CAT Eligibility Criteria 2023- Check Qualification, Age Limit, Reservation, Marks Details

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2023

IIM Lucknow has released the CAT eligibility 2023 on the official website at iimcat.ac.in along with the CAT 2023 notification. Candidates interested in taking the CAT 2023 exam must have a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD category). The IIM CAT eligibility 2023 for final-year students is also the same and provisional admission can be granted if they meet the minimum percentage requirement. Check the official PDF provided below to know the detailed CAT eligibility 2023.

Candidates who wish to appear for the CAT 2023 exam must go through the detailed CAT eligibility 2023 before applying. They must meet the eligibility rules specified by the exam conducting authority, otherwise, they will not be allowed to register or appear for the exam. If the candidates apply for the CAT 2023 exam without satisfying the mandatory eligibility norms, their candidature will be cancelled.

The CAT exam 2023 will be conducted on November 26, 2023, by IIM Lucknow in three slots. The CAT registration 2023 started on August 2, 2023, and will be available till September 20, 2023. Candidates who successfully register for the exam will be issued CAT 2023 admit card from October 25, 2023, onwards. CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by IIMs every year on a rotational basis for admission into PGP/ MBA/ PGDM courses.

Find category-wise CAT eligibility 2023 and other important information like CAT exam qualification, CAT eligibility 2023 for final year students, and more on this page.

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CAT Eligibility 2023 Highlights

Candidates must also note that the CAT eligibility 2023 of different MBA colleges in India may differ. It is also essential to go through the CAT eligibility 2023 specified by a college before applying. Here are the key highlights of the CAT exam eligibility:

CAT Eligibility 2023 for General & NC-OBC Category

Exam takers can find the CAT eligibility 2023 for the General and NC-OBC categories below.

• Minimum Qualification for CAT Eligibility 2023: Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or educational institution is the minimum CAT eligibility 2023 required for registration. Candidates can also have professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA.
• Minimum Percentage Required for CAT Eligibility 2023: Candidates must have a score of 50% in graduation or its equivalent in any stream.
• CAT Eligibility 2023 for Final Year Students: Candidates who are in their final year of graduation degree or awaiting results can also apply. However, the final admission will be subjected to the aggregate score in the graduation.

CAT Eligibility 2023 for Reserved (SC/ ST/ PwD) Category

Candidates interested in applying for the CAT exam 2023 under SC, ST, and PwD categories must take note of the following CAT Eligibility 2023.

• Minimum Qualification for CAT Eligibility 2023: The required CAT exam qualification is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized University or educational institution. Candidates can also have professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA.
• Minimum Percentage Required for CAT Eligibility 2023: Candidates must have a score of 45% in graduation or its equivalent in any stream.
• CAT Eligibility 2023 for Final Year Students: Candidates who are in their final year of graduation degree or awaiting results can also apply. However, the final admission will be subjected to the aggregate score in the graduation.

CAT Eligibility 2023: Age Limit

There is no age limit for set by the exam conducting authorities of CAT for any category of candidates who are applying for the exam. Candidates of all groups can apply who meet the minimum qualification and percentage required for the CAT exam are eligible to apply for it.

Since the CAT eligibility 2023 require candidates to have completed a Bachelor's degree, it is expected that CAT candidates will be over a certain age automatically. Also, it is important to note that even though candidates need not meet a certain age limit to appear for CAT, when applying for MBA admissions candidates may be required to meet an age criteria depending on the course and institute they pick.

CAT Eligibility 2023 for Equivalent Degrees

Candidates having professional degrees such as Chartered Accountancy/ Company Secretary/ ICWA (Cost Management Accountant) with 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) also satisfy IIM CAT eligibility 2023. The CAT exam percentage is calculated based on the procedure followed by the respective university or institution. If there is no provision at the university or institution for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result by 100. 

Note: The authorities may verify a candidate's eligibility at various stages during the CAT selection process at IIMs. Another thing that candidates must keep in mind is that meeting the minimum CAT Eligibility 2023 will not guarantee admission to the IIMs. In addition, throughout the selection process, candidates must maintain a valid and unique email account and phone number.

CAT Eligibility 2023 for Final Year Students

Candidates in their final year usually feel uncertain of their eligibility for the CAT entrance exam. Check the following points to know CAT eligibility 2023 for final-year students.

• All bachelor's degree candidates in their final year are eligible to apply for the CAT exam.
• However, if chosen for further consideration, these students must complete their bachelor's degree with the requisite grade and present documentation of this at the time of selection.
• The candidate's results in the subsequent admissions stages will be invalid if they are unable to satisfy this requirement.

Documents Required for Final Year Students

Freshers and individuals with previous work experience typically make up between 40% and 60% of CAT applicants. Thus, the number of students taking the CAT in their last year is relatively considerable. Clearing the CAT eligibility 2023 is the first step. The following additional documentation must be provided by applicants in order to meet the CAT eligibility 2023:

• An additional document, given that the individual does not already have their final degree certificate indicating the overall grade they received.
• The signatures of the Principal, Head of Department, Registrar, and Director of the Institute are required on the certificate, confirming the candidate's passing grade of at least 50% on the day the certificate is issued.

CAT Eligibility 2023: Work Experience

Candidates frequently question whether their job experience will have an impact on the whole application and exam procedure because it is a requirement for the CAT application form. The significance of job experience in the CAT exam is clarified in the following points:

• Work experience is not a mandatory eligibility requirement for candidates taking the CAT entrance exam.
• Although there is a section on the CAT application for prior work experience, it is not a mandatory requirement for completion of the registration process.
• In the final phases of the IIMs admissions process, work experience is given some consideration. The CAT exam, however, will not take experience into account when determining scores or eligibility.

CAT Eligibility 2023: Marks Calculation

The following formula is used to determine the CAT eligibility 2023:

• Universities and other educational institutions have their own standards for determining graduation marks. This technique will serve as the foundation for calculating CAT scores.
• The method provided by the institution must be used to convert the marks to percentages if the university offers grades or CGPA in place of marks.
• If the institution doesn't provide a method for converting marks or CGPA to percentages, it must be done through direct conversion. It implies that the candidate should divide the achieved CGPA by the highest CGPA possible and multiply the result by 100.

IIM CAT Eligibility 2023: Reservation Criteria

A certain percentage of seats are reserved for the unreserved category in the IIMs required by law. Reserved category aspirants must go through the CAT eligibility 2023 before applying. Check the table below to learn about the CAT reservation criteria for different categories:

Note: Being eligible for reservation under various categories does not guarantee admission at IIMs. Candidates are shortlisted if they fulfill the prescribed eligibility criteria, score the minimum required percentile in the CAT exam, and perform well in subsequent rounds of the admission process.

Also Read: Check Seat Reservation Policy at IIM

CAT Eligibility 2023: Who Falls Under the CAT PwD Category?

Candidates who have a benchmark disability are categorized as PwD candidates when it comes to the CAT exam. Candidates who fall under this category are allowed certain concessions and benefits in order to compensate for their disabilities. Candidates who fall under this category must not be less than 40% of a specific disability as specified in the Schedule of the RPwD Act 2016. The disabilities that fall under the CAT PwD category are as follows:

• Blindness and/or low vision
• Deaf and/or hard of hearing
• Autism, any specific learning disability, intellectual disability, and/or mental illness
• Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, cured leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims and/or muscular dystrophy.
• Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d)
• Other 'specified disabilities' mentioned in 'The Schedule' of the RPwD Act 2016

How to Convert Percentage of Marks into Grades for CAT 2023

Sometimes mark sheet contains marks in grades or CGPA, which must be converted into percentage marks to help the authorities determine the CAT Eligibility 2023. Every University or Institution converts the CGPA or grade scores obtained by the candidates into percentage marks to determine their CAT eligibility 2023. Candidates must note that every University or Institution employs its formula in converting the grade scores or CGPA into percentage scores to know whether they meet the requirements for the CAT Eligibility 2023. If any University or Institution does not have a working formula to convert the grade/CGPA scores into percentage scores, then a universal formula will be deployed to calculate the percentile scores of the candidates. The formula is:

Additionally, candidates should refer to the guidelines for converting CGPA to the Percentage specified by their university for more information.

Who is Not Eligible for CAT 2023?

Candidates who are not eligible for the CAT exam according to the CAT Eligibility Criteria 2023 are those who:

• Have not completed their Bachelor’s degree or any professional degree such as CS/CA/ICWA 
• Candidates have not completed their graduation but are pursuing a professional course and are in the final year of the same.
• Belong to the general category and have secured less than 50% aggregate in graduation to meet the CAT eligibility 2023.
• Belong to SC/ST/PwD category and have secured less than 45% aggregate in graduation
• Have completed their graduation from a college or institution for satisfying the CAT eligibility 2023 that is not recognized by either of AICTE/UGC/MHRD-Government of India.

Additional CAT Eligibility 2023 Facts

Here are some additional CAT Eligibility 2023 facts that the candidates should know:

• Candidates who have completed their graduation in the old system are eligible to appear for the CAT exam. The degree obtained by the candidates under such a system must be approved and recognized by UGC to meet the CAT eligibility 2023 requirements.
• Keeping in view the CAT 2023 eligibility, shortlisting candidates in the IIMs is based on various factors and does not depend only on the candidates fulfilling the CAT 2023 eligibility.
• The candidates must furnish their valid and working email addresses and cellular number throughout the selection process.
• There is no maximum age limit to appear for the CAT exam.

CAT Eligibility 2023: Important Information for Reserved Category CAT 2023 Applicants

SC or ST category candidates must submit the caste certificate in a format approved by the Government under the CAT eligibility 2023. Also, the caste/tribe that a candidate belongs to must be listed in the Government of India schedule. The caste certificate should clearly state:

(a) Name of the candidate's caste/tribe;

(b) Whether the candidate belongs to SC or ST category;

(c) District and the State or Union Territory of the aspirant's ordinary residence; and

(d) the appropriate Government of India schedule under which the caste/tribe is approved by it as SC or ST.

Candidates must upload a copy of the SC/ ST/ NC-OBC/ PwD certificate(s) during CAT registration 2023. Failure to do so will lead to the rejection of their CAT registration.

At the time of interviews, candidates must show the SC/ ST/ NC-OBC/ PwD certificate(s) and submit a photocopy to clear the CAT exam eligibility criteria. If a candidate fails to do so during the selection process at IIMs, they will not be considered under the reserved category.

Also Read: How to Apply for Category Certificates for CAT 2023

IIM vs CAT Eligibility Criteria 2023

Many times, candidates ponder over the question if there is any difference between IIM and CAT exam eligibility. To ensure all the speculations over this question are put to rest, CollegeDekho provides the candidates with the only difference in the CAT exam and IIM eligibility criteria. Candidates who have graduated from the old two-year graduation system satisfy the CAT exam 2023 eligibility criteria, but such candidates cannot pursue their desired management course from IIM. Candidates who want to pursue management at any of the IIMs after qualifying for the CAT exam must have completed their graduation from the contemporary three-year graduation system. Except for this, there is no difference in IIM and CAT exam eligibility criteria.

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