Common admission test is a mandatory entrance examination conducted by the India Institutes of Management for granting admission in the management programs of all the six IIMs. Besides IIMs, there are other management schools too, which consider the CAT scores as the main eligibility criteria for enrolling students in their management courses. After successfully clearing the CAT test, you have to clear the group discussion and interview rounds as well to secure a place for yourself in MBA program.

CAT Test Patterns

The CAT test is conducted generally during the months of November- December. It is comparatively less predictable than other management entrance tests as its pattern/ number of questions keeps changing every year.  The number of questions, however, is spread across 4 sections namely,

• Quantitative Ability (QA)

• Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR)

• Reading Comprehension (RC)

• Verbal Ability (VA)

In the year 2004, the concept of differential marking was introduced. Therefore, it is essential that you prepare thoroughly for all the four sections in order to receive calls from the best management institutions.

There is disparity regarding the duration of the test too. For instance, till 2005 the duration of the CAT test was 2 hours which was changed to 2 ½ hours in the year 2006.

Given below is a comprehensive comparison between the CAT test of years 2005, 2006 and 2007-

Eligibility Criteria for CAT test

It is essential for you to hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% score in order to be eligible to give the CAT test. In case you belong to SC, ST or the disability category, you are required to have at least 45 % marks in graduation.

CAT Test Registration

The CAT test application form is the same for all IIMs. You can get this form from any branch of the State Bank of India. The form is usually available in the month of April. It should be noted that the CAT test application form is to be filled and submitted only once, irrespective of how many IIMs you are applying to.

However, for non-IIM institutes, you might have to fill a separate form available from their institute.

List of IIMS

• Indian Institutes of Management, Lucknow

• Indian Institutes of Management, Bangalore

• Indian Institutes of Management, Kozhikode

•  Indian Institutes of Management, Ahmadabad

• Indian Institutes of Management, Calcutta

• Indian Institutes of Management, Indore

List of Non-IIM Institutes accepting CAT scores

• National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai

• S.P.Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai

• Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon

• Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM), Trichy

• Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad (MICA), Ahmedabad

• T.A.Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal.

• Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad

• National Insurance Academy School of Management (NIASoM), Pune

• Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad

• Welingkar, Mumbai

Kindly note that this list is not exhaustive and there could be other management schools too which grant admission on the basis of CAT test scores.

Tips and Strategies

CAT is an entrance examination for over 80 institutes offering MBA programs. Almost all the top B schools including the six IIMs consider the CAT scores for granting admission in their MBA programs. Needless to say, cracking the CAT takes rigorous preparation and consistent hard work. Given below are some of the tips which might help you in getting admission to the MBA School of your choice.

• CAT being an application driven test, regular practice with complete focus is the key to clearing the test

• As the curriculum for the CAT is limited, it is essential for you to cover the entire curriculum leaving nothing

• After you have completed most of the course, start giving mock CAT test. Higher the number of test that you take, higher would be your learning curve

• Thoroughly analyse the result of the mock CAT test for identifying your strong and weak areas. Now follow a structured and organised approach to turn your weak points into your strength

• It is a good idea to spend an hour or so in trying to find out what you could have done better in the mock CAT test. Remember, one of the key reasons of giving mock CAT test is to learn from your mistakes

• Help from teachers, joining a coaching institute, study of the fundamental concepts and solving solved and unsolved questions would help you in gaining command over the concepts that you find difficult

• Build mathematical proficiency. You should thoroughly work on the math problems of 10th and 11th standard

• Follow the 3 times principle. Solve every question 3 times; first time would be the attempt, second would be a solution and finally for the purpose of revision. The 3 times principle would help you in understanding the concept better

• You should know what to leave for later during the exam. Solve the questions which you think you can answer correctly. Leave complex questions for later. Remember time management is the key!

• Also in the first attempt, answer only those questions which would take less than a minute. Long and difficult questions should be reserved for later. Mark such questions and solve them after completing the simpler and less time consuming answers

Dates and Deadlines

Date of issuing forms: August

Date for receipt of forms : Early September

Date of entrance exam : Mid November