CAT 2024 - Notification, Exam Date, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation

Updated By Tiyasa Khanra on 19 Mar, 2024 00:48

Registration Starts On August 04, 2024

Tell us your CAT score & access the list of colleges you may qualify for!

Predict My College

CAT 2024

The CAT 2024 exam notification will be announced in the last week of July 2024, most likely by July 30, 2024. The exam is expected to be held on November 24, 2024, most likely by IIM Calcutta. The CAT 2024 application process will begin in the first week of August 2024 and continue till the third week of September 2024, tentatively. The CAT admit card 2024 will be made available in October 2024.

Candidates who qualify for the exam will have to participate in counselling to secure admission to the CAT 2024 participating institutes. CAT exam 2024 scores are required to shortlist candidates for GD/ PI/ WAT rounds. After the exam is concluded, students can use our CAT Percentile Predictor to estimate their scores and the CAT College Predictor to determine which colleges suit them the best.

CAT (Common Admission Test) is the most popular entrance exam for MBA Admissions in India conducted by IIMs once every year in November. The purpose of CAT is to screen candidates for admission into the flagship PGP in Management courses offered by the 21 IIMs in India. Apart from IIMs, more than 1,000 MBA colleges accept CAT scores. Some of these colleges include IITs, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR, IMT, FMS, GIM, GLIM, MICA, IRMA, KIIT, BIMTech, AMU, and BHU among others. 

Check out the complete details including the CAT 2024 exam date, registration process, eligibility, pattern, syllabus, result, exam centre, counselling, participating colleges, and more.

Read More

Start Free Mock Test Now

Get real time exam experience with full length mock test and get detailed analysis.

Attempt now

Know best colleges you can get with your CAT score

CAT 2024 Official Notification

The CAT exam 2024 official notification will be released in July 2024. The notification will consist of all important information related to CAT 2024 exam date, application forms, registration fees, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, number of test centres, reservation criteria, and syllabus. Candidates can download the PDF files of the notification from the links given below:

Download CAT 2024 Information Bulletin (To be Updated)

Download CAT 2024 Advertisement (To be Updated)

CAT 2024 Exam Highlights

The following table displays some of the major highlights of the CAT exam 2024:

Particulars

Details

CAT Full Form

Common Admission Test (CAT)

Conducting Body

IM Calcutta (to be confirmed)

CAT 2024 Exam Date

November 24, 2024 (Tentative)

CAT 2024 Exam Timings

  • Slot 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

  • Slot 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

  • Slot 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Exam Purpose

For admission into MBA/PGDM courses in 20 IIMs and over 1,000+ MBA colleges in India

Exam Level

National-Level Postgraduate Exam

Frequency of CAT 2024 Exam

Annual

Language

English

CAT Exam 2024 Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

CAT 2024 Fees

  • INR 2400 for the General Category
  • INR 1200 for the Reserved Category

Minimum Eligibility

Graduation in any stream with 50% marks (45% for reserved category)

Exam Sections

  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

  • Quantitative Ability (QA)

Total Questions

66

Type of Questions

MCQs and Non-MCQs

CAT Helpdesk No.

18002101088 (Toll-Free)

CAT 2024 Official Website

iimcat.ac.in

Similar Exams :

CAT 2024 Important Dates

The CAT 2024 important dates are provided below. Test takers must be updated with all the related events of the CAT 2024 exam: 

Events

CAT 2024 Exam Dates

CAT 2024 Official Notification Release

Last week of July 2024

Commencement of CAT Registration 2024

First week of August 2024  (10:00 AM) 

Last Date for CAT 2024 Registration

Second/Third week of September 2024 (11:00 AM)

CAT Application Correction Window 2024

Last week of September 2024

CAT 2024 Admit Card Release

Last week of October 2024, at 5:00 PM

CAT Exam 2024 Mock Test Release

First/Second week of November 2024

CAT Exam Date 2024

November 24, 2024

CAT Preliminary Answer Key 2024 Release

First Week of December 2024

Last Date to Challenge CAT 2024 Answer Key

First Week of December 2024

CAT Final Answer Key 2024 Release

First Week of December 2024

CAT Exam 2024 Result Announcement

First week of January 2025
Top Management Colleges :

CAT 2024 Conducting Body

The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted by IIM Calcutta. IIMs are responsible for conducting the CAT exam every year on a rotational basis. The conducting body for the exam is also responsible for all the activities such as the release of the CAT official notification, CAT online registration, conducting the exam, declaration of the result, and screening qualified students for admissions.

Through the CAT exam 2024, one can get admission into 20 IIMs and more than 1,000 management schools across India. IIM Lucknow, IIM Calcutta, IIM Ahmedabad, and IIM Bangalore are regarded as some of the top premier B-Schools in India, providing world-class management education, practical training, and lucrative placement opportunities to students. Aspirants can take a look at the past years conducting bodies of CAT.

CAT Year

CAT Conducting Body

2024IIM Calcutta

2023

IIM Lucknow

2022

IIM Bangalore

2021

IIM Ahmedabad

2020

IIM Indore

2019

IIM Kozhikode

2018

IIM Calcutta

2017

IIM Lucknow

2016

IIM Bangalore

2015

IIM Ahmedabad

2014

IIM Indore

2013

IIM Indore

2012

IIM Kozhikode

2011

IIM Calcutta

2010

IIM Lucknow

2009

IIM Ahmedabad

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024

The CAT eligibility criteria 2024 are one of the basic requirements that candidates must fulfill when registering for the examination. Only those candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be allowed to seek MBA/PGDM admission through the CAT exam at some of the most prestigious management institutes and B-schools in the country. The eligibility criteria are put in place by the exam conducting authorities of CAT to make sure that every aspirant who wishes to pursue management education in a CAT-accepting institution meets a certain standard. That being said, the CAT eligibility criteria is as follows:

Educational Qualifications Required

  • Candidates must have obtained a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any stream from a recognized university.
  • Candidates must have scored at least 50% aggregate marks in their undergraduate course (45% for reserved category students).
  • Candidates with professional degrees/qualifications like Chartered Accountancy, Company Secretary, Cost and Management Accountancy, etc. are also eligible for CAT.

Age Requirement

  • Candidates are not required to meet any age requirements when applying for the CAT exam. However, since candidates must be bachelor’s degree holders, CAT aspirants are typically older than a particular age bar.

Exceptions to Educational Qualifications

  • One of the most common exceptions to the CAT eligibility criteria when it comes to educational qualifications is that candidates who are in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree course are also allowed to appear for the CAT exam. However, such candidates have to meet certain conditions, the most important of which is the submission of requisite documents at the specified time to ensure that their admission to MBA/PGDM programs through the CAT exam is not revoked.

Note:The CAT eligibility criteria for various aspects is explained in further detail in the CAT notification and also the official website for CAT. Candidates must make sure that they check the eligibility criteria before applying for the exam to avoid any problems during the admission process.

CAT 2024 Registration Process

Only on the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in, can candidates complete the online registration process for CAT 2024. For general candidates, the CAT registration fee has been increased to Rs. 2,500. While for PwD/DA and SC/ST categories, the registration fee stands at INR 1,200. The only way to pay the CAT registration fees is through online mode using methods such as net banking, debit, or credit cards.
An OTP will be generated and sent to the mobile number and email address you provided during registration in order to verify the details that you provided. In order to complete the registration process, the User ID and Password will be sent to the registered email address or registered mobile number after the OTP has been verified. The application form can be completed in a single session or over multiple sessions.
The CAT registration process 2024 consisted of three stages: (i) registration to generate CAT User ID and Password; (ii) logging in with the generated User ID and Password to fill out the CAT 2024 application form; (iii) submission of the application form after entering the relevant details and making online payment to complete the application process.
Some key changes have been observed in the CAT 2024 registration process. Candidates received 2 OTPs to complete the registration process. The size of the photograph that the candidates were required to upload must be 1200x1200 pixels. Candidates were able to calculate their academic percentages manually. Delhi NCR cities have been clubbed.

CAT Syllabus 2024

The CAT syllabus is quite extensive. The conducting IIMs don't have a fixed CAT syllabus, so MBA aspirants can get an idea of the CAT syllabus 2024 by going through CAT previous years' question papers, sample papers, and mock tests. CAT 2024 syllabus will include topics from sections such as Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).  The questions asked in the exam are mostly based on Middle School Maths and English topics. The table below highlights the important topics from the CAT syllabus: 

Section

Important Topics

Weightage

Verbal Ability

Questions like Para jumbles, Summary Based, Sentence exclusion, Sentence Completion, Inferences, Para-Summary

8 to 10 questions

Reading Comprehension

RC passages

Almost 16 questions in the VARC section are based on RCs.

Quantitative Ability

Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Mensuration, Time and Work

Maximum questions are asked from Arithmetic and Algebra, with nearly 8 questions from each area.

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

Seating Arrangement, DI-based reasoning, Grid-Based DI, Graphs, Tables, Data Caselets, Blood Relations, Syllogism

An equal number of sets from DI and LR

CAT 2024 Exam Pattern

CAT 2024 question paper will comprise 66 questions of 198 marks in total. There is a sectional limit of 40 minutes for each of the three sections, including VARC, DILR, and QA. The CAT exam pattern 2024 can be found below. 

CAT 2024 Section

Total Questions

Total MCQs (With Negative Marking)

Total Non-MCQs (Without Negative Marking)

Time Limit

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

24

19

5

40 Minutes

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

20

15

5

40 Minutes

Quantitative Ability

22

14

8

40 Minutes

Total

66

48

18

120 Minutes

Section-wise CAT Exam Pattern 2024

The exam pattern for each section under the CAT 2024 exam has been provided below.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Total MCQs with negative marking

21

Total Non-MCQs without negative marking

3

Total Number of Questions

24

Main Highlights

  • 4-5 RC Passages with 16 to 18 MCQs
  • VA 6-8 MCQs
  • Non-MCQs divided into Para jumbles, Para Summary, and Out of Context Sentences

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Total MCQs with negative marking

15

Total Non-MCQs without negative marking

5

Total Number of Questions

20

Main Highlights

  • LR – 10 questions
  • DI –  10 questions
  • All in sets of 4-5 questions

Quantitative Ability (QA)

Total MCQs with negative marking

14

Total Non-MCQs without negative marking

  8

Total Number of Questions

22

Main Highlights

Maximum questions on Arithmetic, others on Log, Geometry, Roots, Algebra 

CAT Exam Pattern Over Past Years

Here's the table depicting the CAT exam pattern followed by IIMs over the years.

CAT Exam YearConducting IIMNo. of SlotsTest DurationTotal QuestionsTotal Sections
2022IIM Bangalore32 Hours663
2021IIM Ahmedabad32 Hours663
2020IIM Indore32 Hours763
2019IIM Kozhikode23 Hours1003
2018IIM Calcutta23 Hours1003
2017IIM Lucknow23 Hours1003
2016IIM Bangalore23 Hours1003
2015IIM Ahmedabad23 Hours1003
2014IIM Indore42 Hours 50 Minutes1002

CAT 2024 Marking Scheme

Section

MCQ

TITA Questions

Marks (MCQ)

Marks (TITA)

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

20-21

4-5

+3, -1

+3, no negative marking

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

20-21

2-3

+3, -1

+3, no negative marking

Quantitative Ability

20-21

4-5

+3, -1

+3, no negative marking

CAT 2024 Admit Card

The CAT 2024 admit card includes the exam centre location, exam timing, reporting time, a link to a Google Map to help you find the test centre and examination day guidelines. On the CAT 2024 exam date, applicants must bring a printout of their admit card and an identity card to the examination centre.

Steps to Download CAT Admit Card 2024

  1. Visit the CAT's official site (iimcat.ac.in.)
  2. Enter your User ID and password.
  3. Click on the 'Download CAT 2024 Admit Card' link.
  4. The screen will show the admit card.
  5. Take a print of the document after downloading it.
  6. Keep a photocopy of your hall ticket for future use.

How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024

A few fundamental guidelines should always be kept in mind by students who are completely geared up for the CAT 2024, especially as the exam date approaches. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the CAT syllabus 2024 first. Establish a solid foundation and make the fundamental concepts apparent as you start your CAT exam 2024 preparation. Make sure to create a comprehensive study schedule with designated time slots for every topic and section, taking into account the time available before the CAT 2024 exam. Include CAT 2024 mock tests along with the CAT previous year question papers in an extensive manner in your preparation plan. At the very beginning of your preparation, take a CAT mock test to determine your level of preparation. Students need to identify their areas of strength and weakness when they are preparing for the CAT exam. Concentrate on increasing your accuracy and speed by answering more questions under time constraints and improving your time management abilities.  

In order to get adequately prepared for the CAT exam 2024, one should solve and analyze sample question papers, go through a thorough subject-wise exam evaluation, and concentrate on covering at least 70% of the curriculum in 2-3 months. Reading the CAT books by Arun Sharma and Nishit K Sinha, enrolling in online courses and exam preparation offered by coaching organizations like Unacademy, Career Launcher, IMS India, T.I.M.E., and others, as well as attempting both overall exam questions and section-specific questions and regular practice are essential parts of CAT 2024 exam preparation.

CAT Exam 2024 Best Books

CAT books 2024 are crucial elements of exam preparation. MBA aspirants must refer to them for the CAT syllabus and study them thoroughly to have a conceptual clarity of important CAT topics. They are a great source of knowledge about all the necessary concepts. Candidates preparing for the CAT exam must have a list of the best books for CAT 2024 given below:

  • Quantitative Aptitude for MBA Entrance Examinations- Abhijit Guha
  • How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT- Arun Sharma/TATA McGRAW HILL
  • Higher Algebra- Hall and Knight
  • Course in Mental Ability and Quantitative Aptitude- Edgar Thorpe
  • Word Power Made Easy- Norman Lewis
  • How to Prepare for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT- Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhya

Best Coaching Institutes for CAT Exam 2024 Preparation

MBA aspirants seeking admission into IIMs and other B-Schools in India can consider joining a coaching institute for fool-proof CAT exam preparation. The CAT coaching institutes provide aspirants with the best study material and preparation guides. The experienced staff conducts doubt-clearing sessions regularly. These coaching centers provide a platform for several CAT applicants to exchange their views and ideas on various CAT-related matters. A few coaching centers also give demo sessions to candidates who want to enroll in CAT preparation. Some of the top coaching institutes in India that prepare students for CAT and other MBA entrance exams are listed below:

IMSCareer LauncherBulls Eye
Byju’s ClassesEndeavour CareersErudite
PT EducationTIMEMBAguru
Prudence Academy --

CAT Exam Analysis 2024

Checking CAT previous years' question paper analysis is a great way to understand the difficulty level and the number of good attempts in the exam. CAT exam analysis will be updated here after the exam concludes on the scheduled CAT 2024 exam date. Take a look at the CAT previous years' question paper analysis done by experts and candidates who took the exam:

Year of the CAT Exam

Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2024

CAT 2024 Slot 1 Question Paper Analysis - To be Updated

CAT 2024 Slot 2 Question Paper Analysis - To be Updated

CAT 2024 Slot 3 Question Paper Analysis - To be Updated

CAT 2023

CAT 2023 Slot 1 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2023 Slot 2 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2023 Slot 3 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2022

CAT 2022 Slot 1 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2022 Slot 2 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2022 Slot 3 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2021

CAT 2021 Slot 1 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2021 Slot 2 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2021 Slot 3 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2020

CAT 2020 Slot 1 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2020 Slot 2 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2020 Slot 3 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2019

CAT 2019 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2018

CAT 2018 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2017

CAT 2017 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2016

CAT 2016 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2015

CAT 2015 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2014

CAT 2014 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2013

CAT 2013 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2012

CAT 2012 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2011

CAT 2011 Question Paper Analysis

CAT 2024 Mock Test

CAT 2024 mock test is a dummy exam created just like an exact duplicate of the actual examination. It is conducted online on the official website (iimcat.ac.in) to make candidates familiar with the exam environment and help the understand how to attempt the CAT exam. The CAT 2024 official mock test is available for candidates on the CAT 2024 website. To attempt the CAT mock tests, you need to sign in on the login screen, go through the instructions and start the test. Here are the direct links to access CAT 2024 Mock Test:

CAT 2024 Mock Test - Direct Link (To be Updated)

CAT 2024 Mock Test for PwD Candidates (Blindness and Low Vision) - Direct Link (To be Updated)

CAT 2024 Mock Test for Other PwD Candidates - Direct Link (To be Updated)

Students can refer to the CAT 2024 Mock Test Navigation Guide PDF to become familiar with the instructions, features, and procedures of the Computer-Based Test:

CAT 2024 Mock Test Navigation Guide PDF - Direct Link

Why Solve CAT 2024 Mock Test

  • Solving CAT 2024 mock test is a great way to comprehend the online CAT test process.
  • Applicants can reacquaint themselves with each stage in order to proceed accurately during the actual exam because it is a dummy of the actual CAT exam.
  • Mock tests for the CAT exam 2024 provide a reasonable grasp of the question paper pattern and merit list.
  • The CAT online mock test can help you improve your time and efficiency when answering statistical questions or questions that require you to interpret excerpts.
  • Practicing mock tests aids in the discovery of techniques and workarounds for answering CAT question papers in the shortest amount of time.
  • The more practice tests one takes, the better one will become at answering all types of questions – difficult, simple, extensive, or complicated.
  • They help you improve your speed and accuracy when solving questions.

Also ReadCAT 2024 Mock Test: Importance of CAT Mock Test During Preparation

CAT Previous Year Question Papers

Like sample papers, CAT previous year question papers help candidates understand the syllabus, pattern, and marking schemes. Solving the old year papers benefits in the preparation and understanding of the types of questions and topics.

CAT Question Paper PDF 2017-22

CAT 2022 Question Paper

CAT 2021 Question Paper

CAT 2020 Question Paper

CAT 2019 Question Paper

CAT 2018 Question Paper

CAT 2017 Question Paper

CAT Sample Papers

For fool-proof CAT exam preparation, MBA aspirants must solve CAT sample papers to get insight into the CAT syllabus, exam pattern, and marking scheme and understand the types of questions they may encounter during the exam. From full-length to short-time or sectional quizzes, there are many CAT sample papers available online. Solving the sample papers can help candidates analyze their preparation level and work on the weaker areas. They are also important for enhancing your final exam performance and boosting your confidence. Download the CAT sample papers from the links given below before the CAT 2024 exam date to score high:

CAT Sample PaperDownload Link

CAT Sample Paper 1

Download PDF

CAT Sample Paper 2

Download PDF

CAT Sample Paper 3

Download PDF

CAT Sample Paper 4

Download PDF

CAT Sample Paper 5

Download PDF

CAT 2024 Exam Day Guidelines: Dos and Don’ts

The CAT 2024 exam date is approaching, and all the MBA aspirants are getting done with their final preparation. However, no amount of preparation will help you crack the exam if you are not aware of the guidelines for the CAT exam 2024. Candidates can refer to the official CAT 2024 Test Day Guide PDF given below for a comprehensive list of instructions and guidelines regarding the CAT exam 2024.

CAT 2024 Test Day Guide - PDF Link (To be Updated)

Here are some requirements you must know in advance to keep your confidence high and avoid any last-minute hassle.

Do’s

Dont’s

  • Keep a hard copy of your CAT 2024 admit card with you. Without it, no student will be permitted to take the CAT 2024 exam. Digital copies are not permitted.
  • Check the instructions found on the CAT 2024 hall ticket. The admit card contains important information about your exam centre, reporting time, exam time, and other details.
  • Arrive early at the exam centre to ensure a seamless entry to the examination hall and a stress-free exam experience. Candidates arriving late will not be permitted to appear for the exam.
  • The Attendance Sheet, which is available at the registration desk, needs to be signed by candidates.
  • Pay close attention to the instructions provided by the exam invigilator.Inform him right away if you experience any problems logging in or finding an allotted seat during the exam.
  • The CAT exam lasts for 120 minutes total, and no candidate will be given extra time. Therefore, make an attempt to effectively manage your time so that you have enough time for each section.
  • When responding to a non-MCQ at the console, use the on-screen keyboard; when selecting an answer for an MCQ, use the mouse.
  • Candidates must complete the rough work on the sheets provided and and return them to the Invigilator once the exam is over.
  • Please refrain from requesting entry into the testing center after 8:15 AM for the morning session, 12:15 PM for the afternoon session, and 4:15 PM for the evening session.
  • In the 2024 CAT exam, prevent yourself from trying to cheat. The invigilator may take harsh measures against you if you are discovered doing so.
  • It is not permitted to take the CAT exam more than once in 2024. A candidate will have their application denied if it is found that they took the test more than once.
  • You should not request a bio-break in the test lab unless there is an urgent medical situation.
  • Do not carry the following items to the CAT examination hall:

(a) any electronic gadgets like mobile phones, beepers, wristwatches, calculators, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth devices, etc.

(b) headpins, clips, and jewellery that contains metal

(c) pencil boxes, purses, bags, or any kind of luggage
closed footwear beyond the frisking point
jackets and clothes with pockets 

CAT 2024 Exam Slot Timings

For all candidates who intend to take the CAT exam, it is critical to be aware of the CAT 2024 timetable. The CAT notification 2024 includes all the information about the CAT exam slot timings. In order to accommodate all applicants, the CAT exam is normally offered on a single day in three separate sessions. Candidates have the option of selecting their own test city based on convenience as the exam is offered in a number of test cities across the nation. The table below lists the CAT 2024 exam slot timings:

Shift

Exam Timings

Reporting Time

Shift 1 (Forenoon)

8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

7:00 AM to 8:15 AM

Shift 2 (Afternoon)

12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

11 AM to 12:15 PM

Shift 3 (Evening)

4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

3:00 PM to 4:15 PM

CAT 2024 Exam Day Work Flow

On the CAT 2024 exam date, candidates are expected to arrive at the exam center at the reporting time mentioned on their admit cards for a smooth experience. Arriving late or not carrying important documents can lead you into trouble. Thus, ensure you reach on time and carry everything important to the exam center. Here’s the CAT exam day flow that every candidate needs to follow:

  • Arrive at the exam center
  • Locate the lab from the notice board
  • Get the CAT admit card 2024 checked
  • Submit bags, mobile phones, etc.
  • Undergo frisking
  • Get all the approved documents verified
  • Reach the lab/block
  • Complete biometric capture
  • Locate console
  • Login to the test screen
  • Verify and confirm profile details
  • Read instructions and agree to the declaration
  • Start the CAT exam
  • Finish the test and submit feedback
  • Return the notepad and pen to the exam invigilator
  • Exit the test tab
  • Exit the exam center

CAT 2024 Exam Centers

IIM Lucknow will release the details of CAT 2024 exam centers in the official notification. The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted in around 150 cities across different states in India. While filling out the application form, candidates can select any 6 exam centers for the CAT exam 2024 as per their preference. CAT 2024 will be conducted in the following test cities:

State

Test Cities

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Port Blair

Andhra Pradesh

Guntur; Kakinada; Kurnool; Nellore; Rajahmundry; Tirupathi; Vijayawada; Visakhapatnam

Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar

Assam

Dibrugarh; Guwahati; Silchar

Bihar

Aurangabad; Muzaffarpur; Patna; Purnea

Chandigarh

Chandigarh

Chhattisgarh

Bhilai; Raipur

Delhi-NCR

Delhi, New Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Noida, Panipat, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida,

Goa

Madgaon; Panaji

Gujarat

Ahmedabad; Anand; Gandhinagar; Rajkot; Surat; Vadodara

Haryana

Ambala; Bahadurgarh; Hisar; Palwal; Rohtak; Sonipat

Himachal Pradesh

Simla; Waknaghat

Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu; Samba, Kashmir

Jharkhand

Bokaro; Dhanbad; Jamshedpur; Ranchi

Karnataka

Banglore; Belagavi (Belgaum); Dharwad; Gulbarga; Hubli; Mangalore; Mysore; Udupi

Kerala

Ernakulam; Kasaragod; Kollam; Kozhikode; Malappuram; Thrissur; Trivandrum

Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal; Gwalior; Indore; Jabalpur; Sagar

Maharashtra

Ahmednagar; Amravati; Aurangabad; Jalgaon; Kolhapur; Mumbai, Navi Mumbai; Nagpur; Nanded; Nashik; Pune; Raigad; Satara; Solapur; Thane; Ulhasnagar

Meghalaya

Shillong

Manipur

Imphal

Odisha

Balasore; Berhampur; Bhubaneswar; Cuttack; Dhenkanal; Sambalpur; Rourkela

Puducherry

Puducherry

Punjab

Bhatinda; Chandigarh; Fatehgarh Sahib; Jalandhar; Ludhiana; Mohali; Pathankot; Patiala; Ropar; Sangrur

Rajasthan

Ajmer; Alwar; Jaipur; Jodhpur; Kota; Sikar; Udaipur

Tamilnadu

Chennai; Coimbatore; Madurai; Namakkal; Thanjavur; Tiruchirappalli; Tirunelvelli

Telangana

Hyderabad; Karim Nagar; Warangal

Uttar Pradesh

Agra; Allahabad; Barabanki; Bareilly; Ghaziabad; Gorakhpur; Greater Noida; Kanpur; Lucknow; Mathura; Meerut; Muzaffarnagar; Noida; Varanasi

Uttarakhand

Dehradun; Roorkee

West Bengal

Asansol; Bankura; Burdwan; Durgapur; Hooghly; Howrah; Kalyani; Kolkata; Siliguri

CAT 2024 Answer Key

CAT 2024 answer key along with the CAT response sheet will be released after the conclusion of the exam. CAT final answer key 2024 will be released along with the result in early December 2024. To access CAT answer key, candidates will need to login into the CAT official website and enter their CAT 2024 Login ID and password:

  • The answer key for the CAT exam will only be available for the aspirants who took CAT 2024. 
  • The CAT exam answer key PDF is released along with an objection form. The aspirants who find discrepancies with the CAT answer key get the option to challenge the answer key by submitting an objection to the CAT 2024 centre. They also need to pay 1200 for every question they challenge.
  • If the objection found by the candidate is valid, the measures taken by IIMs will apply to all the candidates.
  • If there is no change even after the candidate has objected, it will not be considered.
  • The CAT final answer key is prepared after considering and reviewing all objections submitted.
  • CAT answer key helps the candidates verify their answers and figure out their expected score for the CAT exam 2024 for MBA admission to IIMs and other top B-schools.

CAT 2024 Result

CAT 2024 scorecard will likely be out in the Second week of January 2025. CAT result will be available for download on the official website (iimcat.ac.in) once it is released by the exam conducting authority.

CAT Exam 2024 Result Highlights

  • The CAT result date and time will be released on the official website.
  • IIMs send the CAT exam score via SMS to all the candidates who took the exam.
  • Once the CAT result is out, IIMs inform that the CAT scorecard is live.
  • CAT 2024 scorecard can be downloaded when the result is declared.
  • CAT scorecard consists of the scaled score and percentile score of a candidate.
  • The raw scores of candidates are not mentioned on the CAT scorecard.
  • CAT 2024 exam score will only be valid till December 31, 2024.
  • Using our CAT percentile calculator will be helpful in result calculation.

CAT Exam 2024 Selection Process

After the CAT 2024 exam date, one must have a clear understanding of the CAT selection process. Notably, IIMs have their individual selection process, and the admission process of IIMs usually includes the score obtained in the CAT exam, academic record, and performance in PI & WAT rounds. There are three general stages through which the IIMs admission process gets conducted through CAT. 

  • Stage 1: CAT Exam Performance
  • Stage 2: Shortlisting by IIMs for Personal Interview round
  • Stage 3: IIMs Final Selection Process 2024 comprising WAT & PI Round

The final selection depends on the collective performance in all the stages. Students must note that old IIMs conduct separate admission processes while the baby or new IIMs conduct a Common Admission Process for MBA admission after the CAT exam.

Popular IIMs Conducting Admission Process

Top IIMs in India, including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Bangalore, IIM Indore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Shillong, IIM Nagpur, IIM Rohtak, and IIM Visakhapatnam, shortlist students and conduct the admission process to finalize candidates for PGDM/MBA admission. They provide high weightage to diversity, academics, work experience, and CAT exam scores.

IIM Admission Criteria

Around 9-11 IIMs, conduct a Common Admission Process (CAP) to finalize and select students. One of the 6 baby/new IIMs coordinates this admission process. Candidates will have to participate in common WAT and PI rounds for 9 to 11 new IIMs, such as IIM Kashipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Raipur, IIM Udaipur, IIM TrichyIIM Sambalpur, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, and IIM Jammu.

CAT Exam 2024 Participating Colleges

Several MBA colleges in India accept CAT scores for admission. These include 21 IIMs and several other MBA colleges in the non-IIM category, such as FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, SJMSoM IIT Mumbai, DoMS IIT Delhi, etc. Check the list of CAT participating colleges provided below.

Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) Category

S. No.

Name of the IIM

Courses Offered

1

IIM Ahmedabad

  • PGP

  • PGPX

  • EPGP

  • FPM

  • AFP

  • PGP- FABM

  • ePGP

2

IIM Bangalore

  • PGP

  • PGPX

  • EPGP

  • FPM

  • PGPPM

  • PGPEM

3

IIM Calcutta

  • PGP

  • PGPEX

  • FPM

  • PGPEX-VLM

  • PGDBA

  • CEMS MIM

4

IIM Lucknow

  • PGP

  • FPM

  • EFPM

  • PGP- ABM

  • PGP- SM

  • WPM

  • IPMX

5

IIM Kozhikode

  • PGP

  • EPGP

  • PGP-BL

  • FPM

6

IIM Indore

  • PGP

  • EPGP

  • FPM

  • IPM

  • PGP- Mumbai

  • PGPMX

  • FPM (Industry)

  • PGP-HRM)

7

IIM Nagpur

  • PGP

8

IIM Amritsar

  • PGP

9

IIM Sambalpur

  • PGP

10

IIM Ranchi

  • PGDM

  • PGEXP

  • FPM

  • PGPEM

  • PGDHRM)

  • CPGM

11

IIM Tiruchirappalli

  • PGPM

  • FPM

12

IIM Kashipur

  • PGP

  • EPGP

  • FPM

  • EFPM

13

IIM Raipur

  • PGP

  • PGPWE

  • FPM

  • EFPM

14

IIM Visakhapatnam

  • PGP

  • PGP in Business Management for Experienced Professionals

15

IIM Bodh Gaya

  • PGDM

16

IIM Udaipur

  • PGP

  • PGPX

  • FPM

17

IIM Rohtak

  • PGPM

  • EPGP

  • FPM

18

IIM Sirmaur

  • PGPM

19

IIM Jammu

  • PGP

20

IIM Shillong

  • PGP

  • PGP for Executives – Managing Business in India and China (PGPEx- MBIC)

  • FPM

21

IIM Mumbai

  • MBA

  • PGD for Executives – Visionary Leaders For Manufacturing (PGDEx–VLFM)

  • General Management Programme for the Defence Officers (DGMP)

Non-IIM MBA Colleges Category

S. No.

Name of the Institute 

Courses Offered

1

SJMSOM, IIT Bombay

  • MBA

  • EMBA

  • MDPs

  • Doctoral Program

  • IDDDP in Management

2

Faculty of Management Studies  – University of Delhi

  • MBA

  • EMBA

  • MBA in Executive Health Care Administration

  • MDPs

  • Doctoral Program

3

DMS, IIT Delhi

  • MBA

  • EMBA

  • Doctoral Program

  • MDPs

  • International Student Internships

4

Management Development Institute (MDI, Gurgaon)

  • PGDM

  • Online PGDM Program

  • PGDM in Human Resource Management (HRM)

  • PGDM in International Business (IB)

  • PGDM in Business Management (BM)

  • PGDM in Public Policy and Management (PPM)

  • PGDM in Business Administration (BA)

  • FPM

  • MDPs

5

Xavier's Institute of Management (XIM, Bhubaneshwar)

  • MBA in Business Management
  • EMBA in Business Management

  • EPGDM-VIL

  • PhD (Part-Time & Full-Time)

6

Institute of Management Technology (IMT, Ghaziabad)

  • PGDM

  • PGDM-Marketing

  • PGDM-Finance

  • PGDM DCP

  • PGDM BFS

  • PGDM WE

  •  PGDM ExP

  • FPM

  • MDPs

7

Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA, Chennai)

  • PGDM

  • Executive Diploma Program

  • PGP in Logistics

  • MDPs

8

T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI, Manipal)

  • PGDM

  • PGDM - Human Resource Management (HRM)

  • PGDM - Banking and Financial Services (BFS)

  • Executive Education Programs

  • Doctoral Program

9

SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR, Mumbai)

  • PGDM)

  • Business Management

  • PGPM

  • GMP

  • PGMPW

  • FPM

  • PGPFMB

  • PGEMP

  • PGP-GM

  • MDP

  • PGPDM

CAT 2024 Cutoff

Each IIM has its own selection procedure for admission to top PGP/MBA/PGDM programs. Applicants must clear both the sectional and overall CAT cutoff to be eligible for admission. Here is the CAT 2024 expected cutoff percentile for IIMs and Non-IIM institutes as predicted by the experts:

Expected IIM CAT Cutoff Percentile 2024

S. No.

Name of the IIM

Expected CAT 2024 Cutoff Percentile

1

IIM Ahmedabad

99+

2

IIM Bangalore

99+

3

IIM Calcutta

99+

4

IIM Lucknow

97-98

5

IIM Kozhikode

97-98

6

IIM Indore

97-98

7

IIM Nagpur

95-96

8

IIM Amritsar

95-96

9

IIM Sambalpur

95-96

10

IIM Ranchi

94-95

11

IIM Tiruchirappalli

94-95

12

IIM Kashipur

94-95

13

IIM Raipur

94-95

14

IIM Visakhapatnam

92-94

15

IIM Bodh Gaya

92-94

16

IIM Udaipur

92-94

17

IIM Rohtak

90+

18

IIM Sirmaur

90

19

IIM Jammu

90

20

IIM Shillong

90

21

IIM Mumbai (Formerly NITIE)

97

Expected Non-IIM CAT Cutoff Percentile 2024

S. No.

Name of the Institute 

Expected CAT 2024 Cutoff Percentile

1

IIT Bombay

99+

2

Faculty of Management Studies

98.20+

3

IIT Delhi

98+

4

Management Development Institute (MDI, Gurgaon)

95+

5

Xavier's Institute of Management (XIM, Bhubaneshwar)

94+

6

Institute of Management Technology (IMT, Ghaziabad)

90+

7

Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA, Chennai)

90+

8

T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI, Manipal)

85+

9

SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR, Mumbai)

85+

CAT 2024 Section-Wise Cutoff Percentile

Percentile

Score-VARC

Score-DILR

Score-QA

Overall Score

99.5

44

35

40

101

99

34

26

36

96

98

32

28

30

90

95

32

20

29

81

90

29

17

26

72

85

24

15

20

59

80

20

12

15

47

CAT Exam 2024 Disclaimer

CAT 2024 test takers will have to agree to a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which means that the test takers are barred from disclosing any sort of content pertaining to the CAT exam. Candidates who violate the rules will have to face a punishment of up to three years in jail and should also pay a fine of up to Rs. 2,00,000. 

During the admission or selection process, if it is found that a candidate has furnished any incorrect information or has violated any process, he/she will be barred from participating in the selection process. Also, the candidate will not be allowed to appear for the CAT exam in the future.

CAT 2024 Contact Details

Candidates applying for the CAT 2024 exam must note that they are free to contact the concerned authorities if they have any issues or queries related to the exam. 

Contact Details for Queries Related to Registration, Payment, and Document Uploading

Toll-free number1-800-210-1088 (Monday - Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM)
Email addresscathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in
AddressIndian Institute of Management
Vastrapur, Ahmedabad 380015
Gujarat
CollegeDekho Student Helpline1800-572-9877

Contact Details for Academic Queries such as Eligibility, Category, and PwD Certificate

Phone number+91-079-7152 4630 / 4631 / 4633 / 4634
Email addresscat2024@iimc.ac.in

Important Dates

CAT 2024 Important EventsDates
Official Notification Date 28 Jul to 29 Jul, 2024 (*Tentative)
Registration Date 04 Aug to 15 Sep, 2024 (*Tentative)
Admit Card Date 25 Oct to 24 Nov, 2024 (*Tentative)
Exam Date 24 Nov, 2024
Result Date 04 Jan to 05 Jan, 2025 (*Tentative)

Want to know more about CAT

FAQs about CAT

What does it take to clear the CAT 2024 exam?

Attempting mock tests regularly is what it takes to clear the CAT 2024 exam on its first attempt. The more mock tests you solve, the higher your chances of scoring in the CAT. Therefore, it is recommended to solve at least three mock tests a week. A mix of smart work, dedication, and hard work along with proper planning will help you clear the CAT exam. Candidates can plan their preparation as per their strengths and weaknesses. 

Can a student without a Maths background clear CAT 2024?

Definitely, a student without a Maths background can clear CAT 2024 but candidates will have to invest a lot of effort in the arithmetic component. For this, they should practice the previous year's question papers, take various mock tests and practice papers, and master multiple strategies to increase their efficiency. By this, candidates will be able to learn all the basic concepts and solve difficult mathematical problems on time.

Can you crack the CAT exam 2024 without coaching?

Yes, candidates can crack the CAT exam 2024 without coaching only if they aggressively prepare for it. However, aspirants must keep in mind that the exam offers tough competition and simultaneously demands considerable time and consistent effort. Most experts recommend that applicants who want to perform well on the exam should take CAT coaching but it is not mandatory. 

How much is the CAT exam fee 2024?

The CAT exam fee 2024 for General, EWS and NC-OBC categories is INR 2,500 and for SC, ST and PwD category is INR 1,150. You can pay the fees online using net banking or a debit/credit card. Candidates should be aware that the CAT application fee is not transferable. As the CAT application and registration is a one-time process, candidates must thoroughly check the form and apply accordingly.

How many attempts for CAT are allowed?

Inexhaustible attempts for CAT are allowed. In other words, there is no upper age limit or cap on the number of times you can take the CAT exam 2023. However, the only criterion to sit for CAT is that the applicants must be studying in their final year or obtained a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate. Further, if you are targeting to work for a reputed firm, a few companies consider the number of CAT attempts taken by a candidate as an eligibility criterion. Hence, students must try to clear the exam in as minimum attempts as possible.

What happens if I fail the CAT exam?

The CAT exam does not use the concepts of passing or failing. You will either receive a high percentile, which will permit you to ‎promptly be called from IIM or one of your top universities, or a low percentile, which will prevent you from receiving a call for the next step in the admissions process. Further, if you do not achieve a decent percentile score, you can still enrol in reputable management institutes by taking the other management entrance exams like CMAT, NMAT, MAT, IIFT, IBSAT, XAT, GMAT, SNAP, MICAT, KMAT, TISS NET, GRE, or GATE.

How to calculate the CAT percentile?

The CAT percentile can be calculated just like percentiles in other exams. The percentiles are just a representation/ indication of the number of people who are behind you in the test. The General formula to calculate percentile along with some of the examples in this regard are elaborated below.

Percentile = ( 1 - All India Rank(Total Candidates in the Exam) * 100%

Example 1: Let us assume that 50 candidates appeared for the CAT exam. You have done well in the exam and scored 3rd rank in the entrance test, which means that 47 students scored less than you. Now, your percentile should be calculated as follows: -

47/50*100 = 94 Percentile.

How many times is CAT conducted in a year?

CAT is conducted once a year and the application form for the exam is released either in August or September. The exam is held in the month of late November to early December every year across 150 exam centres located in different test cities of India.

Is CAT conducted every year?

Yes, CAT is conducted every year by any one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) based on a policy of rotation. CAT is one of the many popular MBA entrance exams that, without a fail, is conducted every year. Candidates who are seeking admission to the MBA programme will have to appear for this entrance test and obtain a valid score to be eligible for admission to IIMs and other top B-Schools of India.

What is CAT?

The full form of CAT is Common Admission Test. CAT is a national-level management entrance exam that helps applicants gain MBA/PGDM admission to IIMs and other prestigious management institutes across the country. There are three major areas of the test: Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. However, the only criterion to sit for CAT is that the applicants must be studying in their final year or obtained a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate. 

What are the benefits of appearing for the CAT 2024?

One of the most noteworthy benefits of appearing for the CAT 2024 is the opportunity to study in the IIMs and some of the prestigious management institutes in the country like MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, S P Jain Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, etc. The entrance test also helps the students in improving their logical thinking, reasoning, and time management skills.

How tough is CAT?

Overall, it can be said that CAT has a moderately tough difficulty level, however, the exam seems easy for many students who have started their preparation early and kept practising all three sections equally. With the right preparation strategy and a lot of practice, candidates can easily crack the entrance test and score a good percentile in the exam.

How many colleges accept CAT scores?

In India, nearly 3,763 colleges accept CAT scores since it is one of the most important entrance exams for MBA admissions in the country. Currently, there are a total of 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) that accept the CAT score. More than one thousand other prestigious management institutes like MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, S P Jain Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, etc. also accept CAT scores. For more, aspirants can visit the official website of the selected college to find out if the college accepts CAT scores or not.

Who is the conducting body of CAT 2024?

IIM Calcutta, one of the older IIMs, is the conducting institute for CAT 2024. In India, there are a total of 20 IIMs, and one of them administers the CAT exam every year on a fixed rotational basis. In the years 2023 and 2022, CAT was conducted by IIM Lucknow and IIM Bangalore, respectively.

 

What is the duration of CAT 2024?

The duration of CAT 2024 is two hours or 120 minutes. The test will be conducted in Computer-Based Mode (CBT). As there are three sections (VARC, DILR, QA) in the CAT exam, each section will have a duration of 40 minutes. Slot-wise, the exam will be conducted in three sessions, namely, Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. 

How is the CAT exam centre allotted to the applicants?

The CAT exam centre is allotted to the applicants based on their chosen preferences. The applicant can specify up to six cities on the application form where they would like to take the CAT 2023 exam. Once a CAT 2023 exam centre has been chosen, requests to modify it will not be accepted by the conducting authority. Although not guaranteed, candidates usually get the first or second CAT exam centre of their choice.

When will CAT 2024 be conducted?

The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted most likely on November 24, 2024, across 150 exam centres located in different test cities of India. CAT is conducted every year by any one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) based on a policy of rotation. Candidates who are seeking admission to the MBA programme will have to appear for this entrance test and obtain a valid score to be eligible for admission to IIMs and other top B-Schools of India.

View More
View All Questions

Related Questions

Is it possible to join IIMA without cat ?

-BinnuUpdated on November 06, 2023 12:53 PM
  • 8 Answers
Bachan Singh, Student / Alumni

No, it's not possible. You have to sit for CAT if you wish to seek admission in IIM-A. 

READ MORE...

How to calculate CAT percentile?

-pankajUpdated on October 19, 2023 09:32 PM
  • 5 Answers
Shreya Sareen, CollegeDekho Expert

Dear Student,

CAT percentile is calculated using the formula “( 1 - All India Rank(Total Candidates in the Exam) * 100%”. You can understand this by example. Suppose 100 students appeared in the exam and you ranked 2nd then there are 98 students who have ranked below you. In that case, your percentile will be calculated as (98/100)x100 = 98 %tile. You must note that the CAT scorecard will show the final percentile up to two decimal places only. Those who have scored more than 98 percentile in the exam will have higher chances of getting a call from IIMs …

READ MORE...

How can I prepare for CAT 2020 on my own?

-AshishUpdated on July 14, 2023 01:38 PM
  • 3 Answers
Shreya Sareen, CollegeDekho Expert

Dear Student

You can start your preparation by checking all the important topics available in the syllabus of CAT exam. Since you are preparing for CAT exam, you have to prepare a schedule in such a way that you have enough time for the preparation of all the important sections of the exam. You can follow these strategies while preparing for CAT exam by own.

READ MORE...

Still have questions about CAT ? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Related Articles

Know best colleges you can get with your score

Top