Common Admission Test
(CAT)
Description
The Common Admission Test is among the most prestigious and competitive entrance examinations in India that offer admission primarily to Indian Institutes of Management along with several other top-rated business schools across the country.
Aspirants who wish to secure a high percentile in CAT every year run into thousands; getting into these premier management institutes remains a dream for most. Here is a detailed breakup of important aspects related to the CAT exam.
1. What is CAT and Who Conducts It?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based test held every year for admission to postgraduate management programs at IIMs on a rotational basis by one of the IIMs. As the name suggests, this test will not only enable you to get into 21 prestigious IIMs but also more than 1200 B-schools all over India accept it.
Eligibility for CAT is simple. An applicant should possess a bachelor’s degree with not less than 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories). Final-year students can also apply.
This test will measure your aptitude and ability to solve complex problems within a specific time frame—these are the skills that managers and leaders need to have.
2. Exam Structure and Syllabus
The candidates are tested in three major areas:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
There will be individual section timing, and no candidate is allowed to move between the sections while the exam is in progress. The duration of the test is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes for each of the three sections.
Breakdown:
VARC: English grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and sentence correction
DILR: The question sets will come from data sets, charts, puzzles, seating arrangements, and analytical reasoning
QA: Basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number system, modern math
The syllabus shall not be officially fixed but generally flows with topics at the high school level in math and English, emphasizing application and logic.
3. Scoring and Percentile Calculation
CAT scores are normalized to equalize the differences of difficulties faced across more than one exam slot. The final result comprises:
- Scaled scores for each section
- Overall scaled score
Percentile is the percentage of candidates who scored less than a particular candidate. For example, 95 percentile means you have outperformed 95% of the total test-takers.
The best IIMs in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta usually invite applicants with more than 99 percentiles, but other determinants such as education history, employment experience, and variety also count in the selection.
4. How to Prepare for CAT
a) Know the Pattern of Exam
Go through previous CAT papers and mocks to understand what sort of questions come and at what level they are asked.
b) Create Strong Basics
Be very clear about your concepts for topics in quant and reasoning. NCERTs, prep books, and online material will help build your base strong.
c) Practice
Mock tests and section-wise practice is the key. Analyze each mock to find your weaknesses.
d) Time Management
Since all sections are time-bound, practice answering questions within a very strict time limit so you can work on your speed and accuracy.
e) Attend Coaching or Online Programs (Optional)
Structured coaching works for most candidates. However, self-study can also be effective if accompanied by the right discipline and material.
5. What Happens After CAT?
Once the results for CAT are out, B-schools shortlist candidates who then have to appear in further rounds comprising:
- A written ability test (WAT)
- A group discussion (GD)
- A personal interview (PI)
Institutes use individual parameters for final percentile, including academic scores, work experience and others, apart from gender diversity. A composite score comprising weightage to CAT percentile and personal interview among others finally determines the selection.
A decent CAT percentile will help you get into the best management programs in India. Most of the graduates from top IIMs land a job at MNCs, consulting firms, investment banks, or high-growth startups. Top B-schools give a high return on investment (ROI); salary, exposure, and growth.
Conclusion
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is not just an aptitude exam; it is a means of transformation for thousands of potential business leaders across India. Yes, it’s tough, but with the right preparation strategy and strong mental resilience, cracking CAT is possible.