All You Need To Know About CAT 2024
Aspiring management professionals across India eagerly await the Common Admission Test(CAT) each year, as it serves as a gateway to some of the most prestigious business schools inthe country. CAT is not just an exam; it’s a journey that tests not only a candidate’s aptitudebut also their perseverance, analytical skills, and time management abilities. Let’s delve deepinto all aspects of CAT 2024, providing aspiring candidates with the information they need toembark on this transformative journey. Understanding CATCAT, conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), is one of the mostcompetitive management entrance exams in India. It serves as the primary criterion foradmission to the prestigious IIMs and other premier management institutes across thecountry. CAT evaluates candidates on three major parameters: Quantitative Ability (QA),Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and LogicalReasoning (DILR). CAT 2024: Important DatesTo kickstart your CAT preparation journey, it’s crucial to stay updated on the important datesassociated with the exam. While the official notification for CAT 2024 is yet to be released,based on past trends, here’s an approximate timeline:● Commencement of CAT Registration: Likely Aug 2024● CAT Admit Card: Likely Oct 2024● CAT Exam Date: Likely Nov 2024● Declaration of CAT Results: Likely Dec 2024 Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2024Before registering for CAT 2024, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria setby the conducting authority. While the specific eligibility criteria may vary slightly from yearto year, here are the general requirements:● Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from arecognized university or institute.● Minimum Percentage: Most institutes require candidates to have a minimumaggregate percentage in their bachelor’s degree, usually ranging from 50% to 60%.● Final Year Students: Candidates appearing for the final year of their bachelor’s degreeor awaiting results are also eligible to apply.CAT 2024: Registration ProcessThe registration process for CAT typically involves the following steps:● Online Registration: Candidates need to visit the official CAT website and completethe online registration process by providing basic details such as name, date of birth,email address, and mobile number.● Fill Application Form: After registration, candidates must fill out the CAT applicationform, providing detailed information about their educational background, workexperience (if any), and preferred exam centers.● Upload Documents: Candidates are required to upload scanned images of theirphotograph, signature, and other relevant documents as per the specificationsprovided.● Payment of Application Fee: The final step involves the payment of the CATapplication fee through online modes such as debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.CAT 2024: Exam Pattern and SyllabusUnderstanding the exam pattern and syllabus is crucial for effective preparation. While theofficial CAT syllabus document is not released by the IIMs, candidates can analyze previousyears’ question papers to decipher the major topics of the CAT syllabus. The CAT syllabus for2024 is expected to cover the following main topics:● Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): Para jumbles,Sentence-Completion, Reading Comprehension, Para-Summary, Inferences● Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): Tables, Graphs, Data Caselets,Blood Relation, Venn Diagram, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism● Quantitative Aptitude (QA): Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple Interest-CompoundInterest, Time & Distance, Averages-Mixtures-Alligations, Numbers, Mensuration,Logarithms, Functions & Graphs, Indices & Surds, Quadratic Equations, SpecialEquations, Statistics CAT 2024: Marking SchemeUnderstanding the CAT marking scheme is crucial for optimizing performance andmaximizing scores. The CAT 2024 marking scheme includes:● Total Marks: CAT 2024 will have a total of 198 marks, with each question carrying 3marks.● Number of Questions: CAT 2024 will consist of a total of 66 questions dividedsection-wise as VARC – 24, DILR – 20, and QA -22.● Negative Marking: There is a negative marking of -1 for every wrong answer inMCQs.● Skipping Questions: It is not mandatory to attempt all the questions, and there will beno deduction of marks for skipping questions.● Non-MCQ Questions: Some questions in the QA section will be non-MCQ, and therewill be no negative marking for these questions. CAT 2024: Exam Pattern – Overall and Sectional Time LimitThe CAT exam imposes a time limit for each section, requiring candidates to solve the paperin a predefined sequence and within the allocated time frame. They are not permitted tochoose any section to begin with or switch between sections. The sequence of sections isfixed. It will be:● Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)● Section 2: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)● Section 3: Quantitative Aptitude (QA)The time limit for each section is as follows:● Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 40 minutes● Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 40 minutes● Quantitative Aptitude (QA): 40 minutesFor PwD (Persons with Disabilities) students, the time limit for each section is extended to 53minutes and 20 seconds. CAT 2024: Preparation StrategyPreparing for CAT requires a structured and disciplined approach. Here are some tips to helpyou prepare effectively:● Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the CAT syllabus and focus onstrengthening your weaknesses while consolidating your strengths.● Time Management: Practice time management techniques to ensure you can completeeach section within the allotted time frame.● Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation level and identifyareas that need improvement.● Revision: Allocate sufficient time for revision, especially in the weeks leading up tothe exam, to reinforce concepts and formulas. CAT 2024: Admit Card and Exam DayOnce the CAT admit card is released, candidates can download it from the official websiteusing their login credentials. On the day of the exam, candidates must carry a printed copy ofthe admit card along with a valid photo ID proof for verification purposes. It’s advisable toreach the exam center well in advance to avoid any last-minute rush. CAT 2024: Results and Further ProcessAfter the successful completion of the exam, candidates can expect the CAT results to bedeclared within a few weeks. The results are usually published on the official CAT website,and candidates can check their scores using their login credentials. Based on theirperformance in CAT, candidates will be shortlisted for further rounds of selection, which mayinclude a Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).Is Online Coaching Good for CAT?With the rise of digital learning platforms, many aspiring CAT candidates find themselvespondering over whether online coaching is