CAT Exam Full Form: Common Admission Test

For those who are wondering What Is CAT’s Full Form? The Common Admission Test is the full name of the CAT. It is a common admission exam for the entrance exams of different institutions offering management education, as the Full Form of CAT indicates. According to the CAT Full Form, the exam is intended to be taken as an entrance test; therefore, students who wish to apply for post-graduation must take it after they have completed their degree. The exam is meant to be taken in order to meet the requirements for admission and thereafter be accepted into the preferred college.

What is CAT? 

A Common Admission Test, or CAT, is a standardized test that is administered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to gauge the eligibility of candidates for admission into various management programs offered by these institutes. The test consists of three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: This section tests a candidate’s ability to read and comprehend passages, as well as answer questions based on them
• Data Interpretation:  This section tests a candidate’s ability to interpret data presented in graphical or tabular form and answer questions based on them
• Logical Reasoning: This section tests a candidate’s ability to identify patterns and relationships, and answer questions based on them

With less than 5% of applicants passing, the CAT is considered to be among the world’s most difficult admission tests. In order to be considered for admission to an IIM program, applicants need to receive good scores in each of the three exam components.

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What is the history of CAT?

The CAT exam, which is really important for MBA studies, has changed a lot over the years. Let’s look at its history:

• It started in 1984 as a pen and paper test but switched to a computer-based test in 2009. However, the first computer-based test had some problems, so they had to do it again in 2010.
• In 2011, they made a big change by reducing the sections from three to two. Now, there were questions on Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, as well as Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability.
• Then, in 2014, they increased the number of questions to 100, split into two sections of 50 questions each, instead of the previous 60-question format.
• In 2015, they made even more changes. They got rid of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and let people use on-screen calculators. This made the exam more modern and better for test-takers.

CAT Exam 2024

The CAT exam has undergone significant revisions throughout time to reflect advancements in testing methodologies and technology. The goal is to ensure that all test takers have an equal opportunity to get admission to prestigious MBA programs such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

The CAT exam is typically held once a year, usually in November or December. It follows a multiple-choice question format, with a time duration of approximately three hours. The exam is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section has a designated time limit, and candidates must manage their time effectively to answer the questions within the given timeframe.

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CAT scores are used by various participating institutions. The IIMs and other prestigious business schools in India, use CAT as a primary criterion for shortlisting candidates during selection process. It may include a group discussion (GD), written ability test (WAT), and personal interview (PI). Final admission decisions are based on the CAT score, performance in the selection process, and other factors like academic records, work experience, and diversity.

Preparing for the CAT exam requires dedication, extensive study, and practice. Many aspirants join coaching institutes or engage in self-study to enhance their skills and improve their chances of scoring well in the exam.

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024

Applicants must ensure that they satisfy the criteria required for application.

Educational Qualification

Applicants should satisfy any one of the below-mentioned requirements:

• Shave completed graduation in any stream with minimum 50 per cent in aggregate (45 per cent for SC/ ST/ PwD candidates) or equivalent from a recognized university
• Final year bachelor’s degree candidates or those awaiting their result are also eligible to appear CAT exam
• Candidates will professional qualifications such as CA/ CS/ ICWA can also appear in the CAT

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Age Limit

There is no age restriction to apply for the CAT exam.

CAT Exam Pattern 2024

The CAT 2024 exam follows a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format and spans a duration of 120 minutes. Candidates need to solve 66 questions from the VARC, DILR, and QA sections during the CAT exam duration. The crucial highlights of the CAT exam pattern are outlined below:

• The CAT exam is held in three sessions.
• Each session lasts for a duration of 120 minutes.
• The CAT exam paper is divided into three sections – VARC, DILR, and QA.
• The total number of questions in the exam is 66.
• A sectional time limit of 40 minutes is allocated for each section.
• Candidates secure three marks for every correct answer. Additionally, for each incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted.
• There is no negative marking for non-MCQs, and skipping questions incurs no penalty.
• The maximum achievable score in the CAT 2024 exam is 198.
• Attempting all questions is not mandatory.

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How to Register for CAT 2024 ?

• CAT 2024 registration has to be done online only through the official website of CAT – iimcat.ac.in.
• First time applicants should first fill a separate registration form. Enter details like Name of the Candidate, Date of Birth, Email Address, Country, Mobile Number, and Captcha.
• Click the “Generate OTP” button to receive an OTP on the registered mobile. Using the OTP, log in to the CAT 2024 application page.
• Carefully fill in all the required details.
• Upload all the necessary documents in the prescribed format.
• Pay the CAT exam fees online.
• Submit the completed registration form.
• Download and take a printout of the application form for future reference.
• A correction window will be opened for a few days after the closing of the registration window. Mistakes in scanned images of signatures, photographs, and CAT exam city preference can be modified during this period. Details like name, Date Of Birth , email id and phone number cannot be changed.

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CAT Mock Test PDF: Download Link

Candidates preparing for the upcoming CAT Exam can refer to the mock test PDF below.

The CAT Mock Test PDF for 2020 is available here for download. Eligible candidates can use this PDF for reference

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