CAT Exam is for What Purpose?

CAT Exam is for what purpose?

CAT is an entrance exam for MBA aspirants to get admission to Top MBA colleges in India. There are some other MBA entrance exams also to help you get admission to top MBA institutions in India.

CAT exam 2023 registration has been started on 2^nd August 2023. The last date to register for CAT Exam 2023 is 13^th September. The CAT 2023 exam will be on 26^th November 2023. Read the article to know everything about CAT Exam.

This Article contains information regarding the CAT Exam 2023, its syllabus, CAT IIM eligibility criteria, registration process, topic-wise weightage in the CAT Exam syllabus for MBA, and preparation tips to complete each of the three sections in CAT Exam 2023. Also, If you want to know what CAT Exam is for what purpose go through the article to know about it. 

What is CAT? And CAT Exam is for what purpose?

India's most prestigious national-level admission test, the Common Admission Test (CAT), allows applicants to enter renowned business colleges. This Common Admission Test is administered by the IIMs (Indian Institute of Management) on a rotating basis.

CAT Exam 2023 date is 26^th November. It is a computer-based exam that is given in 156 Indian cities. Aspiring B-school students should start preparing for the CAT as soon as possible using.

CAT Exam 2023 Highlights

Exam	CAT – Common Admission Test
Conducted by	IIMs in rounds
CAT 2023 Application	Online
Mode of Exam	Computer Based Test - CBT
Medium	English
Total no. of Questions	66
Types of Questions	MCQ and Type in the Answer-TITA
Marking Scheme	-1 for each wrong answer in MCQ+3 for each correct answer in MCQ(No negative marking for TITA)
Total sections in paper	Computer-Based Test - CBT
Total time duration	2 hours
Total marks	198 marks

CAT 2023 Important Dates

The following table mentions the CAT 2023 Important Dates

Event	Date
Registration	2nd August – 13th September 2023
CAT Exam 2023 Date	26 November 2023
Admit Card release date	25th October
Result declaration	December (tentative)

CAT Exam is for what purpose?

If you are wondering what CAT Exam is for What purpose, read the points below to know about it.

• In India, the CAT (Common Admission Test) test is held for applicants to postgraduate management programs like MBA.
• The CAT test evaluates a candidate's verbal, logical, mathematical, and data interpretation abilities.
• Business schools and management institutes highly weigh CAT exam performance when choosing applicants for their management programs.
• It acts as an entry point for applicants who want to work in business and administration.
• The Indian Institutes of Management IIMs conduct the exam.
• The renowned Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top management schools in India are reachable through the CAT Exam.
• Gaining CAT clearance can dramatically improve career chances and open doors to lucrative employment opportunities across a range of industries.
• Essential talents including critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, and decision-making are developed as a result of CAT preparation.
• Joining prestigious management colleges through CAT offers a fantastic networking opportunity with like-minded people and business experts.
• Business savvy, leadership qualities, and the capacity for strategic thought are fostered by the demanding curriculum and exposure to top management programs.

What are the Top MBA Colleges in India?

The top MBA Colleges in India consist of IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Ahmedabad etc. 

The table below shows the list of Top MBA colleges in India.

S.No.	Top MBA Colleges in India
1.	Indian Institute of Management - IIM Bangalore
2.	Indian Institute of Management - IIM Calcutta
3.	Indian Institute of Management - IIM Ahmedabad
4.	SP Jain Institute of Management and Research
5.	Indian Institute of Management - IIM Kozhikode
6.	Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
7.	Indian Institute of Management - IIM Lucknow
8.	Indian Institute of Management - IIM Indore
9.	FMS New Delhi
10.	Management Development Institute, Gurgaon

CAT Exam Eligibility

CAT Exam Eligibility is mentioned below. Check if you fulfill the CAT IIM Eligibility criteria:

• The candidates must have graduated from a recognized college in any stream with a minimum 50% (45% for candidates from the reserved category).
• Candidates in their last year are also eligible to apply for the exam, but they must provide documentation of their academic background within the authority's specified time frame.
• In CAT IIM, there is no maximum age. You can apply for this exam if you meet the essential educational eligibility requirements.

CAT Exam 2023 Registration Process

Below are the steps of the CAT Exam 2023 registration process. 

CAT Exam 2023 registration will be open between 10:00 am on August 2, 2023, and 5:00 pm on September 13, 2023. You can register yourself at the official website of CAT, www.iimcat.ac.in. 

Registration Process for CAT 2023 :

Step 1: You need to create an individual User ID and set a Password by registering on the official website.

Step 2: Then complete the application form by signing in using the generated credentials i.e. User ID and Password.

Step 3: After you have filled out the application form for CAT, pay the application fees online.

Step 4: At last submit it to finish the registration and application process for CAT 2023.

Important Instructions regarding CAT 2023 Registration.

No changes will be allowed after the payment and submission of the application form. So be careful in filling out the form.

You can print the application form once it has been submitted.

Make sure you get yourself registered before the CAT Registration last date i.e. 13^th September. 

Note: students should visit the official website and check the documents required for CAT 2023 registration.

CAT Exam Pattern 

CAT Exam 2022 suggests that the paper in 2022 was of moderate level and no. of question were 66 in total, similarly, the no. of question in 2021 were 66 with a time duration of 2 hours, whereas in the year 2020, the no. of questions that came in exam were 76 with time duration of 2 hours.

But for the year 2019, the number of questions was 100 to be attempted in 3 hours.

The table below shows the CAT Exam pattern for various years:

CAT exam for the year	Time allotted	Total No. of questions
2018	180 minutes	100
2019	180 minutes	100
2020	120 minutes	76
2021	120 minutes	66
2022	120 minutes	66

CAT Exam Syllabus: Overview

The table below gives an overview of the CAT Exam Syllabus For MBA

Section in CAT Exam	Questions	Weightage
VARC	24	34-36%
DILR	20	32-34%
QA	22	34%

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Topics and Weightage in CAT Exam 2023

VARC in CAT Exam Syllabus consists of two parts – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Overall weightage for VARC is 32-34%

Candidates will get 40 minutes, they must utilize it effectively to complete this section. 

Topics under VARC in CAT exam 2023:

• Jumbled Paragraph Questions
• Reading Comprehension Questions
• Para Summary Questions
• Para Completion Questions
• Odd-sentence-out Questions

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Topics and Weightage in CAT Exam 2023

The DILR section also has two parts – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The weightage of DILR in CAT 2023 is 32%-34%. DI and LR parts are divided equally.

Candidates get 40 minutes for this section.

Topics under DILR in CAT exam 2023:

• Logical Sequence, Connectives, Matching
• Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Venn Diagram, Column Graph
• Syllogism
• Pie Charts, cubes
• Calendars and Clocks
• Blood Relations
• Number and Letter Series
• Binary Logic
• Caselets
• Seating Arrangement

Quantitative Ability – QA Topics and Weightage in CAT Exam 2023

QA section is one of the most important sections in the CAT Exam Syllabus. It covers basic maths so you must have a strong base in topics like arithmetic, mensuration, Algebra, geometry, etc. 

The Weightage of QA in the CAT exam is 34%.

Topics under QA in CAT exam 2023:

• Number Systems
• HCF & LCM
• Profit, Loss, and Discount
• Time & Work 
• Linear Equations
• Quadratic Equations
• Permutation and Combination
• Set Theory & Function
• Coordinate Geometry
• Sequence and Series

Candidates have 40 minutes of time to attempt this section.

CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA consists of various topics and chapters. The questions are of all three levels – easy, moderate, and difficult.

How to start the Preparation for CAT Exam 2023?

• Overview the Syllabus carefully
• Time management is the key
• Online/Offline Coaching if required
• Practice mock Tests and sample papers
• Clear all concepts
• Make revision notes and avoid distractions

MBA Entrance exams other than CAT Exam

There are many other entrance exams for MBA aspirants to take admission in MBA. The entrance tests other than CAT are listed below.

Entrance Exam	No. of Questions and time duration
ATMA	180 (180 minutes)
XAT	102 (210 minutes)
IIFT	110 (120 minutes)
NMAT by GMAC	108 (120 minutes)
SNAP	60 (60 minutes)
GMAT	80 (187 minutes)
PGDBA	50 (180 minutes)
IBSAT	140 (120 minutes)
GATE	65 (180 minutes)

Frequently Asked Questions About the CAT Exam

Q. What is CAT Exam?

Ans. India's most prestigious national-level admission test, the Common Admission Test (CAT), allows applicants to enter renowned business colleges. This Common Admission Test is administered by the IIMs (Indian Institute of Management) on a rotating basis.

Q. CAT Exam is for what purpose?

Ans. If you are wondering CAT Exam is for What purpose, read the points below to know about it.

• In India, the CAT (Common Admission Test) test is held for applicants to postgraduate management programs like MBA.
• The CAT test evaluates a candidate's verbal, logical, mathematical, and data interpretation abilities.
• Business schools and management institutes highly weigh CAT exam performance when choosing applicants for their management programs.
• It acts as an entry point for applicants who want to work in business and administration.
• The Indian Institutes of Management IIMs conduct the exam.
• The renowned Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top management schools in India are reachable through the CAT Exam.

Q. How to register for CAT 2023?

Ans. Registration Process for CAT 2023 :

Step 1: You need to create an individual User ID and set a Password by registering on the official website.

Step 2: Then complete the application form by signing in using the generated credentials i.e. User ID and Password.

Step 3: After you have filled out the application form for CAT, pay the application fees online.

Step 4: At last submit it to finish the registration and application process for CAT 2023.

Q. Is MBA possible without CAT Exam?

Ans. Yes, MBA is possible without CAT Exam as there are other entrance exams apart from CAT. Also, you can get admission to some colleges without an entrance exam.

Q. What is the last date to register for CAT 2023?

Ans. CAT 2023 registration started on 2nd August. The last date to register in CAT 2023 is 13th September 2023. Aspirants can register for the CAT exam 2023 on iimcat.ac.in.

Q. What is the date for the CAT Exam in 2023?

Ans. The date for the CAT Exam 2023 is 26^th November 2023.

Q. What is the CAT exam 2023 Syllabus for MBA?

Ans. The CAT Exam syllabus has three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension - VARC; 
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning - DILR and 
• Quantitative Ability – QA

Q. What is the marking scheme of CAT Exam 2023?

Ans. Each wrong answer gets –ve 1 and each positive answer gets +3 marks in MCQs and there is no negative marking for TITA (type in the Answer) questions.