in the same month as the results are declared. You can get a maximum of two months from the CAT 2024 exam day to prepare for the GD-PI/WAT rounds.

Therefore, here are some tips that will help in the GD-PI/ WAT preparations:

• Join workshops on GD/PI:No amount of preparation can help you decide if you are fully ready. However, joining workshops will help you get motivated and confident about facing the actual GD-PI rounds. Before joining the workshop, make sure that it has a large participation. More candidates in the workshop will help you build more confidence.
• Keep the Focus on Case-Based and Topic-Based GDs:  Most top B-schools in India are now focused on case-based GDs. It helps evaluate the understanding of the candidates. Therefore, most GDs have case-based topics. However, some B-Schools also opt for topic-based GDs as well. Hence, it is best to prepare for both circumstances.
• Take Guidance from seniors/ mentors:  People who have experienced GD/PI rounds will be in a better state to guide you. They will have better knowledge of how to tackle unpleasant situations or unfamiliar questions. There will be some tricks that they might help you with. It is not always that books and the internet can help you. So, it is wise to make the most of it.
• Prepare for a Specialization (for candidates holding 4+ years of work experience):  Candidates who hold a work experience of 4 or more years will have to prepare well for the specialization. They are likely to be asked questions about their desired specialization. Therefore, it is of utmost necessity that professional candidates prepare in advance for their choice of course.
• Remembering Specific Format for Each Call:  All institutions have a unique format for GD-PI callings. It is necessary that candidates remember them precisely. If not, they might reach the centre unprepared and lose a golden opportunity to be admitted to the top B-Schools in India.

Appear for Other MBA Entrance Exams

Apart from the CAT exam, there are other options to get MBA admissions, as well. Interested candidates must fill out the registrations for the exams ahead of time. The registration process is the same as the CAT exam. Therefore, in case one fails to qualify CAT, they can appear for the other exams and wait for their results as well. All the entrance exams are mostly held between January to March. Here is a list of the exams candidates aspiring to study MBA can prepare for and attempt:

• Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
• Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
• Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)
• Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
• AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA)
• Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MAH MBA CET)
• Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test (TS ICET)
• Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET)

Secure a Second Option

It is not always easy to achieve what you desire. Getting into IIMs may be a lifelong dream but it is alright if you do not get through in your CAT 2024 attempt. There are other options as well. In case you do not secure admission, always have a backup plan. You can consider the following options:

• Apply for jobs according to your preference.
• Take a drop year and start early preparations for CAT 2024.
• If you intend to take the CAT in 2024, decide if you will study for it full-time or while maintaining a regular job.​​​​​​

So, these are the things that candidates can do after the CAT 2024 results are declared. The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted on November 24, 2024, and the results will be released in the second week of January 2025. Make sure you prepare well for the exam and score an impressive percentile to get admission to the college of your dreams. All the best!

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You can even check our CAT 2024 College Predictor to get an idea of your results based on your performance in the CAT 2024 exam. For more information and queries, reach out through the QnA zone or fill in the Common Application Form. Students may also call at the helpline number 1800-572-9877. Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for all the latest updates on CAT 2024!