CAT Insights
Beyond the Exam Hall

CAT INSIGHTS

The CAT Exam is highly regarded as the main gateway to MBA programs, attracting many hopeful candidates each year. Achieving admission to a respected business school is a common goal for many students. To qualify for MBA programs, candidates must pass the CAT Exam. To estimate their chances of being invited for interviews or admissions from top institutions like the IIMs and other leading MBA colleges, students can use prediction tools.

The CAT Exam is a basic requirement for admission to the IIMs and other top business schools. For those planning to take the CAT 2023 exam, understanding its basics, including eligibility criteria and syllabus, is essential. It is also important to know how much time is needed to cover the entire syllabus effectively. This is crucial for success in the CAT exam and securing admission to reputable institutions like the IIMs.

What Is CAT Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) stands as India is most esteemed national-level entrance examination, granting aspirants access to premier management institutes. Undoubtedly, it reigns as the largest MBA entrance test in the nation. Conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis, CAT is overseen by different IIMs each year. The CAT exam comprises three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning), and Quantitative Ability (Quantitative Ability). Each section is allotted a specific time, totaling a 2-hour exam duration.

Scheduled as a computer-based test across various cities in India, CAT Exam is a crucial step for B-school aspirants seeking admission to top management institutes. If you are preparing for CAT, commence your preparation promptly with comprehensive learning resources.

CAT Exam Highlights

Based on historical trends, the CAT Exam is typically held in three sessions. Candidates aiming for the CAT exam can check the highlights provided below:

CAT EXAM HIGHLIGHTS
Exam Name	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Official Website	https://iimcat.ac.in
Conducting Body	IIM Lucknow
Exam Duration	2 Hours
Exam Fees	INR 1200 (Reserved Categories) INR 2400 (Other Categories)
Medium of Exam	English
Mode of Exam	Computer Based Test (CBT)
Syllabus	Quantitative Ability Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Eligibility	Bachelor is Degree with 50% aggregate (45% aggregate or equivalent for reserved categories)

Evolution of CAT Exam Over The Years

The CAT Exam has seen significant evolution since its transition from a paper-and-pencil format to computer-based testing:

CAT Exam Overview
Year	Time (mins)	Duration	Section	Total Questions
2023	120	Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability	24 20 22	72
2022	120	Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability	24 20 22	72
2021	120	Verbal ability and Reading comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability	24 20 22	72
2020	120	Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability	26 24 26	76
2019	180	Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability	34 32 34	100
2018	180	Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability	34 32 34	100
2017	180	Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability	34 32 34	100
2016	180	Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability	34 32 34	100
2015	180	Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability	34 32 34	100
2014	170	Quantitative Ability & Data interpretation VA & LR	50 50	100
2013	140	Verbal Ability & Logical reasoning Quantitative Ability , Data interpretation	30 30	60
2012	140	Quantitative Ability Data interpretation Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension	21 9 30	60
2011	140	VALR & Quantitative Ability & DI	30 30	60

CAT Exam Syllabus

For a more comprehensive understanding of the syllabus, please visit the, Check Syllabus .

Various Programs Offered by IIMs:

IIMs and Programmes Offered
IIMs	Programmes Offered
IIM Ahmedabad	PGP, PGP-FABM
IIM Amritsar	MBA, EMBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM
IIM Bangalore	PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA
IIM Bodh Gaya	PGP
IIM Calcutta	MBA
IIM Indore	PGP, PGP-HRM
IIM Jammu	MBA, Executive MBA (Blended Mode), PGP in Health Care Management (Jointly with AIIMS Jammu and IIT Jammu), PGP in Hospital Administration (Jointly with AIIMS Jammu and IIT Jammu)
IIM Kashipur	MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA
IIM Kozhikode	PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, EPGP Kochi
IIM Lucknow	PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-SM
IIM Nagpur	PGP
IIM Raipur	PGP
IIM Ranchi	PGP, PGP-HRM, PGP (Business Analytics)
IIM Rohtak	PGP, EPGPX, EPGDSM
IIM Sambalpur	MBA, Executive MBA
IIM Shillong	PGP, PGPEX, PGPWE
IIM Sirmaur	MBA, MBA (T&HM)
IIM Tiruchirappalli	PGPM, PGPM-HR, PGPBM
IIM Udaipur	MBA, MBA-DEM, MBA-GSCM, PGDBA
IIM Visakhapatnam	PGP, PGPEX, PGPDGM

Time Required to Complete the CAT Exam Syllabus:

Each year, over 200,000 CAT aspirants enroll for the CAT Exam. Achieving success in this examination typically requires an intensive preparation period of 7-9 months before the exam date. However, candidates who find themselves behind schedule can still excel with a dedicated preparation period of 3-4 months, provided they are fully committed to their studies.

Other MBA Entrance Exams:

Candidates enrolled in CAT Coaching should acquaint themselves with various MBA entrance exams conducted in India. Apart from CAT, other prominent management entrance exams include XAT, MAT, CMAT, NMAT, IIFT, etc.