CAT 2024: Charting Your course to India’s Top B-School
Do you have an aspiration to join one of India’s top management institutes? Welcome to the world of CAT 2024—a journey that could reshape your future! Here in this article, you will find all the information that you need about CAT 2024. Remember, CAT is not just an entrance exam, it is a launchpad to a successful career in consulting, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship
What is CAT?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a management aptitude test to evaluate and shortlist candidates primarily for admission to postgraduate programs in IIMs. We have 21 IIMs at present, the latest entrant being IIM Mumbai (erstwhile NITIE). CAT provides admissions for more than 500 MBA colleges in India including 21 IIMs, FMS, JBIMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IMT, DoMS IITs, IISc, etc. It serves as the primary gateway for aspiring managers to enter prestigious management institutions.
Why CAT Matters: Opening Doors to Excellence
CAT is more than just an entrance exam; it's a stepping stone to a world of opportunities in management education and beyond. Here's why CAT matters:
- Access to top-tier business schools, including the prestigious IIMs
- Recognized by numerous corporate recruiters as a benchmark for quality talent
- Develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills
- Opens doors to diverse career paths in consulting, finance, marketing, and more
- Potential for high-paying job opportunities and accelerated career growth
Highlights: CAT 2024 exam
CAT Full Name | Common Admission Test
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Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management
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Exam Date | 24th November 2024
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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
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Application Form FEE | INR 2,500 for General category INR 1,250 for SC/ST/PwD
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CAT Syllabus 2024 | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
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CAT Official Website |
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Who Can Take CAT 2024 - Eligibility?
CAT 2024 is open to:
- Graduates in any discipline (10+2+3 or equivalent)
- Final year students of graduate courses
- Candidates with professional degrees (CA, CS, ICWA)
- There is no age limit for appearing in CAT
CAT 2024 Schedule
Following is the schedule for CAT 2024:
Registration to open | 1 August, 2024
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Last date for registration | 20 September, 2024
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Admit card download | 5 November, 2024 onwards
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Exam date | 24 November, 2024 (three sessions)
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Results declaration | Second week of January 2025 |
Validity of scores | Till 31 Dec, 2025 |
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
The CAT exam consists of three sections:
Sectional composition
Section name | No. of questions | Total MCQs (With negative marking) | Total Non-MCQs (Without negative marking) | Maximum marks |
VARC | 24 | 20 | 4 | 72 |
DILR | 20 | 16 | 6 | 60 |
Quant | 22 | 15 | 7 | 66 |
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Reading comprehension passages
- Verbal reasoning questions
- English usage and grammar
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Data interpretation sets
- Logical reasoning puzzles
- Abstract reasoning questions
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Modern Math
There will be a maximum score of 198 marks and 66 total questions in the CAT exam pattern.
Each section is allotted 40 minutes, and you cannot switch between sections during the exam.
Your Path to Success: Admission Process
The CAT is just the first step in the admission process for most management institutes. Here's a general overview of the journey:
- Register and appear for CAT 2024
- Receive CAT results and percentile scores
- Apply to desired institutes using CAT scores
- Shortlisting by institutes based on CAT scores and other criteria
- Subsequent rounds may include:
- Written Ability Test (WAT)
- Group Discussion (GD)
- Personal Interview (PI)
- Final selection based on overall performance
*IIMs may additionally use other factors such as the previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience, gender and academic diversity and other similar inputs in shortlisting and ranking of candidates at various stages of admission process
The CAT Challenge: Are You Ready?
Preparing for CAT is a rigorous journey that demands dedication, persistence, and strategic planning. The exam tests not just your knowledge but also your ability to think critically, manage time effectively, and perform under pressure. Are you ready to:
- Master complex quantitative and verbal concepts?
- Develop sharp analytical and logical reasoning skills?
- Enhance your reading comprehension and language proficiency?
- Manage your time efficiently across different sections?
- Stay motivated through months of preparation?
FACT: Total number of candidates who registered for CAT 2023 is 328,000 out of which number of appeared candidates is 288,000.
Conclusion: Your Future Starts with CAT 2024
CAT 2024 is not just an exam; it's an opportunity to reshape your future. It's a challenge that will push you to your limits, help you discover your potential, and open doors to some of the best management education institutions in India. Whether you dream of becoming a corporate leader, an entrepreneur, or a management consultant, CAT 2024 could be your first step towards realizing that dream.
Remember, success in CAT is not just about intelligence; it's about perseverance, strategic preparation, and the ability to perform under pressure. Start your preparation early, stay consistent, and believe in yourself. Your CAT 2024 journey begins now!
Additional Resources
To help you prepare for CAT 2024, consider exploring these resources:
- Official CAT website: https://iimcat.ac.in
- Online learning platforms: Coursera, edX, Udemy (for subject-specific courses)
- CAT preparation apps: BYJU'S, Unacademy, TIME4CAT
- Mock test series: SimCAT by IMS, All India Mock by TIME
- Books:
- "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT" by Arun Sharma
- "Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT" by Nishit K. Sinha
- "Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT" by Nishit K. Sinha
- CAT toppers' interviews and success stories
- CAT preparation workshops and seminars
- For further information, visit our website: : mentormeright.in or call us at +91 8188824440
- Follow us on Social Media:
- YouTube: MentorMeRight
- Instagram: mentormeright
- LinkedIn: mentormeright
Remember to verify all information from official sources and stay updated with any changes in the CAT 2024 pattern or syllabus. Good luck with your CAT 2024 preparation!
Author:
Vandana Garg
5+ years of Experience in Career Guidance.
Certified Career Coach By NCDA.
